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Chauhan V, Sharma M, Tiwari A, Tiwari V, Kumar M, Sharma A, Marisetti AL, Kumar A, Alhalmi A, Noman OM, Alahdab A. Developing, validating, and comparing an analytical method to simultaneously detect z-drugs in urine samples using the QuEChERS approach with both liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Saudi Pharm J 2024; 32:101950. [PMID: 38288131 PMCID: PMC10823136 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Detecting z-drugs, a sedative-hypnotic medication, is also misused for criminal activities. Therefore, the analysis of urine samples is crucial for clinical and forensic purposes. We conducted a study where we developed, validated, and compared an analytical method for simultaneously detecting z-drugs in urine samples. Our approach uses the QuEChERS method for sample preparation, combined with liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography (GC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). We optimized the QuEChERS method to effectively extract z-drugs from urine samples while minimizing matrix effects and achieving high recovery rates. After extraction, we split the samples into two parts for analysis using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS. We validated our methods, and the results showed good linearity over a broad concentration range (1-200 ng/mL) for each z-drug. The limits of detection and quantification were within clinically relevant ranges, ensuring sensitivity for detecting z-drugs in urine samples. We compared the two chromatographic techniques by analyzing a set of urine samples spiked with known concentrations of z-drugs using both LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS methods and then applied to the real samples. The results were statistically analyzed to assess any significant differences in accuracy and precision above 95 %, and both methods offered reliable and consistent results with the samples as well. In conclusion, our analytical method coupled with both LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS using the QuEChERS approach provides a comprehensive and robust solution for the simultaneous detection of z-drugs in urine samples. The choice between the two chromatographic techniques can be based on the specific z-drugs of interest and the required analytical performance. This method holds promise for applications in clinical toxicology, forensic analysis, and monitoring z-drug usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Chauhan
- National Forensic Science University, Delhi Campus, Ministry of Home Affairs, Sec-3, Rohini, Delhi 110085, India
| | - Manu Sharma
- National Forensic Science University, Delhi Campus, Ministry of Home Affairs, Sec-3, Rohini, Delhi 110085, India
| | - Abhishek Tiwari
- Pharmacy Academy, IFTM University, Lodhipur-Rajput, Moradabad, (U.P.) 244102, India
| | - Varsha Tiwari
- Pharmacy Academy, IFTM University, Lodhipur-Rajput, Moradabad, (U.P.) 244102, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Ajay Sharma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Arya Lakshmi Marisetti
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Ashok Kumar
- School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun 248002, India
| | - Abdulsalam Alhalmi
- School Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Omar M. Noman
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, PO Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Alahdab
- Institute of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Str. 17, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
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Design and Validation of a Sensitive Multisteroid LC-MS/MS Assay for the Routine Clinical Use: One-Step Sample Preparation with Phospholipid Removal and Comparison to Immunoassays. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314691. [PMID: 36499017 PMCID: PMC9736865 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid analysis in clinical laboratories is dominated by immunoassays (IAs) that have a high sample turnover but are inherently limited in trueness, precision, and sensitivity. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has proved to be a far more capable tool, delivering better sensitivity, specificity, and the possibility of parallel analysis of multiple steroids and metabolites, providing the endocrinologist with more reliable and comprehensive diagnostic information. An LC-MS/MS assay with gradient elution over less than eight minutes and a one-step sample preparation combining protein precipitation with phospholipid removal of off-line solid-phase extraction was developed and validated. It allowed the quantification of 11-deoxycorticosterone (11-DOC), 11-deoxycortisol (11-DF), 17-OH-progesterone (17P), 21-deoxycortisol (21-DF), androstenedione (ANDRO), aldosterone (ALDO), corticosterone (CC), cortisol (CL), cortisone (CN), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol (E2), progesterone (PROG), and testosterone (TES) in human serum. Interday imprecision was generally better than 15%, trueness was proven by recovery experiments with ISO 17034-certified reference materials, proficiency testing (UK NEQAS), and measuring serum reference standards. In-house comparison against IVD-CE-certified immunoassays (IA) for 17P, ANDRO, CL, DHEAS, E2, PROG, and TES was conducted by assessing leftover routine patient samples and purpose-built patient serum pools. None of the compared routine IAs were meeting the standards of the LC-MS/MS. Insufficient overall comparability was found for ANDRO and 17P (mean bias > +65%). Accuracy limitations at lower concentrations were present in IAs for PROG, E2, and TES.
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Almofti N, Ballesteros-Gómez A, Rubio S, Girela-López E. Analysis of conventional and nonconventional forensic specimens in drug-facilitated sexual assault by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Talanta 2022; 250:123713. [PMID: 35779361 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123713] [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: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) has dramatically increased in the last decades. Forensic analytical scientists continuously seek new methods and specimens to prove the incidence of intoxication for the judiciary system. Factors influencing sample selection include the ease of obtaining the samples and the window of detection of the drugs, among others. Both conventional (blood, urine) and non-conventional specimens (hair, nails, fluids) have been proposed as suitable in DFSA cases. Reported sample treatments include a variety of liquid-liquid and solid-phase extraction as well as dilute-and-shoot procedures and microextraction techniques. Regarding analysis, liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has emerged as the preferred confirmatory technique, due to its sensitivity, selectivity, and wide-scope applicability. In this review, we critically discuss the most common specimens and sample treatments/analysis procedures (related to LC-MS/MS) that have been reported during the last ten years. As a final goal, we intend to provide a critical overview and suggest analytical recommendations for the establishment of suitable analytical strategies in DFSA cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Almofti
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemistry and Nanochemistry, Marie Curie Annex Building, Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain; Section of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Department of Morphological and Sociosanitary Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - A Ballesteros-Gómez
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemistry and Nanochemistry, Marie Curie Annex Building, Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain.
| | - S Rubio
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemistry and Nanochemistry, Marie Curie Annex Building, Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - E Girela-López
- Section of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Department of Morphological and Sociosanitary Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
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