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Corli G, Roda E, Tirri M, Bilel S, De Luca F, Strano-Rossi S, Gaudio RM, De-Giorgio F, Fattore L, Locatelli CA, Marti M. Sex-specific behavioural, metabolic, and immunohistochemical changes after repeated administration of the synthetic cannabinoid AKB48 in mice. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:1361-1382. [PMID: 38148741 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16311] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE AKB48 is a synthetic cannabinoid illegally sold for its psychoactive cannabis-like effects that have been associated with acute intoxication and whose effects are poorly known. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Using a behavioural, neurochemical, and immunohistochemical approach, we investigated the pharmaco-toxicological effects, pharmacokinetics, and neuroplasticity at cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the cerebellum and cortex induced by repeated AKB48 administration in male and female mice. KEY RESULTS The effects of AKB48 varied significantly depending on sex and treatment duration. The first injection impaired sensorimotor responses and reduced body temperature, analgesia, and breath rate to a greater extent in females than in males; the second injection induced stronger effects in males while the third injection of AKB48 induced weaker responses in both sexes, suggesting emergence of tolerance. The CB1 receptor antagonist NESS-0327 prevented the effects induced by repeated AKB48, confirming a CB1 receptor-mediated action. Blood AKB48 levels were higher in females than in males and repeated administration caused a progressive rise of AKB48 levels in both sexes, suggesting an inhibitory effect on cytochrome activity. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis revealed higher expression of CB1 receptors in the cerebellum and cortex of females, and a rapid CB1 receptor down-regulation in cerebellar and cortical areas following repeated AKB48 injections, with neuroadaptation occurring generally more rapidly in females than in males. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS We have shown for the first time that AKB48 effects significantly vary with prolonged use and that sex affects the pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic responses to repeated administration, suggesting a sex-tailored approach in managing AKB48-induced intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Corli
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elisa Roda
- Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology, Pavia Poison Centre, National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Micaela Tirri
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrine Bilel
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fabrizio De Luca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Sabina Strano-Rossi
- Institute of Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Gaudio
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- University Center of Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fabio De-Giorgio
- Department of Health Care Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Liana Fattore
- National Research Council, CNR Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carlo Alessandro Locatelli
- Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology, Pavia Poison Centre, National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Anti-Drug Policies, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Collaborative Center for the Italian National Early Warning System, Rome, 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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Watanabe S, Yamane H, Iwai T, Matsushita R, Seto Y. In vitro metabolic profiling of new synthetic cannabinoids, ADB-FUBIATA, AFUBIATA, CH-FUBIATA, and CH-PIATA. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:3085-3094. [PMID: 37755504 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03605-1] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
In the recreational drug market, synthetic cannabinoids with a new acetamide linker structure emerged, most likely to circumvent the law. As the knowledge of drug metabolites is vital for proving drug consumption, the phase I metabolism of the newly emerging cannabinoids, ADB-FUBIATA, AFUBIATA, CH-FUBIATA, and CH-PIATA, was investigated. Each drug (10 μmol/L) was incubated with human liver microsomes for 1 h, and the samples, after dilution, were analyzed by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. All drugs were metabolized via hydroxylation and N-dealkylation, while AFUBIATA and CH-PIATA additionally underwent ketone formation. The metabolites AF7 (hydroxylated at the indole/adjacent methylene) of ADB-FUBIATA, A16 (hydroxylated at the adamantane) of AFUBIATA, CF15 (hydroxylated at the cyclohexane) of CH-FUBIATA, and CP9 (hydroxylated at the pentane) of CH-PIATA were the most abundant metabolites by considering the peak areas on the chromatograms, and are recommended for urinalysis. The structure-metabolism relationship was also discussed, which generally agreed well with previously reported metabolic pathways of other synthetic cannabinoids. However, the preferred hydroxylation site of ADB-FUBIATA, the indole/adjacent methylene, clearly differed from that of ADB-FUBICA, the 3,3-dimethylbutanamide moiety, despite their structures differing only by a methylene group, emphasizing that metabolic predictions of new drugs should not replace in vitro experimental analyses, albeit helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimpei Watanabe
- Forensic Science Group, Photon Science Research Division, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Physical Science Research Building, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo, 679-5148, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Yamane
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyogo Prefectural Police Headquarters, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takahiro Iwai
- Forensic Science Group, Photon Science Research Division, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Physical Science Research Building, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo, 679-5148, Japan
| | - Ritsuko Matsushita
- Forensic Science Group, Photon Science Research Division, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Physical Science Research Building, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo, 679-5148, Japan
| | - Yasuo Seto
- Forensic Science Group, Photon Science Research Division, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Physical Science Research Building, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo, 679-5148, Japan
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Crosby SV, Ahmed IY, Osborn LR, Wang Z, Schleiff MA, Fantegrossi WE, Nagar S, Prather PL, Boysen G, Miller GP. Similar 5F-APINACA Metabolism between CD-1 Mouse and Human Liver Microsomes Involves Different P450 Cytochromes. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12080773. [PMID: 36005645 PMCID: PMC9413144 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12080773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2019, synthetic cannabinoids accounted for more than one-third of new drugs of abuse worldwide; however, assessment of associated health risks is not ethical for controlled and often illegal substances, making CD-1 mouse exposure studies the gold standard. Interpretation of those findings then depends on the similarity of mouse and human metabolic pathways. Herein, we report the first comparative analysis of steady-state metabolism of N-(1-adamantyl)-1-(5-pentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (5F-APINACA/5F-AKB48) in CD-1 mice and humans using hepatic microsomes. Regardless of species, 5F-APINACA metabolism involved highly efficient sequential adamantyl hydroxylation and oxidative defluorination pathways that competed equally. Secondary adamantyl hydroxylation was less efficient for mice. At low 5F-APINACA concentrations, initial rates were comparable between pathways, but at higher concentrations, adamantyl hydroxylations became less significant due to substrate inhibition likely involving an effector site. For humans, CYP3A4 dominated both metabolic pathways with minor contributions from CYP2C8, 2C19, and 2D6. For CD-1 mice, Cyp3a11 and Cyp2c37, Cyp2c50, and Cyp2c54 contributed equally to adamantyl hydroxylation, but Cyp3a11 was more efficient at oxidative defluorination than Cyp2c members. Taken together, the results of our in vitro steady-state study indicate a high conservation of 5F-APINACA metabolism between CD-1 mice and humans, but deviations can occur due to differences in P450s responsible for the associated reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha V. Crosby
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Izzeldin Y. Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
| | - Laura R. Osborn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Zeyuan Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Mary A. Schleiff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - William E. Fantegrossi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Swati Nagar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Paul L. Prather
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Gunnar Boysen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Grover P. Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
- Correspondence:
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Comparison between human liver microsomes and the fungus Cunninghamella elegans for biotransformation of the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-424 having a bromo-naphthyl moiety analysed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Forensic Toxicol 2022; 40:278-288. [PMID: 36454404 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-022-00612-2] [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: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE JWH-424, (8-bromo-1-naphthyl)(1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methanone, is a synthetic cannabinoid, which is a brominated analogue of JWH-018, one of the best-known synthetic cannabinoids. Despite the structural similarity to JWH-018, little is known about JWH-424 including its metabolism. The aim of the study was to compare human liver microsomes (HLM) and the fungus Cunninghamella elegans as the metabolism catalysts for JWH-424 to better understand the characteristic actions of the fungus in the synthetic cannabinoid metabolism. METHODS JWH-424 was incubated with HLM for 1 h and Cunninghamella elegans for up to 72 h. The HLM incubation mixtures were diluted with methanol and fungal incubation mixtures were extracted with dichloromethane and reconstituted in methanol before analyses by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). RESULTS HLM incubation resulted in production of ten metabolites through dihydrodiol formation, hydroxylation, and/or ipso substitution of the bromine with a hydroxy group. Fungal incubation led to production of 23 metabolites through carboxylation, dihydrodiol formation, hydroxylation, ketone formation, glucosidation and/or sulfation. CONCLUSIONS Generally, HLM models give good predictions of human metabolites and structural analogues are metabolised in a similar fashion. However, major hydroxy metabolites produced by HLM were those hydroxylated at naphthalene instead of pentyl moiety, the major site of hydroxylation for JWH-018. Fungal metabolites, on the other hand, had undergone hydroxylation mainly at pentyl moiety. The metabolic disagreement suggests the necessity to verify the human metabolites in authentic urine samples, while H9 and H10 (hydroxynaphthalene), H8 (ipso substitution), F22 (hydroxypentyl), and F17 (dihydroxypentyl) are recommended for monitoring of JWH-424 in urinalysis.
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Overview of the major classes of new psychoactive substances, psychoactive effects, analytical determination and conformational analysis of selected illegal drugs. OPEN CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/chem-2021-0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The misuse of psychoactive substances is attracting a great deal of attention from the general public. An increase use of psychoactive substances is observed among young people who do not have enough awareness of the harmful effects of these substances. Easy access to illicit drugs at low cost and lack of effective means of routine screening for new psychoactive substances (NPS) have contributed to the rapid increase in their use. New research and evidence suggest that drug use can cause a variety of adverse psychological and physiological effects on human health (anxiety, panic, paranoia, psychosis, and seizures). We describe different classes of these NPS drugs with emphasis on the methods used to identify them and the identification of their metabolites in biological specimens. This is the first review that thoroughly gives the literature on both natural and synthetic illegal drugs with old known data and very hot new topics and investigations, which enables the researcher to use it as a starting point in the literature exploration and planning of the own research. For the first time, the conformational analysis was done for selected illegal drugs, giving rise to the search of the biologically active conformations both theoretically and using lab experiments.
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Körmöczi T, Sija É, Institóris L, Kereszty ÉM, Ilisz I, Berkecz R. Analytical Methodologies for the Characterization and Analysis of the Parent Compound and Phase I Metabolites of 4F-MDMB-BICA in Human Microsome, Urine, and Blood Samples. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 46:bkab004. [PMID: 33404059 PMCID: PMC8866813 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkab004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
4F-MDMB-BICA is one of the most dangerous new illicit synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) in 2020. Consumption of 4F-MDMB-BICA has been associated with a number of death cases and related serious adverse health effects in Hungary. Therefore, the use of reliable analytical methods to confirm the intake of 4F-MDMB-BICA is an important issue in forensic practice. Besides the detection of the parent compounds of SCs, the screening of their metabolites provides a reliable confirmation of their consumption, in particular, when the parent compound is under the limit of detection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the identification of metabolites of 4F-MDMD-BICA after treatment with pooled human liver microsome (pHLM), and in human urine and blood samples using the combination of data obtained by comprehensive UHPLC-HRMS and semi-targeted UHPLC-HRMS/MS methods. Finally, our routine UHPLC-MS/MS method for screening urine and blood SCs was improved by adding the parent compound and selected main biomarkers of 4F-MDMD-BICA. From the pHLM assay of 4F-MDMD-BICA, 30 phase I metabolites were characterized and structural information thus obtained provided the basis of further identification of in vivo urine and blood metabolites. Overall, 20 urinary and 13 blood in vivo metabolites of 4F-MDMD-BICA have been identified by the investigation of five authentic urine and two blood samples. The ester hydrolysis metabolite was selected as a reliable primary biomarker in urine and blood. As secondary targets, urinary mono-hydroxylation metabolite and ester hydrolysis + dehydrogenation metabolite in blood were recommended due to their abundance and selectivity. Overall, the main phase I metabolites of 4F-MDMD-BICA were successfully characterized, and our routine analytical method with related sample preparation procedure provided a reliable analytical tool for screening both 4F-MDMD-BICA and its selected metabolites in urine and blood samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tímea Körmöczi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Somogyi utca 4, Szeged 6720, Hungary
| | - Éva Sija
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Kossuth Lajos sgt. 40, Szeged 6724, Hungary
| | - László Institóris
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Kossuth Lajos sgt. 40, Szeged 6724, Hungary
| | - Éva M Kereszty
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Kossuth Lajos sgt. 40, Szeged 6724, Hungary
| | - István Ilisz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Somogyi utca 4, Szeged 6720, Hungary
| | - Róbert Berkecz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Somogyi utca 4, Szeged 6720, Hungary
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Wu X, Bopp D, Wallgren J, Dahlén J, Konradsson P. Synthesis of nine potential synthetic cannabinoid metabolites with a 5F-4OH pentyl side chain from a scalable key intermediate. SYNTHETIC COMMUN 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/00397911.2020.1854786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiongyu Wu
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Daniel Bopp
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Wallgren
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Johan Dahlén
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Peter Konradsson
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Pinson AO, Pouncey DL, Schleiff MA, Fantegrossi WE, Prather PL, Radominska-Pandya A, Boysen G, Miller GP. Significance of Competing Metabolic Pathways for 5F-APINACA Based on Quantitative Kinetics. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25204820. [PMID: 33092129 PMCID: PMC7587938 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2020, nearly one-third of new drugs on the global market were synthetic cannabinoids including the drug of abuse N-(1-adamantyl)-1-(5-pentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (5F-APINACA, 5F-AKB48). Knowledge of 5F-APINACA metabolism provides a critical mechanistic basis to interpret and predict abuser outcomes. Prior qualitative studies identified which metabolic processes occur but not the order and extent of them and often relied on problematic “semi-quantitative” mass spectroscopic (MS) approaches. We capitalized on 5F-APINACA absorbance for quantitation while leveraging MS to characterize metabolite structures for measuring 5F-APINACA steady-state kinetics. We demonstrated the reliability of absorbance and not MS for inferring metabolite levels. Human liver microsomal reactions yielded eight metabolites by MS but only five by absorbance. Subsequent kinetic studies on primary and secondary metabolites revealed highly efficient mono- and dihydroxylation of the adamantyl group and much less efficient oxidative defluorination at the N-pentyl terminus. Based on regiospecificity and kinetics, we constructed pathways for competing and intersecting steps in 5F-APINACA metabolism. Overall efficiency for adamantyl oxidation was 17-fold higher than that for oxidative defluorination, showing significant bias in metabolic flux and subsequent metabolite profile compositions. Lastly, our analytical approach provides a powerful new strategy to more accurately assess metabolic kinetics for other understudied synthetic cannabinoids possessing the indazole chromophore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna O. Pinson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Harding University, Searcy, AR 72149, USA;
| | - Dakota L. Pouncey
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Mary A. Schleiff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.A.S.); (A.R.-P.)
| | - William E. Fantegrossi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (W.E.F.); (P.L.P.)
| | - Paul L. Prather
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (W.E.F.); (P.L.P.)
| | - Anna Radominska-Pandya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.A.S.); (A.R.-P.)
| | - Gunnar Boysen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Grover P. Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.A.S.); (A.R.-P.)
- Correspondence:
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Honrao C, Ma X, Kulkarni S, Joshi V, Malamas M, Zvonok A, Wood J, Kautz RA, Strand D, Guo JJ, Makriyannis A. Metabolic Profiling of a CB2 Agonist, AM9338, Using LC-MS and Microcoil-NMR: Identification of a Novel Dihydroxy Adamantyl Metabolite. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:575691. [PMID: 33101030 PMCID: PMC7556269 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.575691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adamantyl groups are key structural subunit commonly used in many marketed drugs targeting diseases ranging from viral infections to neurological disorders. The metabolic disposition of adamantyl compounds has been mostly studied using LC-MS based approaches. However, metabolite quantities isolated from biological preparations are often insufficient for unambiguous structural characterization by NMR. In this work, we utilized microcoil NMR in conjunction with LC-MS to characterize liver microsomal metabolites of an adamantyl based CB2 agonist AM9338, 1-(3-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl) propyl)-N-(adamantan-1-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide, a candidate compound for potential multiple sclerosis treatment. We have identified a total of 9 oxidative metabolites of AM9338 whereas mono- or di-hydroxylation of the adamantyl moiety is the primary metabolic pathway. While it is generally believed that the tertiary adamantyl carbons are the preferred sites of CYP450 oxidation, both the mono- and di-hydroxyl metabolites of AM9338 show that the primary oxidative sites are located on the secondary adamantyl carbons. To our knowledge this di-hydroxylated metabolite is a novel adamantyl metabolite that has not been reported before. Further, the stereochemistry of both mono- and di-hydroxyl adamantyl metabolites has been determined using NOE correlations. Furthermore, docking of AM9338 into the CYP3A4 metabolic enzyme corroborates with our experimental findings, and the modelling results also provide a possible mechanism for the unusual susceptibility of adamantyl secondary carbons to metabolic oxidations. The novel dihydroxylated AM9338 metabolite identified in this study, along with the previously known adamantyl metabolites, gives a more complete picture of the metabolic disposition for adamantyl compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrashekhar Honrao
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xiaoyu Ma
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shashank Kulkarni
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Vinit Joshi
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael Malamas
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - JodiAnne Wood
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Roger A. Kautz
- Barnett Institute for Chemical and Biological Analysis, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David Strand
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- Protasis Corporation, Seabrook, NH, United States
| | - Jason J. Guo
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- Barnett Institute for Chemical and Biological Analysis, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Jason J. Guo, ; Alexandros Makriyannis,
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- MAK Scientific LLC, Burlington, MA, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Jason J. Guo, ; Alexandros Makriyannis,
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11
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Jurásek B, Bartůněk V, Huber Š, Fagan P, Setnička V, Králík F, Dehaen W, Svozil D, Kuchař M. Can X-Ray Powder Diffraction Be a Suitable Forensic Method for Illicit Drug Identification? Front Chem 2020; 8:499. [PMID: 32656182 PMCID: PMC7325198 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPSs) are associated with a significant number of intoxications. With the number of readily available forms of these drugs rising every year, there are even risks for the general public. Consequently, there is a high demand for methods sufficiently sensitive to detect NPSs in samples found at the crime scene. Infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopies are commonly used for such detection, but they have limitations; for example, fluorescence in Raman can overlay the signal and when the sample is a mixture sometimes neither Raman nor IR is able to identify the compounds. Here, we investigate the potential of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) to analyse samples seized on the black market. A series of psychoactive substances (heroin, cocaine, mephedrone, ephylone, butylone, JWH-073, and naphyrone) was measured. Comparison of their diffraction patterns with those of the respective standards showed that XRPD was able to identify each of the substances. The same samples were analyzed using IR and Raman, which in both cases were not able to detect the compounds in all of the samples. These results suggest that XRPD could be a valuable addition to the range of forensic tools used to detect these compounds in illicit drug samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronislav Jurásek
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Vilém Bartůněk
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Štěpán Huber
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Patrik Fagan
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Vladimír Setnička
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - František Králík
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Wim Dehaen
- CZ-OPENSCREEN: National Infrastructure for Chemical Biology, Department of Informatics and Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Daniel Svozil
- CZ-OPENSCREEN: National Infrastructure for Chemical Biology, Department of Informatics and Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Kuchař
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
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12
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Kadomura N, Ito T, Kawashima H, Matsuhisa T, Kinoshita T, Soda M, Kohyama E, Iwaki T, Nagai H, Kitaichi K. In vitro metabolic profiles of adamantyl positional isomers of synthetic cannabinoids. Forensic Toxicol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-020-00538-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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13
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Metabolism, CB1 cannabinoid receptor binding and in vivo activity of synthetic cannabinoid 5F-AKB48: Implications for toxicity. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 195:172949. [PMID: 32413436 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AKB48 and its fluorinated derivative 5F-AKB48 are synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) which have caused hospitalizations and deaths in human users. Abuse of SCs is dangerous because users may mistake them for natural cannabis, which is generally considered to be unlikely to elicit adverse effects. The present studies were designed to investigate the in vitro oxidative metabolism of 5F-AKB48 by human microsomal fractions from different organs and sexes as well as recombinant human cytochrome P450s (P450s). Mass spectrometry data tentatively provides evidence for the existence of mono-, di-, and trihydroxylated metabolites in a successive metabolism. Experiments utilizing P450s revealed that the most active enzymes (CYP2D6, CYP2J2, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5) effectively produced mono- and dihydroxylated metabolites, while CYP3A4/5 also produced significant amounts of the trihydroxylated metabolite. Moreover, although the affinity and potency of Phase I metabolite 4OH-5F-AKB48 is reduced when compared to that of the parent drug, this metabolite nevertheless retains similar high affinity for CB1 receptors, and greater efficacy for G protein activation, when compared to THC. Finally, 5F-AKB48 produced time- and dose-dependent cannabimimetic effects in mice which were more potent, but shorter acting, than those of Δ9-THC, and were attenuated by prior treatment with the CB1 antagonist rimonabant. Based on our data, we hypothesize that while many cases of toxicity result from genetic mutations, which can lead to a decrease or even absence of activity for Phase I drug-metabolizing enzymes, other P450s could potentially increase their role in the metabolism of these SCs. Because many metabolites of SCs remain biologically active, they could contribute to the deleterious effects of these substances.
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14
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Apirakkan O, Gavrilović I, Cowan DA, Abbate V. In Vitro Phase I Metabolic Profiling of the Synthetic Cannabinoids AM-694, 5F-NNEI, FUB-APINACA, MFUBINAC, and AMB-FUBINACA. Chem Res Toxicol 2020; 33:1653-1664. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Orapan Apirakkan
- King’s Forensics, Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Ivana Gavrilović
- King’s Forensics, Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
- Drug Control Centre, King’s Forensics, Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Cowan
- King’s Forensics, Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Abbate
- King’s Forensics, Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Science, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
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15
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Bilel S, Tirri M, Arfè R, Stopponi S, Soverchia L, Ciccocioppo R, Frisoni P, Strano-Rossi S, Miliano C, De-Giorgio F, Serpelloni G, Fantinati A, De Luca MA, Neri M, Marti M. Pharmacological and Behavioral Effects of the Synthetic Cannabinoid AKB48 in Rats. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1163. [PMID: 31736697 PMCID: PMC6831561 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AKB48 is a designer drug belonging to the indazole synthetic cannabinoids class, illegally sold as herbal blend, incense, or research chemicals for their psychoactive cannabis-like effects. In the present study, we investigated the in vivo pharmacological and behavioral effects of AKB48 in male rats and measured the pharmacodynamic effects of AKB48 and simultaneously determined its plasma pharmacokinetic. AKB48 at low doses preferentially stimulated dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens shell (0.25 mg/kg) and impaired visual sensorimotor responses (0.3 mg/kg) without affecting acoustic and tactile reflexes, which are reduced only to the highest dose tested (3 mg/kg). Increasing doses (0.5 mg/kg) of AKB48 impaired place preference and induced hypolocomotion in rats. At the highest dose (3 mg/kg), AKB48 induced hypothermia, analgesia, and catalepsy; inhibited the startle/pre-pulse inhibition test; and caused cardiorespiratory changes characterized by bradycardia and mild bradipnea and SpO2 reduction. All behavioral and neurochemical effects were fully prevented by the selective CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist AM251. AKB48 plasma concentrations rose linearly with increasing dose and were correlated with changes in the somatosensory, hypothermic, analgesic, and cataleptic responses in rats. For the first time, this study shows the pharmacological and behavioral effects of AKB48 in rats, correlating them to the plasma levels of the synthetic cannabinoid. Chemical Compound Studied in This Article: AKB48 (PubChem CID: 57404063); AM251 (PubChem CID: 2125).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrine Bilel
- Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Micaela Tirri
- Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Raffaella Arfè
- Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Section of Legal Medicine, Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Stopponi
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Laura Soverchia
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Paolo Frisoni
- Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabina Strano-Rossi
- Section of Legal Medicine, Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Miliano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Fabio De-Giorgio
- Section of Legal Medicine, Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Serpelloni
- Department of Psychiatry in the College of Medicine, Drug Policy Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Anna Fantinati
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Margherita Neri
- Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA) Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Department of Anti-Drug Policies, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Collaborative Center for the Italian National Early Warning System, Ferrara, Italy
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16
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Gaunitz F, Kieliba T, Thevis M, Mercer‐Chalmers‐Bender K. Solid‐phase extraction–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the qualitative analysis of 61 synthetic cannabinoid metabolites in urine. Drug Test Anal 2019; 12:27-40. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Gaunitz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Tobias Kieliba
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Mario Thevis
- Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Katja Mercer‐Chalmers‐Bender
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Health Department Basel‐Stadt Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Basel Switzerland, Basel Switzerland
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17
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Appolonova SA, Palacio C, Shestakova KM, Mesonzhnik NV, Brito A, Kuznetsov RM, Markin PA, Bochkareva NL, Burmykin D, Ovcharov M, Musile G, Tagliaro F, Savchuk SA. In vivo and in vitro metabolism of the novel synthetic cannabinoid 5F-APINAC. Forensic Toxicol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-019-00503-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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18
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In Vitro Inhibitory Effects of APINACA on Human Major Cytochrome P450, UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Enzymes, and Drug Transporters. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24163000. [PMID: 31430908 PMCID: PMC6720883 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24163000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
APINACA (known as AKB48, N-(1-adamantyl)-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide), an indazole carboxamide synthetic cannabinoid, has been used worldwide as a new psychoactive substance. Drug abusers take various drugs concomitantly, and therefore, it is necessary to characterize the potential of APINACA-induced drug–drug interactions due to the modulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. In this study, the inhibitory effects of APINACA on eight major human cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and six uridine 5′-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) in human liver microsomes, as well as on the transport activities of six solute carrier transporters and two efflux transporters in transporter-overexpressed cells, were investigated. APINACA exhibited time-dependent inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated midazolam 1′-hydroxylation (Ki, 4.5 µM; kinact, 0.04686 min−1) and noncompetitive inhibition of UGT1A9-mediated mycophenolic acid glucuronidation (Ki, 5.9 µM). APINACA did not significantly inhibit the CYPs 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8/9/19, or 2D6 or the UGTs 1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A6, or 2B7 at concentrations up to 100 µM. APINACA did not significantly inhibit the transport activities of organic anion transporter (OAT)1, OAT3, organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP)1B1, OATP1B3, organic cation transporter (OCT)1, OCT2, P-glycoprotein, or breast cancer resistance protein at concentrations up to 250 μM. These data suggest that APINACA can cause drug interactions in the clinic via the inhibition of CYP3A4 or UGT1A9 activities.
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19
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Toxic lifespan of the synthetic opioid U-47,700 in Finland verified by re-analysis of UPLC-TOF-MS data. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 300:85-88. [PMID: 31082566 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
U-47,700 is a synthetic opioid that emerged on the novel psychoactive substance market a few years ago. After incorporating the substance into the urine UPLC-TOF-MS screening used in post-mortem toxicology, the drug was detected in 10 autopsy cases within routine case work. In all cases, the cause of death was accidental poisoning by U-47,700 alone or in combination with other psychoactive substances. The concentration of U-47,700 in the blood samples ranged between 0.15-2.0 mg/L with a median of 0.30 mg/L. In one of the cases with a U-47,700 concentration of 0.27 mg/L, no other psychoactive substances were detected. The stored TOF-MS analytical data from the year preceding the incorporation of U-47,700 into the screening was reprocessed in order to search for more positive cases. The data-independent acquisition of the original screening allowed for retrospective re-analysis of the full-scan data without additional experiments on the actual sample. The retrospective data-analysis revealed two additional cases positive for U-47,700. The first mention of U-47,700 on a Finnish internet discussion forum was in March 2015. After having been detected in several death cases, the drug was put under national control in November 2016 and the last fatality occurred in 2017. The toxic lifespan of U-47,700 thus lasted for approximately 2 years in Finland. Forensic and clinical laboratories need to rapidly adjust their screening procedures in order to adapt to the continuously expanding field of novel psychoactive substances. Retrospective data-analysis is a practical tool for monitoring the emergence of new substances onto the market.
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20
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Gundersen POM, Spigset O, Josefsson M. Screening, quantification, and confirmation of synthetic cannabinoid metabolites in urine by UHPLC-QTOF-MS. Drug Test Anal 2018; 11:51-67. [PMID: 29996011 PMCID: PMC6585856 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids are one of the most significant groups within the category new psychoactive substances (NPS) and in recent years new compounds have continuously been introduced to the market of recreational drugs. A sensitive and quantitative screening method in urine with metabolites of frequently seized compounds in Norway (AB‐FUBINACA, AB‐PINACA, AB‐CHMINACA, AM‐2201, AKB48, 5F‐AKB48, BB‐22, JWH‐018, JWH‐073, JWH‐081, JWH‐122, JWH‐203, JWH‐250, PB‐22, 5F‐PB‐22, RCS‐4, THJ‐2201, and UR‐144) using ultra‐high pressure liquid chromatography–quadrupole time of flight–mass spectrometry (UHPLC–QTOF–MS) has been developed. The samples were treated with ß‐glucuronidase prior to extraction and solid‐phase extraction was used. Liquid handling was automated using a robot. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C18‐column and a gradient of water and acetonitrile, both with 0.1% formic acid. Each sample was initially screened for identification and quantification followed by a second injection for confirmation. The concentrations by which the compounds could be confirmed varied between 0.1 and 12 ng/mL. Overall the validation showed that the method fulfilled the set criteria and requirements for matrix effect, extraction recovery, linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity, and stability. One thousand urine samples from subjects in drug withdrawal programs were analyzed using the presented method. The metabolite AB‐FUBINACA M3, hydroxylated metabolite of 5F‐AKB48, hydroxylated metabolite of AKB48, AKB48 N‐pentanoic acid, 5F‐PB‐22 3‐carboxyindole, BB‐22 3‐carboxyindole, JWH‐018 N‐(5‐hydroxypentyl), JWH‐018 N‐pentanoic acid, and JWH‐073 N‐butanoic acid were quantified and confirmed in 2.3% of the samples. The method was proven to be sensitive, selective and robust for routine use for the investigated metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Ole M Gundersen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Olav Spigset
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Martin Josefsson
- National Forensic Centre, Drug Unit, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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21
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Langford AM, Bolton JR. Synthetic cannabinoids: Variety is definitely not the spice of life. J Forensic Leg Med 2018; 59:36-38. [PMID: 30130700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2018.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Although the past few years have seen a significant increase in the use of synthetic cannabinoids, very few fatalities have been reported whereby synthetic cannabinoids have contributed or were solely responsible for the death of an individual. We report a rapid death of an individual following ingestion of 5 F-PB-22 and 5 F-AKB-48. Case information and autopsy findings are presented. Post-mortem blood samples were obtained and 5 F-PB-22 and 5 F-AKB-48 were detected along with 311 mg/100 ml alcohol. The cause of death was certified as the effects of a combination of alcohol and synthetic cannabinoids (5 F-PB-22 and 5 F-AKB-48).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan M Langford
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Dept of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK.
| | - Jennifer R Bolton
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, UK
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22
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Synthetic cannabinoids are substrates and inhibitors of multiple drug-metabolizing enzymes. Arch Pharm Res 2018; 41:691-710. [PMID: 30039377 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-018-1055-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids, a new class of psychoactive substances, are potent agonists of cannabinoid receptors, which mimic the psychoactive effects of the principal psychoactive component of cannabis, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Despite governmental scheduling as illicit drugs, new synthetic cannabinoids are being produced. The abuse of synthetic cannabinoids with several drugs containing different chemical groups has resulted in large numbers of poisonings. This has increased the urgency for forensic and public health laboratories to identify the metabolites of synthetic cannabinoids and apply this knowledge to the development of analytical methods and for toxicity prediction. It is necessary to determine whether synthetic cannabinoids are involved in drug-metabolizing enzyme-mediated drug-drug interactions. This review describes the metabolic pathways of 13 prevalent synthetic cannabinoids and various drug-metabolizing enzymes responsible for their metabolism, including cytochrome P450 (CYP), UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), and carboxylesterases. The inhibitory effects of synthetic cannabinoids on CYP and UGT activities are also reviewed to predict the potential of synthetic cannabinoids for drug-drug interactions. The drug-metabolizing enzymes responsible for metabolism of synthetic cannabinoids should be characterized and the effects of synthetic cannabinoids on CYP and UGT activities should be determined to predict the pharmacokinetics of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoid-induced drug-drug interactions in the clinic.
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23
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Wallgren J, Vikingsson S, Åstrand A, Josefsson M, Gréen H, Dahlén J, Wu X, Konradsson P. Synthesis and identifications of potential metabolites as biomarkers of the synthetic cannabinoid AKB-48. Tetrahedron 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2018.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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24
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Metabolism of the synthetic cannabinoids AMB-CHMICA and 5C-AKB48 in pooled human hepatocytes and rat hepatocytes analyzed by UHPLC-(IMS)-HR-MS E. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2018; 1083:189-197. [PMID: 29549742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The main analytical targets of synthetic cannabinoids are often metabolites. With the high number of new psychoactive substances entering the market, suitable workflows are needed for analytical target identification in biological samples. The aims of this study were to identify the main metabolites of the synthetic cannabinoids, AMB-CHMICA and 5C-AKB48, using an in silico-assisted workflow with analytical data acquired using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-(ion mobility spectroscopy)-high resolution-mass spectrometry in data-independent acquisition mode (UHPLC-(IMS)-HR-MSE). The metabolites were identified after incubation with rat and pooled human hepatocytes using UHPLC-HR-MSE, followed by UHPLC-IMS-HR-MSE. Metabolites of AMB-CHMICA and 5C-AKB48 were predicted with Meteor (Lhasa Ltd) and imported to the UNIFI software (Waters). The predicted metabolites were assigned to analytical components supported by the UNIFI in silico fragmentation tool. The main metabolic pathway of AMB-CHMICA was O-demethylation and hydroxylation of the methylhexyl moiety. For 5C-AKB48, the main metabolic pathways were hydroxylation(s) of the adamantyl moiety and oxidative dechlorination with subsequent oxidation to the ω-COOH. The matrix components in the metabolite spectra were reduced with IMS, which improved the accuracy of the spectral interpretation; however, this left fewer fragment ions for assigning sites of metabolism. Meteor was able to predict the majority of the metabolites, with the most notable exception being the oxidative dechlorination and, consequently, all metabolites that underwent that transformation pathway. Oxidative dechlorination of ω-chloroalkanes in humans has not been previously reported in the literature. The postulated metabolites can be used for screening of biological samples, with four-dimensional identification based on retention time, collision cross section, precursor ion, and fragment ions.
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25
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Savchuk SA, Appolonova SA, Kogdas’ OM, Unizhaev VN, Gorina OS, Rizvanova LN, Samyshkina NV, Shestakova KM. Procedure for setting control for the turnover of new, potentially hazardous psychoactive substances. Detection of metabolites of a new APINAC psychoactive compound in rat urine by gas and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s1061934817110089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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26
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Application of high-performance liquid chromatography with charged aerosol detection (LC–CAD) for unified quantification of synthetic cannabinoids in herbal blends and comparison with quantitative NMR results. Forensic Toxicol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-017-0392-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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27
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Metabolic and pharmacokinetic characterization of a new synthetic cannabinoid APINAC in rats. Forensic Toxicol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-017-0387-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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28
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Canazza I, Ossato A, Vincenzi F, Gregori A, Di Rosa F, Nigro F, Rimessi A, Pinton P, Varani K, Borea PA, Marti M. Pharmaco-toxicological effects of the novel third-generation fluorinate synthetic cannabinoids, 5F-ADBINACA, AB-FUBINACA, and STS-135 in mice. In vitro and in vivo studies. Hum Psychopharmacol 2017; 32. [PMID: 28597570 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION 5F-ADBINACA, AB-FUBINACA, and STS-135 are 3 novel third-generation fluorinate synthetic cannabinoids that are illegally marketed as incense, herbal preparations, or research chemicals for their psychoactive cannabis-like effects. METHODS The present study aims at investigating the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activity of 5F-ADBINACA, AB-FUBINACA, and STS-135 in male CD-1 mice, comparing their in vivo effects with those caused by the administration of Δ9 -THC and JWH-018. In vitro competition binding experiments revealed a nanomolar affinity and potency of the 5F-ADBINACA, AB-FUBINACA, and STS-135 on mouse and human CB1 and CB2 receptors. Moreover, these synthetic cannabinoids induced neurotoxicity in murine neuro-2a cells. RESULTS In vivo studies showed that 5F-ADBINACA, AB-FUBINACA, and STS-135 induced hypothermia; increased pain threshold to both noxious mechanical and thermal stimuli; caused catalepsy; reduced motor activity; impaired sensorimotor responses (visual, acoustic, and tactile); caused seizures, myoclonia, and hyperreflexia; and promoted aggressiveness in mice. Behavioral and neurological effects were fully prevented by the selective CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist AM 251. Differently, the visual sensory response induced by STS-135 was only partly prevented by the AM 251, suggesting a CB1 -independent mechanism. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, the present study demonstrates the pharmaco-toxicological effects induced by the administration of 5F-ADBINACA, AB-FUBINACA, and STS-135 in mice and suggests their possible detrimental effects on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Canazza
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology (SVeB), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Institute of Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ossato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology (SVeB), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Institute of Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vincenzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Adolfo Gregori
- Carabinieri, Department of Scientific Investigation (RIS), Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiana Di Rosa
- Carabinieri, Department of Scientific Investigation (RIS), Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Nigro
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rimessi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Katia Varani
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pier Andrea Borea
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology (SVeB), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Center for Neuroscience and Istituto Nazionale di Neuroscienze, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Watanabe S, Kuzhiumparambil U, Nguyen MA, Cameron J, Fu S. Metabolic Profile of Synthetic Cannabinoids 5F-PB-22, PB-22, XLR-11 and UR-144 by Cunninghamella elegans. AAPS JOURNAL 2017; 19:1148-1162. [DOI: 10.1208/s12248-017-0078-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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In vivo metabolism of the new synthetic cannabinoid APINAC in rats by GC–MS and LC–QTOF-MS. Forensic Toxicol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-017-0364-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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31
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Wallgren J, Vikingsson S, Johansson A, Josefsson M, Green H, Dahlén J, Wu X, Konradsson P. Synthesis and identification of an important metabolite of AKB-48 with a secondary hydroxyl group on the adamantyl ring. Tetrahedron Lett 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2017.02.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Diao X, Carlier J, Zhu M, Pang S, Kronstrand R, Scheidweiler KB, Huestis MA. In vitro and in vivo human metabolism of a new synthetic cannabinoid NM-2201 (CBL-2201). Forensic Toxicol 2017; 35:20-32. [PMID: 28286577 PMCID: PMC5342258 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-016-0326-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In 2014, NM-2201 (CBL-2201), a novel synthetic cannabinoid (SC), was detected by Russian and United States laboratories. It was already added to the scheduled drugs list in Japan, Sweden and Germany. Unfortunately, no human metabolism data are currently available, making it challenging to confirm its intake because all previous investigated SCs were extensively metabolized. The present study aims to recommend appropriate marker metabolites by investigating NM-2201 metabolism in human hepatocytes and confirm the results in authentic human urine specimens. For the metabolic stability assay, 1 μM NM-2201 was incubated in human liver microsomes (HLMs) for up to 1 h; for metabolite profiling, 10 μM of NM-2201 was incubated in human hepatocytes for 3 h. Two authentic urine specimens from NM-2201 positive cases were analyzed after β-glucuronidase hydrolysis. Metabolite identification in hepatocyte samples and urine specimens was achieved with high-resolution mass spectrometry via information-dependent acquisition. NM-2201 was quickly metabolized in HLMs with an 8.0 min half-life. In human hepatocyte incubation samples, a total of thirteen NM-2201 metabolites were identified, generated mainly from ester hydrolysis and further hydroxylation, oxidative defluorination and subsequent glucuronidation. M13 (5-fluoro PB-22 3-carboxyindole) was the major metabolite. In the urine specimens, the parent drug NM-2201 was not detected; M13 was the predominant metabolite after β-glucuronidase hydrolysis. Therefore, based on our study, we recommend the M13 as a suitable urinary marker metabolite for confirming NM-2201 and/or 5F-PB-22 intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxing Diao
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, Suite 200 Room 05A727, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Jeremy Carlier
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, Suite 200 Room 05A727, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Mingshe Zhu
- Department of Biotransformation, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development, Princeton, NJ 08543, USA
| | | | - Robert Kronstrand
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, 58758 Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Drug Research, University of Linköping, 58185 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Karl B. Scheidweiler
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, Suite 200 Room 05A727, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Marilyn A. Huestis
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, Suite 200 Room 05A727, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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Canazza I, Ossato A, Trapella C, Fantinati A, De Luca MA, Margiani G, Vincenzi F, Rimondo C, Di Rosa F, Gregori A, Varani K, Borea PA, Serpelloni G, Marti M. Effect of the novel synthetic cannabinoids AKB48 and 5F-AKB48 on "tetrad", sensorimotor, neurological and neurochemical responses in mice. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:3685-3709. [PMID: 27527584 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4402-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AKB48 and its fluorinate derivate 5F-AKB48 are two novel synthetic cannabinoids belonging to a structural class with an indazole core structure. They are marketed as incense, herbal preparations or chemical supply for their psychoactive Cannabis-like effects. OBJECTIVES The present study was aimed at investigating the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activity of AKB48 and 5F-AKB48 in male CD-1 mice and comparing their in vivo effects with those caused by the administration of Δ9-THC and JWH-018. RESULTS In vitro competition binding experiments performed on mouse and human CB1 and CB2 receptors revealed a nanomolar affinity and potency of the AKB48 and 5F-AKB48. In vivo studies showed that AKB48 and 5F-AKB48, induced hypothermia, increased pain threshold to both noxious mechanical and thermal stimuli, caused catalepsy, reduced motor activity, impaired sensorimotor responses (visual, acoustic and tactile), caused seizures, myoclonia, hyperreflexia and promoted aggressiveness in mice. Moreover, microdialysis study in freely moving mice showed that systemic administration of AKB48 and 5F-AKB48 stimulated dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. Behavioural, neurological and neurochemical effects were fully prevented by the selective CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist AM 251. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, the present study demonstrates the overall pharmacological effects induced by the administration of AKB48 and 5F-AKB48 in mice and suggests that the fluorination can increase the power and/or effectiveness of SCBs. Furthermore, this study outlines the potential detrimental effects of SCBs on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Canazza
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology (SVeB), University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Andrea Ossato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology (SVeB), University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Claudio Trapella
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anna Fantinati
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Margiani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vincenzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Claudia Rimondo
- Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Fabiana Di Rosa
- Department of Scientific Investigation (RIS), Carabinieri, 00191, Rome, Italy
| | - Adolfo Gregori
- Department of Scientific Investigation (RIS), Carabinieri, 00191, Rome, Italy
| | - Katia Varani
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pier Andrea Borea
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Serpelloni
- U.R.I.To.N., Forensic Toxicology Unit, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology (SVeB), University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy. .,Center for Neuroscience and Istituto Nazionale di Neuroscienze, ᅟ, Italy.
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Tentative identification of in vitro metabolites of 5-APDB, a synthetic benzofuran, by LC-Q/TOF-MS. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2016; 1033-1034:296-300. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2016.08.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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35
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New psychoactive substances: an overview on recent publications on their toxicodynamics and toxicokinetics. Arch Toxicol 2016; 90:2421-44. [PMID: 27665567 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1812-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This review article covers English-written and PubMed-listed review articles and original studies published between January 2015 and April 2016 dealing with the toxicodynamics and toxicokinetics of new psychoactive substances. Compounds covered include stimulants and entactogens, synthetic cannabinoids, tryptamines, NBOMes, phencyclidine-like drugs, benzodiazepines, and opioids. First, an overview and discussion is provided on timely review articles followed by an overview and discussion on recent original studies. Both sections are then concluded by an opinion on these latest developments. This review shows that the NPS market is still highly dynamic and that the data published on their toxicodynamics and toxicokinetics can hardly keep pace with the appearance of new entities. However, data available are very helpful to understand and predict how NPS may behave in severe intoxication. The currently best-documented parameter is the in vitro metabolism of NPS, a prerequisite to allow detection of NPS in biological matrices in cases of acute intoxications or chronic consumption. However, additional data such as their chronic toxicity are still lacking.
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36
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Lee JH, Park HN, Leem TS, Jeon JH, Cho S, Lee J, Baek SY. Identification of new synthetic cannabinoid analogue APINAC (adamantan-1-yl 1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxylate) with other synthetic cannabinoid MDMB(N)-Bz-F in illegal products. Forensic Toxicol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-016-0331-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Holm NB, Noble C, Linnet K. JWH-018 ω-OH, a shared hydroxy metabolite of the two synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and AM-2201, undergoes oxidation by alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes in vitro forming the carboxylic acid metabolite. Toxicol Lett 2016; 259:35-43. [PMID: 27421777 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids are new psychoactive substances (NPS) acting as agonists at the cannabinoid receptors. The aminoalkylindole-type synthetic cannabinoid naphthalen-1-yl-(1-pentylindol-3-yl)methanone (JWH-018) was among the first to appear on the illicit drug market and its metabolism has been extensively investigated. The N-pentyl side chain is a major site of human cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated oxidative metabolism, and the ω-carboxylic acid metabolite appears to be a major in vivo human urinary metabolite. This metabolite is, however, not formed to any significant extent in human liver microsomal (HLM) incubations raising the possibility that the discrepancy is due to involvement of cytosolic enzymes. Here we demonstrate in incubations with human liver cytosol (HLC), that JWH-018 ω-OH, but not the JWH-018 parent compound, is a substrate for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+))-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes. The sole end-product identified in HLC was the JWH-018 ω-COOH metabolite, while trapping tests with methoxyamine proved the presence of the aldehyde intermediate. ADH/ALDH and UDP-glucuronosyl-transferases (UGT) enzymes may therefore both act on the JWH-018 ω-OH substrate. Finally, we note that for [1-(5-fluoropentyl)indol-3-yl]-naphthalen-1-yl-methanone (AM-2201), the ω-fluorinated analog of JWH-018, a high amount of JWH-018 ω-OH was formed in HLM incubated without NADPH, suggesting that the oxidative defluorination is efficiently catalyzed by non-CYP enzyme(s). The pathway presented here may therefore be especially important for N-(5-fluoropentyl) substituted synthetic cannabinoids, because the oxidative defluorination can occur even if the CYP-mediated metabolism preferentially takes place on other parts of the molecule than the N-alkyl side chain. Controlled clinical studies in humans are ultimately required to demonstrate the in vivo importance of the oxidation pathway presented here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Bjerre Holm
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Carolina Noble
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Linnet
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Frinculescu A, Lyall CL, Ramsey J, Miserez B. Variation in commercial smoking mixtures containing third-generation synthetic cannabinoids. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:327-333. [PMID: 27161591 DOI: 10.1002/dta.1975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 03/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Variation in ingredients (qualitative variation) and in quantity of active compounds (quantitative variation) in herbal smoking mixtures containing synthetic cannabinoids has been shown for older products. This can be dangerous to the user, as accurate and reproducible dosing is impossible. In this study, 69 packages containing third-generation cannabinoids of seven brands on the UK market in 2014 were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively for variation. When comparing the labels to actual active ingredients identified in the sample, only one brand was shown to be correctly labelled. The other six brands contained less, more, or ingredients other than those listed on the label. Only two brands were inconsistent, containing different active ingredients in different samples. Quantitative variation was assessed both within one package and between several packages. Within-package variation was within a 10% range for five of the seven brands, but two brands showed larger variation, up to 25% (Relative Standard Deviation). Variation between packages was significantly higher, with variation up to 38% and maximum concentration up to 2.7 times higher than the minimum concentration. Both qualitative and quantitative variation are common in smoking mixtures and endanger the user, as it is impossible to estimate the dose or to know the compound consumed when smoking commercial mixtures. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Frinculescu
- TICTAC Communications Ltd, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom
| | | | - John Ramsey
- TICTAC Communications Ltd, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Bram Miserez
- TICTAC Communications Ltd, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom
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Identification of AB-FUBINACA metabolites in authentic urine samples suitable as urinary markers of drug intake using liquid chromatography quadrupole tandem time of flight mass spectrometry. Drug Test Anal 2015; 8:950-6. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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