1
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Pepe M, Di Nicola M, Cocciolillo F, Chiappini S, Martinotti G, Calcagni ML, Sani G. 3-Methoxy-Phencyclidine Induced Psychotic Disorder: A Literature Review and an 18F-FDG PET/CT Case Report. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:452. [PMID: 38675413 PMCID: PMC11053433 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are modifying the drug scenario worldwide and have become a public health concern because of their toxicological profiles and their harmful physical/psychological effects. 3-Methoxy-Phencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP), a non-competitive antagonist of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, belongs to the phencyclidine-like subfamily of arylcyclohexylamines and has gained attention for its toxic, sometimes fatal, effects. Despite several cases of intoxication and death reported in the literature, little is known about substance-induced psychotic disorders (SIP) and potential cognitive impairment following 3-MeO-PCP intake. This literature review aimed to summarize available evidence about 3-MeO-PCP mechanisms of action and physical and psychotropic effects and to spread preliminary findings about persistent psychotic symptoms and impaired cognitive functioning. Additionally, the case of an SIP is reported in a 29-year-old man with small oral intakes of 3-MeO-PCP over two weeks until a high dose ingestion. Psychometric and neuropsychological assessment and brain [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography integrated with computed tomography were used to support clinical description. Identifying and addressing the characteristic clinical features and neural substrates of NPS-induced psychoses might help clinicians with a more precise differentiation from other psychotic disorders. Although further studies are required, phenotyping the cognitive profile of NPS users might provide targets for tailored therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pepe
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Di Nicola
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Cocciolillo
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Oncological Radiotherapy and Hematology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Chiappini
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D’Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti, Italy
- School of Medical Sciences, UniCamillus International University of Medical Sciences, Via di S. Alessandro 8, 00131 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D’Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti, Italy
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9EU, UK
| | - Maria Lucia Calcagni
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Oncological Radiotherapy and Hematology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Sani
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
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2
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Pelletier R, Le Daré B, Le Bouëdec D, Bourdais A, Ferron PJ, Morel I, Porée FH, Gicquel T. Identification, synthesis and quantification of eutylone consumption markers in a chemsex context. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:151-158. [PMID: 37833490 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03615-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Eutylone is a cathinone-derived synthetic amphetamine scheduled by the World Health Organization and European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction since 2022 due to its growing consumption. We report here an eutylone intoxication involving a 38-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman in a chemsex context. A bag containing a white crystalline powder labelled as a research product was found in their vehicle. Nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) analyses identified the powder as eutylone and confirmed purity superior to 99%. LC-HRMS data analysis using molecular networking allowed to propose new eutylone metabolites in blood samples in a graphical manner. We described 16 phase I (e.g. hydroxylated or demethylated) and phase II metabolites (glucuroconjugates and sulfoconjugates). The same metabolites were found both in male and female blood samples. Toxicological analyses measured eutylone concentration in blood samples at 1374 ng/mL and 1536 ng/mL for the man and the woman, respectively. A keto-reduced metabolite (m/z 238.144) was synthesized to permit its quantification at 67 ng/mL and 54 ng/mL in male and female blood samples, respectively. Overall, the identification of these metabolites will increase the knowledge of potential drug consumption markers and allow to implement mass spectrometry databases to better monitor future drug abuse or consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Pelletier
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France.
- Rennes University Hospital, Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France.
| | - Brendan Le Daré
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
- Rennes University Hospital, Pharmacy Departement, CHU Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Diane Le Bouëdec
- Rennes University Hospital, Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Alexis Bourdais
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Pierre-Jean Ferron
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Isabelle Morel
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
- Rennes University Hospital, Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - François-Hugues Porée
- ISCR UMR CNRS 6226, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rennes University, 2 Avenue du Pr Léon Bernard, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Thomas Gicquel
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
- Rennes University Hospital, Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France
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3
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Urbas AA, Corbett CA, Mazzola EP. NMR in forensics. MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN CHEMISTRY : MRC 2023; 61:59-65. [PMID: 36114596 DOI: 10.1002/mrc.5312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron A Urbas
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
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4
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Ferrari Júnior E, Leite BHM, Gomes EB, Vieira TM, Sepulveda P, Caldas ED. Fatal cases involving new psychoactive substances and trends in analytical techniques. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:1033733. [PMID: 36387045 PMCID: PMC9640761 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.1033733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are an emerging public health issue and deaths are commonly associated with polydrug abuse. Moreover, the number of new substances available is constantly increasing, causing intoxications in low doses, characteristics that impose to toxicology and forensic laboratories to keep routine methods up to date, with high detectability and constantly acquiring new analytical standards. Likewise, NPS metabolites and respective elimination pathways are usually unknown, making it difficult the detection and confirmation of the drug involved in the fatal case in an analytical routine. A literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases for papers related to chromatographic analyses from fatal cases related to NPS use published from 2016 to 2021. A total of 96 papers were retrieved and reviewed in this study. Opioids, synthetic cathinones, phenethylamines/amphetamines and cannabinoids were the NPS classes most found in the fatal cases. In many cases, multiple compounds were detected in the biological samples, including prescription and other illegal drugs. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, an alternative to overcome the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry limitations for some compounds, was the analytical technique most used in the studies, and high resolution mass spectrometry was often applied to NPS metabolite investigation and structural characterization and identification of unknown compounds. Toxicological screening and quantitation methods need to be continuously updated to include new substances that are emerging on the drug market that can be fatal at very low doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Ferrari Júnior
- Forensic Analysis Laboratory, Criminalistics Institute, The Civil Police of the Federal District, Brasília, Brazil,Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Eliude Barbosa Gomes
- Forensic Analysis Laboratory, Criminalistics Institute, The Civil Police of the Federal District, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Pedro Sepulveda
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Brasília, Campus Ceilândia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Dutra Caldas
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Brazil,*Correspondence: Eloisa Dutra Caldas,
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5
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Aknouche F, Ameline A, Barguil Y, Maruejouls C, Kintz P. Hidden administration of 5-APB in a dancing club of New Caledonia documented by urine analysis: about 3 cases. Int J Legal Med 2022; 136:1315-1319. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02850-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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6
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Marie B, Gallet A. Fish metabolome from sub-urban lakes of the Paris area (France) and potential influence of noxious metabolites produced by cyanobacteria. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 296:134035. [PMID: 35183584 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The recent democratization of high-throughput molecular phenotyping allows the rapid expansion of promising untargeted multi-dimensional approaches (e.g. epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and/or metabolomics). Indeed, these emerging omics tools, processed for ecologically relevant species, may present innovative perspectives for environmental assessments, that could provide early warning of eco(toxico)logical impairments. In a previous pilot study (Sotton et al., Chemosphere 2019), we explore by 1H NMR the bio-indicative potential of metabolomics analyses on the liver of 2 sentinel fish species (Perca fluviatilis and Lepomis gibbosus) collected in 8 water bodies of the peri-urban Paris' area (France). In the present study, we further investigate on the same samples the high potential of high-throughput UHPLC-HRMS/MS analyses. We show that the LC-MS metabolome investigation allows a clear separation of individuals according to the species, but also according to their respective sampling lakes. Interestingly, similar variations of Perca and Lepomis metabolomes occur locally indicating that site-specific environmental constraints drive the metabolome variations which seem to be influenced by the production of noxious molecules by cyanobacterial blooms in certain lakes. Thus, the development of such reliable environmental metabolomics approaches appears to constitute an innovative bio-indicative tool for the assessment of ecological stress, such as toxigenic cyanobacterial blooms, and aim at being further follow up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Marie
- UMR 7245, CNRS/MNHN, Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Micro-organismes (MCAM), équipe "Cyanobactéries, Cyanotoxines et Environnement", 12 rue Buffon - CP 39, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France.
| | - Alison Gallet
- UMR 7245, CNRS/MNHN, Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Micro-organismes (MCAM), équipe "Cyanobactéries, Cyanotoxines et Environnement", 12 rue Buffon - CP 39, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France
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7
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Goncalves R, Castaing N, Richeval C, Ducint D, Titier K, Morvan E, Grélard A, Loquet A, Molimard M. Methoxpropamine (MXPr) in powder, urine and hair samples: Analytical characterization and metabolite identification of a new threat. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 333:111215. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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8
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Copeland CS, Hudson S, Treble R, Hamnett HJ. The First Fatal Intoxication with 3-MeO-PCP in the UK and a Review of the Literature. J Anal Toxicol 2022; 46:461-470. [PMID: 35246686 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The phencyclidine derivative 3-Methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP) is a potent dissociative hallucinogen. Sought for recreational use as a novel psychoactive substance, it can also induce acute psychological agitation and pathophysiological cardiorespiratory effects. Due to the harms associated with its use, 3-MeO-PCP was added to the 'Green List' of materials covered by the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances as a Schedule II substance by the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in April 2021. There have been 15 previous reports of fatal intoxications following 3-MeO-PCP use, but only one was attributable to 3-MeO-PCP intoxication alone. In this report we detail the first fatality due to 3-MeO-PCP intoxication to be reported in the UK, along with a review of the surrounding literature. Whilst the blood concentrations associated with 3-MeO-PCP toxicity and fatality remain unclear, by providing details of sample collection and storage conditions this case will aid in future interpretations. Furthermore, this case suggests that 3-MeO-PCP toxicity may be exacerbated by exercise. Users of 3-MeO-PCP should be cautioned against its use as a 'club drug' or in a similar setting where elevations in heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure may occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Copeland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Hudson
- LGC Limited - Sport and Specialised Analytical Services, Fordham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Hilary J Hamnett
- School of Chemistry, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
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9
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Bozyiğit GD, Ayyıldız MF, Chormey DS, Engin GO, Bakırdere S. Trace level determination of eleven nervous system-active pharmaceutical ingredients by switchable solvent-based liquid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with matrix matching calibration strategy. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:58. [PMID: 34989878 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09708-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study utilized switchable solvent liquid-phase microextraction (SS-LPME) to enrich eleven nervous system active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from aqueous samples for their determination at trace levels by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The analytes selected for the study included APIs utilized in antidepressant, antipsychotic, antiepileptic, and anti-dementia drugs. Parameters of the microextraction method including switchable solvent volume, concentration and volume of the trigger agent (sodium hydroxide), and sample agitation period were optimized univariately to boost extraction efficiency. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limits calculated for the analytes were in the range of 0.20-8.0 ng/mL, and repeatability for six replicate measurements as indicated by percent relative standard deviation values were below 10%. Matrix matching calibration strategy was used to enhance quantification accuracy for the analytes. The percent recovery results calculated for the eleven analytes ranged between 86 and 117%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Dalgıç Bozyiğit
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Yıldız Technical University, 34220, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Merve Fırat Ayyıldız
- Faculty of Art and Science, Department of Chemistry, Yıldız Technical University, 34220, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Dotse Selali Chormey
- Faculty of Art and Science, Department of Chemistry, Yıldız Technical University, 34220, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Güleda Onkal Engin
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Yıldız Technical University, 34220, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Sezgin Bakırdere
- Faculty of Art and Science, Department of Chemistry, Yıldız Technical University, 34220, İstanbul, Turkey.
- Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), Vedat Dalokay Street, No. 112, 06670, Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey.
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10
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Xu F, Wei W, Shan X, Wang R, Liu L. Identification and characterization of novel synthetic cannabinoid ethyl-2-(1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate (5F-EDMB-PICA). Forensic Toxicol 2021; 40:163-172. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-021-00605-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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11
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Zhao Y, Wu B, Hua Z, Xu P, Xu H, Shen W, DI B, Wang Y, Su M. Quantification of Cathinone Analogues without Reference Standard Using 1H Quantitative NMR. ANAL SCI 2021; 37:1577-1582. [PMID: 33994416 DOI: 10.2116/analsci.21p048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones are a type of new psychoactive substances (NPS) that have been seriously abused. Owing to the rapid variation in their structures, the absence of reference standards poses a challenge in quantitative investigations. In this study, a 1H quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (1H qNMR) method was established using maleic acid as the internal standard and the shared signal (i.e., the methylidyne hydrogen) on the parent synthetic cathinones structure as the quantitative peak. Taking 3-methoxy-2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (mexedrone) as an example, this study optimized the acquisition parameters and conducted method validation, including an evaluation of the specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness. Using this 1H qNMR method, the contents of mexedrone and its analogues, including 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-(ethylamino)-propan-1-one (3-CEC), 4-chloro-α-pyrroli-dinopropiophenone (4-Cl-α-PVP), 1-(3,4-methylenedioxy-phenyl)-2-propylamino-propan-1-one (propylone), and methcathinone, were obtained. The obtained results showed that the method was accurate, rapid, versatile, and can be used to address the qualitative and quantitative issues related to similar substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University.,China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, China National Narcotics Control Commission
| | - Bo Wu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University.,The Narcotic Control Division, Nanjing Municipal Public Security Bureau
| | - Zhendong Hua
- China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, China National Narcotics Control Commission.,Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security
| | - Peng Xu
- China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, China National Narcotics Control Commission.,Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security
| | - Hui Xu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University.,China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, China National Narcotics Control Commission
| | - Wenbin Shen
- Center for Instrumental Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University
| | - Bin DI
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University.,China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, China National Narcotics Control Commission
| | - Youmei Wang
- China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, China National Narcotics Control Commission.,Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security
| | - Mengxiang Su
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University.,China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, China National Narcotics Control Commission
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12
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Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and High-Sensitivity Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Screening of Classic Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances and Metabolites in Urine of Consumers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084000. [PMID: 33924438 PMCID: PMC8069063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of the new psychoactive substances is continuously growing and the implementation of accurate and sensible analysis in biological matrices of users is relevant and fundamental for clinical and forensic purposes. Two different analytical technologies, high-sensitivity gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) were used for a screening analysis of classic drugs and new psychoactive substances and their metabolites in urine of formed heroin addicts under methadone maintenance therapy. Sample preparation involved a liquid-liquid extraction. The UHPLC-HRMS method included Accucore™ phenyl Hexyl (100 × 2.1 mm, 2.6 μm, Thermo, USA) column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of mobile phase A (ammonium formate 2 mM in water, 0.1% formic acid) and mobile phase B (ammonium formate 2 mM in methanol/acetonitrile 50:50 (v/v), 0.1% formic acid) and a full-scan data-dependent MS2 (ddMS2) mode for substances identification (mass range 100–1000 m/z). The GC-MS method employed an ultra-Inert Intuvo GC column (HP-5MS UI, 30 m, 250 µm i.d, film thickness 0.25 µm; Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and electron-impact (EI) mass spectra were recorded in total ion monitoring mode (scan range 40–550 m/z). Urine samples from 296 patients with a history of opioid use disorder were examined. Around 80 different psychoactive substances and/or metabolites were identified, being methadone and metabolites the most prevalent ones. The possibility to screen for a huge number of psychotropic substances can be useful in suspected drug related fatalities or acute intoxication/exposure occurring in emergency departments and drug addiction services.
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13
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Frison G, Zancanaro F, Frasson S, Quadretti L, Agnati M, Vlassich F, Gagliardi G, Salerno TMG, Donato P, Mondello L. Analytical Characterization of 3-MeO-PCP and 3-MMC in Seized Products and Biosamples: The Role of LC-HRAM-Orbitrap-MS and Solid Deposition GC-FTIR. Front Chem 2021; 8:618339. [PMID: 33628763 PMCID: PMC7897676 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.618339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the phencyclidine (PCP) and synthetic cathinone analogs present on the street market, 3-methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP) is one of the most popular dissociative hallucinogen drugs, while 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) is a commonly encountered psychostimulant. Numerous 3-MeO-PCP- and 3-MMC-related intoxication cases have been reported worldwide. Identification of the positional isomers of MeO-PCP and MMC families are particularly challenging for clinical and forensic laboratories; this is mostly due to their difficult chromatographic separation (particularly when using liquid chromatography–LC) and similar mass spectrometric behaviors. 3-MeO-PCP and 3-MMC were identified in two powders, detained by two subjects and seized by the police, by different analytical techniques, including liquid chromatography-high-resolution accurate-mass Orbitrap mass spectrometry (LC-HRAM-Orbitrap-MS), and solid deposition gas chromatography-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (sd-GC-FTIR). LC-HRAM-Orbitrap-MS allowed us to assign the elemental formulae C18H27NO (MeO-PCP) and C11H15NO (MMC) through accurate mass measurement of the two MH+ ions, and the comparison of experimental and calculated MH+ isotopic patterns. However, MH+ collision-induced product ions spectra were not conclusive in discriminating between the positional isomers [(3-MeO-PCP vs. 4-MeO-PCP) and (3-MMC vs. 4-MMC and 2-MMC)]. Likewise, sd-GC-FTIR easily allowed us to differentiate between the MeO-PCP and MMC positional isomers unambiguously, confirming the presence of 3-MeO-PCP and 3-MMC, due to the high-quality match factor of the experimental FTIR spectra against the target FTIR spectra of MeO-PCP and MMC isomers in a dedicated library. 3-MeO-PCP (in contrast to 3-MMC) was also detected in blood and urine samples of both subjects and analyzed in the context of routine forensic casework by LC-HRAM-Orbitrap-MS following a simple deproteinization step. In addition, this untargeted approach allowed us to detect dozens of phase I and phase II 3-MeO-PCP metabolites in all biological specimens. Analysis of the extracted samples by sd-GC-FTIR revealed the presence of 3-MeO-PCP, thus confirming the intake of such specific methoxy-PCP isomer in both cases. These results highlight the effectiveness of LC-HRAM-Orbitrap-MS and sd-GC-FTIR data in attaining full structural characterization of the psychoactive drugs, even in absence of reference standards, in both non-biological and biological specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giampietro Frison
- Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene and Forensic Toxicology, DMPO Department, AULSS 3, Venice, Italy
| | - Flavio Zancanaro
- Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene and Forensic Toxicology, DMPO Department, AULSS 3, Venice, Italy
| | - Samuela Frasson
- Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene and Forensic Toxicology, DMPO Department, AULSS 3, Venice, Italy
| | - Laura Quadretti
- Emergency Department Unit, Madonna della Salute Hospital, AULSS 5, Porto Viro (Rovigo), Italy
| | - Michele Agnati
- Emergency Department Unit, Madonna della Salute Hospital, AULSS 5, Porto Viro (Rovigo), Italy
| | - Francesca Vlassich
- Intensive Care Unit, Madonna della Salute Hospital, AULSS 5, Porto Viro (Rovigo), Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gagliardi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, AULSS 5, Porto Viro (Rovigo), Italy
| | - Tania Maria Grazia Salerno
- BeSep S.r.l., c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Paola Donato
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Luigi Mondello
- BeSep S.r.l., c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Chromaleont S.r.l., c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Research Unit of Food Science and Nutrition, Department of Science and Technology for Humans and the Environment, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Castaing-Cordier T, Ladroue V, Besacier F, Bulete A, Jacquemin D, Giraudeau P, Farjon J. High-field and benchtop NMR spectroscopy for the characterization of new psychoactive substances. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 321:110718. [PMID: 33601154 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) have become a serious threat to public health in Europe due to their ability to be sold in the street or on the darknet. Regulating NPS is an urgent priority but comes with a number of analytical challenges since they are structurally similar to legal products. A number of analytical techniques can be used for identifying NPS, among which NMR spectroscopy is a gold standard. High field NMR is typically used for structural elucidation in combination with others techniques like GC-MS, Infrared spectroscopy, together with databases. In addition to their strong ability to elucidate molecular structures, high field NMR techniques are the gold standard for quantification without any physical isolation procedure and with a single internal standard. However, high field NMR remains expensive and emerging "benchtop" NMR apparatus which are cheaper and transportable can be considered as valuable alternatives to high field NMR. Indeed, benchtop NMR, which emerged about ten years ago, makes it possible to carry out structural elucidation and quantification of NPS despite the gap in resolution and sensitivity as compared to high field NMR. This review describes recent advances in the field of NMR applied to the characterization of NPS. High-field NMR methods are first described in view of their complementarity with other analytical methods, focusing on both structural and quantitative aspects. The second part of the review highlights how emerging benchtop NMR approaches could act as a game changer in the field of forensics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Virginie Ladroue
- Institut National de Police Scientifique (INPS), Laboratoire de Lyon (LPS69), Ecully 69134, France
| | - Fabrice Besacier
- Institut National de Police Scientifique (INPS), Laboratoire de Lyon (LPS69), Ecully 69134, France
| | - Audrey Bulete
- Institut National de Police Scientifique (INPS), Laboratoire de Lyon (LPS69), Ecully 69134, France
| | - Denis Jacquemin
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, CEISAM UMR 6230, Nantes F-44000, France
| | | | - Jonathan Farjon
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, CEISAM UMR 6230, Nantes F-44000, France.
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15
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Characterization of letrozole in human hair using LC-MS/MS and confirmation by LC-HRMS: Application to a doping case. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2021; 1162:122495. [PMID: 33360417 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Letrozole is a reversible aromatase inhibitor, used in the treatment of hormone-dependent woman cancer. No indication for medical use is available for men. In recent years, several cases of doping with letrozole have been observed, especially among high level athletes. Aromatase inhibitors reverse the harmful effects (feminizing) of the abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids. Letrozole is included on the list of products prohibited in- and out-competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency, under section S4.1. The aim of the present work was to develop a specific method to identify letrozole in human hair of a male amateur athlete by LC-MS/MS and confirmation by LC-HRMS, after incubation of 20 mg of matrix in 1 mL of methanol. The chromatographic separation was performed using a reverse phase column HSS C18 with a gradient elution of 15 min (from 87% to 5% of formate buffer adjusted to pH 3). Linearity was observed from 1 to 1000 pg/mg (r2 = 0.9999), after spiking blank hair with the corresponding amounts of letrozole. The limit of detection was estimated at 0.5 pg/mg and the lower limit of quantification was the first point of the calibration curve, i.e. 1 pg/mg. The precision was lower than 20% and there was no interference with the analytes by chemicals or any extractable endogenous materials present in hair. Letrozole was identified in the male amateur athlete hair at 310 pg/mg (segment 0-2 cm) and 245 pg/mg (segment 2-4 cm).
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16
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Trana AD, Mannocchi G, Pirani F, Maida NL, Gottardi M, Pichini S, Busardò FP. A Comprehensive HPLC-MS-MS Screening Method for 77 New Psychoactive Substances, 24 Classic Drugs and 18 Related Metabolites in Blood, Urine and Oral Fluid. J Anal Toxicol 2020; 44:769-783. [PMID: 32816015 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, more than 800 molecules are classified as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), and it is reported that this number increases every year. Whereas several cases of polydrug consumption that led to acute intoxication and death are reported, a lack of effective analytical screening method to detect NPS and classical drug of abuse in human matrices affects the prompt identification of the probable cause of intoxication in emergency department of hospitals. In this concern, a fast, simple and comprehensive high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS) screening method to detect and quantify 77 NPS, 24 classic drugs and 18 related metabolites has been successfully developed and validated in blood, urine and oral fluid. A small volume (100 µL) of whole blood samples spiked with internal standard deuterated mixture was added to 70 µL of M3® buffer, and after precipitation of blood proteins, the supernatant was evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in 1 mL of mobile phase. Same volume (100 µL) of urine and oral fluid samples spiked with internal standard deuterated mix were only diluted with 500 µL of M3® reagent. One microliter of samples of each matrix was injected into HPLC-MS-MS equipment. The run time lasted 10 min with a gradient mobile phase. Mass spectrometric analysis was performed in positive ion multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was linear for all analytes under investigation with a determination coefficient always better than 0.99. The calibration range for blood and oral fluid was from limits of quantification (LOQs) to 200 ng/mL, whereas that for urine was LOQs to 1000 ng/mL. Recovery and matrix effect were always higher than 80%, whereas intra-assay and inter-assay precision were always better than 19% and accuracy was always within 19% of target in every matrix. Applicability of the method was verified by analysis of samples from real cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annagiulia Di Trana
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University "Politecnica delle Marche" of Ancona, Via Tronto 71, 60124, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giulio Mannocchi
- University of Camerino, Piazza Cavour 19/f, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Filippo Pirani
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University "Politecnica delle Marche" of Ancona, Via Tronto 71, 60124, Ancona, Italy
| | - Nunzia La Maida
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University "Politecnica delle Marche" of Ancona, Via Tronto 71, 60124, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University "Politecnica delle Marche" of Ancona, Via Tronto 71, 60124, Ancona, Italy
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17
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18
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Alexandridou A, Mouskeftara T, Raikos N, Gika HG. GC-MS analysis of underivatised new psychoactive substances in whole blood and urine. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2020; 1156:122308. [PMID: 33038866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Herein a method was develop and validated for the detection and quantification of five new psychoactive substances (NPS) belonging to three categories: synthetic cathinones (mephedrone, 3,4-MDPV), opioids (AH-7921) and cannabinoids (JWH-018, AM-2201) by EI GC-MS. Target analytes were quantified in whole blood; in urine the same compounds plus methylone were detected. Liquid-liquid extraction by MTBE - butyl acetate (1:1, v/v) in blood and butyl acetate in urine was applied for the recovery of analytes, while no derivatization was necessary for their sensitive detection and quantification. The method showed good linearity for all analytes within a concentration range from 0.25 to 2 μg/mL for mephedrone, from 0.02 to 0.16 μg/mL for 3,4-MDPV and AH-7921 and from 0.005 to 0.04 μg/mL for JWH-018 and AM-2201. LOD ranged from 0.002 μg/mL (JWH-018 and AM-2201 in blood and urine), to 0.08 μg/mL (mephedrone in urine). LOQ in blood ranged from 0.005 μg/mL for JWH-018 and AM-2201 to 0.25 μg/mL for mephedrone. Accuracy was within acceptable limits with % bias ranging from +20% to -17.98% for intra-assay study and from +18.87% to -11.16% for inter-assay study. Precision was found to be between 2.60% and 17.17% (CV%) for intra-assay study and from 6.03% to 13.72% (CV%) for inter-assay study. An intra laboratory comparison provided proof of the method robustness. The developed method can be used for the reliable and fast quantification of five NPS in blood and the detection of six NPS in urine within the practice of a clinical or forensic toxicology laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Alexandridou
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Thomai Mouskeftara
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; BIOMIC_AUTH, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center B1.4, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Rd, P.O. Box 8318, GR 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Raikos
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; BIOMIC_AUTH, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center B1.4, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Rd, P.O. Box 8318, GR 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Helen G Gika
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; BIOMIC_AUTH, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center B1.4, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Rd, P.O. Box 8318, GR 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Kintz P, Ameline A, Raul JS. Human hair tests to document drug environmental contamination: Application in a family law case involving N,N-dimethyltryptamine. Drug Test Anal 2020; 13:447-450. [PMID: 33095975 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
For 40 years, hair tests have been presented as the best approach to document long-term consumption of a drug. This unique property has found numerous applications in clinical, forensic, and occupational toxicology. However, since the beginning of its implementation in biology, external contamination, with an associated risk of false positive result, has been presented as the key in the final interpretation. Evidence of environmental contamination and subsequent health issues can be the task of any toxicologist. Because of recent progress of analytical equipment, it is now possible to quantify drugs in hair with high level of accuracy and specificity at the pg/mg range. Therefore, segmental hair tests can be used to document environmental contamination and are the objective of this publication. In a family law case, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a powerful hallucinogen, has been found in the hair of the partner of a repetitive DMT smoker at 4 to 13 pg/mg in 6 × 1 cm segments, with a regular increase of concentrations from the proximal to the distal hair end. The low measured concentrations and the particular pattern of DMT distribution along the hair shaft seem to be typical of environmental contamination, the older hair (those of the distal part) being for a longer time in contact with the drug. Despite strong decontamination, drugs from the environment can remain bound to the hair matrix and therefore be able to be used to document environmental contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Kintz
- X-Pertise Consulting, Mittelhausbergen, France.,Institut de Medecine Légale, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alice Ameline
- Institut de Medecine Légale, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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20
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Purity estimation of seized stimulant-type new psychoactive substances without reference standards by nitrogen chemiluminescence detection combined with GC-APCI-QTOFMS. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 312:110304. [PMID: 32387867 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Purity assessment of seized material containing new psychoactive substances (NPS) is complicated without appropriate primary reference standards. Here we present a method for fast quantitative estimation of stimulant-type NPS with use of secondary reference standards, based on gas chromatography nitrogen chemiluminescence detection coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-NCD-APCI-QTOFMS). Quantification was based on the detector's N-equimolar response to nitrogen and using two external nitrogen-containing calibrators, MDMA for prim- and sec-amines and α-PVP for tert-amines. Sample preparation involved dissolving the seized powdery material in an organic solvent mixture followed by acylation with N-methyl-bis-trifluoroacetamide (MBTFA). The method's between-day accuracy and precision over a five-day period was measured for twenty-eight stimulants: the grand mean equimolarity was 91.9% (CV 5.5%), as compared with primary reference standards. The GC-NCD-APCI-QTOFMS method was applied to the purity estimation of forty-two seized powder samples previously found to contain stimulant-type NPS by appropriate methods. The quantitative results were compared to those obtained by an established method relying on liquid chromatography chemiluminescence detection (LC-CLND), the latter using caffeine as an external calibrator. The mean difference of purity values between the methods was 8.1% (range 0.4-26.7%). The presented method might find use as a tool for instant purity assessment in forensic laboratories.
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21
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Kintz P, Ameline A, Gheddar L, Raul J. Testing for GW501516 (cardarine) in human hair using LC/MS–MS and confirmation by LC/HRMS. Drug Test Anal 2020; 12:980-986. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Kintz
- X‐Pertise Consulting Mittelhausbergen France
- Institut de medecine légale Strasbourg France
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22
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Ameline A, Gheddar L, Raul JS, Kintz P. Identification of adrafinil and its main metabolite modafinil in human hair. Self-administration study and interpretation of an authentic case. Forensic Sci Res 2020; 5:322-326. [PMID: 33457050 PMCID: PMC7782130 DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2019.1704482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
For several years, the misuse of stimulant substances is increasingly observed both in the field of sport, to improve the functions of the body and therefore to be more performant, and also by non-athletes to make life more tolerable on a daily basis. Adrafinil, 2-((diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl)-N-hydroxyacetamide, is a drug designed for the treatment of narcolepsy by promoting an awakened state, and to treat alertness and neurological symptoms in the elderly. It is primarily metabolized in vivo to an active form, i.e. modafinil, 2-((diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl)acetamide. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned these two drugs in sports in 2004. The authors report an authentic case involving adrafinil and modafinil. The laboratory was requested to test for adrafinil in a hair strand collected from a woman found in possession of vials of adrafinil and suspected of trafficking. A specific method was developed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Unlike modafinil (varying from 6.8 to 13.9 ng/mg), adrafinil was not identified in the strand. The interpretation of the results was difficult because this is the first case describing human hair analysis. In order to be able to interpret the results, a self-administration study was conducted after an oral administration to a volunteer (200 mg) whose beard hair was collected 10 days after administration. The analysis of this specimen highlighted the presence of adrafinil at 0.8 ng/mg and modafinil at 0.5 ng/mg. These results demonstrate the dual identification of both compounds after a single consumption, even after administration of a low dose. According to these results, the analysis of the hair strand from the authentic case does not match with a consumption of adrafinil, in accordance with abuse of modafinil alone. Intelligence considered that this was a trafficking case of adrafinil, with no self-consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Ameline
- Institut de Médecine Légale, Laboratoire de toxicologie, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurie Gheddar
- Institut de Médecine Légale, Laboratoire de toxicologie, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Pascal Kintz
- Institut de Médecine Légale, Laboratoire de toxicologie, Strasbourg, France.,X-Pertise Consulting, Département de toxicologie, Mittelhausbergen, France
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23
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Gheddar L, Ameline A, Raul JS, Kintz P. Designer anabolic steroids: A challenge for toxicologists. TOXICOLOGIE ANALYTIQUE ET CLINIQUE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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24
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Bottinelli C, Revelut K, Hologne M, Gaillard Y, Bévalot F. GC-MS, GC-QTOF and NMR analyses to elucidate composition of 41 powders from an NPS collector. TOXICOLOGIE ANALYTIQUE ET CLINIQUE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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25
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Ameline A, Garnier D, Raul JS, Kintz P. Use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to identify unknown powders. TOXICOLOGIE ANALYTIQUE ET CLINIQUE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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