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Baginski SR, Rautio T, Nisbet LA, Lindbom K, Wu X, Dahlén J, McKenzie C, Gréen H. The metabolic profile of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist ADB-HEXINACA using human hepatocytes, LC-QTOF-MS and synthesized reference standards. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:826-834. [PMID: 37747838 PMCID: PMC10714907 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkad065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) remain a major public health concern, with their use implicated in intoxications and drug-related deaths worldwide. Increasing our systematic understanding of SCRA metabolism supports clinical and forensic toxicology casework, facilitating the timely identification of analytical targets for toxicological screening procedures and confirmatory analysis. This is particularly important as new SCRAs continue to emerge on the illicit drug market. In this work, the metabolism of ADB-HEXINACA (ADB-HINACA, N-[1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]-1-hexyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide), which has increased in prevalence in the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions, was investigated using in vitro techniques. The (S)-enantiomer of ADB-HEXINACA was incubated with pooled human hepatocytes over 3 hours to identify unique and abundant metabolites using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In total, 16 metabolites were identified, resulting from mono-hydroxylation, di-hydroxylation, ketone formation (mono-hydroxylation then dehydrogenation), carboxylic acid formation, terminal amide hydrolysis, dihydrodiol formation, glucuronidation and combinations thereof. The majority of metabolism took place on the hexyl tail, forming ketone and mono-hydroxylated products. The major metabolite was the 5-oxo-hexyl product (M9), while the most significant mono-hydroxylation product was the 4-hydroxy-hexyl product (M8), both of which were confirmed by comparison to in-house synthesized reference standards. The 5-hydroxy-hexyl (M6) and 6-hydroxy-hexyl (M7) metabolites were not chromatographically resolved, and the 5-hydroxy-hexyl product was the second largest mono-hydroxylated metabolite. The structures of the terminal amide hydrolysis products without (M16, third largest metabolite) and with the 5-positioned ketone (M13) were also confirmed by comparison to synthesized reference standards, along with the 4-oxo-hexyl metabolite (M11). The 5-oxo-hexyl and 4-hydroxy-hexyl metabolites are suggested as biomarkers for ADB-HEXINACA consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R Baginski
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Fleming Laboratory, Small’s Wynd, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Tobias Rautio
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Lorna A Nisbet
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Fleming Laboratory, Small’s Wynd, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Karin Lindbom
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Xiongyu Wu
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Johan Dahlén
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Craig McKenzie
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Fleming Laboratory, Small’s Wynd, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
- Chiron AS, Stiklestadveien 1, Trondheim 7041, Norway
| | - Henrik Gréen
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Artillerigatan 12, Linköping 587 58, Sweden
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2
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Wilson CD, Hiranita T, Fantegrossi WE. Cannabimimetic effects of abused indazole-carboxamide synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists AB-PINACA, 5F-AB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA in mice: Tolerance, dependence and withdrawal. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 236:109468. [PMID: 35643039 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic abuse of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs), known as "K2″ or "Spice", threatens public health and safety. Recently, SCRAs of the indazole-carboxamide structural class have become more prevalent. Preclinical studies investigating the tolerance and dependence potentially involved in chronic SCRA abuse is limited. The present study determined the in vivo effects of chronic exposure to indazole-carboxamide SCRAs, AB-PINACA, 5F-AB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA compared to the first-generation SCRA, JWH-018. METHODS Adult male C57Bl/6 mice were used for dose-effect determinations of hypothermic effects. Adult male NIH Swiss mice were used in biotelemetry studies to assess tolerance to hypothermic effects following repeated SCRA administration over 5 consecutive days, and to determine the role of Phase I drug metabolism via acute CYP450 inhibition in the presence of 1-ABT, a nonspecific CYP450 inhibitor. SCRA dependence was determined in adult male NIH Swiss mice via assessment of rimonabant-precipitated observable sign of withdrawal (i.e., front paw tremors). RESULTS All SCRAs elicited dose-dependent hypothermia mediated through cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1Rs). 1-ABT increased duration of hypothermia for all SCRAs tested, and increased the magnitude of hypothermia for all SCRAs except 5F-ADB-PINACA. Upon repeated administration, tolerance to hypothermic effects of AB-PINACA, 5F-AB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA was much less than that of JWH-018. Similarly, rimonabant-precipitated front paw tremors were much less frequent in mice treated with 5F-AB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA than in mice treated with JWH-018. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a decreased potential for tolerance and withdrawal among indazole-carboxamide SCRAs, and may imply structural class-dependent profiles of in vivo effects among SCRAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catheryn D Wilson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Takato Hiranita
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - William E Fantegrossi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
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Pascali JP, Dagoli S, Antonioni M, Facetti O, Anzillotti L, Calò L, Affini GF, Cantarelli B, Cecchi R. Oral fluid analysis to monitor recent exposure to synthetic cannabinoids in a high-risk subpopulation. J Forensic Sci 2022; 67:1932-1937. [PMID: 35642776 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Among novel psychoactive substances, synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA) seem to have the widest diffusion in the population with no limitation to any particular demographic group. Information on drug consumption relies mostly on anonymized surveys and less on clinical or analytical data; notwithstanding, the huge efforts constantly made to enroll subjects to gather epidemiological data. In the present study, we collected 66 oral fluid samples from volunteers in a drug rehabilitation center in 2019 and early 2020. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method previously developed and validated by our Unit was applied to detect SCRA (n = 10) in oral fluid. Results proved the presence of synthetic cannabinoids at a positivity rate of almost 20%, with detection frequency HU211(5/13) > UR144/JWH122 (3/13) > JWH019/JWH081/AM2201 (1/13). Concentrations were in the range < LOQ -0.36 ng/ml. Synthetic cannabinoids consumption had not been declared by any volunteer. This study enabled for the unprecedent detection of synthetic cannabinoids use in the territory of Parma (Italy) in a high-risk subpopulation. The identified SCRA proved the persistence into the market of the "first-generation" JWH family into the Italian territory and the marketing of relatively new ones (AM-2201). Public health consequences represented by NPS consumption are still scarce; therefore, further studies are needed to understand the real diffusion in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer P Pascali
- Legal medicine and toxicology, Department of Cardiologic, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Dagoli
- Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Olivia Facetti
- Service for Pathological Dependencies (SerDp), Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Anzillotti
- Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Calò
- Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Rossana Cecchi
- Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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4
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Martínez L, La Maida N, Papaseit E, Pérez-Mañá C, Poyatos L, Pellegrini M, Pichini S, Ventura M, Galindo L, Busardò FP, Farré M. Acute Pharmacological Effects and Oral Fluid Concentrations of the Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-122 and JWH-210 in Humans After Self-Administration: An Observational Study. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:705643. [PMID: 34489699 PMCID: PMC8417402 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.705643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a group of new psychoactive drugs used recreationally with potential health risks. They are monitored by the EU Early Warning System since 2010 due to severe adverse effects on consumers. JWH-122 and JWH-210 are naphthoylindole SCs and potent cannabinoid receptor CB1 and CB2 agonists. Information about the effects of SCs usually is available from intoxication cases and surveys, and few studies on humans after controlled administration or observational/naturalistic studies using standardized measures of cardiovascular and subjective effects are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute pharmacological effects of JWH-122 and JWH-210 recreational consumption in a 4 h observational study and assess their disposition in oral fluid (OF). Sixteen volunteers self-administered 1 mg dose of JWH-122 (n = 8) or 2.25 mg mean dose of JWH-210 (range 2–3 mg, n = 8) by inhalation (smoking). Physiological parameters including blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), heart rate (HR), and cutaneous temperature were measured. A set of visual analog scales, the 49-item short-form version of the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI), and the Evaluation of the Subjective Effects of Substances with Abuse Potential (VESSPA-SSE) were used for the evaluation of subjective effects. OF was collected at baseline and at 10, 20, and 40 min and 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after self-administration. Statistically significant increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and HR were observed after JWH-122 self-administration but not after JWH-210 self-administration. JWH-210 self-administration produced significant changes in subjective drug effects, similar to those induced by THC (intensity, high, good effects, and hunger). The subjective effects following JWH-122 consumption were minimal. The maximal effects were mostly observed 20 min after intake. JWH-122 and JWH 210 OF concentration reached a peak 20 min after administration and could not be detected after 3 h. The results demonstrated a different pattern of effects of these two SCs. Due to the limitations of our observational study, further research with a larger sample and controlled studies are needed to better define the acute pharmacological effect and health risk profile of JWH-122 and JWH-210.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Martínez
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Barcelona, Spain.,Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nunzia La Maida
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Science and Public Health, University "Politecnica delle Marche", Ancona, Italy
| | - Esther Papaseit
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Clara Pérez-Mañá
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Lourdes Poyatos
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Manuela Pellegrini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Mireia Ventura
- Energy Control, Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Liliana Galindo
- Energy Control, Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge/Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Science and Public Health, University "Politecnica delle Marche", Ancona, Italy
| | - Magí Farré
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
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5
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Sorribes-Soriano A, Verdeguer J, Pastor A, Armenta S, Esteve-Turrillas FA. Determination of Third-Generation Synthetic Cannabinoids in Oral Fluids. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 45:331-336. [PMID: 32685974 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A procedure has been developed for the determination of third-generation synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluid samples by using a semi-automated microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) procedure and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) determination. Five synthetic cannabinoids were employed as model compounds 5F-ADB, MMB-CHMICA, THJ-2201, CUMYL-4CN-BINACA and MDMB-CHMCZCA. The most adequate operative conditions for MEPS were evaluated giving quantitative recoveries, from 89 to 124%, in synthetic and field saliva samples spiked with 125 and 250 μg/L of the studied cannabinoids, with the exception of MDMB-CHMCZCA in field saliva samples that provided slightly lower recoveries from 62 to 66%. A high sensitivity was obtained for the proposed MEPS-GC-MS procedure with limits of detection from 10 to 20 μg/L. The obtained results demonstrate the high potential of MEPS-GC-MS combination for semi-automated, selective and sensitive determination of synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluid samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Sorribes-Soriano
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Jeronim Muñoz Building, 50th Dr. Moliner St., 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Josep Verdeguer
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Jeronim Muñoz Building, 50th Dr. Moliner St., 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Agustín Pastor
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Jeronim Muñoz Building, 50th Dr. Moliner St., 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Sergio Armenta
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Jeronim Muñoz Building, 50th Dr. Moliner St., 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Francesc A Esteve-Turrillas
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Jeronim Muñoz Building, 50th Dr. Moliner St., 46100 Burjassot, Spain
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6
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Determination of the Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-122, JWH-210, UR-144 in Oral Fluid of Consumers by GC-MS and Quantification of Parent Compounds and Metabolites by UHPLC-MS/MS. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249414. [PMID: 33321929 PMCID: PMC7764284 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The consumption of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) has significantly increased in the last decade and the analysis of SCs and their metabolites in human specimens is gaining interest in clinical and forensic toxicology. A pilot study has been carried out using a combination of an initial last generation gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) screening method for the determination of JWH-122, JWH-210, UR-144) in oral fluid (OF) of consumers and an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) confirmatory method for the quantification of the parent compounds and their metabolites in the same biological matrix. OF samples were simply liquid-liquid extracted before injecting in both chromatographic systems. The developed methods have been successfully validated and were linear from limit of quantification (LOQ) to 50 ng/mL OF. Recovery of analytes was always higher than 70% and matrix effect always lower than 15% whereas intra-assay and inter-assay precision and accuracy were always better than 16%. After smoking 1 mg JWH-122 or UR-144 and 3 mg JWH-210, maximum concentration of 4.00-3.14 ng/mL JWH-122, 8.10-7.30 ng/mL JWH-210 ng/mL and 7.40 and 6.81 ng/mL UR-144 were measured by GC-MS and UHPLC-HRMS respectively at 20 min after inhalation. Metabolites of JWH 122 and 210 were quantified in OF by UHPLC-HRMS, while that of UR144 was only detectable in traces. Our results provide for the first time information about disposition of these SCs and their metabolites in consumers OF. Last generation GC-MS has proven useful tool to identify and quantify parent SCs whereas UHPLC-HRMS also confirmed the presence of SCs metabolites in the OF of SCs consumers.
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Recent bionalytical methods for the determination of new psychoactive substances in biological specimens. Bioanalysis 2020; 12:1557-1595. [PMID: 33078960 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2020-0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the problems associated with the consumption of new psychoactive substances is that in most scenarios of acute toxicity the possibility of quick clinical action may be impaired because many screening methods are not responsive to them, and laboratories are not able to keep pace with the appearance of new substances. For these reasons, developing and validating new analytical methods is mandatory in order to efficiently face those problems, allowing laboratories to be one step ahead. The goal of this work is to perform a critical review regarding bionalytical methods that can be used for the determination of new psychoactive substances (phenylethylamines, cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, opioids, benzodiazepines, etc), particularly concerning sample preparation techniques and associated analytical methods.
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8
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Cannaert A, Ramírez Fernández MDM, Theunissen EL, Ramaekers JG, Wille SMR, Stove CP. Semiquantitative Activity-Based Detection of JWH-018, a Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist, in Oral Fluid after Vaping. Anal Chem 2020; 92:6065-6071. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Cannaert
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maria del Mar Ramírez Fernández
- Laboratory of Toxicology, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology, Vilvoordsesteenweg 98, 1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eef L. Theunissen
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes G. Ramaekers
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah M. R. Wille
- Laboratory of Toxicology, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology, Vilvoordsesteenweg 98, 1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Rapid and sensitive detection of synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018, JWH-073 and their metabolites using molecularly imprinted polymer-coated QCM nanosensor in artificial saliva. Microchem J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2019.104454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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10
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Worob A, Wenthur C. DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Synthetic Cannabinoids (Spice/K2). ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 11:3881-3892. [PMID: 31799831 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This Review covers the background, pharmacology, adverse effects, synthesis, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and history of synthetic cannabinoid compounds. Synthetic cannabinoids are a class of novel psychoactive substances that act as agonists at cannabinoid receptors. This class of compounds is structurally diverse and rapidly changing, with multiple generations of molecules having been developed in the past decade. The structural diversity of synthetic cannabinoids is supported by the breadth of chemical space available for exploitation by clandestine chemists and incentivized by attempts to remain ahead of legal pressures. As a class, synthetic cannabinoid products have a more serious adverse effect profile than that of traditional phytocannabinoids, including notable risks of lethality, as well as a history of dangerous adulteration. Most synthetic cannabinoids are rapidly metabolized to active species with prolonged residence times and peripheral tissue distribution, and analytical confirmation of use of these compounds remains challenging. Overall, the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids serves as a noteworthy example of the pressing public health challenges associated with the increasing development of easily synthesized, structurally flexible, highly potent, psychoactive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Worob
- Divisions of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Cody Wenthur
- Divisions of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
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11
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Toennes SW, Schneider D, Pogoda W, Paulke A, Wunder C, Theunissen EL, Kuypers KP, Sousa Fernandes Perna E, Ramaekers JG. Pharmacokinetic properties of 4‐fluoroamphetamine in serum and oral fluid after oral ingestion. Drug Test Anal 2019; 11:1028-1034. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan W. Toennes
- Institute of Legal MedicineGoethe‐University Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Germany
| | - David Schneider
- Institute of Legal MedicineGoethe‐University Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Germany
| | - Werner Pogoda
- Institute of Legal MedicineGoethe‐University Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Germany
| | - Alexander Paulke
- Institute of Legal MedicineGoethe‐University Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Germany
| | - Cora Wunder
- Institute of Legal MedicineGoethe‐University Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Germany
| | - Eef L. Theunissen
- Department Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and NeuroscienceMaastricht University Maastricht The Netherlands
| | - Kim P.C. Kuypers
- Department Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and NeuroscienceMaastricht University Maastricht The Netherlands
| | - Eliza Sousa Fernandes Perna
- Department Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and NeuroscienceMaastricht University Maastricht The Netherlands
| | - Johannes G. Ramaekers
- Department Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and NeuroscienceMaastricht University Maastricht The Netherlands
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12
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Deriu C, Conticello I, Mebel AM, McCord B. Micro Solid Phase Extraction Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (μ-SPE/SERS) Screening Test for the Detection of the Synthetic Cannabinoid JWH-018 in Oral Fluid. Anal Chem 2019; 91:4780-4789. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Deriu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW Eighth Street, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Irene Conticello
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW Eighth Street, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, School of Science, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna (BO), Italy
| | - Alexander M. Mebel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW Eighth Street, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Bruce McCord
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW Eighth Street, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
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Synthetic cannabinoids are substrates and inhibitors of multiple drug-metabolizing enzymes. Arch Pharm Res 2018; 41:691-710. [PMID: 30039377 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-018-1055-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids, a new class of psychoactive substances, are potent agonists of cannabinoid receptors, which mimic the psychoactive effects of the principal psychoactive component of cannabis, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Despite governmental scheduling as illicit drugs, new synthetic cannabinoids are being produced. The abuse of synthetic cannabinoids with several drugs containing different chemical groups has resulted in large numbers of poisonings. This has increased the urgency for forensic and public health laboratories to identify the metabolites of synthetic cannabinoids and apply this knowledge to the development of analytical methods and for toxicity prediction. It is necessary to determine whether synthetic cannabinoids are involved in drug-metabolizing enzyme-mediated drug-drug interactions. This review describes the metabolic pathways of 13 prevalent synthetic cannabinoids and various drug-metabolizing enzymes responsible for their metabolism, including cytochrome P450 (CYP), UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), and carboxylesterases. The inhibitory effects of synthetic cannabinoids on CYP and UGT activities are also reviewed to predict the potential of synthetic cannabinoids for drug-drug interactions. The drug-metabolizing enzymes responsible for metabolism of synthetic cannabinoids should be characterized and the effects of synthetic cannabinoids on CYP and UGT activities should be determined to predict the pharmacokinetics of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoid-induced drug-drug interactions in the clinic.
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