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Manca A, De Nicolò A, De Vivo ED, Ferrara M, Oh S, Khalili S, Higgins N, Deiss RG, Bonora S, Cusato J, Palermiti A, Mula J, Gianella S, D’Avolio A. A Novel UHPLC-MS/MS Method for the Quantification of Seven Opioids in Different Human Tissues. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:903. [PMID: 37375850 PMCID: PMC10300969 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060903] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioids are considered the cornerstone of pain management: they show good efficacy as a first-line therapy for moderate to severe cancer pain. Since pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic information about the tissue-specific effect and toxicity of opioids is still scarce, their quantification in post-mortem autoptic specimens could give interesting insights. METHODS We describe an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification of methadone, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone and fentanyl in several tissues: liver, brain, kidney, abdominal adipose tissue, lung and blood plasma. The presented method has been applied on 28 autoptic samples from different organs obtained from four deceased PLWH who used opioids for palliative care during terminal disease. RESULTS Sample preparation was based on tissue weighing, disruption, sonication with drug extraction medium and a protein precipitation protocol. The extracts were then dried, reconstituted and injected onto the LX50 QSight 220 (Perkin Elmer, Milan, Italy) system. Separation was obtained by a 7 min gradient run at 40 °C with a Kinetex Biphenyl 2.6 µm, 2.1 × 100 mm. Concerning the analyzed samples, higher opioids concentrations were observed in tissues than in plasma. Particularly, O-MOR and O-COD showed higher concentrations in kidney and liver than other tissues (>15-20 times greater) and blood plasma (>100 times greater). CONCLUSIONS Results in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery and matrix effect fitted the recommendations of FDA and EMA guidelines, and the sensitivity was high enough to allow successful application on human autoptic specimens from an ethically approved clinical study, confirming its eligibility for post-mortem pharmacological/toxicological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Manca
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, Corso Svizzera, 164, 10149 Turin, Italy; (A.M.)
| | - Amedeo De Nicolò
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, Corso Svizzera, 164, 10149 Turin, Italy; (A.M.)
| | - Elisa Delia De Vivo
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, Corso Svizzera, 164, 10149 Turin, Italy; (A.M.)
| | - Micol Ferrara
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, 10149 Turin, Italy
| | - Sharon Oh
- San Diego Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sahar Khalili
- San Diego Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Niamh Higgins
- San Diego Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Robert G. Deiss
- San Diego Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Stefano Bonora
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, 10149 Turin, Italy
| | - Jessica Cusato
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, Corso Svizzera, 164, 10149 Turin, Italy; (A.M.)
| | - Alice Palermiti
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, Corso Svizzera, 164, 10149 Turin, Italy; (A.M.)
| | - Jacopo Mula
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, Corso Svizzera, 164, 10149 Turin, Italy; (A.M.)
- CoQua Lab s.r.l., 10149 Turin, Italy
| | - Sara Gianella
- San Diego Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Antonio D’Avolio
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, Corso Svizzera, 164, 10149 Turin, Italy; (A.M.)
- CoQua Lab s.r.l., 10149 Turin, Italy
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Morphine Accumulates in the Retina Following Chronic Systemic Administration. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15050527. [PMID: 35631353 PMCID: PMC9146690 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid transport into the central nervous system is crucial for the analgesic efficacy of opioid drugs. Thus, the pharmacokinetics of opioid analgesics such as morphine have been extensively studied in systemic circulation and the brain. While opioid metabolites are routinely detected in the vitreous fluid of the eye during postmortem toxicological analyses, the pharmacokinetics of morphine within the retina of the eye remains largely unexplored. In this study, we measured morphine in mouse retina following systemic exposure. We showed that morphine deposits and persists in the retina long after levels have dropped in the serum. Moreover, we found that morphine concentrations (ng/mg tissue) in the retina exceeded brain morphine concentrations at all time points tested. Perhaps most intriguingly, these data indicate that following chronic systemic exposure, morphine accumulates in the retina, but not in the brain or serum. These results suggest that morphine can accumulate in the retina following chronic use, which could contribute to the deleterious effects of chronic opioid use on both image-forming and non-image-forming visual functions.
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Saeidinezhad M, Razban V, Safizadeh H, Ezzatabadipour M. Effects of maternal consumption of morphine on rat skeletal system development. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2021; 22:435. [PMID: 33985485 PMCID: PMC8120720 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-021-04321-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Opioid abuse is among the most ubiquitous issues world-wide, and when it happens in mothers, it puts them at risk of diseases that can be transferred to the next generation. Previous studies have indicated that morphine addiction during pregnancy could inhibit development in rat embryos and infants. The present study focused on the effects of maternal consumption of morphine on rat skeletal system development and also investigate the molecular pathway of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis of infants from control and addicted rat groups. Methods Thirty-two female rats were randomly assigned to four groups. The groups consisted of one- and seven-day-old female infants which were born of morphine-dependent mothers and a control group for each of them. Experimental groups received oral morphine at the final dose of 0.4 mg/ml/day. Withdrawal signs were confirmation of morphine dependency. Female rats were crossed with male rats and coupling time was recorded. Fixed bones of all groups were processed and then stained by hematoxyline-eosin method. Thickness and cell number of proximal and distal growth plate of bones were measured. The cartilage and bone cells were stained by alcian blue/alizarin red method. Additionally, the gene expression of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and COLL2 and SOX9 gene expression were studied immuno-histochemically. Results Unfavorable effects of morphine on histological measurements were observed in one-day and seven-day infants, with more effects on seven-day infants. The thickness and cell number of the proximal and distal growth plate of morphine-dependent rat offsprings were reduced significantly. Furthermore, morphine reduced growth of primary and secondary ossification centers, and thus, longitudinal bone growth was reduced. Moreover, a decrease in the alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, COLL2 and SOX9 gene expression, and the number of stained cells was observed. More adverse effects of morphine in seven-day infants compared to one-day infants which showed the time dependent of morphine to the time length of administration. Conclusion Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry findings on cartilage and bone matrix formation, as well as protein expression of chondrogenic and osteogenic markers suggest that morphine dependence in pregnant mothers may impair intra-cartilaginous osteogenesis in post-natal rats. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-021-04321-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Saeidinezhad
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Somayeh Cross-road, Sajad Boulevard, Ebnesina Street, Kerman, 7619813159, Iran.,Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Vahid Razban
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Stem cell Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hosein Safizadeh
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Somayeh Cross-road, Sajad Boulevard, Ebnesina Street, Kerman, 7619813159, Iran
| | - Massood Ezzatabadipour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Somayeh Cross-road, Sajad Boulevard, Ebnesina Street, Kerman, 7619813159, Iran. .,Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Iskierka M, Zawadzki M, Szpot P, Jurek T. Detection of Drugs in Postmortem Specimens of Blood, Vitreous Humor and Bone Marrow Aspirate. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 45:348-355. [PMID: 32672811 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In case of basic biological materials (blood, urine, vitreous humor) being unavailable, bone marrow can be used for toxicological tests. The aim of the study was to assess the concentration of various xenobiotics in the bone marrow, as well as in the blood and the vitreous humor. The analysis was performed in the biological material originating from the autopsy (n = 120), using the LC-MS method and with liquid/liquid extraction at pH = 9. As many as 46 different xenobiotics were detected in the biological material, strong correlations between the concentration of a given xenobiotic in blood and bone marrow, as well as in the vitreous humor and bone marrow, were noted for most of them, with the exception of diazepam and 7-aminoclonazepam. The obtained results indicate the possibility of using bone marrow to determine the concentration of numerous xenobiotics in the situation of basic biological materials being unavailable, as well as using the results obtained in the future to better understand the pharmacokinetic processes and the effect of postmortem redistribution on medication and drug concentrations in the body of a deceased person.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Iskierka
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 4 50-367 Wrocław 71 784 14 58, Poland
| | - M Zawadzki
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 4 50-367 Wrocław 71 784 14 58, Poland
| | - P Szpot
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 4 50-367 Wrocław 71 784 14 58, Poland
| | - T Jurek
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 4 50-367 Wrocław 71 784 14 58, Poland
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Mancini R, Fernadez-Lopez L, Falcon M, Pellegrini M, Luna A, Rotolo M. Postmortem Analysis of Benzodiazepines in Human Bone by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 44:985-992. [PMID: 32453428 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A procedure based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed for the analysis of benzodiazepines (nordiazepam, oxazepam, lormetazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam, bromazepam and alprazolam) in postmortem human ribs. Powdered bone samples, including marrow remains inside, with the internal standard diazepam-d5 were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis with 100 μL of β-glucoronidase and were incubated in sodium hydroxide for 1 h in a 70°C oven. Samples underwent liquid phase extraction and ethyl acetate was used as eluent. Chromatography was performed on a fused silica capillary column and the selected-ion-monitoring mode was used for analytes determination. The method was validated in the range 0.1-0.5 ng/mg (depending on the benzodiazepine) to 100 ng/mg with average values of recovery, matrix effect and process efficiency ranged from 83.2 to 94.3%, from 97.3 to 102.1% and from 80.5 to 91.2%, respectively. The intra- and inter-day accuracy was <15%. The procedure was tested in rib specimens obtained during routine autopsies from 20 cases where these benzodiazepines were found in blood. Benzodiazepines were detected in the combined bone and marrow samples in 60% of cases. Lorazepam was detected in bone in the range of 0.3-0.7 ng/mg, nordiazepam at 1.3-4.2 ng/mg and oxazepam at 1.1-1.2 ng/mg. To our knowledge, this protocol for the simultaneous analysis of these benzodiazepines is the first performed and validated using human ribs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Mancini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Analytical Pharmacotoxicology, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Lucia Fernadez-Lopez
- University of Murcia, Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Calle Campus Universitario, 11, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria Falcon
- University of Murcia, Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Calle Campus Universitario, 11, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuela Pellegrini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Analytical Pharmacotoxicology, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Aurelio Luna
- University of Murcia, Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Calle Campus Universitario, 11, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria Rotolo
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Analytical Pharmacotoxicology, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
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Giordano G, Biehler-Gomez L, Seneci P, Cattaneo C, Di Candia D. Detecting drugs in dry bone: a pilot study of skeletal remains with a post-mortem interval over 23 years. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:457-463. [PMID: 33386979 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02494-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
In decomposed or skeletonized bodies, conventional matrices used in forensic toxicology may no longer be available for analysis. The aim of this paper was to test the survival and detection of toxicological substances in dry bone samples with over 23 years of post-mortem interval. In this perspective, bone samples from the cranium, ribs, and vertebrae of seven skeletons from the CAL Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection, buried for over 23 years, fully decomposed and altered by taphonomic factors were selected based on their ante-mortem data, which included verified or suspected drug addictions or overdose. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed with Dionex™ ASE™ 350 Accelerated Solvent Extractor and Q-Exactive Orbitrap-mass spectrometry with a HPLC system. Positive results were obtained in six of the seven cases, and different psychoactive drugs (and in some cases their active metabolites) were detected, including analgesic (two opioids: methadone and buprenorphine) and anxiolytic drugs (benzodiazepines, in particular delorazepam, diazepam, nordiazepam, and lorazepam), a cannabinoid metabolite (THCCOOH) as well as metabolites of stimulants (benzoylecgonine and MDA). Consequently, this research shows that toxicological substances may be found in bone tissue after over 23 years of post-mortem interval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Giordano
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense, Sezione di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per La Salute, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Lucie Biehler-Gomez
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense, Sezione di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per La Salute, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Pierfausto Seneci
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Cattaneo
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense, Sezione di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per La Salute, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Di Candia
- Sezione Di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche per La Salute, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Franceschetti L, Di Candia D, Giordano G, Carabelli I, Vignali G, Cattaneo C. Drugs in bone: Detectability of substances of toxicological interest in different states of preservation. J Forensic Sci 2020; 66:677-686. [PMID: 33227173 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In forensic contexts of advanced decomposition, when conventional matrices are no longer available for toxicological analyses, finding alternative matrices is necessary. The skeleton, which is fundamental for anthropologists and geneticists, could be useful also for toxicological purposes. The present study aims to examine what kind of information toxicological analysis performed on bones (the cranium and the ribs) in different states of preservation could provide to the forensic practitioner. Thirty cadavers with known pharmacological history, subjected to forensic autopsy at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Milan, were selected. Rib and cranium samples were collected from each body and separated into two parts in order to create two different states of preservation: One was cleaned from soft tissues and analyzed as a well-preserved bone sample; the other was submitted to a long maceration process, simulating complete skeletonization. All specimens were then processed with accelerated solvent extraction and the eluates analyzed using Q-Exactive™ Orbitrap™ Mass Spectrometer. The analysis of blood and skeletal matrices showed positive results for the tested substances in 63% of cases, mainly benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and drug abuse. Significant Pearson correlations were observed between non-macerated vs. macerated bone samples: r = 0.79 for rib samples, r = 0.61 for cranium samples, and r = 0.69 for all bone samples. As a consequence, the positive results confirm the potential of the bone tissue as an alternative matrix in forensic toxicology, even in cases of extremely decomposed bodies. This study also highlighted important elements for reconstructing the biological profile in cases of forensic anthropological concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Franceschetti
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense, Istituto di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Domenico Di Candia
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense, Istituto di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Gaia Giordano
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense, Istituto di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Irene Carabelli
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense, Istituto di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia Vignali
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense, Istituto di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Cristina Cattaneo
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense, Istituto di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Cornthwaite HM, McDonald CS, Watterson JH. Analysis of Dextromethorphan and Three Metabolites in Decomposed Skeletal Tissues by UPLC-QToF-MS: Comparison of Acute and Repeated Drug Exposures. J Anal Toxicol 2019; 43:726-733. [PMID: 31504591 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkz074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QToF-MS) analysis of dextromethorphan (DXM) and its metabolites-dextrorphan, 3-methoxymorphinan (3-MEM) and 3-hydroxymorphinan-in skeletal remains of rats exposed to DXM under different dosing patterns is described. Rats (n = 20) received DXM in one of four dosing patterns: acute (ACU1 or ACU2-100 or 200 mg/kg, i.p.; n = 5, respectively) or repeated (REP1 or REP2-3 doses of 25 or 50 mg/kg, i.p., 30 min apart; n = 5, respectively). Drug-free animals (n = 5) served as negative controls. Following euthanasia, the animals decomposed to skeleton outdoors. Bones were sorted by animal and skeletal element (vertebra, femur, pelvis, tibia, rib and skull), washed, air-dried and pulverized prior to dynamic methanolic drug extraction, filtration/pass-through extraction and analysis by UPLC-QToF-MS in positive electrospray ionization mode. Analyte levels (expressed as mass-normalized response ratios, RR/m) differed significantly between ACU1 and ACU2 (Mann-Whitney (MW), P < 0.05) in all skeletal elements for all analytes investigated, and between REP1 and REP2 in most skeletal elements for 3-MEM and 3-HOM, but in all skeletal elements for DXM. Between ACU1 and ACU2, and between REP1 and REP2, analyte level ratios (RRi/RRj) differed significantly (MW, P < 0.05) in 3/6 to 6/6 skeletal elements, depending on the ratios concerned, with no analyte level ratio differing significantly between both ACU1 vs ACU2 and REP1 vs REP2. Kruskal-Wallis (KW) analysis showed skeletal element to be a main effect for all analyte levels and analyte level ratios in all ACU and REP groups examined (P < 0.05). For data pooled only according to exposure pattern, KW analysis showed dose pattern to be a main effect for both analyte levels and analyte level ratios (P < 0.05). These data illustrate a dependence of these measures on dose, dose pattern and skeletal element, suggesting that some exposure patterns may be distinguished by toxicological analysis of bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M Cornthwaite
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Claire S McDonald
- Department of Forensic Science, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - James H Watterson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada.,Department of Forensic Science, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada
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9
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Ketola RA, Kriikku P. Drug concentrations in post‐mortem specimens. Drug Test Anal 2019; 11:1338-1357. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Raimo A. Ketola
- Forensic Toxicology UnitNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) Mannerheimintie 166 FI‐00270 Helsinki Finland
| | - Pirkko Kriikku
- Forensic Toxicology UnitNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) Mannerheimintie 166 FI‐00270 Helsinki Finland
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Fernandez-Lopez L, Pellegrini M, Rotolo MC, Luna A, Falcon M, Mancini R. Development and Validation of a Method for the Analysis of Bisoprolol and Atenolol in Human Bone. Molecules 2019; 24:E2400. [PMID: 31261852 PMCID: PMC6651798 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24132400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is described for the determination of bisoprolol and atenolol in human bone. After the addition of lobivolol as internal standard, pulverized samples were incubated in acetonitrile for 1 h under ultrasounds. After adjusting the pH of the samples to 6, they were centrifuged, and the supernatants were subjected to solid phase extraction. Elution was achieved by using 3 mL of 2% ammonium hydroxide in 80:20 dichloromethane:isopropanol solution. Eluted samples were evaporated and derivatized. Chromatography was performed on a fused silica capillary column and analytes were determined in the selected-ion-monitoring (SIM) mode. The assay was validated in the range 0.1-0.3 ng/mg (depending on the drug) to 150 ng/mg, the mean absolute recoveries were 60% for bisoprolol and 106% for atenolol, the matrix effect was 69% for bisoprolol and 70% for atenolol and process efficiency was 41% for bisoprolol and 80% for atenolol. The intra- and inter-assay accuracy values were always better than 12%. The validated method was then applied to bone samples from two real forensic cases in which toxicological analysis in blood were positive for atenolol in the first case (0.65 µg/mL) and bisoprolol in the second case (0.06 µg/mL). Atenolol was found in bone samples from the corresponding case at the approximate concentration of 148 ng/mg and bisoprolol was found at 8 ng/mg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Fernandez-Lopez
- Legal and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Murcia,30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuela Pellegrini
- National Centre on Drug Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Rotolo
- National Centre on Drug Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Aurelio Luna
- Legal and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Murcia,30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria Falcon
- Legal and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Murcia,30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Rosanna Mancini
- National Centre on Drug Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Fernandez-Lopez L, Pellegrini M, Rotolo MC, Luna Maldonado A, Falcon M, Mancini R. Development and validation of a method for analysing of duloxetine, venlafaxine and amitriptyline in human bone. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 299:154-160. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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12
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Fernandez-Lopez L, Luna-Maldonado A, Falcon M, Mastrobattista L, Navarro-Zaragoza J, Mancini R. Development and validation of a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method for opiates and cocaine in human bone. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2019; 164:636-641. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2018.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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13
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Iskierka M, Zawadzki M, Szpot P, Jurek T. Comparison of post-mortem ethanol level in blood and bone marrow. J Forensic Leg Med 2019; 61:65-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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14
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Saad MAA, Abu-Rumman AM, Mohamed KM. A Gas Chromatography–Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry Assay for the Quantification of Opiates in Human Blood Samples. J Anal Toxicol 2018; 43:188-195. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bky077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ali Al Saad
- Forensic Chemistry Department, College of Forensic Sciences, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Mohammad Abu-Rumman
- Forensic Chemistry Department, College of Forensic Sciences, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled Masoud Mohamed
- Forensic Chemistry Department, College of Forensic Sciences, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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15
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Vandenbosch M, Somers T, Cuypers E. Distribution of Methadone and Metabolites in Skeletal Tissue. J Anal Toxicol 2018; 42:400-408. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bky014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Vandenbosch
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, Herestraat 49, PO Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tomas Somers
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, Herestraat 49, PO Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eva Cuypers
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N2, Herestraat 49, PO Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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16
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Morrison LM, Unger KA, Watterson JH. Analysis of Dextromethorphan and Dextrorphan in Skeletal Remains Following Differential Microclimate Exposure: Comparison of Acute vs. Repeated Drug Exposure. J Anal Toxicol 2017; 41:566-572. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkx040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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17
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Cippitelli M, Mirtella D, Ottaviani G, Tassoni G, Froldi R, Cingolani M. Toxicological Analysis of Opiates from Alternative Matrices Collected from an Exhumed Body. J Forensic Sci 2017; 63:640-643. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cippitelli
- Chemistry Laboratory for Forensic Toxicology and Medicine University of Macerata via Don Minzoni 9 62100 Macerata Italy
| | - Dora Mirtella
- Chemistry Laboratory for Forensic Toxicology and Medicine University of Macerata via Don Minzoni 9 62100 Macerata Italy
| | - Giovanni Ottaviani
- Chemistry Laboratory for Forensic Toxicology and Medicine University of Macerata via Don Minzoni 9 62100 Macerata Italy
| | - Giovanna Tassoni
- Chemistry Laboratory for Forensic Toxicology and Medicine University of Macerata via Don Minzoni 9 62100 Macerata Italy
| | - Rino Froldi
- Chemistry Laboratory for Forensic Toxicology and Medicine University of Macerata via Don Minzoni 9 62100 Macerata Italy
| | - Mariano Cingolani
- Chemistry Laboratory for Forensic Toxicology and Medicine University of Macerata via Don Minzoni 9 62100 Macerata Italy
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18
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Ottaviani G, Cameriere R, Cippitelli M, Froldi R, Tassoni G, Zampi M, Cingolani M. Determination of Drugs of Abuse in a Single Sample of Human Teeth by a Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Method. J Anal Toxicol 2016; 41:32-36. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkw105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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19
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Unger KA, Watterson JH. Analysis of Dextromethorphan and Dextrorphan in Skeletal Remains Following Decomposition in Different Microclimate Conditions. J Anal Toxicol 2016; 40:669-676. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkw083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
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20
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21
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Fraser CD, Cornthwaite HM, Watterson JH. Analysis of dextromethorphan and dextrorphan in decomposed skeletal tissues by microwave assisted extraction, microplate solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (MAE-MPSPE-GCMS). Drug Test Anal 2014; 7:708-13. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2014] [Revised: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Candice D. Fraser
- Department of Forensic Science; Laurentian University; 935 Ramsey Lake Rd Sudbury Ontario P3L 1C6 Canada
| | - Heather M. Cornthwaite
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry; Laurentian University; 935 Ramsey Lake Rd Sudbury Ontario P3L 1C6 Canada
| | - James H. Watterson
- Department of Forensic Science; Laurentian University; 935 Ramsey Lake Rd Sudbury Ontario P3L 1C6 Canada
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry; Laurentian University; 935 Ramsey Lake Rd Sudbury Ontario P3L 1C6 Canada
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22
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Cornthwaite HM, Watterson JH. The Influence of Body Position and Microclimate on Ketamine and Metabolite Distribution in Decomposed Skeletal Remains. J Anal Toxicol 2014; 38:548-54. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bku053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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23
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Analysis of tramadol and O -desmethyltramadol in decomposed skeletal tissues following acute and repeated tramadol exposure by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 242:261-265. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2014] [Revised: 06/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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24
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Postmortem bone marrow analysis in forensic science: Study of 73 cases and review of the literature. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 234:72-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2012] [Revised: 06/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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25
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Discrimination Between Patterns of Drug Exposure by Toxicological Analysis of Decomposed Skeletal Tissues. Part II: Amitriptyline and Citalopram. J Anal Toxicol 2013; 37:565-72. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkt078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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26
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Mahdy T, El-Shihi TH, Emara MM, Chericoni S, Giusiani M, Giorgi M. Development and validation of a new GC-MS method for the detection of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, 6-acetylmorphine and morphine in blood, brain, liver and kidney of Wistar rats treated with the combination of heroin and tramadol. J Anal Toxicol 2012; 36:548-59. [PMID: 22933659 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bks069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Heroin is one of the most dangerous abused drugs in the world. Tramadol is an additive recently found at high concentration levels in street heroin seizures in Egypt. This substance could affect the usual analytical method for the detection of heroin and metabolites, as well as the pharmacokinetic and disposition of single analytes. One shortfall regarding this issue is present in the literature. This study describes a validated, simple, sensitive and selective method to determine tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, 6-acetylmorphine and free morphine in the blood, brain, liver and kidney of Wistar rats, intraperitoneally treated with a combination of heroin and tramadol (10 and 70 mg/kg, respectively) using liquid-liquid extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detection. The calibration curves of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol and 6-acetylmorphine in blood were linear in the concentration range from 25-5,000 ng/mL and morphine was found in the concentration range 50-5,000 ng/mL. The analytes were detected in all tested matrices, except 6-acetylmorphine, which was not detected in liver. The highest concentrations of tramadol and O-desmethyltramadol were observed in kidney (22,9381 and 28,498 ng/g), while 6-acetylmorphine and morphine were found at the highest levels in brain (3,280 and 3,899 ng/g, respectively). The present method is simple, rapid and sensitive and can be used to study the pharmacokinetics, disposition and interaction of these drugs in several animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Mahdy
- Analytical Toxicology Laboratory, Forensic Medicine Authority, Cairo, Egypt
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27
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Watterson JH, Donohue JP, Betit CC. Comparison of relative distribution of ketamine and norketamine in decomposed skeletal tissues following single and repeated exposures. J Anal Toxicol 2012; 36:429-33. [PMID: 22582220 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bks045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone was analyzed for ketamine and norketamine to examine whether different patterns of drug exposure could be discriminated. Rats received (intraperitoneally) one 75 mg/kg dose (Acute-1 and Acute-2 groups), three 25-mg/kg doses 1 hour apart (Repeated group), or nine single daily ketamine doses of 75 mg/kg followed by a 24-h washout period (Chronic group). Following euthanasia, all animals decomposed to skeleton outdoors. Ground samples of recovered bone underwent methanolic extraction and analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after solid-phase extraction. Drug levels (mass normalized response ratios) were compared across bone types and exposure pattern. Bone type significantly influenced drug level for the Acute-1 and Repeated dose groups, and the drug/metabolite level ratio (DMLR) for the Acute-1 group. Mean ketamine and norketamine level and DMLR varied by up to 8-fold, 7-fold and 3-fold, respectively, in the Acute-1 group, and by up to 24-fold, 5-fold and 10-fold, respectively, in the Repeated group. Drug level and DMLR differed significantly between the Acute-1 and Repeated groups for most bone types. In the Chronic group, only 1/16 and 4/16 samples were positive for ketamine and norketamine, respectively. All Acute-2 samples were positive for ketamine and norketamine. The Acute-2 and Chronic groups differed significantly in ketamine and norketamine levels, and DMLR.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H Watterson
- Department of Forensic Science, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
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28
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Sanches LR, Seulin SC, Leyton V, Bismara Paranhos BAP, Pasqualucci CA, Munoz DR, Osselton MD, Yonamine M. Determination of Opiates in Whole Blood and Vitreous Humor: A Study of the Matrix Effect and an Experimental Design to Optimize Conditions for the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Glucuronides. J Anal Toxicol 2012; 36:162-70. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bks007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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29
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Desrosiers NA, Watterson JH, Dean D, Wyman JF. Detection of Amitriptyline, Citalopram, and Metabolites in Porcine Bones Following Extended Outdoor Decomposition*. J Forensic Sci 2011; 57:544-9. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01994.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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30
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Cartiser N, Bévalot F, Fanton L, Gaillard Y, Guitton J. State-of-the-art of bone marrow analysis in forensic toxicology: a review. Int J Legal Med 2011; 125:181-98. [PMID: 21061013 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-010-0525-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2010] [Accepted: 10/20/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Although blood is the reference medium in the field of forensic toxicology, alternative matrices are required in case of limited, unavailable or unusable blood samples. The present review investigated the suitability of bone marrow (BM) as an alternative matrix to characterize xenobiotic consumption and its influence on the occurrence of death. Basic data on BM physiology are reported in order to highlight the specificities of this matrix and their analytical and toxicokinetic consequences. A review of case reports, animal and human studies involving BM sample analysis focuses on the various parameters of interpretation of toxicological results: analytic limits, sampling location, pharmacokinetics, blood/BM concentration correlation, stability and postmortem redistribution. Tables summarizing the analytical conditions and quantification of 45 compounds from BM samples provide a useful tool for toxicologists. A specific section devoted to ethanol shows that, despite successful quantification, interpretation is highly dependent on postmortem interval. In conclusion, BM is an interesting alternative matrix, and further experimental data and validated assays are required to confirm its great potential relevance in forensic toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Cartiser
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, ISPB-Faculté de pharmacie, Laboratoire de Toxicologie, 8 avenue Rockefeller, 69373 Lyon cedex 08, France
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31
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Watterson JH, Desrosiers NA. Examination of the effect of dose-death interval on detection of meperidine exposure in decomposed skeletal tissues using microwave-assisted extraction. Forensic Sci Int 2011; 207:40-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2010] [Revised: 08/19/2010] [Accepted: 08/24/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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32
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Illicit drugs in alternative biological specimens: A case report. J Forensic Leg Med 2011; 18:132-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2010.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2010] [Revised: 12/03/2010] [Accepted: 12/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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33
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Dinis-Oliveira RJ, Carvalho F, Duarte JA, Remião F, Marques A, Santos A, Magalhães T. Collection of biological samples in forensic toxicology. Toxicol Mech Methods 2010; 20:363-414. [PMID: 20615091 DOI: 10.3109/15376516.2010.497976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Forensic toxicology is the study and practice of the application of toxicology to the purposes of the law. The relevance of any finding is determined, in the first instance, by the nature and integrity of the specimen(s) submitted for analysis. This means that there are several specific challenges to select and collect specimens for ante-mortem and post-mortem toxicology investigation. Post-mortem specimens may be numerous and can endow some special difficulties compared to clinical specimens, namely those resulting from autolytic and putrefactive changes. Storage stability is also an important issue to be considered during the pre-analytic phase, since its consideration should facilitate the assessment of sample quality and the analytical result obtained from that sample. The knowledge on degradation mechanisms and methods to increase storage stability may enable the forensic toxicologist to circumvent possible difficulties. Therefore, advantages and limitations of specimen preservation procedures are thoroughfully discussed in this review. Presently, harmonized protocols for sampling in suspected intoxications would have obvious utility. In the present article an overview is given on sampling procedures for routinely collected specimens as well as on alternative specimens that may provide additional information on the route and timing of exposure to a specific xenobiotic. Last, but not least, a discussion on possible bias that can influence the interpretation of toxicological results is provided. This comprehensive review article is intented as a significant help for forensic toxicologists to accomplish their frequently overwhelming mission.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Dinis-Oliveira
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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34
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Desrosiers NA, Watterson JH. The effects of burial on drug detection in skeletal tissues. Drug Test Anal 2010; 2:346-56. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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35
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Cunha-Oliveira T, Rego AC, Garrido J, Borges F, Macedo T, Oliveira CR. Neurotoxicity of heroin-cocaine combinations in rat cortical neurons. Toxicology 2010; 276:11-7. [PMID: 20600547 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2010.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Revised: 06/22/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine and heroin are frequently co-abused by humans, in a combination known as speedball. Recently, chemical interactions between heroin (Her) or its metabolite morphine (Mor) and cocaine (Coc) were described, resulting in the formation of strong adducts. In this work, we evaluated whether combinations of Coc and Her affect the neurotoxicity of these drugs, using rat cortical neurons incubated with Coc, Her, Her followed by Coc (Her+Coc) and Her plus Coc (Her:Coc, 1:1). Neurons exposed to Her, Her+Coc and Her:Coc exhibited a decrease in cell viability, which was more pronounced in neurons exposed to Her and Her+Coc, in comparison with neurons exposed to the mixture (Her:Coc). Cells exposed to the mixture showed increased intracellular calcium and mitochondrial dysfunction, as determined by a decrease in intracellular ATP levels and in mitochondrial membrane potential, displaying both apoptotic and necrotic characteristics. Conversely, a major increase in cytochrome c release, caspase 3-dependent apoptosis, and decreased metabolic neuronal viability were observed upon sequential exposure to Her and Coc. The data show that drug combinations potentiate cortical neurotoxicity and that the mode of co-exposure changes cellular death pathways activated by the drugs, strongly suggesting that chemical interactions occurring in Her:Coc, such as adduct formation, shift cell death mechanisms towards necrosis. Since impairment of the prefrontal cortex is involved in the loss of impulse control observed in drug addicts, the data presented here may contribute to explain the increase in treatment failure observed in speedball abusers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Cunha-Oliveira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
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36
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Gender-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of opiates. Forensic Sci Int 2010; 194:28-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2009] [Revised: 09/28/2009] [Accepted: 10/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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37
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Watterson JH, Botman JE. Detection of acute diazepam exposure in bone and marrow: influence of tissue type and the dose-death interval on sensitivity of detection by ELISA with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry confirmation. J Forensic Sci 2009; 54:708-14. [PMID: 19432747 DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.00998.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) were used to detect diazepam exposure in skeletal tissues of rats (n = 15) given diazepam acutely (20 mg/kg, i.p.), and killed at various times postdose. Marrow, epiphyseal, and diaphyseal bone were isolated from extracted femora. Bone was cleaned, ground, and incubated in methanol. Marrow underwent ultrasonic homogenization. Extracts and homogenates were diluted in phosphate buffer, and then underwent solid-phase extraction and ELISA. Relative sensitivity of detection was examined in terms of relative decrease in absorbance (ELISA) and binary classification sensitivity (ELISA and LC/MS/MS). Overall, the data showed differences in relative sensitivity of detection of diazepam exposure in different tissue types (marrow > epiphyseal bone > diaphyseal bone), which is suggestive of heterogenous distribution in these tissues, and a decreasing sensitivity with increasing dose-death interval. Thus, the tissue type sampled and dose-death interval may contribute to the probability of detection of diazepam exposure in skeletal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H Watterson
- Forensic Toxicology Research Laboratory, Department of Forensic Science, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.
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38
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Microwave-assisted extraction in toxicological screening of skeletal tissues. Forensic Sci Int 2009; 188:23-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2008] [Revised: 01/23/2009] [Accepted: 03/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Abstract
This paper is the thirtieth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2007 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia; stress and social status; tolerance and dependence; learning and memory; eating and drinking; alcohol and drugs of abuse; sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology; mental illness and mood; seizures and neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity and neurophysiology; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd.,Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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VandenBoer TC, Grummett SA, Watterson JH. Utility of immunoassay in drug screening in skeletal tissues: sampling considerations in detection of ketamine exposure in femoral bone and bone marrow following acute administration using ELISA. J Forensic Sci 2008; 53:1474-82. [PMID: 18752550 DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00866.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Detection of ketamine exposure in skeletal tissues by automated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) is described. Rats (n = 18) received 0, 15, 30, or 75 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride acutely (i.p.), and were euthanized within 15 min or 1 h. Ketamine was extracted from ground femoral bone by methanolic incubation followed by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), while marrow was homogenized in alkaline solution, and then underwent LLE. Extracts were analyzed by ELISA, and subsequently by GC-ECD following derivatization with trifluoroacetic acid anhydride. The effect of tissue type (i.e., diaphyseal bone vs. epiphyseal bone vs. bone marrow) on the immunoassay response was examined through determination of binary classification test sensitivity (S) and measurement of the relative decrease in absorbance (%DA, drug-positive tissues vs. drug-free controls) in each tissue type. The %DA varied significantly between different tissues examined under a given dose condition, and generally decreased in the order marrow > epiphyseal bone > diaphyseal bone, at all dose levels examined. Measured S values for marrow, epiphyseal bone, and diaphyseal bone were 100%, 77%, and 23%, respectively (75 mg/kg dose). These results suggest that the type of skeletal tissue sampled and position sampled within a given bone (diaphyses vs. epiphyses) are important parameters in drug screening of skeletal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor C VandenBoer
- Forensic Toxicology Research Laboratory, Department of Forensic Science, Laurentian University 935 Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury, ON, Canada P3E 2C6
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