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Xie W, Zhou L, Liu J, Li Z, Li Z, Gao W, Shi Y. How to trace etomidate in illegal E-cigarettes from authentic human hair: identification, quantification and multiple-factor analysis. Forensic Toxicol 2024:10.1007/s11419-024-00698-w. [PMID: 39122972 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-024-00698-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The abusive consumption of illegal E-cigarettes containing etomidate (ET) can have a significant impact on public mental and physical well-being. The purpose of this study is to establish a rapid quantitative method using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the targeted screening of etomidate (ET) and its metabolite etomidate acid (ETA) in hair samples. METHODS A 1 mL methanol solution containing the internal standard ET-d5 at a concentration of 50 pg/mg was added to 20 mg of hair and milled below 4 °C. After centrifugation, 5 μL of the supernatant was injected into a UHPLC-MS/MS system. RESULTS The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were determined to be 1 pg/mg and 10 pg/mg, respectively, for ET, and 10 pg/mg and 25 pg/mg, respectively, for ETA. Calibration curves for all analytes showed good linearity (r > 0.997), indicating a reliable method. Accuracies were between 92.12% and 110.72%. Intra-day and inter-day precision for all analytes at all concentration levels were below 10.13%. Analyte recoveries ranged from 86.90% to 101.43%, with a matrix effect ranging from -18.55% to -14.93%. CONCLUSIONS The validated method was successfully used to analyze 105 hair samples from suspected ET users. Of these, 50 tested positive for ET and 43 tested positive for ETA above the LOQ. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the developed UHPLC-MS/MS method in detecting ET and ETA in hair samples, which could be instrumental in addressing the issue of illegal E-cigarette abuse and its impact on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanting Xie
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
- China National Narcotics Control Commission-ChinaPharmaceutical University JointLaboratory On Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Liying Zhou
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinting Liu
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziyi Li
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
- China National Narcotics Control Commission-ChinaPharmaceutical University JointLaboratory On Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Zehong Li
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
- China National Narcotics Control Commission-ChinaPharmaceutical University JointLaboratory On Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Gao
- China National Narcotics Control Commission-ChinaPharmaceutical University JointLaboratory On Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China.
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Dai Y, Zhang X, Zhao K, Wang Y, Liu J, Gu J, Bai H, Hasegawa K, Wurita A. Detection and quantification of etomidate and metomidate in human hairs by ultraperformance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Forensic Toxicol 2024; 42:232-241. [PMID: 38240998 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-023-00678-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Intravenous narcotic agents, such as etomidate and metomidate, has been widely spread and abused in the world, including in Korea and China; thus, it is important to establish validated and sensitive analytical method for these compounds. Human hair as a biological sample has various advantages, including a wide detection window of drugs, compared to other typical samples, such as urine and blood in investigation. The purpose of this communication is to develop a reliable and useful method for the simultaneous detection and quantification of etomidate and metomidate in human hair samples by ultraperformance liquid chromatography combined with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), and to apply it for authentic samples in abuse cases. METHODS The hair samples were washed with a detergent solution, followed by with water and acetone. After drying, they were cut into approximately 2 mm sections and then ground to powder by a low-temperature grinder. The 20 mg of hair powder plus internal standard in 1 mL of methanol was vortexed and then centrifuged to obtain the supernatant layer, followed by subjecting to analysis. RESULTS The coefficient of determination (r2) values of the calibration curves of etomidate and metomidate in the hair samples were both more than 0.99 in the range of 1-500 ng/mg and 1-500 pg/mg, respectively. The limits of detection and lower limits of quantification were 0.5 and 1 pg/mg, respectively, for the both target compounds. Other tested validation data were all satisfactory. Etomidate and metomidate could be detected in the all hair samples and cigarette oil, which were seized by the police. The concentrations of etomidate and metomidate obtained from 10 samples from suspects were 5.48-45.7 ng/mg and 3.60-377 pg/mg, respectively. The concentrations of etomidate and metomidate in the cigarette oil were 95.8 μg/mg and 2.8 μg/mg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In this study, a simple and reliable analytical method for etomidate and metomidate in the human hair has been established. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to establish a method for the simultaneous detection and quantification of etomidate and metomidate in the human hair, and to apply it to authentic samples seized in authentic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinyin Dai
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | | | - Kundi Zhao
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jinlei Liu
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jie Gu
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Huiru Bai
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | | | - Amin Wurita
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China.
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Wei LC, Chiu HJ. Addressing the public health challenge of etomidate misuse in Taiwan: a call for enhanced regulatory and surveillance measures. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2024:10.1007/s12024-024-00835-2. [PMID: 38806805 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-024-00835-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Lien-Chung Wei
- Department of Addiction Psychiatry Taoyuan Psychiatric Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare Republic of China (Taiwan), 71 Longshou Street, Taoyuan District Taoyuan City 330, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Jane Chiu
- Taoyuan Psychiatric Center, Department of General Psychiatry Taoyuan Psychiatric Center Ministry of Health and Welfare, 71 Longshou Street, Taoyuan District Taoyuan City 330, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Ding S, Li K, Han X, Lin W, Qin Y, Cao R, Ren Y. Long-term use of etomidate disrupts the intestinal homeostasis and nervous system in mice. Toxicology 2024; 504:153802. [PMID: 38604439 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Etomidate (ETO) is used as an anesthetic in surgery, but it is being abused in some populations. The damage caused by long-term intake of ETO to intestinal and brain functions is not yet clear, and it remains to be determined whether the drug affects the central nervous system through the gut-brain axis. This study aimed to investigate the neurotoxic and gastrointestinal effects of ETO at doses of 1 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg in mice over 14 consecutive days. The results showed that long-term injection of ETO led to drug resistance in mice, affecting their innate preference for darkness and possibly inducing dependence on ETO. The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the brain, serum, and colon decreased by 37%, 51%, and 42% respectively, while the levels of γ-aminobutyric acid reduced by 38%, 52%, and 41% respectively. H&E staining revealed that ETO reduced goblet cells in the colon and damaged the intestinal barrier. The expression of tight junction-related genes Claudin4 and ZO-1 was downregulated. The intestinal flora changed, the abundance of Akkermansia and Lactobacillus decreased by 33% and 14%, respectively, while Klebsiella increased by 18%. TUNEL results showed that high-dose ETO increased apoptotic cells in the brain. The expression of Claudin1 in the brain was downregulated. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of the colon and brain indicated that ETO caused abnormalities in glycerophospholipid metabolism. Abnormal lipid metabolism might lead to the production or accumulation of lipotoxic metabolites, causing central nervous system diseases. ETO induced changes in the intestinal flora and metabolism, further affecting the central nervous system through the gut-brain axis. The study unveiled the detrimental effects on the brain and gastrointestinal system resulting from long-term intake of ETO, which holds significant implications for comprehending the adverse impact of ETO abuse on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siming Ding
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Kan Li
- National Anti-Drug Laboratory Guangdong Regional Center, Guangzhou 510230, PR China; Anti-Drug Technology Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510230, PR China
| | - Xing Han
- National Anti-Drug Laboratory Guangdong Regional Center, Guangzhou 510230, PR China; Anti-Drug Technology Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510230, PR China
| | - Wenting Lin
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yingjun Qin
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Renjuan Cao
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yuan Ren
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Eco-Remediation of Guangdong Regular Higher Education Institutions, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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Zhao Y, Guo Y, Xu Z, Lv T, Wang L, Li M, Chen X, Liu B, Peng X. Ratiometric determination of etomidate based on an albumin-based indicator displacement assay (IDA). Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:4691-4694. [PMID: 38592772 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc01154f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The first fluorescent sensor based on the indicator displacement assay (IDA) for on-site determination of etomidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Zhao
- College of Material Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
| | - Yanan Guo
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519000, P. R. China
| | - Zhongyong Xu
- College of Material Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
| | - Taoyuze Lv
- School of Physics, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Material Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
| | - Mingle Li
- College of Material Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaoqiang Chen
- College of Material Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
| | - Bin Liu
- College of Material Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaojun Peng
- College of Material Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
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Chen Y, Liu J, Song T, Zou X, Li L, Nie Q, Zhang P. A case of fatal poisoning caused by etomidate: evidence from pathological and toxicological analyses. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2024:10.1007/s12024-024-00813-8. [PMID: 38652218 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-024-00813-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Etomidate is a nonbarbiturate sedative derived from imidazole. Prolonged and excessive use of etomidate can lead to the suppression of adrenocortical function, myoclonus, and even death. This report describes a rare case of a 47-year-old man who died from acute intoxication after oral ingestion of liquid containing etomidate. The cause of death was conclusively attributed to etomidate based on a comprehensive investigation, including autopsy, histopathological examination, toxicological analysis, and biochemical analysis. This is the first reported case of a fatality solely resulting from the oral ingestion of etomidate, which can provide valuable insights for future forensic investigations involving etomidate poisoning. Therefore, it is imperative to share this case with the scientific community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinyu Chen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center, Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (tropical forensic medicine), Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, International School of Public Health and One Health, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Tao Song
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center, Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (tropical forensic medicine), Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xing Zou
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center, Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (tropical forensic medicine), Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Leilei Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center, Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (tropical forensic medicine), Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Qianyun Nie
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570102, China.
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center, Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (tropical forensic medicine), Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
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da Silva CR, Rebouças JDDO, Cabral VPDF, Rodrigues DS, Barbosa AD, Moreira LEA, Barroso FDD, Coutinho TDNP, de Lima EA, de Andrade CR, de Andrade Neto JB, Lima ISP, Nobre Júnior HV, Gurgel do Amaral Valente Sá L. Promising activity of etomidate against mixed biofilms of fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. J Med Microbiol 2024; 73. [PMID: 38385528 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus are recognized for their development of resistance and biofilm formation. New therapeutic alternatives are necessary in this context.Hypothesis. Etomidate shows potential application in catheters against mixed biofilms of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).Aim. The present study aimed to evaluate the activity of etomidate against mixed biofilms of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans and MRSA.Methodology. The action of etomidate against mature biofilms was verified through the evaluation of biomass and cell viability, and its ability to prevent biofilm formation in peripheral venous catheters was determined based on counts of colony forming units (c.f.u.) and confirmed by morphological analysis through scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Results. Etomidate generated a reduction (P<0.05) in biomass and cell viability starting from a concentration of 250 µg ml-1. In addition, it showed significant ability to prevent the formation of mixed biofilms in a peripheral venous catheter, as shown by a reduction in c.f.u. SEM revealed that treatment with etomidate caused substantial damage to the fungal cells.Conclusion. The results showed the potential of etomidate against polymicrobial biofilms of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans and MRSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecília Rocha da Silva
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection of Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | - Vitória Pessoa de Farias Cabral
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection of Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Daniel Sampaio Rodrigues
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection of Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Amanda Dias Barbosa
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection of Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Lara Elloyse Almeida Moreira
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection of Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Fátima Daiana Dias Barroso
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection of Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
- Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | - Elaine Aires de Lima
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection of Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | - João Batista de Andrade Neto
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection of Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
- Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Iri Sandro Pampolha Lima
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Barbalha, CE, Brazil
| | - Hélio Vitoriano Nobre Júnior
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection of Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Lívia Gurgel do Amaral Valente Sá
- School of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Bioprospection of Antimicrobial Molecules (LABIMAN), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
- Christus University Center (UNICHRISTUS), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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