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Feigel B, Adamowicz P, Wybraniec S. Recent advances in analysis of new psychoactive substances by means of liquid chromatography coupled with low-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:107-124. [PMID: 38001373 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-05057-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
The number of methods for the analysis of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is continually increasing, and there is no indication that this trend will change in the near future. The constantly growing market of "designer drugs" makes it necessary to develop new methods of their analysis. The aim of this review is to present the multi-component methods of detection and identification of NPS using low-resolution tandem mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography. For this purpose, 36 articles were selected by applying strictly defined search criteria. Due to the large differences in the matrices and physicochemical properties of the analytes, the described research methods are diverse. These differences are visible in sample preparation methods, chromatographic columns, mobile phases, gradients, or additives to mobile phases used. This work collects and organizes the existing information on the subject of NPS screening analysis methods and will be helpful to forensic scientists working on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Feigel
- Jan Sehn Institute of Forensic Research, Cracow, Poland.
- Cracow University of Technology, Cracow, Poland.
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Trobbiani S, Stockham P, Kostakis C. A method for the sensitive targeted screening of synthetic cannabinoids and opioids in whole blood by LC-QTOF-MS with simultaneous suspect screening using HighResNPS.com. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:807-817. [PMID: 37632762 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkad063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A sensitive method for the qualitative screening of synthetic cannabinoids and opioids in whole blood was developed and validated using alkaline liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). Estimated limits of detection for validated compounds ranged from 0.03 to 0.29 µg/L (median, 0.04 µg/L) for the 27 opioids and from 0.04 to 0.5 µg/L (median, 0.07 µg/L) for the 23 synthetic cannabinoids. Data processing occurred in two stages; first, a targeted screen was performed using an in-house database containing retention times, accurate masses and MS-MS spectra for 79 cannabinoids and 53 opioids. Suspect screening was then performed using a database downloaded from the crowd sourced NPS data website HighResNPS.com which contains mass, consensus MS-MS data and laboratory-specific predicted retention times for a far greater number of compounds. The method was applied to 61 forensic cases where synthetic cannabinoid or opioid screening was requested by the client or their use was suspected due to case information. CUMYL-PEGACLONE was detected in two cases and etodesnitazine, 5 F-MDMB-PICA, 4-cyano-CUMYL-BUTINACA and carfentanil were detected in one case each. These compounds were within the targeted scope of the method but were also detected through the suspect screening workflow. The method forms a solid base for expansion as more compounds emerge onto the illicit drug market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Trobbiani
- Forensic Science SA, GPO Box 2790, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Peter Stockham
- Forensic Science SA, GPO Box 2790, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
- Flinders University of South Australia, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Chris Kostakis
- Forensic Science SA, GPO Box 2790, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
- Flinders University of South Australia, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
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Rapid Simultaneous Determination of 11 Synthetic Cannabinoids in Urine by Liquid Chromatography-Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry. SEPARATIONS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/separations10030203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids are a series of synthetic substances that mimic the effects of natural cannabinoids and produce a much stronger toxicity than natural cannabinoids, and they have become the most abused family of new psychoactive substances. A solid-phase extraction–liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometry method has been developed to determine 11 synthetic cannabinoids in rat urine. Oasis HLB cartridge was selected to simultaneously extract synthetic cannabinoids for pretreatment. The effects of the loading solution and elution reagent volume on the recovery were investigated. The optimized acetonitrile proportion and elution reagent volume were determined by both high recovery and low solvent consumption. The results showed that the linear coefficients of determination of 11 types of synthetic cannabinoids ranged from 0.993 to 0.999, the limit of quantitation ranged from 0.01 to 0.1 ng/mL, and the spiked recoveries ranged from 69.90% to 118.39%. The research presented here provides a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method to accurately identify and quantitate synthetic cannabinoid metabolites in urine samples.
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Suárez-Oubiña C, Álvarez-Freire I, Cabarcos P, Bermejo AM, Bermejo-Barrera P, Moreda-Piñeiro A. Isolation and quantification of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists in human urine using membrane-assisted solvent extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2023; 15:333-342. [PMID: 36594640 DOI: 10.1039/d2ay01491b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The global market for new psychoactive substances (NPSs) continues to expand, and the range of drugs available on the market has probably never been wider. Synthetic cannabinoids (SCRAs) constitute the largest family of NPSs, and they go unnoticed during illicit drug market control and during routine toxicological-forensic analysis. Membrane-assisted solvent extraction (MASE) has been a novelty proposed for the simultaneous extraction of SCRAs, and urine has been selected as a model forensic-clinical sample. Isolated SCRAs were further determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). An optimised sample pre-treatment procedure consists of using 400 μL of n-hexane as an extraction phase placed inside a polypropylene (PP) membrane, adjusting the donor phase (urine) at a pH value of 5.9. Extraction was assisted by mechanical (orbital-horizontal) stirring in a temperature-controlled chamber at room temperature for 20 min. n-Hexane extracts were evaporated to dryness and re-suspended in 100 μL of mobile phase, which leads to a pre-concentration factor of 50. Method validation showed analytical recoveries higher than 80% for most SCRAs and repeatability (inter-day and intra-day assays) with RSD values lower than 20%. The proposed method was found to be selective and sensitive and limits of quantification (LOQs) between 0.10 and 1.0 μg L-1 were achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Suárez-Oubiña
- Trace Element, Spectroscopy and Speciation Group (GETEE), Institute of Materials iMATUS, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Avenida das Ciencias, s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Iván Álvarez-Freire
- Forensic Sciences Institute "Luís Concheiro" (INCIFOR), Department of Pathologic Anatomy and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa de San Francisco, s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Pamela Cabarcos
- Forensic Sciences Institute "Luís Concheiro" (INCIFOR), Department of Pathologic Anatomy and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa de San Francisco, s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ana María Bermejo
- Forensic Sciences Institute "Luís Concheiro" (INCIFOR), Department of Pathologic Anatomy and Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa de San Francisco, s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Pilar Bermejo-Barrera
- Trace Element, Spectroscopy and Speciation Group (GETEE), Institute of Materials iMATUS, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Avenida das Ciencias, s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Antonio Moreda-Piñeiro
- Trace Element, Spectroscopy and Speciation Group (GETEE), Institute of Materials iMATUS, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Avenida das Ciencias, s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Wagmann L, Jacobs CM, Meyer MR. New Psychoactive Substances: Which Biological Matrix Is the Best for Clinical Toxicology Screening? Ther Drug Monit 2022; 44:599-605. [PMID: 35175247 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000000974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Every year, more new psychoactive substances (NPSs) emerge in the market of the drugs of abuse. NPSs belong to various chemical classes, such as synthetic cannabinoids, phenethylamines, opioids, and benzodiazepines. The detection of NPSs intake using different types of biological matrices is challenging for clinical toxicologists because of their structural diversity and the lack of information on their toxicokinetics, including their metabolic fate. METHODS PubMed-listed articles reporting mass spectrometry-based bioanalytical approaches for NPSs detection published during the past 5 years were identified and discussed. Furthermore, the pros and cons of using common biological matrices in clinical toxicology (CT) settings to screen for NPSs are highlighted in this review article. RESULTS Twenty-six articles presenting multianalyte screening methods for use in the field of CT were considered. The advantages and disadvantages of different biological matrices are discussed with a particular view of the different analytical tasks in CT, especially emergency toxicology. Finally, an outlook introduces the emerging trends in biosamples used in CT, such as the exhaled breath. CONCLUSIONS Blood and urine represent the most common biological matrices used in a CT setting; however, reports concerning NPSs detection in alternative matrices are also available. Noteworthy, the selection of the biological matrix must depend on the clinician's enquiry because the individual advantages and disadvantages must be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Wagmann
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
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Belenguer-Sapiña C, Sáez-Hernández R, Pellicer-Castell E, Armenta S, Mauri-Aucejo A. Simultaneous determination of third-generation synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluids using cyclodextrin-silica porous sorbents. Microchem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2021.106915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Overview of the major classes of new psychoactive substances, psychoactive effects, analytical determination and conformational analysis of selected illegal drugs. OPEN CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/chem-2021-0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The misuse of psychoactive substances is attracting a great deal of attention from the general public. An increase use of psychoactive substances is observed among young people who do not have enough awareness of the harmful effects of these substances. Easy access to illicit drugs at low cost and lack of effective means of routine screening for new psychoactive substances (NPS) have contributed to the rapid increase in their use. New research and evidence suggest that drug use can cause a variety of adverse psychological and physiological effects on human health (anxiety, panic, paranoia, psychosis, and seizures). We describe different classes of these NPS drugs with emphasis on the methods used to identify them and the identification of their metabolites in biological specimens. This is the first review that thoroughly gives the literature on both natural and synthetic illegal drugs with old known data and very hot new topics and investigations, which enables the researcher to use it as a starting point in the literature exploration and planning of the own research. For the first time, the conformational analysis was done for selected illegal drugs, giving rise to the search of the biologically active conformations both theoretically and using lab experiments.
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Esteve-Turrillas FA, Armenta S, de la Guardia M. Sample preparation strategies for the determination of psychoactive substances in biological fluids. J Chromatogr A 2020; 1633:461615. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Alexandridou A, Mouskeftara T, Raikos N, Gika HG. GC-MS analysis of underivatised new psychoactive substances in whole blood and urine. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2020; 1156:122308. [PMID: 33038866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122308] [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] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Herein a method was develop and validated for the detection and quantification of five new psychoactive substances (NPS) belonging to three categories: synthetic cathinones (mephedrone, 3,4-MDPV), opioids (AH-7921) and cannabinoids (JWH-018, AM-2201) by EI GC-MS. Target analytes were quantified in whole blood; in urine the same compounds plus methylone were detected. Liquid-liquid extraction by MTBE - butyl acetate (1:1, v/v) in blood and butyl acetate in urine was applied for the recovery of analytes, while no derivatization was necessary for their sensitive detection and quantification. The method showed good linearity for all analytes within a concentration range from 0.25 to 2 μg/mL for mephedrone, from 0.02 to 0.16 μg/mL for 3,4-MDPV and AH-7921 and from 0.005 to 0.04 μg/mL for JWH-018 and AM-2201. LOD ranged from 0.002 μg/mL (JWH-018 and AM-2201 in blood and urine), to 0.08 μg/mL (mephedrone in urine). LOQ in blood ranged from 0.005 μg/mL for JWH-018 and AM-2201 to 0.25 μg/mL for mephedrone. Accuracy was within acceptable limits with % bias ranging from +20% to -17.98% for intra-assay study and from +18.87% to -11.16% for inter-assay study. Precision was found to be between 2.60% and 17.17% (CV%) for intra-assay study and from 6.03% to 13.72% (CV%) for inter-assay study. An intra laboratory comparison provided proof of the method robustness. The developed method can be used for the reliable and fast quantification of five NPS in blood and the detection of six NPS in urine within the practice of a clinical or forensic toxicology laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Alexandridou
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Thomai Mouskeftara
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; BIOMIC_AUTH, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center B1.4, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Rd, P.O. Box 8318, GR 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Raikos
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; BIOMIC_AUTH, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center B1.4, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Rd, P.O. Box 8318, GR 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Helen G Gika
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; BIOMIC_AUTH, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center B1.4, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Rd, P.O. Box 8318, GR 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Tomášková A, Šlamberová R, Černá M. Influence of Prenatal Methamphetamine Abuse on the Brain. EPIGENOMES 2020; 4:14. [PMID: 34968287 PMCID: PMC8594709 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes4030014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA), a psychostimulant, has become a serious problem in recent years. It is one of the most widely abused psychostimulants in the world. In the Czech Republic, ecstasy is the most commonly used non-cannabis drug, followed by hallucinogenic fungi, LSD, MA, cocaine, and finally heroin. The prevalence of the usage of all addictive substances is highest in the age category of 15-34. Approximately 17.2% of registered drug addicts, both male and female, in the Czech Republic use MA as their first-choice drug. This group consists mostly of women who are unemployed and addicted to MA (85%). Almost half of the addicted women switched to MA from other drugs in the course of pregnancy. Psychostimulants such as amphetamine and its synthetic derivate MA induce feelings of calm and happiness by suppressing anxiety and depression. When MA is abused for longer periods, it mimics symptoms of mania and can lead to the development of psychosis. MA is often abused for its anorectic effect, its simple preparation, and compared to heroin and cocaine, its low price. There are significant differences in the susceptibility of users to the stimulant, with reactions to MA fluctuating from person to person. Molecular mechanisms related to the variable response among users might represent an explanation for increased addiction-associated bipolar disorder and psychosis. Currently, there is limited information regarding genetic mechanisms linked to these disorders and the transmission of drug addiction. As such, animal models of drug addiction represent significant sources of information and assets in the research of these issues. The aim of this review is to summarize the mechanism of action of methamphetamine and its effect on pregnant addicted women and their children, including a detailed description of the anatomical structures involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anežka Tomášková
- Department of Medical Genetics, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Romana Šlamberová
- Department of Physiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Marie Černá
- Department of Medical Genetics, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic;
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Presley BC, Logan BK, Jansen-Varnum SA. In Vitro Metabolic Profile Elucidation of Synthetic Cannabinoid APP-CHMINACA (PX-3). J Anal Toxicol 2020; 44:226-236. [PMID: 31665324 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkz086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Indazole carboxamide synthetic cannabinoids remain the most prevalent subclass of new psychoactive substances (NPS) reported internationally. However, the metabolic and pharmacological properties of many of these compounds remain unknown. Elucidating these characteristics allows members of the clinical and forensic communities to identify causative agents in patient samples, as well as render conclusions regarding their toxic effects. This work presents a detailed report on the in vitro phase I metabolism of indazole carboxamide synthetic cannabinoid APP-CHMINACA (PX-3). Incubation of APP-CHMINACA with human liver microsomes, followed by analysis of extracts via high-resolution mass spectrometry, yielded 12 metabolites, encompassing 7 different metabolite classes. Characterization of the metabolites was achieved by evaluating the product ion spectra, accurate mass and chemical formula generated for each metabolite. The predominant biotransformations observed were hydrolysis of the distal amide group and hydroxylation of the cyclohexylmethyl (CHM) substituent. Nine metabolites were amide hydrolysis products, of which five were monohydroxylated, one dihydroxylated and two were ketone products. The metabolites in greatest abundance in the study were products of amide hydrolysis with no further biotransformation (M1), followed by amide hydrolysis with monohydroxylation (M2.1). Three APP-CHMINACA-specific metabolites were generated, all of which were hydroxylated on the CHM group; one mono-, di- and tri-hydroxylated metabolite each was produced, with dihydroxylation (M6) present in the greatest abundance. The authors propose that metabolites M1, M2.1 and M6 are the most appropriate markers to determine consumption of APP-CHMINACA. The methods used in the current study have broad applicability and have been used to determine the in vitro metabolic profiles of multiple synthetic cannabinoids and other classes of NPS. This research can be used to guide analytical scientists in method development, synthesis of reference material, pharmacological testing of proposed metabolites and prediction of metabolic processes of compounds yet to be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon C Presley
- Department of Chemistry, Temple University, 1901 N. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Barry K Logan
- The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, Fredric Rieders Family Foundation, 2300 Stratford Ave., Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA
| | - Susan A Jansen-Varnum
- Department of Chemistry, Temple University, 1901 N. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
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