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Júlio S, Ferro RA, Santos S, Alexandre A, Caldeira MJ, Franco J, Barroso M, Gaspar H. Synthesis of emerging cathinones and validation of a SPE GC-MS method for their simultaneous quantification in blood. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:571-589. [PMID: 36494605 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04440-6] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 15 years, synthetic cathinones have emerged as an important class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) worldwide. The proliferation of these psychostimulants and their sought-after effects among recreational drug users pose a serious threat to public health and enormous challenges to forensic laboratories. For forensic institutions, it is essential to be one step ahead of covert laboratories, foreseeing the structural changes possible to introduce in the core skeleton of cathinones while maintaining their stimulating activity. In this manner, it is feasible to equip themselves with standards of possible new cathinones and validated analytical methods for their qualitative and quantitative detection. Therefore, the aim of the work herein described was to synthesize emerging cathinones based on the evolving patterns in the illicit drug market, and to develop an analytical method for their accurate determination in forensic situations. Five so far unreported cathinones [4'-methyl-N-dimethylbuphedrone (4-MDMB), 4'-methyl-N-ethylbuphedrone (4-MNEB), 4'-methyl-N-dimethylpentedrone (4-MDMP), 4'-methyl-N-dimethylhexedrone (4-MDMH), and 4'-methyl-N-diethylbuphedrone (4-MDEB)] and a sixth one, 4'-methyl-N-ethylpentedrone, already reported to EMCDDA and also known as 4-MEAP, were synthesized and fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). An analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of these cathinones in blood, using solid phase extraction (SPE) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed and validated. The results prove that this methodology is selective, linear, precise, and accurate. For all target cathinones, the extraction efficiency was higher than 73%, linearity was observed in the range of 10 (lower limit of quantification, LLOQ) to 800 ng/mL, with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99, and the limits of detection (LODs) were 5 ng/mL for all target cathinones. The stability of these cathinones in blood matrices is dependent on the storage conditions; 4-MNEB is the most stable compound and 4-MDMH is the least stable compound. The low limits obtained allow the detection of the compounds in situations where they are involved, even if present at low concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Júlio
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-535, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel A Ferro
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Santos
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andrea Alexandre
- Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária - Setor de Drogas e Toxicologia, Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-007, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria João Caldeira
- Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária - Setor de Drogas e Toxicologia, Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-007, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Franco
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. - Delegação do Sul, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa, 3, 1169-201, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mário Barroso
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. - Delegação do Sul, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa, 3, 1169-201, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Helena Gaspar
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal. .,MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2520-630, Peniche, Portugal.
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Wang Q, Bian Y, Zhang Y, Sun DM, Wang WL, Zhou Y, Liu ZF, Feng XS, He ZW. Development of Sampling, Pretreatment and Detection Methods for Ephedrine and Related Substances in Complex Samples. Microchem J 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2023.108538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
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Simão AY, Antunes M, Cabral E, Oliveira P, Rosendo LM, Brinca AT, Alves E, Marques H, Rosado T, Passarinha LA, Andraus M, Barroso M, Gallardo E. An Update on the Implications of New Psychoactive Substances in Public Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084869. [PMID: 35457736 PMCID: PMC9028227 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of new psychoactive substances has earned a great deal of attention, and several reports of acute poisoning and deaths have been issued involving, for instance, synthetic opiates. In recent years, there have been profound alterations in the legislation concerning consumption, marketing, and synthesis of these compounds; rapid alert systems have also been subject to changes, and new substances and new markets, mainly through the internet, have appeared. Their effects and how they originate in consumers are still mostly unknown, primarily in what concerns chronic toxicity. This review intends to provide a detailed description of these substances from the point of view of consumption, toxicokinetics, and health consequences, including case reports on intoxications in order to help researchers and public health agents working daily in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Y. Simão
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal; (A.Y.S.); (M.A.); (E.C.); (P.O.); (L.M.R.); (A.T.B.); (E.A.); (H.M.); (T.R.)
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia, UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-284 Covilha, Portugal
| | - Mónica Antunes
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal; (A.Y.S.); (M.A.); (E.C.); (P.O.); (L.M.R.); (A.T.B.); (E.A.); (H.M.); (T.R.)
- Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, Delegação do Sul, 1150-219 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Emanuel Cabral
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal; (A.Y.S.); (M.A.); (E.C.); (P.O.); (L.M.R.); (A.T.B.); (E.A.); (H.M.); (T.R.)
| | - Patrik Oliveira
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal; (A.Y.S.); (M.A.); (E.C.); (P.O.); (L.M.R.); (A.T.B.); (E.A.); (H.M.); (T.R.)
| | - Luana M. Rosendo
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal; (A.Y.S.); (M.A.); (E.C.); (P.O.); (L.M.R.); (A.T.B.); (E.A.); (H.M.); (T.R.)
| | - Ana Teresa Brinca
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal; (A.Y.S.); (M.A.); (E.C.); (P.O.); (L.M.R.); (A.T.B.); (E.A.); (H.M.); (T.R.)
| | - Estefânia Alves
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal; (A.Y.S.); (M.A.); (E.C.); (P.O.); (L.M.R.); (A.T.B.); (E.A.); (H.M.); (T.R.)
| | - Hernâni Marques
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal; (A.Y.S.); (M.A.); (E.C.); (P.O.); (L.M.R.); (A.T.B.); (E.A.); (H.M.); (T.R.)
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia, UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-284 Covilha, Portugal
| | - Tiago Rosado
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal; (A.Y.S.); (M.A.); (E.C.); (P.O.); (L.M.R.); (A.T.B.); (E.A.); (H.M.); (T.R.)
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia, UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-284 Covilha, Portugal
| | - Luís A. Passarinha
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal; (A.Y.S.); (M.A.); (E.C.); (P.O.); (L.M.R.); (A.T.B.); (E.A.); (H.M.); (T.R.)
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departamento de Química, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Correspondence: (L.A.P.); (M.A.); (M.B.); (E.G.); Tel.: +351-275-329-001 (L.A.P. & E.G.); +55-800-042-0384 (M.A.); +351-21-881-1800 (M.B.)
| | - Maristela Andraus
- Chromatox/Dasa Laboratory Ltda. Sumaré, São Paulo 01259-000, Brazil
- Correspondence: (L.A.P.); (M.A.); (M.B.); (E.G.); Tel.: +351-275-329-001 (L.A.P. & E.G.); +55-800-042-0384 (M.A.); +351-21-881-1800 (M.B.)
| | - Mário Barroso
- Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, Delegação do Sul, 1150-219 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (L.A.P.); (M.A.); (M.B.); (E.G.); Tel.: +351-275-329-001 (L.A.P. & E.G.); +55-800-042-0384 (M.A.); +351-21-881-1800 (M.B.)
| | - Eugenia Gallardo
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal; (A.Y.S.); (M.A.); (E.C.); (P.O.); (L.M.R.); (A.T.B.); (E.A.); (H.M.); (T.R.)
- Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia, UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-284 Covilha, Portugal
- Correspondence: (L.A.P.); (M.A.); (M.B.); (E.G.); Tel.: +351-275-329-001 (L.A.P. & E.G.); +55-800-042-0384 (M.A.); +351-21-881-1800 (M.B.)
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Alternative matrices in forensic toxicology: a critical review. Forensic Toxicol 2021; 40:1-18. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-021-00596-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
The use of alternative matrices in toxicological analyses has been on the rise in clinical and forensic settings. Specimens alternative to blood and urine are useful in providing additional information regarding drug exposure and analytical benefits. The goal of this paper is to present a critical review on the most recent literature regarding the application of six common alternative matrices, i.e., oral fluid, hair, sweat, meconium, breast milk and vitreous humor in forensic toxicology.
Methods
The recent literature have been searched and reviewed for the characteristics, advantages and limitations of oral fluid, hair, sweat, meconium, breast milk and vitreous humor and its applications in the analysis of traditional drugs of abuse and novel psychoactive substances (NPS).
Results
This paper outlines the properties of six biological matrices that have been used in forensic analyses, as alternatives to whole blood and urine specimens. Each of this matrix has benefits in regards to sampling, extraction, detection window, typical drug levels and other aspects. However, theses matrices have also limitations such as limited incorporation of drugs (according to physical–chemical properties), impossibility to correlate the concentrations for effects, low levels of xenobiotics and ultimately the need for more sensitive analysis. For more traditional drugs of abuse (e.g., cocaine and amphetamines), there are already data available on the detection in alternative matrices. However, data on the determination of emerging drugs such as the NPS in alternative biological matrices are more limited.
Conclusions
Alternative biological fluids are important specimens in forensic toxicology. These matrices have been increasingly reported over the years, and this dynamic will probably continue in the future, especially considering their inherent advantages and the possibility to be used when blood or urine are unavailable. However, one should be aware that these matrices have limitations and particular properties, and the findings obtained from the analysis of these specimens may vary according to the type of matrix. As a potential perspective in forensic toxicology, the topic of alternative matrices will be continuously explored, especially emphasizing NPS.
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Ferreira AB, Lobo Castro A, Tarelho S, Domingues P, Franco JM. GC-MS – Still standing for clinical and forensic analysis: validation of a multidrug method to detect and quantify illicit drugs. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2021.1964598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Beatriz Ferreira
- National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Oporto, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - André Lobo Castro
- National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Oporto, Portugal
- ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sónia Tarelho
- National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Oporto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Domingues
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João Miguel Franco
- National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Oporto, Portugal
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Antunes M, Sequeira M, de Caires Pereira M, Caldeira MJ, Santos S, Franco J, Barroso M, Gaspar H. Determination of Selected Cathinones in Blood by Solid-Phase Extraction and GC-MS. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 45:233-242. [PMID: 32588896 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of potentially dangerous new psychoactive substances (NPS) is challenging for forensic laboratories, as well as the ability to develop and validate methods for a rapid and unambiguous monitoring of these compounds. Thereupon, the aim of this work was to establish a methodology for the identification and quantification of four synthetic cathinones already seized in Portugal [4-chloroethcathinone (4-CEC), α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP), 4-chloro-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (4-Cl-PVP) and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV)] in whole blood samples, using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analytes were extracted from blood by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and derivatized with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) with 5% trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS). For all analytes, linearity was observed from 25 (lower limit of quantification, LLOQ) to 800 ng/mL, with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99. The limits of detection (LOD) were 5 ng/mL for α-PVP, 4-Cl-PVP and MDPV and 25 ng/mL for 4-CEC. The method was selective, precise and accurate, and the extraction efficiency was higher than 85% for all analytes. The target cathinones were stable under different stock conditions, being MDPV the most stable and 4-CEC the least stable compound. The validated analytical method was then applied to real samples that previously tested positive for amphetamines, but no positive samples were found for the cathinones under study. The present method describes for the first time the quantification of 4-CEC and 4-Cl-PVP in whole blood samples by GC-MS, allowing their accurate determination in forensic situations where the compounds are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Antunes
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Margarida Sequeira
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Mariana de Caires Pereira
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal.,Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária-Setor de Drogas e Toxicologia, Rua Gomes Freire, Lisboa 1169-007, Portugal
| | - Maria João Caldeira
- Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária-Setor de Drogas e Toxicologia, Rua Gomes Freire, Lisboa 1169-007, Portugal
| | - Susana Santos
- Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Química Estrutural, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
| | - João Franco
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P.-Delegação do Sul, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa, 3, Lisboa 1150-219, Portugal
| | - Mário Barroso
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P.-Delegação do Sul, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa, 3, Lisboa 1150-219, Portugal
| | - Helena Gaspar
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal.,MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Polytechnic of Leiria, Edifício CETEMARES, Avenida do Porto de Pesca, 2520-630 PEniche, Portugal
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Psychoactive Substances of Natural Origin: Toxicological Aspects, Therapeutic Properties and Analysis in Biological Samples. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26051397. [PMID: 33807728 PMCID: PMC7961374 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The consumption of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) has been increasing, and this problem affects several countries worldwide. There is a class of NPSs of natural origin, consisting of plants and fungi, which have a wide range of alkaloids, responsible for causing relaxing, stimulating or hallucinogenic effects. The consumption of some of these substances is prompted by religious beliefs and cultural reasons, making the legislation very variable or even ambiguous. However, the abusive consumption of these substances can present an enormous risk to the health of the individuals, since their metabolism and effects are not yet fully known. Additionally, NPSs are widely spread over the internet, and their appearance is very fast, which requires the development of sophisticated analytical methodologies, capable of detecting these compounds. Thus, the objective of this work is to review the toxicological aspects, traditional use/therapeutic potential and the analytical methods developed in biological matrices in twelve plant specimens (Areca catechu, Argyreia nervosa, Ayahuasca, Catha edulis, Datura stramonium, Lophophora williamsii, Mandragora officinarum, Mitragyna speciosa, Piper methysticum Forst, Psilocybe, Salvia divinorum and Tabernanthe iboga).
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Esteve-Turrillas FA, Armenta S, de la Guardia M. Sample preparation strategies for the determination of psychoactive substances in biological fluids. J Chromatogr A 2020; 1633:461615. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Wójtowicz A, Wietecha-Posłuszny R, Snamina M. Contemporary trends in drug analysis of vitreous humor: A critical review. Trends Analyt Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2020.115935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Ferreira E, Corte Real F, Pinho e Melo T, Margalho C. A Novel Bioanalytical Method for the Determination of Opioids in Blood and Pericardial Fluid. J Anal Toxicol 2020; 44:754-768. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Opioids are the drugs most commonly detected in overdose deaths and the second most consumed worldwide. An analytical methodology has been optimized and fully validated for the determination of codeine, morphine, 6-acetylmorphine, 6-acetylcodeine, oxycodone, oxymorphone and fentanyl in whole blood and pericardial fluid. The internal standards used were codeine-d3, morphine-d3, 6-acetylmorphine-d3 and fentanyl-d5. Before solid-phase extraction, volumes of 250 μL of blood and pericardial fluid were subjected to a protein precipitation (with 750 μL of ice-cold acetonitrile) and a microwave-induced oximation was performed using a solution of 1% aqueous hydroxylamine hydrochloride in phosphate-buffered saline (1:2, v/v). Finally, the dried extracts were further derivatized with a solution of n-methyl-n-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide + 5% trimethylchlorosilane under microwave irradiation. The chromatographic analysis was carried out using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry operating in electron impact and selected ion monitoring mode. For all analytes, the method was linear between 5 and 1,000 ng/mL with determination coefficients (r2) >0.99. Depending on the analyte and matrix, the limit of detection varies between 3 and 4 ng/mL. Intra- and intermediate precision (<20%) and bias (±20%) were acceptable for all analytes in both matrices. The stability of the substances in the studied matrices was guaranteed, at least, 24 h in the autosampler, 4 h at room temperature and 30 days after three freeze/thaw cycles. This methodology was applied to real samples from the Laboratory of Chemistry and Forensic Toxicology, Centre Branch, of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Portugal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ferreira
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. (INMLCF, I.P.), Laboratório de Toxicologia Forense da Delegação do Centro, Azinhaga de Santa Comba - Polo das Ciências da Saúde, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Departamento de Química da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra, R. Larga 2, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco Corte Real
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. (INMLCF, I.P.), Laboratório de Toxicologia Forense da Delegação do Centro, Azinhaga de Santa Comba - Polo das Ciências da Saúde, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba - Polo das Ciências da Saúde, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Pinho e Melo
- Departamento de Química da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra, R. Larga 2, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Margalho
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. (INMLCF, I.P.), Laboratório de Toxicologia Forense da Delegação do Centro, Azinhaga de Santa Comba - Polo das Ciências da Saúde, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
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The Clinical Toxicology of 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B): The Severity of Poisoning After Exposure to Low to Moderate and High Doses. Ann Emerg Med 2020; 76:303-317. [PMID: 32507489 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2020.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE We studied the severity of poisoning after exposure to low to moderate and high doses of 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B). METHODS Patients for whom the Dutch Poisons Information Centre was consulted for 2C-B exposure from 2016 to 2018 were included in a prospective cohort study. Data were collected through telephone interviews with the physician or patient. Patients were categorized according to the reported 2C-B dose: low to moderate (up to 20 mg), high (greater than 20 mg), or unknown. Presence of 2C-B was analyzed in leftover drug and biological samples with liquid/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The severity of poisoning was graded with the Poisoning Severity Score. RESULTS We included 59 patients, of whom 32 could be followed up. Low to moderate 2C-B doses were reported by 9 patients (28%), high doses by 17 (53%), and unknown doses by 6 (19%). Poisoning was moderate in the majority of patients in both the low- to moderate-dose and high-dose groups. Frequently reported symptoms included mydriasis, agitation or aggression, hallucinations, confusion, anxiety, hypertension, and tachycardia. The presence of 2C-B was confirmed in 5 patients in urine (n=3) or drug samples (n=4). CONCLUSION In this study, most 2C-B poisonings resulted in moderate toxicity even at high reported doses up to 192 mg. No severe cases were observed. The clinical course was usually short-lived (up to 24 hours) and typically involved hallucinations in addition to mild somatic effects.
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Cláudia M, Pedro A, Tiago R, Francisco CR, Eugenia G. Determination of New Psychoactive Substances in Whole Blood Using Microwave Fast Derivatization and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. J Anal Toxicol 2020; 44:92-102. [PMID: 31436798 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkz053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The production and consumption of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) has been raising a major concern worldwide. Due to easy access and available information, many NPSs continue to be synthesized with an alarming increase of those available to purchase, despite all the control efforts created. A new analytical method was developed and validated to determine a group of phenethylamines and synthetic cathinones: cathinone, flephedrone, buphedrone, 4-MTA, α-PVP, methylone, 2C-P, ethylone, pentylone, MDPV and bromo-dragonFLY in whole blood. A mixed-mode solid phase extraction was applied to 250 μL of sample, and the extracts were derivatized with fast microwave technique before being analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The validation procedure followed the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology (SWGTOX) guidelines with parameters that included selectivity, linearity, limits of detection and quantification, intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy, recoveries and stability. The method presented linearity between 5 and 500 ng/mL for cathinone, buphedrone, 4-MTA, methylone, 2C-P and bromo-dragonFLY, 10-500 ng/mL for flephedrone, ethylone, pentylone and MDPV, and 40-500 ng/mL for α-PVP, with determination coefficients above 0.99 for all analytes. Recoveries ranged between 70.3% and 116.6%, and regarding intra- and inter-day precision, the relative mean errors were typically lower than 8.6%. The method was successfully applied to over 100 authentic samples from the Laboratory of Chemistry and Forensic Toxicology, Centre Branch, of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Portugal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margalho Cláudia
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses - Delegação do Centro, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Largo da Sé Nova, 3000-213, Coimbra Portugal
| | - Almeida Pedro
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses - Delegação do Centro, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Largo da Sé Nova, 3000-213, Coimbra Portugal.,Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade da Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6201-506, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Rosado Tiago
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade da Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6201-506, Covilhã, Portugal.,Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, EM506, 6200-284, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Corte Real Francisco
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses - Delegação do Centro, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Largo da Sé Nova, 3000-213, Coimbra Portugal
| | - Gallardo Eugenia
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade da Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6201-506, Covilhã, Portugal.,Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, EM506, 6200-284, Covilhã, Portugal
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Analysis of 5-hydroxytryptamine and its related indoles in cerebrospinal fluid of leukemic children by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J LAB MED 2020. [DOI: 10.1515/labmed-2019-0156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
It is meaningful to quantify some neurotransmitters in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for pathology and clinical diagnosis. The objective of this study was to develop a rapid and reliable method for detecting 5-hydroxyindole ethanol (5-HTOL), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in CSF by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and explore the clinical significance of the levels of these neurotransmitters in CSF from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Methods
The levels of 5-HTOL, 5-HIAA, 5-HTP and 5-HT in CSF from children with ALL and a control (CON) group were examined by the proposed GC-MS method.
Results
The GC-MS method showed good sensitivity and accuracy. 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents in the ALL group were significantly lower than those in the CON group (p < 0.01), while there was no significant difference in 5-HTP and 5-HTOL contents between the two groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusions
This sensitive and reliable method could be used in studies focusing on clinical pathogenesis of ALL.
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Álvarez-Freire I, Brunetti P, Cabarcos-Fernández P, Fernández-Liste A, Tabernero-Duque MJ, Bermejo-Barrera AM. Determination of benzodiazepines in pericardial fluid by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2018; 159:45-52. [PMID: 29980018 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2018.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
In Forensic Toxicology it is sometimes impossible to obtain a valid blood sample to perform toxicological analysis due to several factors like advanced state of decomposition, severe burns, bleed to death…. Pericardial Fluid has already been studied during the last years and has been proposed as a valid specimen for toxicological tests. Over the years, the consumption of benzodiazepines spread among the drug dependent population and became noticeable in drug facilitated assault cases and road accidents. Improvement of the analytical methodology required for detecting the presence of these drugs in biological samples is of great importance for forensic toxicology, in order to correctly diagnose an exposure or a poisoning. In this study, 9 benzodiazepines (diazepam, nordiazepam, midazolam, bromazepam, oxazepam, temazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam and alprazolam) have been determined in pericardial fluid. For this purpose a solid phase extraction (SPE) was carried out using Bond Elut Certify cartridges. After the derivatization of six of the nine benzodiazepines, gas chromatography coupled to a selective mass detector was used as the technique for the separation of the analytes. The method developed was fully validated for the 9 analytes and was applied to real samples of pericardial fluid received at the Forensic Toxicology Service of the University of Santiago de Compostela. Finally, they were compared with blood results looking for the existence of a possible correlation between both biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Álvarez-Freire
- Forensic Toxicology Service, Forensic Sciences Institute, Medicine School, University of Santiago de Compostela, C/ San Francisco s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - P Brunetti
- Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Facoltà di Farmacia, Via Aurelio Saffi, 2, 61029, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - P Cabarcos-Fernández
- Forensic Toxicology Service, Forensic Sciences Institute, Medicine School, University of Santiago de Compostela, C/ San Francisco s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - A Fernández-Liste
- Galicia´s Legal Medicine Institute (IMELGA), Courthouse Building, C/ Viena s/n, 15707, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - M J Tabernero-Duque
- Forensic Toxicology Service, Forensic Sciences Institute, Medicine School, University of Santiago de Compostela, C/ San Francisco s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - A M Bermejo-Barrera
- Forensic Toxicology Service, Forensic Sciences Institute, Medicine School, University of Santiago de Compostela, C/ San Francisco s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Krpo M, Arnestad M, Karinen R. Determination of Acetaminophen, Dexchlorpheniramine, Caffeine, Cotinine and Salicylic acid in 100 μL of Whole Blood by UHPLC–MS/MS. J Anal Toxicol 2017; 42:126-132. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkx089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maja Krpo
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4950, Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Marianne Arnestad
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4950, Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ritva Karinen
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4950, Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway
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A rapid, accurate and sensitive method with the new stable isotopic tags based on microwave-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and its application to the determination of hydroxyl UV filters in environmental water samples. Talanta 2017; 167:242-252. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2017.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Molnár B, Fodor B, Csámpai A, Hidvégi E, Molnár-Perl I. Structure-related new approach in the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of cathinone type synthetic drugs. J Chromatogr A 2016; 1477:70-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2016.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Microwave-assisted on-spot derivatization for gas chromatography–mass spectrometry based determination of polar low molecular weight compounds in dried blood spots. J Chromatogr A 2016; 1465:175-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2016.08.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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