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Bantle M, van Tieghem L, Weinmann W, Luginbühl M. Lyso-phosphatidylethanol detected by LC-MS/MS as a potential new marker for alcohol consumption. Eur J Mass Spectrom (Chichester) 2023; 29:338-347. [PMID: 37709266 DOI: 10.1177/14690667231200143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol biomarkers are able to reflect the degree of recent or long-term alcohol consumption, covering different windows of detection. Phosphatidylethanols (PEths) are an emerging group of direct alcohol biomarkers that are widely applied in clinical and forensic applications. Their quantification can provide insight into an individual's drinking behaviour. Here, we present a new sub-class of yet unknown PEth species, LysoPEths, which are structurally related to PEth, but miss one fatty acyl chain. LysoPEths can be either a degradation product of PEth or a product of transesterification of lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) with ethanol. To set up an analytical method, LysoPEth 16:0 was synthesised from PC 16:0/18:1 and characterised by LC-MS/MS, using an enzymatic method: phospholipase D (PLD), followed by phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Then, an LC-MS/MS method in MRM mode for LysoPEth 16:0 with additional LysoPEth species (LysoPEth 18:1, LysoPEth 18:2, and LysoPEth 20:4) and PEth 16:0/20:4 was developed. By incubation of freshly sampled venous blood of a teetotaller with ethanol at different concentrations, the formation of LysoPEth in parallel to PEth was investigated. With increasing ethanol concentrations, LysoPEth 16:0 was formed besides the known PEth species (PEth 16:0/18:1, PEth 16:0/18:2) for up to 72 h with LysoPEth concentrations being about three times lower than PEth concentrations. Storage of ethanol-free PEth-positive blood of an alcohol consumer at 37 °C showed that LysoPEth 16:0 concentrations increased, while PEth 16:0/18:1 concentrations decreased in the first 24 h for frozen/thawed blood, however not for freshly collected blood. Furthermore, LysoPEth 16:0 was detected in venous as well as lyophilised blood from clinical and forensic case work alongside with PEth 16:0/18:1, 16:0/18:2, and other PEth and LysoPEth species (PEth 16:0/20:4, LysoPEth 18:1, LysoPEth 18:2, and LysoPEth 20:4). LysoPEth 16:0 concentrations were found to be in linear correlation with PEth 16:0/18:1 (r2 = 0.75).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Bantle
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lanya van Tieghem
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marc Luginbühl
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Schirmer W, Auwärter V, Kaudewitz J, Schürch S, Weinmann W. Identification of human hexahydrocannabinol metabolites in urine. Eur J Mass Spectrom (Chichester) 2023; 29:326-337. [PMID: 37709263 DOI: 10.1177/14690667231200139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a cannabinoid that has been known since 1940 but has only recently found its way into recreational use as a psychoactive drug. HHC has been used as a legal alternative to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in many countries, but first countries already placed it under their narcotic substances law. Our aim was to evaluate a reliable analytical method for the proof of HHC consumption by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS. We identified the two epimers of HHC and metabolites after HHC consumption by two volunteers (inhalation by use of a vaporizer and oral intake). LC-HR-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS and GC-MS with literature data (EI-MS spectra of derivatives) and reference compounds - as far as commercially available - were used for metabolite identification. Phase-II-metabolites (glucuronides) of HHC and OH-HHC were found in urine samples with LC-HR-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS. The main metabolite was tentatively identified with GC-MS as 4'OH-HHC (stereochemistry on C9 and C4' unknown). Another major side-chain hydroxylated metabolite found by LC-MS/MS could not be unambiguously identified. Both epimers of 11-OH-HHC were found in considerable amounts in urine. (8R, 9R)-8-OH-HHC was identified as a minor metabolite with GC-MS and LC-MS/MS. While (9S)-HHC was found in urine after oral intake and inhalation of HHC, the more psychoactive epimer (9R)-HHC was only found in urine after inhalation. Several other minor metabolites were detected but not structurally identified. We found that after oral or inhalative consumption the urinary main metabolites of a diastereomeric mixture of HHC are different from the respective, major Δ9-THC metabolites (11-OH-Δ9-THC and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-THC). Although a sensitive LC-MS/MS and GC-SIM-MS method were set-up for the reference compounds (9R)-11-nor-9-carboxy-HHC and (9S)-11-nor-9-carboxy-HHC, these oxidation products were not detected in urine with these techniques. To further increase sensitivity, a GC-MS/MS method was developed, and the 11-nor-9-carboxy metabolites of HHC were confirmed to be present as minor metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willi Schirmer
- Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julia Kaudewitz
- Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Schürch
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Novak L, Soravia LM, Bünter A, Stöth F, Wopfner A, Weinmann W, Pfeifer P. Alcohol Biomarker Phosphatidylethanol as a Predictor of the Severity of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. Alcohol Alcohol 2023; 58:198-202. [PMID: 36695434 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agac071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS to investigate the relationship between phosphatidylethanol (PEth) and withdrawal severity in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). METHODS in 34 patients with AUD admitted for treatment of acute alcohol withdrawal, data were available for initial blood PEth concentrations and scores throughout detoxification of symptoms of withdrawal assessed by trained medical staff using the alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS)-scale, a validated scale consisting of 11 items in the alcohol withdrawal syndrome (two subscales with seven physiological and five psychological symptoms). RESULTS a significant positive correlation between PEth and the severity of alcohol withdrawal was found. When the sample was divided into two groups, according to whether or not AWS score at some point in the treatment reached 6 or more, the median PEth score was higher in those whose peak score had been 6 or more (score of 6 being the suggested cutoff to start medicating the withdrawal syndrome). Although there was a trend for some aspects of the clinical history to be more 'severe' in those with higher AWS, no differences reached significance. CONCLUSION blood PEth on admission could have a role in identifying patients at risk of more severe AWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Novak
- Suedhang Clinic, Center for Treatment of Addictive Disorders, Kirchlindach 3038, Switzerland
| | - Leila M Soravia
- Suedhang Clinic, Center for Treatment of Addictive Disorders, Kirchlindach 3038, Switzerland.,University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Adina Bünter
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Frederike Stöth
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Wopfner
- Suedhang Clinic, Center for Treatment of Addictive Disorders, Kirchlindach 3038, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Pfeifer
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
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Stöth F, Weinmann W, Soravia LM, Pfeifer P. Evaluation of Phosphatidylethanol Elimination in Alcohol Use Disorder Patients Undergoing Withdrawal Treatment. Alcohol Alcohol 2023; 58:266-273. [PMID: 36892399 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is used to monitor alcohol consumption in alcohol use disorder (AUD). In this study, we aim to evaluate the elimination time of PEth with regard to the clinically established 200 and 20 ng/ml cutoffs for PEth 16:0/18:1. METHODS Data from 49 patients undergoing treatment for AUD were evaluated. PEth concentrations were measured at the beginning and repeatedly during the treatment period of up to 12 weeks to monitor the elimination of PEth. We evaluated the time in weeks until the cutoff concentrations of <200 and <20 ng/ml were achieved. The correlation between the initial PEth concentration and the number of days until the PEth concentration had dropped below 200 and 20 ng/ml was assessed by calculating Pearson's correlation coefficients. RESULTS The initial PEth concentrations ranged from <20 to >2500 ng/ml. In 31 patients, the time until the cutoff values were reached could be documented. Even after 6 weeks of abstinence, PEth concentrations above the cutoff of 200 ng/ml could still be detected in two patients. A strong significant positive correlation was found between the initial PEth concentration and the time required to drop below the two cutoffs. CONCLUSION A waiting period of more than 6 weeks after declared abstinence should be granted for individuals with AUD before using only one single PEth concentration to assess the consumption behavior. However, we recommend to always use at least two PEth concentrations for the evaluation of alcohol-drinking behaviors in AUD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederike Stöth
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 26, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 26, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Leila Maria Soravia
- Klinik Südhang, Südhang 1, 3038 Kirchlindach, Switzerland.,University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, 3000 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Pfeifer
- University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, 3000 Bern, Switzerland
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Stöth F, Koch K, Bantle M, Pütz P, Wortmann F, Weinmann W. Increase of PEth after single consumption of alcohol and evaluation of a volumetric DBS filter paper device. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:379-384. [PMID: 36790103 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkad009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct alcohol biomarkers are of growing interest for the assessment of alcohol consumption, with particular interest in phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in recent years. PEth is only formed when alcohol is present in the body. However, there is no statement about how much the PEth concentration increases after single moderate alcohol consumption. This study was conducted to determine the increase in PEth concentrations after a single drinking event. Additionally, a new volumetric sampling device (DBSV) was evaluated, which was designed to simplify further sampling processes and to allow for easy self-sampling. Dried blood samples from 31 volunteers were collected before and after single alcohol consumption with mean maximum breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) of 0.4 mg/L (range: 0.30 - 0.55 mg/L). PEth concentrations were determined after automated extraction by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. PEth 16:0/18:1 and PEth 16:0/18:2 concentrations increased to an average of 45 ng/mL each in patients starting below 20 ng/mL (range: 25.0 - 57.0 ng/mL for PEth 16:0/18:1; range 26.8 - 62.3 ng/mL for PEth 16:0/18:2). PEth concentrations in patients starting above 20 ng/mL increased by a mean of 30 ng/mL (range: 6.2 - 71.3 ng/mL for PEth 16:0/18:1; range 8.8 - 65.3 ng/mL for PEth 16:0/18:2). In addition, the comparison of the new sampling device DBSV with a standard filter paper card (with volumetrically applied 20 µL blood samples) yielded a close agreement for the determined PEth concentrations in 24 forensic samples and 3 external controls. Therefore, the sampling device DBSV proved to be suitable for the determination of PEth concentrations in blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederike Stöth
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 28, 3018 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kevin Koch
- Institute of Technology Management, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Bantle
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 28, 3018 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Pütz
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 9, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Felix Wortmann
- Institute of Technology Management, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 28, 3018 Bern, Switzerland
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Stöth F, Fabritius MM, Weinmann W, Luginbühl M, Gaugler S, König S. Application of dried urine spots (DUS) for non-targeted quadrupole time-of-flight drug screening. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:332-337. [PMID: 36722166 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkad007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of dried urine spots (DUS) can simplify sample handling, shipment, and storage when compared to liquid urine samples. To prepare DUS, a small amount of urine is pipetted on a filter paper card. The subsequent drying of the specimen can prevent the post-sampling formation or degradation of substances (e.g. caused by bacteria). To evaluate the potential of DUS screening, 17 authentic urine samples, containing a broad range of substances, were extracted and analyzed on a Sciex 5600 TOF instrument using a non-targeted screening and library searching approach. The screening results were compared to the analysis of the same urine sample in liquid form, using the same high resolution liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method. More than 65 different legal and illegal drugs were successfully identified within the investigated 17 urine samples using the DUS screening approach. When compared to the analysis of liquid urine, the following compounds could not be identified: 1x ecgonine methyl ester, 1x nicotine, 1x promazine, 1x 11-Nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Overall, 95.2% of the target substances that have been detected in liquid urine were identified correctly using the DUS approach. In conclusion, DUS screening offers a simple, cost-effective, and easier sample handling alternative to the traditional use of liquid urine and provides detection of the most important substances for forensic requirements. Furthermore, the DUS sample preparation can be fully automated (sample documentation, internal standard application, and extraction).
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederike Stöth
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 26, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marie Martin Fabritius
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 26, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 26, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marc Luginbühl
- CAMAG DBS Laboratory, Sonnenmattstrasse 11, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Gaugler
- CAMAG DBS Laboratory, Sonnenmattstrasse 11, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Stefan König
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 26, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
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Stöth F, Kotzerke E, Thierauf-Emberger A, Weinmann W, Schuldis D. Can PEth be Detected with a Cutoff of 20 ng/mL after Single Alcohol Consumption? J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:e232-e238. [PMID: 36107736 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) can be determined in capillary blood collected as dried blood spots (DBS) and is a promising direct alcohol biomarker for the determination of drinking habits. Its use for abstinence monitoring needs to be evaluated. Studies with patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal have shown that the elimination of PEth can take up to 2 months. For the determination of PEth 16:0/18:1, a cutoff of 20 ng/mL has been agreed upon in the major US laboratories. However, it is not yet clear what minimum blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) have to be achieved by a single drinking episode to result in PEth concentrations above this cutoff after previous long-term abstinence. To determine whether low drinking amounts can result in a positive PEth concentration above 20 ng/mL, we recruited 12 participants ('social' drinkers). After 4 weeks of abstinence, alcohol was consumed at two separate drinking events with target BACs of 0.5 and 0.3 g/kg, resulting in maximum BACs in the ranges of 0.30-0.63 g/kg and 0.10-0.28 g/kg, respectively. Capillary blood was collected at different time points of the drinking experiment, and PEth was extracted from DBS and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Despite drinking doses up to 0.58 g ethanol per kg body weight and reaching BACs of up to 0.63 g/kg, PEth 16:0/18:1 and PEth 16:0/18:2 could not be detected at or above the 20 ng/mL cutoff in any participant at any time after the drinking events. We conclude that after long-term abstinence the cutoff of 20 ng/mL for single alcohol consumption leading to BACs up to 0.63 g/kg is not exceeded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederike Stöth
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 26, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ephraim Kotzerke
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 9, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Annette Thierauf-Emberger
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 9, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 26, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Schuldis
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 9, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Luginbühl M, Wurst FM, Stöth F, Weinmann W, Stove CP, Van Uytfanghe K. Consensus for the use of the alcohol biomarker phosphatidylethanol (PEth) for the assessment of abstinence and alcohol consumption in clinical and forensic practice (2022 Consensus of Basel). Drug Test Anal 2022; 14:1800-1802. [PMID: 35851997 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Friedrich M Wurst
- Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frederike Stöth
- Institute of Forensic Medicine Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katleen Van Uytfanghe
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Fabritius MM, Beutler H, Sprenger F, Zech W, Zeyer J, König S, Weinmann W. Présentation de deux cas d’intoxication mortelle à la MDMA. Toxicologie Analytique et Clinique 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2022.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Weinmann W, Stöth F, Pütz P, Schuldis D, Thierauf-Emberger A. Optimization of DBS-self sampling for PEth in a drinking experiment with standard DBS cards and with a new design of volumetric DBS card. Toxicologie Analytique et Clinique 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2022.06.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Luginbühl M, Gaugler S, Frederike S, Weinmann W. Addressing new possibilities and new challenges: Automated nondestructive hematocrit normalization for dried blood spots. Toxicologie Analytique et Clinique 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2022.06.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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12
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Gaugler S, Luginbühl M, Stoeth F, Martin M, Weinmann W, König S. High resolution, high accuracy non-targeted LC-HR-MS/MS dried urine spot screening for drug of abuse testing. Toxicologie Analytique et Clinique 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2022.06.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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13
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Gundlach JP, Braun F, Mötter F, Bernsmeier A, Barrio P, Ehmke N, Günther R, Hinrichsen H, Becker T, Weinmann W, Schröck A, Yegles M, Wurst FM. Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) for Monitoring Sobriety in Liver Transplant Candidates: Preliminary Results of Differences Between Alcohol-Related and Non-Alcohol-Related Cirrhosis Candidates. Ann Transplant 2022; 27:e936293. [PMID: 35668618 PMCID: PMC9188289 DOI: 10.12659/aot.936293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Paul Gundlach
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Paediatric-Surgery, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Felix Braun
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Paediatric-Surgery, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Finn Mötter
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Paediatric-Surgery, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexander Bernsmeier
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Paediatric-Surgery, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Pablo Barrio
- Addictive Behaviors Unit, Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Clinic Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nicola Ehmke
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Paediatric-Surgery, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Rainer Günther
- Department of Internal Medicine I, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Becker
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Paediatric-Surgery, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Schröck
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Michel Yegles
- Laboratoire National de Santé, Forensic Toxicology, Dudelange, Luxembourg
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Abstract
To investigate effects of smoking cannabidiol (CBD)-rich marijuana on driving ability and determine free CBD and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations in capillary blood samples, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover pilot study was conducted with 33 participants. Participants smoked a joint containing 500 mg of tobacco and either 500 mg of CBD-rich marijuana (16.6% total CBD; 0.9% total THC) or 500 mg of a placebo substance, then performed three different dimensions of the Vienna Test System TRAFFIC examining reaction time, behaviour under stress, and concentration performance. For further assessment of participants' fitness to drive, three tests of balance and coordination were evaluated and vital signs (blood pressure and pulse) were measured. Dried blood spot samples of capillary blood were taken after smoking and after completion of the tests to determine the cannabinoid concentrations (CBD, THC and THC-metabolites). The results revealed no significant differences between the effects of smoking CBD-rich marijuana and placebo on reaction time, motor time, behaviour under stress, or concentration performance. Maximum free CBD and THC concentrations in capillary blood were detected shortly after smoking, ranging between 2.6-440.0 ng/mL and 6.7-102.0 ng/mL, respectively. After 45 min, capillary blood concentrations had already declined and were in the range of 1.9-135.0 ng/mL (free CBD) and 0.9-38.0 ng/mL (free THC). Although the observed levels of free THC concentrations have been reported to cause symptoms of impairment in previous studies in which THC-rich marijuana was smoked, no signs of impairment were found in the current study. This finding suggests that higher CBD concentrations cause a negative allosteric effect in the endocannabinoid system, preventing the formation of such symptoms. Nevertheless, it is recommended that consumers refrain from driving for several hours after smoking CBD-rich marijuana, as legal THC concentration limits may be exceeded. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2021.1946924 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim J Gelmi
- Department of Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Department of Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Pfäffli
- Department of Traffic Sciences, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Luginbühl M, Stöth F, Weinmann W, Gaugler S. Fully automated correction for the hematocrit bias of non-volumetric dried blood spot phosphatidylethanol analysis. Alcohol 2021; 94:17-23. [PMID: 33865941 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The quantitative analysis of substances in dried blood spots (DBS) has gained vast popularity in the past decade. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) also recently committed to implementing DBS. Currently, DBS sampling mainly has focused on various volumetric sampling devices such as Hemaxis, Capitainer, and Mitra. These devices are designed to collect a specific sample volume, independent of the hematocrit (HCT), to enable quantitative DBS analysis. Here, we present an automated solution that makes the necessity of volumetric sampling for quantitative DBS analysis obsolete. Combining automated reflectance-based HCT correction in combination with fully automated DBS LC-MS/MS analysis, the novel strategy permits high-throughput analysis in combination with HCT independence. Studying the model compound phosphatidylethanol 16:0/18:1, which is HCT-dependent due to incorporation into red blood cells, an implementation of DBS HCT normalization is presented. First, the performance of the automated HCT module with DBS is demonstrated compared to standardized HCT analysis from whole blood using a centrifuge. Second, the HCT dependency of fully automated PEth analysis from DBS is evaluated. Third, a solution to correct for the HCT dependency of PEth using the HCT scanner is presented. The study demonstrates that as soon as the HCT dependence of an analyte is known, a correction factor can be applied for the normalization of HCT levels. In the context of PEth, a linear increase in PEth concentration was observed, as the analyte is primarily located within the cellular fraction. Based on the obtained results, the use of a common correction factor for PEth DBS is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Luginbühl
- CAMAG DBS Laboratory, Sonnenmattstrasse 11, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland.
| | - Frederike Stöth
- Institute of Forensic Medicine Bern, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine Bern, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Gaugler
- CAMAG DBS Laboratory, Sonnenmattstrasse 11, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
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16
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Grafinger KE, Weinmann W. Determination of the Cross-Reactivity of the Biological Metabolite (-)-trans-Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-Carboxylic Acid-Glucuronide (THC-COOH-Gluc) for Cannabinoid Immunoassays. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 45:291-296. [PMID: 32518954 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The highest concentrated metabolite of (-)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in urine, the main psychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa, is 11-nor-9-carboxy-(-)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-β-D-glucuronide [(-)-trans-THC-COOH-Gluc]. Even though reference standards for THC, 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC) and THC-COOH are commercially available as the biological (-)-trans-stereoisomers, the reference standard of THC-COOH-Gluc is only available as the racemic 11-nor-9-carboxy-(±)-cis-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-β-D-glucuronide. This poses the problem for immunoassays, because different stereoisomers may have different cross-reactivity (CR). The aim of the current study was to extract the biological stereoisomer (-)-trans-THC-COOH-Gluc from a urine sample of two marihuana consumers by solid-phase extraction with a Chromabond® C18 cartridge. The cannabinoids in the obtained extract were quantified by Liquid-chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) and used after dilution for further testing of the CR of (-)-trans-THC-COOH-Gluc with a homogenous enzyme immunoassay assay (hEIA) (Urine HEIA® Cannabinoids (THC), Immunalysis™, Pomona, CA, USA). The CR was determined as the measured HEIA® signal (ng/mL) per THC-COOH-Gluc concentration (ng/mL) in percentage. Results showed that the CR (determined in concentration ratios) is concentration dependent and is 72-87% in the calibration range (20-50 ng/mL). At the cut-off of the hEIA (40 ng/mL), the CR was determined to be 75%. With a molecular weight quotient of 1.51 (MWTHC-COOH-Gluc/MWTHC-COOH = 520.568 g/mol/344.451 g/mol), this means that CR (in molar ratios) is 106-131%. This finding is important, since the major metabolite of THC in urine is (-)-trans-THC-COOH-Gluc and not (-)-trans-THC-COOH, which is used for calibration and no hydrolysis is performed during the determination by hEIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Elisabeth Grafinger
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, Bern 3012, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Alberstr. 9, Freiburg im Breisgau, 79104 Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, Bern 3012, Switzerland
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17
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Luginbühl M, Young RSE, Stoeth F, Weinmann W, Blanksby SJ, Gaugler S. Variation in the Relative Isomer Abundance of Synthetic and Biologically Derived Phosphatidylethanols and Its Consequences for Reliable Quantification. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 45:76-83. [PMID: 32248226 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in human blood samples is a marker for alcohol usage. Typically, PEth is detected by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with negative ion tandem mass spectrometry, investigating the fatty acyl anions released from the precursor ion upon collision-induced dissociation (CID). It has been established that in other classes of asymmetric glycerophospholipids, the unimolecular fragmentation upon CID is biased depending on the relative position (known as sn-position) of each fatty acyl chain on the glycerol backbone. As such, the use of product ions in selected-reaction-monitoring (SRM) transitions could be prone to variability if more than one regioisomer is present in either the reference materials or the sample. Here, we have investigated the regioisomeric purity of three reference materials supplied by different vendors, labeled as PEth 16:0/18:1. Using CID coupled with ozone-induced dissociation, the regioisomeric purity (% 16:0 at sn-1) was determined to be 76, 80 and 99%. The parallel investigation of the negative ion CID mass spectra of standards revealed differences in product ion ratios for both fatty acyl chain product ions and ketene neutral loss product ions. Furthermore, investigation of the product ion abundances in CID spectra of PEth within authentic blood samples appears to indicate a limited natural variation in isomer populations between samples, with the cannonical, PEth 16:0/18:1 (16:0 at sn-1) predominant in all cases. Different reference material isomer distributions led to variation in fully automated quantification of PEth in 56 authentic dried blood spot (DBS) samples when a single quantifier ion was used. Our results suggest caution in ensuring that the regioisomeric compositions of reference materials are well-matched with those of the authentic blood samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reuben S E Young
- Central Analytical Research Facility, Institute for Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Frederike Stoeth
- Institute of Forensic Medicine Bern, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine Bern, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephen J Blanksby
- Central Analytical Research Facility, Institute for Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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18
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Röhricht M, Paschke K, Sack PM, Weinmann W, Thomasius R, Wurst FM. Phosphatidylethanol Reliably and Objectively Quantifies Alcohol Consumption in Adolescents and Young Adults. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:2177-2186. [PMID: 32981101 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol contributes to numerous annual deaths and various societal problems not just in adult, but also in adolescent, populations. Therefore, it is vital to find methods for reliably detecting alcohol use for early preventative measures. Research has shown phosphatidylethanol (PEth) to be superior to self-report instruments and indirect biomarkers for alcohol consumption in adult populations. However, the transferability onto an adolescent population has not yet been investigated. METHODS N = 106 adolescents and young adults aged between 13 and 21 years were included. PEth analysis using high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was performed on dried blood spot samples. Self-report questionnaires for alcohol consumption (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption, AUDIT-C, and Timeline Followback, TLFB) and drug and alcohol consumption (Detection of Alcohol and Drug Problems in Adolescents, DEP-ADO) were completed by each participant. RESULTS AUDIT-C scores showed large correlations with PEth 16:0/18:1 (rs = 0.732) and PEth 16:0/18:2 (rs = 0.661) concentrations. AUDIT-C with a cutoff value ≥3 was largely correlated with PEth 16:0/18:1 (η = 0.411) and showed a medium-sized correlation with PEth 16:0/18:2 (η = 0.397) concentrations. Using an AUDIT-C cutoff value ≥5 showed large correlations with both PEth 16:0/18:1 (η = 0.510) and PEth 16:0/18:2 (η = 0.497) concentrations, respectively. ROC curves indicated higher PEth concentrations are a good model for detecting positive AUDIT-C cutoff values (AUROC range: 0.800 to 0.849). PEth concentrations showed medium to large correlations with DEP-ADO and TLFB subscales (range rs = 0.469 to 0.746). CONCLUSION The results suggest that PEth is a reliable and objective marker for quantifying alcohol consumption in adolescents and young adults. This could be of importance for early preventative measures against hazardous alcohol consumption, which is increasingly common at younger ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Röhricht
- From the, German Center for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence (DZSKJ), (MR, KP, PMS, RT), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Paschke
- From the, German Center for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence (DZSKJ), (MR, KP, PMS, RT), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter-Michael Sack
- From the, German Center for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence (DZSKJ), (MR, KP, PMS, RT), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, (WW), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rainer Thomasius
- From the, German Center for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence (DZSKJ), (MR, KP, PMS, RT), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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19
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Gelmi TJ, Verrijken M, Weinmann W. Determination of the stereoisomeric distribution of R-(−)- and S-(+)-methamphetamine in Thai pills in the legal context of “not inconsiderable quantities". Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 116:104747. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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20
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Luginbühl M, Angelova S, Gaugler S, Längin A, Weinmann W. Automated high‐throughput analysis of tramadol and O‐desmethyltramadol in dried blood spots. Drug Test Anal 2020; 12:1126-1134. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Andreas Längin
- Institute of Forensic Medicine Bern, University of Bern Bern Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine Bern, University of Bern Bern Switzerland
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21
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Pinorini MT, Bernasconi P, Heeb T, Grata E, Capella M, Trachsel A, Santacroce G, Weinmann W. Detection of cocaine on euro banknotes; Development of a practical approach for the interpretation of suspect cases. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 309:110227. [PMID: 32146301 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The presence of traces of narcotics, particularly cocaine, on banknotes in circulation is a known and widespread fact in all countries. While linked to consumption and trafficking (primary contamination), their spread is due to direct contact with other banknotes during machine counting and cash financial transactions. The mere detection of traces of cocaine on a sample of banknotes is therefore not sufficient evidence to establish the banknote's illegal origin. Increasing levels of contamination are recorded close to (in terms of both place and time) the first direct contact with the substance. The analysis must thus be able to demonstrate that the concentration of narcotics on the banknotes is significantly higher (statistically) in terms of value and frequency than would be expected from background noise alone. Even in that event, however, this evidence has to be substantiated with additional confirmations linking banknotes to the person and this latter to drug trafficking and/or dealing. In general, an in-depth and systematic analysis of all seized banknotes to search for traces of narcotics is not only prohibitive in terms of cost, but also unnecessary. If the sampling procedure is respected, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court actually recognizes IMS (ion mobility spectrometry) as a lawful method for checking the degree of banknote contamination, as well as all the statistical conclusions that can be drawn from it. In special cases, the prosecutor may require confirmation of IMS results by a laboratory test (liquid/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). Using a non-destructive sampling procedure (suction on swabs) we determined the presence of cocaine on 978 circulating euro banknotes, randomly collected at 5 swiss customs offices, with IMS and LC-MS/MS in order to establish a normal (background) contamination level. A significant proportion (46.4%) of the euro banknotes analysed by LC-MS/MS had cocaine concentrations above the quantification limit (1 ng/swab). However, the extent of contamination is a determining factor: 94.6% of the banknotes in circulation have cocaine concentrations equal to or less than 10 ng/swab and only 3.4% have cocaine concentrations above 20 ng/swab. By comparison, only 27.3% and 13.4% respectively of the seized banknotes (2 real cases) had cocaine concentrations equal to or less than 10 ng/swab, but 63.5% and 86.7% respectively had cocaine concentrations above 20 ng/swab. We also describe a Komolgorov-Smirnov test model used to determine the presence of an "abnormal" level of contamination relative to the reference banknotes (banknotes in circulation or background noise) effectively and within realistic practical and theoretical frameworks. This model provides a quantifiable and statistically significant result that not only simplifies data interpretation, but also facilitates admissibility as forensic evidence in proceedings. When applied to the sized banknotes using both IMS and LC-MS/MS data, we obtain fully consistent and sounding conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paolo Bernasconi
- Polizia del Cantone Ticino, Via Chicherio 20, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Heeb
- Swiss Federal Customs Administration, Narcotics and Drugs Division, Monbijoustrasse 40, 3003, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Elia Grata
- Alpine Institute of Chemistry and Toxicology, Giaira 6, 6718, Olivone, Switzerland
| | - Moreno Capella
- Ministero Pubblico, Via Pretorio 16, 6901, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Trachsel
- Swiss Federal Customs Administration, Narcotics and Drugs Division, Monbijoustrasse 40, 3003, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
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22
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Sommer C, Birkenstock J, Garbusow M, Obst E, Schad DJ, Bernhardt N, Huys QM, Wurst FM, Weinmann W, Heinz A, Smolka MN, Zimmermann US. Dysfunctional approach behavior triggered by alcohol-unrelated Pavlovian cues predicts long-term relapse in alcohol dependence. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12703. [PMID: 30561790 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrated that alcohol-dependent patients who relapsed within 1 year after detoxification showed stronger PIT effects compared with abstainers and controls. Relapsers particularly failed to correctly perform in trials where an instrumental stimulus required inhibition while a Pavlovian background cue indicated a monetary gain. Under that condition, relapsers approached the instrumental stimulus, independent of the expected punishment. The failure of inhibiting an aversive stimulus in favor of approaching an appetitive context cue reflects dysfunctional altered learning mechanisms in relapsers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sommer
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyTechnische Universität Dresden Germany
| | - Julian Birkenstock
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyTechnische Universität Dresden Germany
| | - Maria Garbusow
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyCharité‐Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte Germany
| | - Elisabeth Obst
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyTechnische Universität Dresden Germany
| | - Daniel J. Schad
- Department of Cognitive ScienceUniversity of Potsdam Germany
| | - Nadine Bernhardt
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyTechnische Universität Dresden Germany
| | - Quentin M. Huys
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Hospital of PsychiatryUniversity of Zürich Switzerland
- Translational Neuromodeling Unit, Institute for Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Zürich and ETH Zürich Switzerland
| | - Friedrich M. Wurst
- Psychiatry DepartmentPsychiatric University Hospital Basel Switzerland
- Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction ResearchUniversity of Hamburg Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and ChemistryUniversity of Bern Switzerland
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyCharité‐Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte Germany
| | - Michael N. Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyTechnische Universität Dresden Germany
| | - Ulrich S. Zimmermann
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyTechnische Universität Dresden Germany
- Department of Addiction Medicine and Psychotherapykbo Isar‐Amper‐Klinikum Munich Germany
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23
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Kuteesa MO, Cook S, Weiss HA, Kamali A, Weinmann W, Seeley J, Ssentongo JN, Kiwanuka T, Namyalo F, Nsubuga D, Webb EL. Comparing Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) with Timeline Follow Back (TLFB), DSM-5 and Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) for the assessment of alcohol misuse among young people in Ugandan fishing communities. Addict Behav Rep 2019; 10:100233. [PMID: 31828207 PMCID: PMC6888770 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Validated tools are needed to evaluate alcohol-reduction interventions in low income countries. Among young Ugandans ACASI-administered 30-day and 12-month-AUDIT have good diagnostic properties. Self-reported AUDIT provides an efficient means of assessing alcohol misuse.
Background Validated tools for assessing alcohol use among young people in low-income countries are needed to estimate prevalence and evaluate alcohol-reduction interventions. We validated Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) against Timeline Follow Back (TLFB), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and phosphatidylethanol (PEth); and the 30-day-AUDIT against the 12-months-AUDIT among young Ugandans. Methods In 2018, we collected retrospective data on 30-day and 12-month AUDIT, TLFB and DSM-5 in a cross-sectional study of 15–24 year old residents of Ugandan fishing communities. AUDIT was administered by Audio Computer Assisted Self-Interviewing (ACASI) and DSM-5 and TLFB by psychiatric nurses. We determined PEth16:0/18:1 levels from dried blood spots using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (heavy usage, ≥210 ng/mL) and calculated sensitivity and specificity of AUDIT against the other measures. Results Among 1281 participants (52.7% male, mean age 20 years), half (n = 659; 51.4%) reported ever drinking alcohol, 19.4% had 12-month-AUDIT ≥ 8 (21.5% men; 17.0% women), and 24.2% had 30-day-AUDIT ≥ 8 (29.0% men; 18.9% women). Twenty percent of participants had detectable PEth with 55 (4.3%) classified as heavy drinkers; 50.7% reported ≥ 2 symptoms on DSM-5 and 6.3% reported binge drinking in the previous month based on TLFB (8.9% men, 3.5% women). The 30-day-AUDIT ≥ 8 had sensitivity 86.7%, 95%CI: 81.8%–90.7% and specificity 90.9%, 95%CI:89.0%–92.6% versus 12-month-AUDIT ≥ 8. Both 30-day and 12-month-AUDIT ≥ 8 were sensitive and specific markers of heavy drinking by PEth (12-month-AUDIT sensitivity = 80.0%; 95%CI:67.0%–89.6%; specificity = 83.3%; 95%CI:81.1%–85.3%). The 30-day-AUDIT was a sensitive and specific marker of binge drinking based on TLFB (sensitivity = 82.7%; 95%CI:72.7%–90.2%, specificity = 79.8%; 95%CI:77.4%–82.1%); 12-month-AUDIT had lower sensitivity. Both 30-day and 12-month AUDIT ≥ 8 were highly specific but insensitive markers of having DSM-5 ≥ 2 symptoms. Conclusion Among young people in Uganda, ACASI-administered 30-day and 12-month-AUDIT have good diagnostic properties compared to PEth, DSM-5 and TLFB. Self-reported AUDIT provides a quick and valid means of assessing alcohol misuse in these communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica O Kuteesa
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sarah Cook
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helen A Weiss
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Anatoli Kamali
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Department of Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, Institute for Research Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Janet Seeley
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Denis Nsubuga
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Emily L Webb
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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24
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Luginbühl M, Gaugler S, Weinmann W. Fully Automated Determination of Phosphatidylethanol 16:0/18:1 and 16:0/18:2 in Dried Blood Spots. J Anal Toxicol 2019; 43:489-496. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkz035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Direct alcohol markers are widely applied during abstinence monitoring, driving aptitude assessments and workplace drug testing. The most promising direct alcohol marker was found to be phosphatidylethanol (PEth). Compared to other markers it shows a long window of detection due to accumulation in blood. To facilitate and accelerate the determination of PEth in DBS, we developed a fully automated analysis approach.
Methods
The validated and novel online-SPE-LC-MS/MS method with automated sample preparation using a CAMAG DBS-MS 500 system reduces manual sample preparation to an absolute minimum, only requiring calibration and quality control DBS.
Results
During the validation process, the method showed a high extraction efficiency (>88%), linearity (correlation coefficient >0.9953), accuracy and precision (within ±15%) for the determination of PEth 16:0/18:1 and PEth 16:0/18:2. Within a run time of about 7 min, the two monitored analogs could be baseline separated. A method comparison in liquid whole blood of 28 authentic samples from alcohol use disorder patients showed a mean deviation of less than 2% and a correlation coefficient of >0.9759. The comparison with manual DBS extraction showed a mean deviation of less than 8% and a correlation coefficient of >0.9666.
Conclusions
The automated analysis of PEth in DBS can provide a fast and accurate solution for abstinence monitoring. In contrast to the manual extraction of PEth in DBS, no laborious sample preparation is required with this automated approach. Furthermore, the application of the internal standard by a spray module can compensate for extraction bias and matrix effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Luginbühl
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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25
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Vogelsang P, Weinmann W, Pfäffli M. No blue-yellow color vision impairment after acute ethanol ingestion. Alcohol 2019; 76:59-63. [PMID: 30580102 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Several studies showed that chronic ethanol exposure can cause color vision deficiencies. There has been no agreement about the axis of color defects due to alcohol misuse since changes in the red-green and the blue-yellow axis have been described in literature. The acute influence of alcohol on the blue-yellow color vision has not been studied as well. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of acute alcohol ingestion on blue-yellow color vision by using short wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) and anomaloscopy with the Moreland equation. This is the first study evaluating that question by using SWAP and anomaloscopy. Sixteen healthy subjects without a history of alcohol-related and ophthalmological problems were examined by SWAP and anomaloscopy (Moreland equation) before and after alcohol ingestion. Mean sensitivity (MS), mean deviation (MD), loss of variance (LV), reliability factor (RF), and duration of examination were assessed for perimetry and match midpoint (MP), matching range (MR), and duration of examination for anomaloscopy. Blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) were determined by gas chromatography and phosphatidylethanol concentrations (marker of an alcohol misuse) by liquid-chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry in venous blood samples from a cubital vein. Mean blood BAC was 0.86 ± 0.20 g/kg while performing perimetry and 0.84 ± 0.20 g/kg while performing anomaloscopy (BAC: 0.1 g/kg ≈ 0.01 g/dL). MS, MD, RF, MP, MR, and duration of perimetry examination were not altered significantly after alcohol intake. LV showed a significant increase. The duration of anomaloscope testing was shortened significantly under the influence of alcohol. The subjects also revealed a significantly narrower matching range after alcohol intake. In the range of 0.8 g/kg BAC, no blue-yellow vision deficiencies could be demonstrated. In further studies, the effect of higher BAC on blue-yellow vision should be investigated by different methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Vogelsang
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Pfäffli
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Luginbühl M, Bekaert B, Suesse S, Stöth F, Weinmann W. Detox shampoos for EtG and FAEE in hair – Results from in vitro experiments. Toxicologie Analytique et Clinique 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2019.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurodevelopmental and alcohol-induced changes in decision-making have been proposed to critically influence impulsive behaviour in adolescents. OBJECTIVE This study tested the influence of acute alcohol administration on impulsive choice in adolescents. METHODS Fifty-four males aged 18-19 years were tested in a single-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design. During alcohol administration (infusion resulting in an arterial blood alcohol concentration of 80 mg%) and placebo condition (saline infusion), participants performed a task battery providing estimates of delay discounting, probability discounting for gains, for losses and loss aversion, and also rated subjectively experienced alcohol effects. Additionally, baseline alcohol consumption (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, blood phosphatidylethanol levels), motives (Drinking Motive Questionnaire, Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire and Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale), family history and self-report measures of impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Substance Use Risk Profile Scale) were provided. RESULTS No overall effects of treatment on choice behaviour were found. However, individual differences were observed. In the alcohol condition, more impulsive choice tendencies for delay discounting were associated with higher subjectively experienced alcohol effects. Further, higher risk aversion for probabilistic gains and higher loss aversion during alcohol condition were related to higher levels of real-life alcohol consumption and a family history of alcohol problems, respectively. Finally, the time to make a decision was substantially shortened for choices involving negative prospects. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to common beliefs, acute alcohol intoxication did not generally incite impulsive decision-making. It rather appears that alcohol-induced behavioural changes in adolescents vary considerably depending on prior experiences and subjective effects of alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Bernhardt
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Obst
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephan Nebe
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,2 Department of Economics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shakoor Pooseh
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,3 Freiburg Centre for Data Analysis and Modelling, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Friedrich M Wurst
- 4 Psychiatric University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.,5 Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- 6 Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael N Smolka
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ulrich S Zimmermann
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Luginbühl M, Bekaert B, Suesse S, Weinmann W. Detox shampoos for EtG and FAEE in hair – Results from in vitro experiments. Drug Test Anal 2019; 11:870-877. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Luginbühl
- Institute of Forensic MedicineUniversity of Bern Switzerland
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29
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Hädener M, Vieten S, Weinmann W, Mahler H. A preliminary investigation of lung availability of cannabinoids by smoking marijuana or dabbing BHO and decarboxylation rate of THC- and CBD-acids. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 295:207-212. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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30
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Luginbühl M, Weinmann W, Butzke I, Pfeifer P. Monitoring of direct alcohol markers in alcohol use disorder patients during withdrawal treatment and successive rehabilitation. Drug Test Anal 2019; 11:859-869. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Luginbühl
- Institute of Forensic MedicineUniversity of Bern Switzerland
| | | | - Ingo Butzke
- Hospital of Psychiatry Münsingen Münsingen Switzerland
| | - Philippe Pfeifer
- Hospital of Psychiatry Münsingen Münsingen Switzerland
- University Hospital of Psychiatry BernUniversity of Bern Bern Switzerland
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31
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Grafinger KE, Wilke A, König S, Weinmann W. Investigating the ability of the microbial model Cunninghamella elegans for the metabolism of synthetic tryptamines. Drug Test Anal 2018; 11:721-729. [PMID: 30462883 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Tryptamines can occur naturally in plants, mushrooms, microbes, and amphibians. Synthetic tryptamines are sold as new psychoactive substances (NPS) because of their hallucinogenic effects. When it comes to NPS, metabolism studies are of crucial importance, due to the lack of pharmacological and toxicological data. Different approaches can be taken to study in vitro and in vivo metabolism of xenobiotica. The zygomycete fungus Cunninghamella elegans (C. elegans) can be used as a microbial model for the study of drug metabolism. The current study investigated the biotransformation of four naturally occurring and synthetic tryptamines [N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), 4-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine (4-HO-MET), N,N-di allyl-5-methoxy tryptamine (5-MeO-DALT) and 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isoporpoyltryptamine (5-MeO-MiPT)] in C. elegans after incubation for 72 hours. Metabolites were identified using liquid chromatography-high resolution-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HR-MS/MS) with a quadrupole time-of-flight (QqTOF) instrument. Results were compared to already published data on these substances. C. elegans was capable of producing all major biotransformation steps: hydroxylation, N-oxide formation, carboxylation, deamination, and demethylation. On average 63% of phase I metabolites found in the literature could also be detected in C. elegans. Additionally, metabolites specific for C. elegans were identified. Therefore, C. elegans is a suitable complementary model to other in vitro or in vivo methods to study the metabolism of naturally occurring or synthetic tryptamines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Elisabeth Grafinger
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 1, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Wilke
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Offenburg, Badstrasse 24, 77652, Offenburg, Germany
| | - Stefan König
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
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32
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Schröck A, Henzi A, Bütikofer P, König S, Weinmann W. Determination of the formation rate of phosphatidylethanol by phospholipase D (PLD) in blood and test of two selective PLD inhibitors. Alcohol 2018; 73:1-7. [PMID: 30103144 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is an alcohol biomarker formed from phosphatidylcholine (PC) by the enzyme phospholipase D (PLD) in the presence of ethanol. A drinking study revealed individual differences in maximum PEth levels after drinking to a targeted blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.1%. This seemed to be due to different PLD activities in the tested persons. Furthermore, post-sampling formation of PEth occurred in blood samples, still containing alcohol. Therefore, a standardized in vitro test for measuring individual PEth formation rates was developed. Two PLD inhibitors were tested for their potency to inhibit post-sampling PEth formation. PEth-negative blood samples were collected from a volunteer. Ethanol was added in different concentrations (0.01-0.3% BAC) directly after blood sampling. The specimens were incubated at 37 °C. Aliquots were taken at the start of the incubation, and every hour until 8 h after start of incubation, and one sample was taken on subsequent days over 1 week. PEth 16:0/18:1 and PEth 16:0/18:2 were determined by online SPE-LC-MS/MS. Furthermore, this test system was applied to blood samples of 12 volunteers. For the inhibition tests, fresh blood (spiked with 0.1% ethanol) was spiked with 30, 300, 3000, or 30,000 nM of either halopemide or 5-fluoro-2-indolyl-deschlorohalopemide (FIPI), and incubated at 37 °C. PEth concentrations were determined hourly over 5 h on the first day and once on day 2 and day 3. PEth formation was linear in the first 7 h of incubation and dependent on the alcohol concentration. The formation rates of PEth 16:0/18:1 were 0.002 μmol L-1 h-1 (0.01% BAC), 0.016 μmol L-1 h-1 (0.1% BAC), 0.025 μmol L-1 h-1 (0.2% BAC), and 0.029 μmol L-1 h-1 (0.3% BAC). For PEth 16:0/18:2, the formation rates were 0.002 μmol L-1 h-1 (0.01% BAC), 0.019 μmol L-1 h-1 (0.1% BAC), 0.025 μmol L-1 h-1 (0.2% BAC), and 0.030 μmol L-1 h-1 (0.3% BAC). Maximum concentrations reached 431 ng/mL (PEth 16:0/18:1) and 496 ng/mL (PEth 16:0/18:2) at 0.3% BAC after 3 days. Maximum velocity (vmax) was not reached under these conditions. PEth formation in blood of the 12 volunteers ranged between 0.011 and 0.025 μmol L-1 h-1 for PEth 16:0/18:1 and between 0.014 and 0.021 μmol L-1 h-1 for PEth 16:0/18:2. PEth formation in human blood was inhibited by halopemide in a concentration-dependent manner. However, a complete inhibition was not achieved by the applied maximum concentration of 30,000 nM. FIPI showed a better inhibition of PEth formation. A complete inhibition could be achieved by a concentration of 30,000 nM for the first 24 h (for PEth 16:0/18:1) and for 48 h (for PEth 16:0/18:2). Formation of PEth was found to be dependent on the BAC. As a consequence, it is essential to inhibit PLD activity after blood collection to avoid post-sampling formation of PEth in blood samples with a positive BAC. Inhibition of PEth formation was more effective using FIPI, compared to halopemide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Schröck
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, c/o Theodor Kocher Institute, Freiestrasse 1, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Henzi
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Peter Bütikofer
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan König
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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33
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Grafinger KE, Stahl K, Wilke A, König S, Weinmann W. In vitro phase I metabolism of three phenethylamines 25D-NBOMe, 25E-NBOMe and 25N-NBOMe using microsomal and microbial models. Drug Test Anal 2018; 10:1607-1626. [PMID: 29971945 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Numerous 2,5-dimethoxy-N-benzylphenethylamines (NBOMe), carrying a variety of lipophilic substituents at the 4-position, are potent agonists at 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT2A ) receptors and show hallucinogenic effects. The present study investigated the metabolism of 25D-NBOMe, 25E-NBOMe, and 25N-NBOMe using the microsomal model of pooled human liver microsomes (pHLM) and the microbial model of the fungi Cunninghamella elegans (C. elegans). Identification of metabolites was performed using liquid chromatography-high resolution-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HR-MS/MS) with a quadrupole time-of-flight (QqToF) instrument. In total, 36 25D-NBOMe phase I metabolites, 26 25E-NBOMe phase I metabolites and 24 25N-NBOMe phase I metabolites were detected and identified in pHLM. Furthermore, 14 metabolites of 25D-NBOMe, 11 25E-NBOMe metabolites, and nine 25N-NBOMe metabolites could be found in C. elegans. The main biotransformation steps observed were oxidative deamination, oxidative N-dealkylation also in combination with hydroxylation, oxidative O-demethylation possibly combined with hydroxylation, oxidation of secondary alcohols, mono- and dihydroxylation, oxidation of primary alcohols, and carboxylation of primary alcohols. Additionally, oxidative di-O-demethylation for 25E-NBOMe and reduction of the aromatic nitro group and N-acetylation of the primary aromatic amine for 25N-NBOMe took place. The resulting 25N-NBOMe metabolites were unique for NBOMe compounds. For all NBOMes investigated, the corresponding 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-X) metabolite was detected. This study reports for the first time 25X-NBOMe N-oxide metabolites and hydroxylamine metabolites, which were identified for 25D-NBOMe and 25N-NBOMe and all three investigated NBOMes, respectively. C. elegans was capable of generating all main biotransformation steps observed in pHLM and might therefore be an interesting model for further studies of new psychoactive substances (NPS) metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Elisabeth Grafinger
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katja Stahl
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Offenburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Wilke
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Offenburg, Germany
| | - Stefan König
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Switzerland
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34
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Hädener
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Groessl
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension and Department of BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
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35
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Martin Fabritius M, Broillet A, König S, Weinmann W. Analysis of volatiles in fire debris by combination of activated charcoal strips (ACS) and automated thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (ATD/GC-MS). Forensic Sci Int 2018; 289:232-237. [PMID: 29908516 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.05.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Adsorption of volatiles in gaseous phase to activated charcoal strip (ACS) is one possibility for the extraction and concentration of ignitable liquid residues (ILRs) from fire debris in arson investigations. Besides liquid extraction using carbon dioxide or hexane, automated thermo-desorption can be used to transfer adsorbed residues to direct analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We present a fire debris analysis work-flow with headspace adsorption of volatiles onto ACS and subsequent automated thermo-desorption (ATD) GC-MS analysis. Only a small portion of the ACS is inserted in the ATD tube for thermal desorption coupled to GC-MS, allowing for subsequent confirmation analysis with another portion of the same ACS. This approach is a promising alternative to the routinely used ACS method with solvent extraction of retained volatiles, and the application to fire debris analysis is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Martin Fabritius
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Alain Broillet
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan König
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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36
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Luginbühl M, Willem S, Schürch S, Weinmann W. Formation of phosphatidylethanol from endogenous phosphatidylcholines in animal tissues from pig, calf, and goat. Forensic Sci Int 2017; 283:211-218. [PMID: 29324350 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In the presence of alcohol, phosphatidylcholine (PC) is transformed to the direct alcohol biomarker phosphatidylethanol (PEth). This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme phospholipase D (PLD) and dependent on substrate availability. As recent methods have solely focused on the determination of PEth, information about the PC composition was generally missing. To address this issue and monitor PC (16:0/18:1 and 16:0/18:2) and PEth (16:0/18:1 and 16:0/18:2) simultaneously, a reversed phase LC-MS/MS method based on a C8 core-shell column, coupled to a Sciex 5500 QTrap instrument was developed. By application of polarity switching, at first, PC was measured in ESI positive SRM mode, while PEth was determined at a later stage in ESI negative SRM mode. The PEth method was validated for human blood samples to show its robustness and subsequently applied for the investigation of systematic in vitro PEth formation in animal tissue samples (brain, kidney, liver, and blood) from a pig, a calf, and a goat. Homogenized tissue was incubated at 37°C with varying ethanol concentrations from 1 to 7g/kg (determined by HS-GC-FID) for 5h, whereby a sample was taken every 30min. For all tissue samples, an increase in PEth was measurable. PEth concentrations formed in blood remained below the LLOQ, in agreement with literature. Data analysis of Michaelis-Menten kinetics and PC within the tissue provided a detailed insight about PEth formation, as the occurrence of PEth species can be linked to the observed PC composition. The results of this study show that PEth formation rates vary from tissue to tissue and among different species. Furthermore, new recommendations for PEth analysis are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Luginbühl
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sytske Willem
- Laboratory of Toxicology, University of Ghent, FFW - 4th Floor, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Schürch
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Luginbühl M, König S, Schürch S, Weinmann W. Evaluation of N-acetyltaurine as an ethanol marker in human blood. Alcohol 2017; 65:11-18. [PMID: 29084624 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the potential of N-acetyltaurine (NAcT) in blood as a biomarker for alcohol uptake, a previously published LC-MS/MS method for urine was modified to simultaneously detect NAcT and ethyl glucuronide (EtG). The method was applied in a drinking study and by analyzing 147 forensic case samples. In the drinking study, contrary to EtG, NAcT proved to be an endogenous substance, which was present at 22 ± 7 ng/mL (13-31 ng/mL) in the blood after 2 weeks of abstinence. A moderate increase in NAcT to 40 ± 10 ng/mL (27-57 ng/mL) was observed after drinking. Within 24 h, the NAcT concentrations declined to starting concentrations in seven out of eight subjects. Peak EtG concentrations (c¯max) of 445 ± 101 ng/mL (278-662 ng/mL) were reached. While EtG in blood can be used to detect alcohol consumption even if ethanol is already eliminated, some of the maximum NAcT concentrations after a single ethanol dose were in the range of endogenous levels detected prior to the start of drinking in other subjects. In the 147 blood samples, the following concentrations were found: blood alcohol concentration (BAC): 1.22 ± 0.95 g/kg (0-3.46 g/kg); NAcT: 37.8 ± 18.4 ng/mL (12.1-109 ng/mL); EtG: 1149 ± 1121 ng/mL (0-5950 ng/mL). ROC curve analysis for BAC thresholds at 0.8 and 1.6 g/kg were performed for EtG and NAcT. Due to the presence of endogenous NAcT levels resulting in a lower sensitivity and selectivity when compared to EtG, and due to a minor increase in concentration after alcohol uptake, the usefulness of NAcT as an alcohol biomarker in blood is very limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Luginbühl
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan König
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Schürch
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Luginbühl M, Nussbaumer S, Weinmann W. Decrease of ethyl glucuronide concentrations in hair after exposure to chlorinated swimming pool water. Drug Test Anal 2017; 10:689-693. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Luginbühl
- Institute of Forensic Medicine; University of Bern; Switzerland
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Brcak M, Beck O, Bosch T, Carmichael D, Fucci N, George C, Piper M, Salomone A, Schielen W, Steinmeyer S, Taskinen S, Weinmann W. European guidelines for workplace drug testing in oral fluid. Drug Test Anal 2017; 10:402-415. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Olof Beck
- Karolinska Institutet; Department of Laboratory Medicine; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Tessa Bosch
- Department Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology; Hospital Pharmacy, MaastadLab; Rotterdam Netherlands
| | | | - Nadia Fucci
- Institute of Public Health - Section of Legal Medicine; Catholic University; Rome Italy
| | | | | | - Alberto Salomone
- Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia ‘A. Bertinaria’; Torino Italy
| | | | | | - Sanna Taskinen
- VITA Laboratory; VITA Healthcare Services Ltd; Helsinki Finland
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Schröck A, Wurst FM, Thon N, Weinmann W. Assessing phosphatidylethanol (PEth) levels reflecting different drinking habits in comparison to the alcohol use disorders identification test - C (AUDIT-C). Drug Alcohol Depend 2017. [PMID: 28645063 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In addition to monitoring problematic or harmful alcohol consumption, drinking experiments indicated the potential of phosphatidylethanols (PEth) in abstinence monitoring. To date, no profound evaluation of thresholds for the differentiation of abstinence from moderate drinking and for detection of excessive consumption based on PEth homologues exists. Investigations with a large group of healthy volunteers (n=300) were performed to establish PEth reference values reflecting different drinking habits. Blood samples were analyzed for PEth 16:0/18:1 and 16:0/18:2 by online-SPE-LC-MS/MS method. Results were compared to AUDIT-C questionnaires, to the amounts of alcohol consumed during the two-weeks prior to blood sampling, and were statistically evaluated. PEth concentrations were significantly correlated with self-reported alcohol consumption (r>0.69) and with AUDIT-C scores (r>0.65). 4.0% of 300 volunteers reported abstinence (AUDIT-C score: 0), no PEth was detectable in their blood. PEth 16:0/18:1 concentrations below the limit of detection of 10.0ng/mL match with abstinence and light drinking habits (≤10g pure alcohol/day). However, some volunteers classified as "excessive alcohol consumers" had negative PEth results. In the group of volunteers classified as "moderate drinkers" (AUDIT-C score: 1-3 (women) and 1-4 (men)), 95% of the test persons had PEth 16:0/18:1 ranging from not detected to 112ng/mL, and PEth 16:0/18:2 ranging from not detected to 67.0ng/mL. Combination of self-reported alcohol consumption and AUDIT-C score showed that negative PEth results match with abstinence or light drinking. Moderate alcohol consumption resulted in PEth 16:0/18:1 from 0 to 112ng/mL and for PEth 16:0/18:2 ranged from 0 to 67.0ng/mL. Higher PEth concentrations indicated excessive alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Schröck
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Friedrich M Wurst
- Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research Hamburg, Germany; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Natasha Thon
- Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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41
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Grafinger KE, Hädener M, König S, Weinmann W. Study of the in vitro and in vivo metabolism of the tryptamine 5-MeO-MiPT using human liver microsomes and real case samples. Drug Test Anal 2017; 10:562-574. [PMID: 28677880 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The synthetic tryptamine 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-MiPT) has recently been abused as a hallucinogenic drug in Germany and Switzerland. This study presents a case of 5-MeO-MiPT intoxication and the structural elucidation of metabolites in pooled human liver microsomes (pHLM), blood, and urine. Microsomal incubation experiments were performed using pHLM to detect and identify in vitro metabolites. In August 2016, the police encountered a naked man, agitated and with aggressive behavior on the street. Blood and urine samples were taken at the hospital and his premises were searched. The obtained blood and urine samples were analyzed for in vivo metabolites of 5-MeO-MiPT using liquid chromatography-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). The confiscated pills and powder samples were qualitatively analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), LC-HRMS/MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). 5-MeO-MiPT was identified in 2 of the seized powder samples. General unknown screening detected cocaine, cocaethylene, methylphenidate, ritalinic acid, and 5-MeO-MiPT in urine. Seven different in vitro phase I metabolites of 5-MeO-MiPT were identified. In the forensic case samples, 4 phase I metabolites could be identified in blood and 7 in urine. The 5 most abundant metabolites were formed by demethylation and hydroxylation of the parent compound. 5-MeO-MiPT concentrations in the blood and urine sample were found to be 160 ng/mL and 3380 ng/mL, respectively. Based on the results of this study we recommend metabolites 5-methoxy-N-isopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-NiPT), 5-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine (5-OH-MiPT), 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine-N-oxide (5-MeO-MiPT-N-oxide), and hydroxy-5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine (OH-5-MeO-MiPT) as biomarkers for the development of new methods for the detection of 5-MeO-MiPT consumption, as they have been present in both blood and urine samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marianne Hädener
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan König
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University of Bern, Switzerland
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42
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Müller S, Nussbaumer S, Plitzko G, Ludwig R, Weinmann W, Krähenbühl S, Liakoni E. Recreational use of carfentanil – a case report with laboratory confirmation. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2017; 56:151-152. [DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2017.1355464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Müller
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Clinical Pharmacology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Gabriel Plitzko
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roger Ludwig
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Krähenbühl
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Clinical Pharmacology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Evangelia Liakoni
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Clinical Pharmacology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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43
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Taskinen S, Beck O, Bosch T, Brcak M, Carmichael D, Fucci N, George C, Piper M, Salomone A, Schielen W, Steinmeyer S, Weinmann W. European guidelines for workplace drug testing in urine. Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:853-865. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sanna Taskinen
- VITA Laboratory; VITA Healthcare Services Ltd; Helsinki Finland
| | - Olof Beck
- Karolinska Institutet; Department of Laboratory Medicine; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Tessa Bosch
- Department Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Hospital Pharmacy; MaastadLab; Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Nadia Fucci
- F- Institute of Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine; Catholic University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - Claire George
- Alere Toxicology Plc, Abingdon; Oxfordshire United Kingdom
| | - Mark Piper
- Randox Testing Services; Crumlin, Co. Antrim United Kingdom
| | - Alberto Salomone
- Centro Regionale Antidoping; Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia “A. Bertinaria”; Torino Italy
| | | | | | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine; University of Bern; Bühlstr. 20 3012 Bern Switzerland
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44
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Andresen-Streichert H, Beres Y, Weinmann W, Schröck A, Müller A, Skopp G, Pischke S, Vettorazzi E, Lohse A, Nashan B, Sterneck M. Improved detection of alcohol consumption using the novel marker phosphatidylethanol in the transplant setting: results of a prospective study. Transpl Int 2017; 30:611-620. [DOI: 10.1111/tri.12949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 11/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yannick Beres
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgery; University Medical Center Hamburg - Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Schröck
- Institute of Forensic Medicine; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - Alexander Müller
- Department of Legal Medicine; University Medical Center Hamburg - Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
| | - Gisela Skopp
- Department of Legal Medicine; University Medical Center Heidelberg; Heidelberg Germany
| | - Sven Pischke
- Department of Medicine (Med Klinik I); University Medical Center Hamburg - Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
| | - Eik Vettorazzi
- Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology; University Medical Center Hamburg - Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
| | - Ansgar Lohse
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgery; University Medical Center Hamburg - Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
| | - Björn Nashan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgery; University Medical Center Hamburg - Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
| | - Martina Sterneck
- Department of Medicine (Med Klinik I); University Medical Center Hamburg - Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
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45
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Luginbühl M, Weinmann W. Creatinine in urine - a method comparison. Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:1537-1541. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Luginbühl
- Institute of Forensic Medicine; University of Bern; Bühlstrasse 20 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine; University of Bern; Bühlstrasse 20 3012 Bern Switzerland
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46
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Weinmann W, Schröck A, Wurst FM. Commentary on the Paper of Thompson P. et al.: Phosphatidylethanol in Postmortem Brain and Serum Ethanol at Time of Death. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 41:501-503. [DOI: 10.1111/acer.13319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine ; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Schröck
- Institute of Forensic Medicine ; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
- Institute of Forensic Medicine ; Kantonsspital Aarau; Aarau Switzerland
| | - Friedrich Martin Wurst
- Paracelsus Medical University ; Salzburg Austria
- University of Basel; Basel Switzerland
- Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research; University of Hamburg; Hamburg Germany
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47
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Gamma A, Schleifer R, Weinmann W, Buadze A, Liebrenz M. Could Google Trends Be Used to Predict Methamphetamine-Related Crime? An Analysis of Search Volume Data in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166566. [PMID: 27902717 PMCID: PMC5130206 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To compare the time trends of Google search interest in methamphetamine and criminal offences related to this drug. Methods Google Trends data for the search term "meth" was compared to methamphetamine-related crime statistics (incl. use, possession, and dealing) in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria for the years 2004–2016. Google data was availably monthly. Crime data was available yearly, and monthly values were imputed. Results On the country level, internet search trends for "meth" roughly paralleled relevant criminal activity. State-level data, which was available for Austria, showed more heterogeneity. Cross-correlations for yearly data almost always peaked at a lag time of 0 and coefficients were mostly between 0.7 and 1.0 on the country level, and between 0.5 to 1.0 on the state level. Monthly cross-correlations based on imputed values were substantially lower, ranging from 0 to 0.6. Conclusions These results encourage the further evaluation by law enforcement authorities of Google search activity as a possible predictor of methamphetamine-related crime. However, several limitations, in particular the crude temporal resolution of available crime data, precluded a detailed assessment of the relationship between internet search trends and the development of methamphetamine-related crime in central Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Gamma
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Roman Schleifer
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Department of Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Buadze
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Liebrenz
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Abstract
Oxiranes and siloranes are candidate molecules for the development of composite materials with low shrinkage. Since some of these molecules are highly reactive, they could lead to adverse biological effects from underlying genetic mechanisms. Therefore, we analyzed the formation of micronuclei (chromosomal aberrations) and the induction of gene mutations (HPRT assay) in mammalian cells. The numbers of micronuclei induced by the oxirane di(cyclohexene-epoxidemethyl)ether (Eth-Ep) at low concentrations (10 μM) were about five-fold higher than controls. The related compound epoxy cyclohexyl methyl-epoxy cyclo-hexane carboxylate (Est-Ep) was less effective. The activity of diglycidylether of bisphenol A (BADGE) was even lower but similar to the most reactive silorane, di-3,4-epoxy cyclohexylmethyl-dimethyl-silane (DiMe-Sil). No induction of micronuclei was detected in the presence of a rat liver homogenate (S9). Est-Ep and Eth-Ep also induced gene mutations. Our analyses indicated low mutagenic potentials of siloranes; however, some oxiranes induced strong effects at two genetic endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Schweikl
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, University of Regensburg, D-93042 Regensburg, Germany.
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49
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Hädener M, Martin Fabritius M, König S, Giroud C, Weinmann W. Assessing cannabis consumption frequency: Is the combined use of free and glucuronidated THCCOOH blood levels of diagnostic utility? Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:1043-1051. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Hädener
- Institute of Forensic Medicine; University of Bern; Bühlstrasse 20 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Marie Martin Fabritius
- Institute of Forensic Medicine; University of Bern; Bühlstrasse 20 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Stefan König
- Institute of Forensic Medicine; University of Bern; Bühlstrasse 20 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Christian Giroud
- Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry Unit; University Center of Legal Medicine; Chemin de la Vulliette 4 1000 Lausanne 25 Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Weinmann
- Institute of Forensic Medicine; University of Bern; Bühlstrasse 20 3012 Bern Switzerland
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50
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Hädener M, Bruni PS, Weinmann W, Frübis M, König S. Accelerated quantification of amphetamine enantiomers in human urine using chiral liquid chromatography and on-line column-switching coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2016; 409:1291-1300. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-016-0056-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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