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Le Daré B, Allard S, Couette A, Allard PM, Morel I, Gicquel T. Comparison of Illicit Drug Seizures Products of Natural Origin Using a Molecular Networking Approach. Int J Toxicol 2022; 41:108-114. [PMID: 35212556 DOI: 10.1177/10915818211065161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Drug powder composition analysis is of particular interest in forensic investigations to identify illicit substance content, cutting agents and impurities. Powder profiling is difficult to implement due to multiple analytical methods requirement and remains a challenge for forensic toxicology laboratories. Furthermore, visualization tools allowing seizure products identification appear to be under-used to date. The aim of this study is to present the utility of molecular networking for the composition establishment of natural origin drugs. A powder suspected to contain heroin and three powders suspected to contain cocaine obtained from law enforcement agency seizures were analyzed using untargeted screening by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). Molecular networking and metabolite annotation applied to suspected heroin sample allowed rapid confirmation of its illicit content (heroin), the identification of structurally related major impurities (6-monoacetylmorphine, 6-monoacetylcodeine, noscapine, and papaverine), as well as cutting agents (acetaminophen and caffeine). The cocaine powder profiling allowed the comparison of its constituents in a semi-quantitative manner (cocaine, benzoylecgonine, trans/cis-cinnamoylcocaine, trimethoxycocaine, hexanoylecgonine methylester, caffeine, hydroxyzine, levamisole, and phenacetin), bringing additional information for their identification, including geographically sourcing of natural product and their putative place in the supply chain. Although this approach does not replace the profiling techniques used by forensic laboratories, the use of molecular networks provides a visual overview of structurally related constituents which aids the comparison and investigation of seizure powders. Molecular networks offers here an ideal way to depict structurally related and unrelated compounds in these often complex mixtures of chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Le Daré
- Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, 36684Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France.,INSERM, INRA, CHU Rennes, Institut NuMeCan (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer), 36684University Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Sophie Allard
- Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, 36684Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Aurélien Couette
- Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, 36684Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | | | - Isabelle Morel
- Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, 36684Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France.,INSERM, INRA, CHU Rennes, Institut NuMeCan (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer), 36684University Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Thomas Gicquel
- Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, 36684Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France.,INSERM, INRA, CHU Rennes, Institut NuMeCan (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer), 36684University Rennes, Rennes, France
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Stevens C, Li T, Ton E, Zou J, Douglas E, Jones P. Longitudinal Opioid Surveillance Project Involving Toxicologic Analysis of Postmortem Specimens from 9 Counties in Michigan Suggests the Discovery of New High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2021; 42:216-224. [PMID: 33853105 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Acetyl fentanyl (AF) is a Schedule I fentanyl analog that has been increasingly seen in heroin and fentanyl polydrug toxicity overdoses in Michigan (MI). Drug users are often unaware of the presence of AF in their drugs because it is often sold mixed into or disguised as heroin. High levels of AF in heroin drug products can cause increased incidence of overdose. This article describes data from a longitudinal opioid surveillance program and details 102 decedents in MI who were found to have evidence of heroin in their postmortem blood. A large portion of these decedents were also found to have evidence of fentanyl and AF. Our data further show significant overlap in incidence rates of AF and heroin-related overdose deaths in several MI counties, suggesting that AF is becoming enmeshed in heroin trafficking. Furthermore, we report unprecedented high incidence rates of AF and heroin-related overdose deaths in Calhoun county, and we propose that it is a high-intensity drug trafficking area. Highways US-131 and US-31 are likely used to transport these drugs. More study is needed into the drug trafficking trends in MI to ascertain drug sources and monitor the ever developing and dangerous polydrug heroin combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Stevens
- From the Toxicology Department, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI
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Farquharson S, Brouillette C, Smith W, Shende C. A Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectral Library of Important Drugs Associated With Point-of-Care and Field Applications. Front Chem 2019; 7:706. [PMID: 31709234 PMCID: PMC6823623 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past decade, the ability of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to measure extremely low concentrations, such as mg/L and below, and the availability of hand-held Raman spectrometers, has led to a significant growth in the number and variety of applications of SERS to real-world problems. Most of these applications involve the measurement of drugs, such as quantifying medication in patients, identifying illicit drugs in impaired drivers, and more recently, identifying drugs used as weapons. Similar to Raman spectroscopy, most of the point-of-care and field applications involve the identification of the drug to determine the course of action. However, unlike Raman spectroscopy, spectral libraries are not readily available to perform the necessary identification. In a large part, this is due to the uniqueness of the commercially available SERS substrates, each of which can produce different spectra for the same drug. In an effort to overcome this limitation, we have measured numerous drugs using the most common, and readily available SERS material and hand-held Raman analyzers, specifically gold colloids and analyzers using 785 nm laser excitation. Here we present the spectra of some 39 drugs of current interest, such as buprenorphine, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, and fentanyl, which we hope will aid in the development of current and future SERS drug analysis applications.
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Mohammadzadeh E, Amjadi FS, Movahedin M, Zandieh Z, Nazmara Z, Eslahi N, Shirinbayan P, Asgari HR, Azad N, Salimi M, Koruji M. In vitro development of embryos from experimentally Kerack-addicted Mice. Int J Reprod Biomed 2017. [DOI: 10.29252/ijrm.15.7.413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
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Shahid M, Subhan F, Ullah I, Ali G, Alam J, Shah R. Beneficial effects of Bacopa monnieri extract on opioid induced toxicity. Heliyon 2016; 2:e00068. [PMID: 27441247 PMCID: PMC4945900 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2016.e00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 12/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study examined the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of morphine and illicit street heroin and their amelioration by a standardized methanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri (L.) (mBME) in rats. Morphine or street heroin was administered at a dose of 20 mg/kg for 14 and 21 days. mBME (40 mg/kg) or ascorbic acid (50 mg/kg) was administered two hours before morphine or street heroin. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for the standardization of bacoside-A major components in mBME. The antioxidant potential of mBME was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Administration of morphine and street heroin resulted in marked elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine. Histopathological changes induced by morphine and street heroin after 14 days were of reversible nature while treatment for 21 days was associated with irreversible changes. Pretreatment with mBME or ascorbic acid restored the elevation of serum ALT, AST and creatinine and protected liver and kidneys from the toxicological influence of morphine and street heroin. HPLC analysis showed that mBME contained bacoside-A major components i.e. bacoside-A3 (37.5 μg/mg), bacopaside-II (4.62 μg/mg) and bacopasaponin-C (1.91 μg/mg). The EC50 for the DPPH free radical scavenging assay revealed that mBME possessed strong antioxidant potential. These results concluded that as compared to morphine, street heroin was associated with severe biochemical and histopathological changes in the liver and kidneys. Bacopa monnieri having strong antioxidant potential may provide a beneficial herbal remedy for the efficient management of opioid related hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahid
- Department of Pharmacy, Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar 25000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Corresponding author.
| | - Fazal Subhan
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Corresponding author.
| | - Ihsan Ullah
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Swabi, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Gowhar Ali
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Javaid Alam
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Rehmat Shah
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
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Colby JM, Wu AHB, Lynch KL. Analysis of Codeine Positivity in Urine of Pain Management Patients. J Anal Toxicol 2015; 39:407-10. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkv031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Chen P, Braithwaite RA, George C, Hylands PJ, Parkin MC, Smith NW, Kicman AT. The poppy seed defense: a novel solution. Drug Test Anal 2013; 6:194-201. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2013] [Revised: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Chen
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Sciences (Department of Forensic and Analytical Science); FWB, King's College London; SE1 9NH, UK
| | - R. A. Braithwaite
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Sciences (Department of Forensic and Analytical Science); FWB, King's College London; SE1 9NH, UK
| | - C. George
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Sciences (Department of Forensic and Analytical Science); FWB, King's College London; SE1 9NH, UK
| | - P. J. Hylands
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science; FWB, King's College London; SE1 9NH, UK
| | - M. C. Parkin
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Sciences (Department of Forensic and Analytical Science); FWB, King's College London; SE1 9NH, UK
| | - N. W. Smith
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Sciences (Department of Forensic and Analytical Science); FWB, King's College London; SE1 9NH, UK
| | - A. T. Kicman
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Sciences (Department of Forensic and Analytical Science); FWB, King's College London; SE1 9NH, UK
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Akhgari M, Jokar F, Bahmanabadi L, Aleagha AE. Street-level heroin seizures in Iran: a survey of components. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2011. [DOI: 10.3109/14659891.2011.592898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Akhgari M, Jokar F, Bahmanabadi L, Aleagha AE. Street-level heroin seizures in Iran: a survey of components. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2011. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/14659891.2011.592898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Abstract
Recreational substance users are at risk for seizures by indirect mechanisms, including cerebral trauma, central nervous system infection, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and metabolic derangements such as hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and renal failure. Drugs and ethanol can also cause seizures more directly, either as a feature of intoxication (eg, psychostimulants) or of withdrawal (eg, sedatives, including ethanol). In any patient with a seizure, clinicians should consider illicit drug or ethanol use. Seizures in known alcoholics or illicit drug users require workup to exclude treatable coexisting conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C M Brust
- Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, 506 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037, USA.
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Soltaninejad K, Faryadi M, Akhgari M, Bahmanabadi L. Chemical profile of counterfeit buprenorphine vials seized in Tehran, Iran. Forensic Sci Int 2007; 172:e4-5. [PMID: 17646070 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2007] [Accepted: 06/10/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Buprenorphine, commonly known by the trademark Temgesic, is one of the most popular drugs of abuse among the opioid-addicted young individuals in Iran. Temgesic, Bungesic, etc. are the most popular and important illicit opioid drugs in Tehran's illicit drugs black market, and are now among the most widely abused by opioid addicts. Because of this, counterfeiting of this drug has increased in Tehran. In this study, the qualitative analysis of counterfeit buprenorphine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) demonstrates the presence of diacetylmorphine, acetylcodeine and pheniramine, as well as the absence of buprenorphine. In conclusion, due to the absence of quality control and difficulties in differentiating counterfeit buprenorphine from genuine products, the use of counterfeit buprenorphine leads the opioid abusers to health risks.
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Soltaninejad K, Faryadi M, Akhgari M, Bahmanabadi L. Chemical profile of counterfeited buprenorphine vials seized in Tehran, Iran. Forensic Sci Int 2007. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Jones AW, Holmgren A, Kugelberg FC. Concentrations of scheduled prescription drugs in blood of impaired drivers: considerations for interpreting the results. Ther Drug Monit 2007; 29:248-60. [PMID: 17417081 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0b013e31803d3c04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We report the concentrations of scheduled prescription drugs in blood samples from people arrested in Sweden for driving under the influence of drugs (DUID). The investigation covered a 2 year period 2004 (N = 7052 cases) and 2005 (N = 7759 cases) and was prompted by recent legislation stipulating zero-concentration limits in blood for controlled substances. However, prescription drugs are exempt from the zero-limit law provided that the medication was being used in accordance with a doctor's prescription. The blood concentrations of various psychoactive substances were compared with the limits of quantitation of the analytic method used and the so-called therapeutic concentration range according to various reference books and tabulations. Diazepam [N = 1950 (26%)] and nordazepam [N = 2168 (28%)] were the therapeutic agents most frequently identified in these forensic blood samples along with other benzodiazepines such as alprazolam [N = 430 (5.6%)], flunitrazepam [N = 308 (4.0%)], and nitrazepam [N = 222 (2.9%)]. The newer hypnotics, exemplified by zolpidem [N = 148 (1.9%)] and zopiclone [N = 111 (1.5%)], were also high on the list of psychoactive substances identified. Interpreting the concentration of a prescription drug in blood in relation to whether the person had taken an overdose or was abusing the substance in question is not always easy. The age, gender, degree of obesity, and ethnicity of the person concerned; the pharmacokinetic profile of the drug; polymorphism of drug-metabolizing enzymes as well as liver and kidney function and blood hematocrit need to be considered. Among preanalytic factors, stability of the drug in blood after sampling, the type of tubes and preservatives used, the dosage form and route of administration deserve consideration. When therapeutic drug monitoring concentrations are compared with forensic toxicology results, then the plasma-to-whole blood distribution ratio of the drug also needs to be considered. In blood samples from DUID suspects, the concentrations of many commonly used sedatives and hypnotics exceeded the accepted therapeutic limits, which gives an indication of the abuse potential of these types of medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- A W Jones
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Artillerigatan 12, Linköping, Sweden.
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Kolev T, Ivanova B, Bakalska R. 6-O-acetylcodeine and its hydrogensquarate: Linear-dichroic infrared (IR-LD) spectroscopy. J Mol Struct 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2006.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Williams O. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SEIZURES. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2004. [DOI: 10.1212/01.con.0000293612.45452.a4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Abstract
This paper is the twenty-fourth installment of the annual review of research concerning the opiate system. It summarizes papers published during 2001 that studied the behavioral effects of the opiate peptides and antagonists. The particular topics covered this year include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology(Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration and thermoregulation (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA.
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