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Christie JT, Bruce M, Pfitzer S, Laubscher L, Raath JP, Laurence M, Kellermann T. Validation of a LC-MS/MS method to simultaneously quantify thiafentanil and naltrexone in plasma for pharmacokinetic studies in wildlife. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2024; 1233:123990. [PMID: 38190774 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2023.123990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Thiafentanil is a popular opioid agonist that is fully reversed by administering naltrexone. This agonist-antagonist combination is administered to a wide variety of wildlife species for chemical immobilisation, however plasma concentrations for thiafentanil remain unreported. This report describes a method that was developed and validated using human plasma and cross-validated for the analysis of goat plasma. Samples were extracted using a simple protein precipitation and analysed using LC-MS/MS. The assay was validated over the calibration range 4.38 - 1120 ng/mL for thiafentanil and 15.63 - 4000 ng/mL for naltrexone. The mean inter-day accuracies for QCs prepared in human plasma (n = 18) ranged from 94.8 - 103.8 % for thiafentanil and 94.8 - 95.9 % for naltrexone with corresponding precisions of 3.4 - 7.9 % and 2.8 - 11.4 %, respectively. The mean accuracies for QCs prepared in goat plasma (n = 6) ranged from 89.0 - 100.5 % for thiafentanil and 89.0 - 98.0 % for naltrexone with the associated precisions ranging from 7.1 - 11.6 % and 4.8 - 12.3 %, respectively. Both analytes were stable on bench for six hours and for three freeze-thaw cycles. The impact of heat-inactivation, necessary for the inactivation of potential foot-and-mouth disease, on analyte stability, matrix effect and recovery were evaluated, and a correction factor was established to determine the original analyte concentrations. The method was applied to pharmacokinetic samples collected from goats. The use of goats as a model species provides the first insight into the plasma concentrations of thiafentanil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith T Christie
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Mieghan Bruce
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Silke Pfitzer
- Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Liesel Laubscher
- Wildlife Pharmaceuticals, Rocky Drift, White River, South Africa
| | - Jacobus P Raath
- Wildlife Pharmaceuticals, Rocky Drift, White River, South Africa
| | - Michael Laurence
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tracy Kellermann
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
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2
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Tuet WY, Pierce SA, Conroy M, Vignola JN, Tressler J, diTargiani RC, McCranor BJ, Wong B. Metabolic clearance of select opioids and opioid antagonists using hepatic spheroids and recombinant cytochrome P450 enzymes. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2022; 10:e01000. [PMID: 36045607 PMCID: PMC9433823 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The opioid crisis is a pressing public health issue, exacerbated by the emergence of more potent synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl and its analogs. While competitive antagonists exist, their efficacy against synthetic opioids is largely unknown. Furthermore, due to the short durations of action of current antagonists, renarcotization remains a concern. In this study, metabolic activity was characterized for fentanyl‐class opioids and common opioid antagonists using multiple in vitro systems, namely, cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and hepatic spheroids, after which an in vitro‐in vivo correlation was applied to convert in vitro metabolic activity to predictive in vivo intrinsic clearance. For all substrates, intrinsic hepatic metabolism was higher than the composite of CYP activities, due to fundamental differences between whole cells and single enzymatic reactions. Of the CYP isozymes investigated, 3A4 yielded the highest absolute and relative metabolism across all substrates, with largely negligible contributions from 2D6 and 2C19. Comparative analysis highlighted elevated lipophilicity and diminished CYP3A4 activity as potential considerations for the development of more efficacious opioid antagonists. Finally, antagonists with a high degree of molecular similarity exhibited comparable clearance, providing a basis for structure‐metabolism relationships. Together, these results provide multiple screening criteria for early stage drug discovery involving opioid countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Y Tuet
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Samuel A Pierce
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthieu Conroy
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Justin N Vignola
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Justin Tressler
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert C diTargiani
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Bryan J McCranor
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Benjamin Wong
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
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3
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Ringuette AE, Spock M, Lindsley CW, Bender AM. DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Carfentanil. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:3955-3967. [PMID: 32786301 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of its remarkable potency and relative ease of synthesis, carfentanil (1) has recently emerged as a problematic contaminant in other drugs of abuse. Carfentanil and its close analogs, currently approved only for large animal veterinary medicine, have found use both as illicit additives to the clandestine manufacture of scheduled drugs and as chemical weapons. In this Review, the background, synthesis, manufacture, metabolism, pharmacology, approved indications, dosage, and adverse effects of carfentanil will be discussed along with its emergence as a key player in the ongoing opioid crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E. Ringuette
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, , Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Matthew Spock
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, , Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Craig W. Lindsley
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, , Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Aaron M. Bender
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, , Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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4
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Lord S, Girling SJ, Eivers C, Pizzi R, Panti A. Presumptive buprenorphine associated intraoperative apnoea and prolonged recovery in a giant panda (
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
) during castration for testicular neoplasia. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2019-001063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Lord
- Clinical StudiesThe University of Edinburgh Royal Dick School of Veterinary StudiesEaster BushUK
| | | | - Caroline Eivers
- Diagnostic ImagingUniversity of Glasgow College of Medical Veterinary and Life SciencesGlasgowUK
| | - Romain Pizzi
- Wildlife Surgery InternationalRoslinMidlothianUK
| | - Ambra Panti
- AnaesthesiaUniversity of Edinburgh Royal Dick School of Veterinary StudiesEdinburghMidlothianUK
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Thompson DP, Crouse JA, McDonough TJ, Barboza PS, Jaques S. Acute Thermal and Stress Response in Moose to Chemical Immobilization. J Wildl Manage 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Thompson
- Alaska Department of Fish and GameKenai Moose Research Center 43961 Kalifornsky Beach Road Suite B Soldotna AK 99669 USA
| | - John A. Crouse
- Alaska Department of Fish and GameKenai Moose Research Center 43961 Kalifornsky Beach Road Suite B Soldotna AK 99669 USA
| | | | - Perry S. Barboza
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries SciencesTexas A&M University Room 274, Wildlife, Fisheries and Ecological Sciences Building, TAMU 2258 Building 1537, 534 John Kimbrough Boulevard College Station TX 77843 USA
| | - Scott Jaques
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic LaboratoryTexas A&M University 483 Agronomy Road College Station TX 77840 USA
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Mass spectrometric characterization of carfentanil metabolism in human, dog, and rat lung microsomes via comparison to chemically synthesized metabolite standards. Forensic Toxicol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-019-00521-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Tuet WY, Pierce SA, Racine MC, Tressler J, McCranor BJ, Sciuto AM, Wong B. Changes in murine respiratory dynamics induced by aerosolized carfentanil inhalation: Efficacy of naloxone and naltrexone. Toxicol Lett 2019; 316:127-135. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Evidence for nonlinear accumulation of the ultrapotent fentanyl analog, carfentanil, after systemic administration to male rats. Neuropharmacology 2019; 158:107596. [PMID: 30965021 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The current opioid overdose crisis is being exacerbated by illicitly manufactured fentanyl and its analogs. Carfentanil is a fentanyl analog that is 10,000-times more potent than morphine, but limited information is available about its pharmacology. The present study had two aims: 1) to validate a method for quantifying carfentanil and its metabolite norcarfentanil in small-volume samples, and 2) to use the method for examining pharmacodynamic-pharmacokinetic relationships in rats. The analytical method involved liquid-liquid extraction of plasma samples followed by quantitation of carfentanil and norcarfentanil using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The method was validated following SWGTOX guidelines, and both analytes displayed limits of detection and quantification at 7.5 and 15 pg/mL, respectively. Male Sprague-Dawley rats fitted with jugular catheters and temperature transponders received subcutaneous carfentanil (1, 3 and 10 μg/kg) or saline. Repeated blood specimens were obtained over 8 h, along with pharmacodynamic measures including core temperature and catalepsy scores. Carfentanil produced dose-related hypothermia and catalepsy that lasted up to 8 h. Carfentanil Cmax occurred at 15 min whereas metabolite Cmax was at 1-2 h. Concentrations of both analytes increased in a dose-related fashion, but area-under-the-curve values were much greater than predicted after 10 μg/kg. Plasma half-life for carfentanil increased at higher doses. Our findings reveal that carfentanil produces marked hypothermia and catalepsy, which is accompanied by nonlinear accumulation of the drug at high doses. We hypothesize that impaired clearance of carfentanil in humans could contribute to life-threatening effects of this ultrapotent opioid agonist. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'New Vistas in Opioid Pharmacology'.
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Tiscione NB, Alford I. Carfentanil in Impaired Driving Cases and the Importance of Drug Seizure Data. J Anal Toxicol 2018; 42:476-484. [PMID: 29659874 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bky026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas B Tiscione
- Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL, USA
| | - Ilene Alford
- Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL, USA
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Fentanyls continue to replace heroin in the drug arena: the cases of ocfentanil and carfentanil. Forensic Toxicol 2017; 36:12-32. [PMID: 29367860 PMCID: PMC5754389 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-017-0379-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Ocfentanil and carfentanil are two potent synthetic opioids that are analogues of fentanyl and are actively involved in the recent fentanyl crisis. The aim of this review is to provide all the available information on these two fentanyl analogues. Methods All reviewed information was gathered through a detailed search of PubMed and the World Wide Web using relevant keywords. Results Like most of the members of the family of fentanyls, they are either sold as heroin to unsuspecting users or used extensively to lace heroin street samples. Despite the fact that ocfentanil was studied clinically in the early 1990s, it did not manage to find its place in clinical practice. On the other hand, carfentanil is mainly used today as an anesthetic agent in large animals. Ocfentanil and carfentanil are used and abused extensively, mainly in Europe and in the United States. As a result, they are the cause of some verified intoxication cases and deaths worldwide. This review provides information concerning chemistry, synthesis, prevalence, pharmacology, and toxicology, as well as the current legal status of these two fentanyl analogues. Analytical methods developed for the determination of ocfentanil and carfentanil in biological specimens and seized materials, as well as related intoxication and lethal cases are also presented. Conclusions Ocfentanil and carfentanil are undeniably very dangerous opioid drugs and a very serious matter of concern for public safety. The authorities should take the appropriate actions to avoid the expansion of this threat by taking proper and prompt measures.
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Wong B, Perkins MW, Tressler J, Rodriguez A, Devorak J, Sciuto AM. Effects of inhaled aerosolized carfentanil on real-time physiological responses in mice: a preliminary evaluation of naloxone. Inhal Toxicol 2017; 29:65-74. [DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2017.1282065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Wong
- Biochemistry and Toxicology Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
| | - Michael W. Perkins
- Biochemistry and Toxicology Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
| | - Justin Tressler
- Biochemistry and Toxicology Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
| | - Ashley Rodriguez
- Biochemistry and Toxicology Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer Devorak
- Biochemistry and Toxicology Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
| | - Alfred M. Sciuto
- Biochemistry and Toxicology Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
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Anesthesia of Tibetan Yak (Bos grunniens) Using Thiafentanil - Xylazine and Carfentanil - Xylazine. J Zoo Wildl Med 2011; 42:713-7. [DOI: 10.1638/2010-0140.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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13
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Comparison of Carfentanil-Xylazine and Thiafentanil- Medetomidine in Electroejaculation of Captive Gaur (Bos gaurus). J Zoo Wildl Med 2011; 42:430-6. [DOI: 10.1638/2010-0242.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Cole A, Mutlow A, Isaza R, Carpenter JW, Koch DE, Hunter RP, Dresser BL. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of carfentanil and naltrexone in female common eland (Taurotragus oryx). J Zoo Wildl Med 2007; 37:318-26. [PMID: 17319131 DOI: 10.1638/05-070.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The pharmacokinetic parameters of carfentanil and naltrexone were determined in the common eland (Taurotragus oryx). Six adult females were immobilized with xylazine (0.23 +/- 0.03 mg/kg i.m.) and carfentanil (0.0169 +/- 0.0005 mg/kg i.m.) for a 45-min period, during which time routine health care procedures were performed. Heart and respiration rates and body temperatures were monitored throughout the immobilization period. A single intramuscular injection of naltrexone (1.66 +/- 0.08 mg/kg i.m.) was sufficient for reversal. The eland were intermittently restrained in a hydraulic squeeze chute for serial blood sample collection via jugular venipuncture during immobilization and up to 48 hr post-immobilization. The quantification of carfentanil and naltrexone in the plasma was performed by liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy methods. Carfentanil was rapidly absorbed following administration, with the peak plasma concentration (C(max)) at 13.8 min. Naltrexone was readily absorbed and reached C(max) at 23.4 +/- 16.8 min after administration. All animals stood 2.7 +/- 2.2 min after naltrexone administration. Carfentanil has a half-life of 7.7 hr, whereas naltrexone has a much shorter half-life of 3.7 hr. Although respiratory rates appeared to fluctuate widely among animals, heart rates and body temperature remained stable throughout the immobilization. Renarcotization was not noted as a major complication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Cole
- Audubon Nature Institute Center for Research of Endangered Species, 14001 River Road, New Orleans, Louisiana 70131, USA
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