1
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Polke M, Concheiro M, Cooper G, Bogdal C, Baumgartner MR, Krämer T, Binz TM. Development and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method including 25 novel synthetic opioids in hair and subsequent analysis of a Swiss opioid consumer cohort. Drug Test Anal 2024. [PMID: 38382125 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Major public health concern is raised by the evidence that common drugs like heroin are now frequently laced or replaced with highly potent novel synthetic opioids (NSOs). The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence and patterns of NSOs in a cohort of Swiss opioid users by hair analysis. Hair analysis is considered an ideal tool for retrospective consumption monitoring. Hair samples from 439 opioid users in Zurich were analyzed. Study inclusion required a previous positive hair test result for heroin metabolites, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, or tramadol. The samples were extracted with a two-step extraction procedure, followed by a targeted LC-MS/MS (QTRAP® 6500+) analysis in multiple reaction monitoring mode for a total of 25 NSOs. The method underwent full validation and demonstrated good selectivity and sensitivity with limits of detection (LOD) as low as 0.1 pg/mg. The analyzed sample cohort demonstrated a positivity rate for NSOs of 2.5%, including the following NSOs: butyrylfentanyl, acrylfentanyl, furanylfentanyl, methoxyacetylfentanyl, ocfentanil, U-47700, isobutyrylfentanyl and benzylfentanyl. Furthermore, we were able to identify specific consumption patterns among drug users. The results indicate that hair analysis is a valuable tool for investigating the prevalence of NSOs in drug-using populations, which seems to be low in the case of Swiss opioid users. Nevertheless, the results highlight the need for sensitive analytical detection methods in forensic toxicology to identify and monitor substance distribution in different populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Polke
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marta Concheiro
- Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Gail Cooper
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, New York City, New York, USA
| | | | - Markus R Baumgartner
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Krämer
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tina M Binz
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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2
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Nazdrajić E, Rickert DA, Pawliszyn J. Rapid Analysis of Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogues from Whole Blood Using SPME Coupled to the Microfluidic Open Interface. Anal Chem 2024; 96:821-827. [PMID: 38158586 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Fentanyl and its analogues are potent opioids that pose a significant threat to society. Over the last several years, considerable focus has been on the concerning trend of increasing fentanyl usage among drug users. Fentanyl analogues are mainly synthesized to evade analytical detection or increase their potency; thus, very low concentrations are sufficient to achieve a therapeutic effect. In an effort to help combat the synthetic opioid epidemic, developing targeted mass spectrometric methods for quantifying fentanyl and its analogues at ultralow concentrations is incredibly important. Most methods used to analyze fentanyl and its analogues from whole blood require manual sample preparation protocols (solid-phase extraction or liquid-liquid extraction), followed by chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric detection. The main disadvantages of these methods are the tedious sample preparation workflows, resulting in lengthy analysis times. To mitigate these issues, we present a targeted method capable of analyzing 96 samples containing fentanyl, several fentanyl analogues, and a common fentanyl (analogue) precursor simultaneously in 2.4 min per sample. This is possible by using a high-throughput solid phase microextraction workflow on the Concept96 autosampler followed by manual coupling of solid-phase microextraction fibers to the microfluidic open interface for tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Our quantitative method is capable of extremely sensitive analysis, with limits of quantification ranging from 0.002 to 0.031 ng mL-1 and linearity ranging from 0.010 to 25.0 ng mL-1. The method shows very good reproducibility (1-18%), accuracy (81-100%) of calibration and validation points, and good interday reproducibility (6-15%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emir Nazdrajić
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel A Rickert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, ON, Canada
| | - Janusz Pawliszyn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, ON, Canada
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3
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Calvetti C, Salomone A, Verzeletti A, Di Nardo F, Begni PMG, Vezzoli S. Are the NPS commonly used? An extensive investigation in Northern Italy based on hair analysis. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:574-579. [PMID: 37506041 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkad040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are present on the Italian illicit markets, but data from the analysis of biological samples to evaluate their real consumption are rare. For this reason, an epidemiological study was carried out by means of a ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-MS) method for the determination of 115 NPS on the keratin matrix. A total of 847 hair samples were collected in 2020 and 2021 and analyzed. The sample donors were in the age range of 18-40 years, from both genders, and were tested either for driving relicensing or for drug withdrawal monitoring. The UPLC-MS-MS system consisted of a Waters ACQUITY UPLC® I-Class, coupled with a Waters XEVO TQ-XS triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The method was developed and fully validated according to international guidelines. Limits of detection were set as the minimum criterion to identify positive samples. Overall, 56 samples resulted positive for ketamine, 35 for norketamine, 6 for fentanyl, 3 for norfentanyl, 3 for 4-ANPP, 3 for MDMB-4en-PINACA, 2 for N,N-DMT, 2 for 5-chloro AB-PINACA, 1 for α-PHP and 1 for methcathinone. NPS were detected in a small part of samples (8.4%), which seems in contrast with their apparent wide diffusion in Italy, yet it is congruent with similar investigations based on hair analysis. Future studies will be performed to expand the investigated population, especially in terms of age and origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Calvetti
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Alberto Salomone
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, via P. Giuria 5, Torino 10125, Italy
| | - Andrea Verzeletti
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Fabio Di Nardo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, via P. Giuria 5, Torino 10125, Italy
| | - Paola Maria Giulia Begni
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Sara Vezzoli
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia 25123, Italy
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4
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Palmquist KB, Truver MT, Shoff EN, Krotulski AJ, Swortwood MJ. Review of analytical methods for screening and quantification of fentanyl analogs and novel synthetic opioids in biological specimens. J Forensic Sci 2023; 68:1643-1661. [PMID: 37221651 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and other novel synthetic opioids (NSO), including nitazene analogs, prevail in forensic toxicology casework. Analytical methods for identifying these drugs in biological specimens need to be robust, sensitive, and specific. Isomers, new analogs, and slight differences in structural modifications necessitate the use of high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), especially as a non-targeted screening method designed to detect newly emerging drugs. Traditional forensic toxicology workflows, such as immunoassay and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), are generally not sensitive enough for detection of NSOs due to observed low (sub-μg/L) concentrations. For this review, the authors tabulated, reviewed, and summarized analytical methods from 2010-2022 for screening and quantification of fentanyl analogs and other NSOs in biological specimens using a variety of different instruments and sample preparation approaches. Limits of detection or quantification for 105 methods were included and compared to published standards and guidelines for suggested scope and sensitivity in forensic toxicology casework. Methods were summarized by instrument for screening and quantitative methods for fentanyl analogs and for nitazenes and other NSO. Toxicological testing for fentanyl analogs and NSOs is increasingly and most commonly being conducted using a variety of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based techniques. Most of the recent analytical methods reviewed exhibited limits of detection well below 1 μg/L to detect low concentrations of increasingly potent drugs. In addition, it was observed that most newly developed methods are now using smaller sample volumes which is achievable due to the sensitivity increase gained by new technology and new instrumentation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael T Truver
- Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Elisa N Shoff
- Miami-Dade Medical Examiner Department, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Alex J Krotulski
- Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, Fredric Rieders Family Foundation, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Madeleine J Swortwood
- Department of Forensic Science, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas, USA
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5
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Salomone A, Galletto M, Massano M, Di Corcia D, Palamar JJ, Vincenti M. Detection of fentanyl, synthetic opioids, and ketamine in hair specimens from purposive samples of American and Italian populations. J Forensic Sci 2023; 68:1698-1707. [PMID: 37515395 PMCID: PMC10529932 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15348] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
With the current crisis related to the diffusion of fentanyl and other novel opioids in several countries and populations, new and effective approaches are needed to better elucidate the phenomenon. In this context, hair testing offers a unique perspective in the investigation of drug consumption, producing useful information in terms of exposure to psychoactive substances. In this research, we applied targeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analytical methods to detect novel synthetic and prescription opioids and other common controlled psychoactive drugs in the keratin matrix. A total of 120 hair samples were analyzed from the United States (US) and Italy, segmented when longer than 6 cm, and then analyzed. In the 60 samples (83 segments in total) analyzed from a purposive sample of data collected in the US, fentanyl was detected in 14 cases (16.9%), with no detection of nitazens or brorphine. We also detected fentanyl metabolites, despropionyl-p-fluorofentanyl, and prescription opioids. In the 60 samples collected in Italy (91 segments in total), ketamine was the most prevalent compound detected (in 41 cases; 45.1%), with ketamine demonstrating a strong correlation with detection of amphetamines and MDMA, likely due to co-use of these substances in recreational contexts. Several common drugs were also detected but no exposure to fentanyl or its analogs were detected. Results of this retrospective exploration of drug use add to increasing evidence that hair testing can serve as a useful adjunct to epidemiology studies that seek to determine biologically confirmed use and exposure in high-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Salomone
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Centro Regionale Antidoping, Orbassano (TO), Italy
| | | | - Marta Massano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Joseph J. Palamar
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marco Vincenti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Centro Regionale Antidoping, Orbassano (TO), Italy
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6
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Application of mass spectrometry fragmentation patterns for rapid screening and structure identification of fentanyl analogues in suspicious powder. Forensic Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2023.100485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
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7
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Salgueiro-González N, Zuccato E, Castiglioni S. Nationwide investigation on the use of new psychoactive substances in Italy through urban wastewater analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 843:156982. [PMID: 35772552 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) emerged in the mid-2000s as a legal alternative to established illicit drugs. Despite the high individual and public harm associated to NPS, little is known about their real extent of use. New strategies are required to deal with the challenging monitoring of NPS, affected by the high number of substances available in the market, their rapid change and level of innovation, and their easy distribution mainly through the web. In this study, a wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) approach was applied for a nationwide monitoring of the use of eight categories of NPS in the population, including fentanyl analogues. Sixty-two biomarkers of NPS were selected following an established criterion, that included the most frequently and recently reported. A selective analytical method based on solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated for NPS analysis in wastewater. Composite wastewater samples (24 h) were collected in 33 Italian cities in October-November 2020 and analyzed according the validated method. Results highlighted the use of ten NPS, mainly synthetic cathinones and tryptamines, all over Italy. Methcathinone was found in all the cities and the highest mass loads corresponded to 3-methylmethcathinone with values up to 3.8 mg/day/1000 inhabitants. Low levels of fentanyl (found in 9 cities) and its main metabolite norfentanyl (11) were found whereas no fentanyl analogues were identified. As far as we know, this is the first time that the use of fentanyl and its analogues was investigated in Italy by wastewater analysis. WBE is a useful tool to rapidly evaluate emerging trends of NPS use, complementing common indicators (i.e. population surveys, seizures) and helping to establish measures for public health protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Salgueiro-González
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri - IRCCS, Department of Environmental Health Science, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy.
| | - Ettore Zuccato
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri - IRCCS, Department of Environmental Health Science, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Castiglioni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri - IRCCS, Department of Environmental Health Science, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
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8
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Zou F, Fu K, Jin C, Li M, Zhang G, Zhang R, Bai H. Microwave-prepared surface imprinted magnetic nanoparticles based electrochemical sensor for adsorption and determination of ketamine in sewage. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1217:340025. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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9
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Spear BH, DeCaprio AP. Evaluation of Pretreatment and Extraction Parameters for the Analysis of Fentanyl in Hair Using Statistical Design of Experiments (DoE). J Anal Toxicol 2022; 46:932-939. [PMID: 35762492 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimal methods for hair analysis are often debated. Previous work in this laboratory demonstrated that the statistical technique known as Design of Experiments (DoE) is useful for such optimization. DoE evaluates both the individual roles and the combinatorial associations among multiple independent variables (i.e., hair pretreatment parameters) and a dependent variable (i.e., drug recovery from hair). In this study, hair externally contaminated with fentanyl underwent decontamination with combinations of parameters based on a 24 fractional factorial block design DoE matrix. The parameters of interest included aqueous wash solvent (1% SDS or water), organic wash solvent (dichloromethane or methanol), number of consecutive washes (one or three), sequence of washes (aqueous first or organic first), and wash time (30 s or 30 min). The optimal method for decontaminating fentanyl from the hair surface was found to be one 30-min wash with dichloromethane followed by one 30-min wash with water. Pretreatment parameters were optimized with a 23 full factorial DoE matrix using authentic hair reference material (HRM), which consisted of pooled drug user hair diluted to a known concentration of fentanyl with drug-free hair. The factors of interest were extraction solvent/sample weight ratio (12.5 or 25 µL/mg), hair particle size (pulverized or 1 mm segments), and extraction time (2 or 24 h). The most effective pretreatment method for fentanyl consisted of pulverizing the hair prior to a 2-h extraction in a 25 µL/mg extraction solvent volume/sample weight ratio. Finally, using the optimized pretreatment methods, fentanyl containing authentic HRM was extracted using aqueous base, solvent, and enzymatic hair extraction methods, where it was determined that the aqueous base technique was most effective for recovery of fentanyl. These experiments further demonstrate the value of DoE and authentic HRM in method development for forensic hair analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Hill Spear
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW Eighth Street, Miami, Florida, 33199, United States
| | - Anthony P DeCaprio
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW Eighth Street, Miami, Florida, 33199, United States
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10
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Carelli C, Radogna A, Bolcato V, Vignali C, Moretti M, Merli D, Morini L. Old and New Synthetic and Semi-synthetic Opioids Analysis in Hair: A Review. TALANTA OPEN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talo.2022.100108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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11
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Florou D, Boumba VA. Hair analysis for New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): Still far from becoming the tool to study NPS spread in the community? Toxicol Rep 2021; 8:1699-1720. [PMID: 34646750 PMCID: PMC8501677 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review article, we performed an overview of extraction and chromatographic analysis methods of NPS in hair from 2007 to 2021, evaluating the limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), limit of reporting (LOR), and limit of identification (LOI) values reported for each NPS. Our review aimed to highlight the limitations of modern hair analytical techniques, and the prerequisites for the proper evaluation and use of analytical results in relation to the objectives of NPS hair analysis. In the selected studies the detection of a total of 280 NPS was reported. The detected NPS belonged to seven classes: synthetic cannabinoids with 109 different substances, synthetic opioids with 58, cathinones with 50, phenethylamines with 34, other NPS with 15, tryptamines with ten, and piperazines with four substances. The NPS hair analysis of real forensic/ clinical cases reported the detection of only 80 NPS (out of the 280 targeted), in significantly higher levels than the respective LODs. The analytical protocols reviewed herein for NPS hair analysis showed continuously growing trends to identify as many NPS as possible; the extraction methods seem to have a limited potential to improve, while the various mass spectroscopic techniques and relevant instrumentation provide an enormous field for development and application. Hair is a biological indicator of the past chronic, sub-chronic, and, even, in certain cases, acute exposure to xenobiotics. Therefore, future research in the field could progress NPS hair analysis and aim the monitoring of NPS expansion and extent of use in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Florou
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Vassiliki A. Boumba
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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12
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A comprehensive UHPLC-MS/MS screening method for the analysis of 98 New Psychoactive Substances and related compounds in human hair. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021; 205:114310. [PMID: 34391138 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the targeted analysis of 98 New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) from the hair matrix. The monitored compounds included various chemical classes (7 phenethylamines, 10 tryptamines, 18 cathinones, 24 synthetic opioids, and 38 synthetic cannabinoids) with emphasis given to newly emerged NPS. The method employed a direct extraction process through the incubation of hair samples (25 mg) and internal standards with M3® reagent at 100 °C for 60 min, followed by extract purification through acid and basic liquid-liquid micro-extraction (LLME). Extracted compounds were analyzed through LC-MS/MS system operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode. NPS were separated in 9.5 min with a Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column (2.7 μm, 4.6 × 50 mm) using a gradient eluting mobile phase composed of water and acetonitrile/water (95:5) both containing 0.1 % of formic acid. The developed and validated method shows a good precision (≤ 15 %), linearity (R2 between 0.993 and 0.999), selectivity, and sensitivity (LOD: 0.6-10.3 pg mg-1 and LOQ: 2.1-34.4 pg mg-1). The method showed also reduced matrix effect and acceptable recovery for most of the targeted compounds. Our results showed that this method is suitable for quantifying NPS in hair matrix and could be employed in the context of routine analyses in analytical laboratories.
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13
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Allibe N, Paysant F, Willeman T, Stanke-Labesque F, Scolan V, Eysseric H. Ocfentanil testing in hair from a fatality case: Comparative analysis of a lock of hair versus a single hair fiber. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 326:110937. [PMID: 34352408 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110937] [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: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In clinical and forensic toxicology, hair analysis offers a larger window for detecting drug exposure than blood or urine. Drug measurements are generally carried out using a segmented lock of hair, but few articles report the use of a single hair to document drug exposure. Nevertheless, single hair analysis can be very useful, particularly if only small amounts of biological matrices are available. More data on analyzing new synthetic opioids (NSOs) in hair are needed to help interpretation in future cases. In this study, segmental single hair analysis is compared with segmental hair lock analysis to document an ocfentanil-related death. The hair lock and single hair analyses were performed using the LC-MS/MS method after decontamination and incubation. Ocfentanil (OcF) concentrations ranged from 42 to 150 pg/mg in the segmented hair lock, depending on the segments. The hair lock and single hair analyses showed similar results: the highest concentrations were measured in the first two centimeters and decreased from root to tip. The similar profiles obtained from both the lock of hair and the single hair demonstrate the relevance of single hair analysis in cases where very few data are available. This article describes OcF concentrations in an authentic hair sample after a documented intake of this molecule in a fatality.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Allibe
- Laboratoire de Médecine Légale, Université Grenoble Alpes, France.
| | - F Paysant
- Laboratoire de Médecine Légale, Université Grenoble Alpes, France; Clinique de Médecine Légale, CHU Grenoble Alpes, France
| | - T Willeman
- Clinique de Médecine Légale, CHU Grenoble Alpes, France; Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacogénétique-Toxicologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, France
| | - F Stanke-Labesque
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacogénétique-Toxicologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, France
| | - V Scolan
- Laboratoire de Médecine Légale, Université Grenoble Alpes, France; Clinique de Médecine Légale, CHU Grenoble Alpes, France
| | - H Eysseric
- Laboratoire de Médecine Légale, Université Grenoble Alpes, France; Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacogénétique-Toxicologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, France
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14
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Salomone A, Di Corcia D, Negri P, Kolia M, Amante E, Gerace E, Vincenti M. Targeted and untargeted detection of fentanyl analogues and their metabolites in hair by means of UHPLC-QTOF-HRMS. Anal Bioanal Chem 2020; 413:225-233. [PMID: 33063167 PMCID: PMC7801321 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-020-02994-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Detection of new psychoactive substances and synthetic opioids is generally performed by means of targeted methods in mass spectrometry, as they generally provide adequate sensitivity and specificity. Unfortunately, new and unexpected compounds are continuously introduced in the illegal market of abused drugs, preventing timely updating of the analytical procedures. Moreover, the investigation of biological matrices is influenced by metabolism and excretion, in turn affecting the chance of past intake detectability. In this scenario, new opportunities are offered by both the non-targeted approaches allowed by modern UHPLC-HRMS instrumentation and the investigation of hair as the matrix of choice to detect long-term exposure to toxicologically relevant substances. In this study, we present a comprehensive and validated workflow that combines the use of UHPLC-QTOF-HRMS instrumentation with a simple hair sample extraction procedure for the detection of a variety of fentanyl analogues and metabolites. A simultaneous targeted and untargeted analysis was applied to 100 real samples taken from opiates users. MS and MS/MS data were collected for each sample. Data acquisition included a TOF-MS high-resolution scan combined with TOF-MS/MS acquisition demonstrating considerable capability to detect expected and unexpected substances even at low concentration levels. The predominant diffusion of fentanyl was confirmed by its detection in 68 hair samples. Other prevalent analogues were furanylfentanyl (28 positive samples) and acetylfentanyl (14 positive samples). Carfentanil, methylfentanyl, and ocfentanil were not found in any of the analyzed samples. Furthermore, the retrospective data analysis based on untargeted acquisition allowed the identification of two fentanyl analogues, namely β-hydroxyfentanyl and methoxyacetylfentanyl, which were not originally included in the panel of targeted analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Salomone
- Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia, Regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043, Orbassano, TO, Italy. .,Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 5, 10125, Torino, Italy.
| | - Daniele Di Corcia
- Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia, Regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043, Orbassano, TO, Italy
| | | | - Maria Kolia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina Campus, 1186, Ioannina, 45500, Greece
| | - Eleonora Amante
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 5, 10125, Torino, Italy
| | - Enrico Gerace
- Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia, Regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043, Orbassano, TO, Italy
| | - Marco Vincenti
- Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia, Regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043, Orbassano, TO, Italy.,Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 5, 10125, Torino, Italy
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