Combined in vivo metabolic effects of quetiapine and methadone in brain and blood of rats

Changes in pharmacokinetics and endogenous metabolites may underlie additive biological effects of concomitant use of antipsychotics and opioids. In this study, we employed untargeted metabolomics analysis and targeted analysis to examine the changes in drug metabolites and endogenous metabolites in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), midbrain, and blood of rats following acute co-administration of quetiapine and methadone. Rats were divided into four groups and received cumulative increasing doses of quetiapine (QTP), methadone (MTD), quetiapine + methadone (QTP + MTD), or vehicle (control). All samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Our findings revealed increased levels of the quetiapine metabolites: Norquetiapine, O-dealkylquetiapine, 7-hydroxyquetiapine, and quetiapine sulfoxide, in the blood and brain when methadone was present. Our study also demonstrated a decrease in methadone and its metabolite 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP) in the rat brain when quetiapine was present. Despite these findings, there were only small differences in the levels of 225-296 measured endogenous metabolites due to co-administration compared to single administrations. For example, N-methylglutamic acid, glutaric acid, p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid, and corticosterone levels were significantly decreased in the brain of rats treated with both compounds. Accumulation of serotonin in the midbrain was additionally observed in the MTD group, but not in the QTP + MTD group. In conclusion, this study in rats suggests a few but important additive metabolic effects when quetiapine and methadone are co-administered.

Do you get what you see? The illicit doping market in Denmark-An analysis of performance and image enhancing drugs seized by the police over a 1-year period

This study examines doping products seized by the police in three regional police districts in Denmark from December 2019 to December 2020. The products, often referred to as performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs), are described in relation to the country of origin, manufacturing company, and the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) stated on the packaging versus the one identified by subsequent chemical analysis. The study also includes a description of the degree of professionalism by which the products appear according to EU requirements. A total of 764 products were seized during the study period. The products originate from 37 countries, mainly located in Asia (37%), Europe (23%), and North America (13%). One hundred ninety-three different manufacturing companies could be identified from the product packaging. The most frequent compound class was the androgenic anabolic steroids, found in 60% of the products. In 25%-34% of the products, either no or an incorrect API relative to the one stated on the product was found. However, only 7%-10% contain either no API or a compound from a different compound class than the one stated. Most products had a professional appearance fulfilling most EU requirements for packaging information. The study shows that many different companies supply PIEDs to the Danish market and that counterfeit and substandard products are widespread. Many products do, however, appear professional to the user giving an impression of a high-quality product. Although many products are substandard, they most often contain an API from the same compound class as the one labeled.