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Gao Y, Shi K, Wang P, Liu X, Liu C, Luo L, Lin Y, Yang L, Yang R, Liao L. Identification of phase-I and phase-II metabolites and the metabolic pathway of the novel synthetic cannabinoid 5F-EDMB-PICA in vitro. Arch Toxicol 2024:10.1007/s00204-024-03790-7. [PMID: 38955863 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03790-7] [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: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
5F-EDMB-PICA is a newly emerged synthetic cannabinoid which has been characterized in relevant literature in recent years. Although phase-I metabolites of 5F-EDMB-PICA have been partly reported, the phase-II metabolism of this synthetic cannabinoid has not been studied yet. In this study, we established a phase-I and phase-II metabolism model in vitro by using pooled human liver microsomes, NADPH regeneration system, and UGT incubation system, with 1 mg/ml 5F-EDMB-PICA added and incubated at 37 °C for 60 min. The metabolites were analyzed by Q Exactive™ Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap™ Mass Spectrometer, via which we discovered and identified 14 phase-I metabolites and 4 phase-II metabolites of 5F-EDMB-PICA, involving pathways such as ester hydrolysis, dehydrogenation, hydrolytic defluorination, hydroxylation, dihydroxylation, glucuronidation, and combinations of the pathways mentioned above. We recommend considering the monohydroxylation metabolites (M9, M10) with higher content and intact ester and 5-fluoropentyl structures as potential biomarkers of 5F-EDMB-PICA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Gao
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kaiting Shi
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Peipei Wang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chenxi Liu
- National Anti-Drug Laboratory Sichuan Regional Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Liya Luo
- National Anti-Drug Laboratory Sichuan Regional Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanchen Lin
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Yang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rongji Yang
- National Anti-Drug Laboratory Sichuan Regional Center, Chengdu, China.
| | - Linchuan Liao
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Palamar JJ, Massano M, Salomone A. Five cases of unintentional exposure to BZO-4en-POXIZID among nightclub attendees in New York City. J Anal Toxicol 2024; 48:75-80. [PMID: 37952092 PMCID: PMC10981447 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkad086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A new class of synthetic cannabinoids called OXIZIDs has emerged in recent years. This class consists of compounds with oxindole cores and hydrazide/hydrazone linker moieties and has often been described as being designed to circumvent a Chinese class-wide ban that was effective as of 1 July 2021. However, through hair testing of nightclub attendees in New York City-a high-risk population for recreational drug use-we have evidence suggesting exposures to an OXIZID called BZO-4en-POXIZID (4en-pentyl MDA-19) prior to the effective ban. Through analysis of 6 cm segmented hair samples from attendees collected in 2021, we detected five cases of exposure. Specifically, we detected a cluster of three cases based on hair samples collected on 20 June 2021, and then two additional cases from samples collected on 16 July 2021. Four of these hair samples were long enough to analyze two 6 cm hair segments (representing approximately two 6-month timeframes) and three of four of these cases tested positive for repeated exposure (for an estimated exposure over 6 months prior to hair collection). All cases included young adult females reporting past-year cannabis use but all tested negative for tetrahydrocannabinol exposure. Three cases also reported past-year use of cocaine, ecstasy, and/or ketamine, and four cases tested positive for exposure to cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methamphetamine and/or eutylone. These subjects were exposed to BZO-4en-POXIZID-likely as an adulterant in other drugs, and these cases are among the first documented cases which occurred approximately half a year before the Chinese legislative ban.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Palamar
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, Room 1752, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Marta Massano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, via Giuria 5, Turin 10125, Italy
| | - Alberto Salomone
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, via Giuria 5, Turin 10125, Italy
- Centro Regionale Antidoping, Regione Gonzole 10, Orbassano (TO) 10043, Italy
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Baginski SR, Rautio T, Nisbet LA, Lindbom K, Wu X, Dahlén J, McKenzie C, Gréen H. The metabolic profile of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist ADB-HEXINACA using human hepatocytes, LC-QTOF-MS and synthesized reference standards. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:826-834. [PMID: 37747838 PMCID: PMC10714907 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkad065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) remain a major public health concern, with their use implicated in intoxications and drug-related deaths worldwide. Increasing our systematic understanding of SCRA metabolism supports clinical and forensic toxicology casework, facilitating the timely identification of analytical targets for toxicological screening procedures and confirmatory analysis. This is particularly important as new SCRAs continue to emerge on the illicit drug market. In this work, the metabolism of ADB-HEXINACA (ADB-HINACA, N-[1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]-1-hexyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide), which has increased in prevalence in the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions, was investigated using in vitro techniques. The (S)-enantiomer of ADB-HEXINACA was incubated with pooled human hepatocytes over 3 hours to identify unique and abundant metabolites using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In total, 16 metabolites were identified, resulting from mono-hydroxylation, di-hydroxylation, ketone formation (mono-hydroxylation then dehydrogenation), carboxylic acid formation, terminal amide hydrolysis, dihydrodiol formation, glucuronidation and combinations thereof. The majority of metabolism took place on the hexyl tail, forming ketone and mono-hydroxylated products. The major metabolite was the 5-oxo-hexyl product (M9), while the most significant mono-hydroxylation product was the 4-hydroxy-hexyl product (M8), both of which were confirmed by comparison to in-house synthesized reference standards. The 5-hydroxy-hexyl (M6) and 6-hydroxy-hexyl (M7) metabolites were not chromatographically resolved, and the 5-hydroxy-hexyl product was the second largest mono-hydroxylated metabolite. The structures of the terminal amide hydrolysis products without (M16, third largest metabolite) and with the 5-positioned ketone (M13) were also confirmed by comparison to synthesized reference standards, along with the 4-oxo-hexyl metabolite (M11). The 5-oxo-hexyl and 4-hydroxy-hexyl metabolites are suggested as biomarkers for ADB-HEXINACA consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R Baginski
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Fleming Laboratory, Small’s Wynd, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Tobias Rautio
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Lorna A Nisbet
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Fleming Laboratory, Small’s Wynd, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Karin Lindbom
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Xiongyu Wu
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Johan Dahlén
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Craig McKenzie
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Fleming Laboratory, Small’s Wynd, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
- Chiron AS, Stiklestadveien 1, Trondheim 7041, Norway
| | - Henrik Gréen
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Artillerigatan 12, Linköping 587 58, Sweden
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Xiang J, Wen D, Zhao J, Xiang P, Shi Y, Ma C. Study of the Metabolic Profiles of "Indazole-3-Carboxamide" and "Isatin Acyl Hydrazone" (OXIZID) Synthetic Cannabinoids in a Human Liver Microsome Model Using UHPLC-QE Orbitrap MS. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13040576. [PMID: 37110234 PMCID: PMC10141538 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13040576] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Unregulated core structures, "isatin acyl hydrazones" (OXIZIDs), have quietly appeared on the market since China legislated to ban seven general core scaffolds of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs). The fast evolution of SCs presents clinical and forensic toxicologists with challenges. Due to extensive metabolism, the parent compounds are barely detectable in urine. Therefore, studies on the metabolism of SCs are essential to facilitate their detection in biological matrices. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the metabolism of two cores, "indazole-3-carboxamide" (e.g., ADB-BUTINACA) and "isatin acyl hydrazone" (e.g., BZO-HEXOXIZID). The in vitro phase I and phase II metabolism of these six SCs was investigated by incubating 10 mg/mL pooled human liver microsomes with co-substrates for 3 h at 37 °C, and then analyzing the reaction mixture using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry. In total, 9 to 34 metabolites were detected for each SC, and the major biotransformations were hydroxylation, dihydrodiol formation (MDMB-4en-PINACA and BZO-4en-POXIZID), oxidative defluorination (5-fluoro BZO-POXIZID), hydrogenation, hydrolysis, dehydrogenation, oxidate transformation to ketone and carboxylate, N-dealkylation, and glucuronidation. Comparing our results with previous studies, the parent drugs and SC metabolites formed via hydrogenation, carboxylation, ketone formation, and oxidative defluorination were identified as suitable biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahong Xiang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Judicial Expertise, Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Di Wen
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Junbo Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Judicial Expertise, Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Ping Xiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Judicial Expertise, Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Judicial Expertise, Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Chunling Ma
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
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Wang Z, Leow EYQ, Moy HY, Chan ECY. Advances in urinary biomarker research of synthetic cannabinoids. Adv Clin Chem 2023; 115:1-32. [PMID: 37673518 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acc.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are chemical compounds designed to mimic the action of existing illicit recreational drugs. Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a subclass of NPS which bind to the cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, and mimic the action of cannabis. SCs have dominated recent NPS seizure reports worldwide. While urine is the most common matrix for drug-of-abuse testing, SCs undergo extensive Phase I and Phase II metabolism, resulting in almost undetectable parent compounds in urine samples. Therefore, the major urinary metabolites of SCs are usually investigated as surrogate biomarkers to identify their consumption. Since seized urine samples after consuming novel SCs may be unavailable in a timely manner, human hepatocytes, human liver microsomes and human transporter overexpressed cell lines are physiologically-relevant in vitro systems for performing metabolite identification, metabolic stability, reaction phenotyping and transporter experiments to establish the disposition of SC and its metabolites. Coupling these in vitro experiments with in vivo verification using limited authentic urine samples, such a two-pronged approach has proven to be effective in establishing urinary metabolites as biomarkers for rapidly emerging SCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziteng Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eric Yu Quan Leow
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hooi Yan Moy
- Analytical Toxicology Laboratory, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eric Chun Yong Chan
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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