1
|
Dufayet L, Bargel S, Bonnet A, Boukerma AK, Chevallier C, Evrard M, Guillotin S, Loeuillet E, Paradis C, Pouget AM, Reynoard J, Vaucel JA. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), 1,4-butanediol (1,4BD), and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) intoxication: A state-of-the-art review. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 142:105435. [PMID: 37343712 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105435] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is synthesized endogenously from γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or exogenously from 1,4-butanediol (butane-1,4-diol; 1,4-BD) or γ-butyrolactone (GBL). GBL, and 1,4-BD are rapidly converted to GHB. The gastric absorption time, volume of distribution, and half-life of GHB are between 5 and 45 min, 0.49 ± 0.9 L/kg, and between 20 and 60 min, respectively. GHB and its analogues have a dose-dependent effect on the activation of GHB receptor, GABA-B, and GABA localized to the central nervous system. After ingestion, most patients present transient neurological disorders (lethal dose: 60 mg/kg). Chronic GHB consumption is associated with disorders of use and a withdrawal syndrome when the consumption is discontinued. GHB, GBL, and 1,4-BD are classified as narcotics but only the use of GHB is controlled internationally. They are used for drug facilitated (sexual) assault, recreational purposes, slamsex, and chemsex. To confirm an exogenous intake or administration of GHB, GBL, or 1-4-BD, the pre-analytical conservation is crucial. The antemortem cutoff doses for detection are 5 and 5-15 mg/L, with detection windows of 6 and 10 h in the blood and urine, respectively Control of GHB is essential to limit the number of users, abuse, associated risks, and death related to their consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurene Dufayet
- Unité Médico-judiciaire, Hôtel-Dieu, APHP, 75001, Paris, France; Centre Antipoison de Paris - Fédération de Toxicologie (FeTox), Hôpital Fernand-Widal, APHP, 75010, Paris, France; INSERM, UMRS-1144, Faculté de Pharmacie, 75006, Paris, France; UFR de Médecine, Université de Paris, 75010, Paris, France.
| | - Sophie Bargel
- Section Toxicologie - Sécurité Routière, Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lille, SNPS, France
| | - Anastasia Bonnet
- Centre Antipoison de Toulouse, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Marion Evrard
- Centre Antipoison de Nancy, CHRU de Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Sophie Guillotin
- Centre Antipoison de Toulouse, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Camille Paradis
- Centre Antipoison de Bordeaux CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Julien Reynoard
- Pharmacologie Clinique CAP-TV, APHM, Hôpitaux Sud, Marseille, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Loos N, van den Hondel K, Reijnders U, Franssen E. Complications in post-mortem GHB cut-off values in urine samples: A case report. Toxicol Rep 2023; 10:600-603. [PMID: 37213812 PMCID: PMC10196806 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a drug of abuse, that interplays with a GABAergic system, resulting in an euphoric state and increased mood and impulses. Two cases of fatal mixed intoxications including GHB intake are presented here. In both cases, GHB was used together with multiple other drugs. Interpretation of GHB cut-off values are complicated in post-mortem analysis, because GHB can be post-mortem formed. The post-mortem GHB formation is dependent of the post-mortem interval (PMI) and the storage conditions of the samples. The GHB concentrations in urine are more stable compared to blood samples, when the samples are stored at the correct way at - 20 °C. Therefore, urine is the recommended matrix to analyze in toxicological screenings, since it allows more specific determination of exposure to exogenous GHB. Different cut-off values are used for matrices from living and deceased people. A cut-off value of 30 mg/L is recommended to discriminate between endogenous concentrations and concentrations resulting from exogenous GHB exposure. Moreover, post-mortem GHB formation can take place before sampling. However, when the samples are immediately stored at cooled conditions, no in vitro formation of GHB will take place. Urinary screening of GHB may serve as an initial screening for estimation of exposure of GHB in the body. However, additional quantitative GHB analysis in blood is required to estimate GHB exposure at the time of death. Furthermore, to obtain more reliable results for the ante-mortem GHB exposure, it may be useful to measure other biomarkers, like some GHB metabolites, especially in blood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N.H.C. Loos
- The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Division of Pharmacology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- OLVG Hospital Amsterdam, Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Correspondence to: Division of Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - K.E. van den Hondel
- Public Health Service, Department of Forensic Medicine, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - U.J.L. Reijnders
- Public Health Service, Department of Forensic Medicine, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - E.J.F. Franssen
- OLVG Hospital Amsterdam, Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Acide γ-Hydroxybutyrique (GHB), γ-butyrolactone (GBL) et 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) : revue de la littérature des aspects pharmacologiques, cliniques, analytiques et médico-légaux. TOXICOLOGIE ANALYTIQUE ET CLINIQUE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
4
|
Smits TA, Gresnigt FM, Attema-de Jonge ME, Franssen EJ. Can emergency department clinicians diagnose gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) intoxication based on clinical observations alone? Emerg Med J 2021; 38:520-523. [PMID: 33674275 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2020-209577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a drug of abuse with central depressing effects, which may cause coma with a GCS score as low as 3. A rapid diagnosis 'GHB intoxication' may prevent unnecessary diagnostic work-up and may lead to guided, less invasive, treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate if ED physicians' clinical evaluation were sufficient for diagnosis in patients with suspected GHB-intoxication. METHODS Patients presenting at the ED with a GCS<15 and a potential intoxication with drugs of abuse for whom urine toxicology screen was performed were included consecutively. After a first assessment, the ED physician registered the most likely initial diagnosis in the hospital information system. Urine of these patients was tested with a validated gas chromatography analytical method for GHB (confirmation test). The initial diagnoses were compared for agreement with the results of the confirmation test. RESULTS A total of 506 patients were included, 100 patients tested positive for GHB and 406 patients tested negative for GHB. Sensitivity and specificity of the ED physicians compared with the confirmation test to diagnose GHB intoxications were 63% (95% CI 52 to 73) and 93% (95% CI 90 to 95), respectively. The positive predictive value was 67% (95% CI 60 to 77) and the negative predictive value was 92% (95% CI 88 to 94). CONCLUSION Physicians underestimate the presence of GHB intoxication and can fail to diagnose GHB intoxication based on clinical observations alone. In the future, a rapid reliable initial analytical GHB test in addition to clinical judgement could be valuable to reduce false negative diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Femke Mj Gresnigt
- Emergency Department, OLVG, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Toxicological screening in the Amsterdam acute setting becomes more relevant if the standard panel of the drugs-of-abuse point-of-care test is expanded with GHB and ketamine. Toxicol Rep 2020; 7:539-546. [PMID: 32368504 PMCID: PMC7184233 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2020.04.007] [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: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective For diagnosis and treatment in the acute setting, it is crucial to know whether the clinical status of patients might be explained by the effects of drugs.The objective of this study was to determine how many drugs were detected by comprehensive toxicological screening, that could not be detected with a routine drugs-of-abuse point-of-care test (DOA-POCT) and which drugs of abuse (DOA) were relevant. A secondary objective was to determine in how many patients comprehensive toxicological screening provided additional clinically relevant information. Methods In this prospective study, patients were included in whom a DOA-POCT was performed and residual urine and serum samples were available.DOA-POCT were performed using the Triage® TOX Drug Screen. Comprehensive toxicological screening was performed using 1) the Toxtyper™ LC-MSN method and 2) two GC-FID methods for alcohols and GHB respectively.The clinical relevance of the comprehensive toxicological screening results regarding diagnosis and patient management was quantified. Results A total of 100 patients were included. In 91 of these patients, comprehensive toxicological screening identified 234 drugs that were not identified by DOA-POCT. However, DOA-POCT identified 34 DOA that were not identified by comprehensive toxicological screening.Seven percent of comprehensive toxicological screening results were found to be clinically relevant, all with regard to diagnosis. GHB and ketamine were the drugs involved. Another 38 % strengthened confidence in diagnosis and patient care decisions. Conclusion GHB and ketamine should be added to the panel of drugs we screen at the point of care in the Amsterdam acute setting.
Collapse
|