1
|
Calvetti C, Salomone A, Verzeletti A, Di Nardo F, Begni PMG, Vezzoli S. Are the NPS commonly used? An extensive investigation in Northern Italy based on hair analysis. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:574-579. [PMID: 37506041 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkad040] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are present on the Italian illicit markets, but data from the analysis of biological samples to evaluate their real consumption are rare. For this reason, an epidemiological study was carried out by means of a ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-MS) method for the determination of 115 NPS on the keratin matrix. A total of 847 hair samples were collected in 2020 and 2021 and analyzed. The sample donors were in the age range of 18-40 years, from both genders, and were tested either for driving relicensing or for drug withdrawal monitoring. The UPLC-MS-MS system consisted of a Waters ACQUITY UPLC® I-Class, coupled with a Waters XEVO TQ-XS triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The method was developed and fully validated according to international guidelines. Limits of detection were set as the minimum criterion to identify positive samples. Overall, 56 samples resulted positive for ketamine, 35 for norketamine, 6 for fentanyl, 3 for norfentanyl, 3 for 4-ANPP, 3 for MDMB-4en-PINACA, 2 for N,N-DMT, 2 for 5-chloro AB-PINACA, 1 for α-PHP and 1 for methcathinone. NPS were detected in a small part of samples (8.4%), which seems in contrast with their apparent wide diffusion in Italy, yet it is congruent with similar investigations based on hair analysis. Future studies will be performed to expand the investigated population, especially in terms of age and origin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Calvetti
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Alberto Salomone
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, via P. Giuria 5, Torino 10125, Italy
| | - Andrea Verzeletti
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Fabio Di Nardo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, via P. Giuria 5, Torino 10125, Italy
| | - Paola Maria Giulia Begni
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Sara Vezzoli
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia 25123, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fan Y, Gao J, Chen X, Wu H, Ke X, Xu Y. Study on the Mass Spectrometry Fragmentation Patterns for Rapid Screening and Structure Identification of Ketamine Analogues in Illicit Powders. Molecules 2023; 28:6510. [PMID: 37764286 PMCID: PMC10535375 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ketamine analogues have been emerging in recent years and are causing severe health and social problems worldwide. Ketamine analogues use 2-phenyl-2-aminocyclohexanone as the basic structure and achieve physiological reactions similar to or even more robust than the prototype of ketamine by changing the substituents on the benzene ring (R1 and R2) and amine group (RN1). Therefore, the mass spectrometry (MS) fragmentation pathways and fragments of ketamine analogues have certain regularity. Eight ketamine analogues are systematically investigated by GC-QTOF/MS and LC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS with the positive mode of electrospray ionization. The MS fragmentation patterns of ketamine analogues are summarized according to high-resolution MS data. The α-cleavage of carbon bond C1-C2 in the cyclohexanone moiety and further losses of CO, methyl radical, ethyl radical and propyl radical are the characteristic fragmentation pathways of ketamine analogues in EI-MS mode. The loss of H2O or the sequential loss of RN1NH2, CO and C4H6 are the distinctive fragmentation pathways of ketamine analogues in ESI-MS/MS mode. Moreover, these MS fragmentation patterns are first introduced for the rapid screening of ketamine analogues in suspicious powder. Furthermore, the structure of the ketamine analogue in suspicious powder is 2-(Methylamino)-2-(o-tolyl)cyclohexan-1-one, which is further confirmed by NMR. This study contributes to the identification of the chemical structure of ketamine analogues, which can be used for the rapid screening of ketamine analogues in seized chemicals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yilei Fan
- Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou 310053, China; (Y.F.); (X.K.)
- Green Pharmaceutical Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Jianhong Gao
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control of Zhejiang Province, National Anti-Drug Laboratory Zhejiang Regional Center, Hangzhou 310053, China (X.C.)
| | - Xianxin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control of Zhejiang Province, National Anti-Drug Laboratory Zhejiang Regional Center, Hangzhou 310053, China (X.C.)
| | - Hao Wu
- Dian Regional Forensic Science Institute Zhejiang, Hangzhou 310007, China;
| | - Xing Ke
- Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou 310053, China; (Y.F.); (X.K.)
| | - Yu Xu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control of Zhejiang Province, National Anti-Drug Laboratory Zhejiang Regional Center, Hangzhou 310053, China (X.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yen YT, Tseng SH, Zhou SL, Liu YL. A new process of ketamine synthesis from 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-nitrocyclohexanone proposed by analyzing drug materials and chemicals seized in Taiwan. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 349:111776. [PMID: 37399775 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Because of its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects, ketamine is often abused for recreational purposes. Thus, the seizure of ketamine manufacturing units is crucial for preventing drug abuse. The precursors popularly used for ketamine synthesis include 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)(methylimino)methyl]cyclopentanol hydrochloride and 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-nitrocyclohexanone (2-CPNCH). Herein, we report a case of the seizure of a ketamine manufacturing unit by law enforcement officers. The seized materials were sent to our laboratory for confirmation. We found that 2-CPNCH was used as the precursor. Using zinc powder and formic acid, 2-CPNCH was reduced to norketamine. Through the Eschweiler-Clarke reaction, norketamine was reacted with formaldehyde and formic acid to synthesize ketamine; the advantages of this process are a short duration of reaction and the requirement of small amounts of chemicals. We further identified an impurity (N-methyl ketamine), which was used as a marker to validate this new process of ketamine synthesis. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report illegal ketamine synthesis through the Eschweiler-Clarke reaction when using 2-CPNCH as the precursor. Our findings inform law enforcement officers and forensic practitioners about this new process of ketamine synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Te Yen
- Department of Forensic Science, Investigation Bureau, Ministry of Justice, Xindian Dist, New Taipei City 231209, Taiwan.
| | - Shih-Hao Tseng
- Department of Forensic Science, Investigation Bureau, Ministry of Justice, Xindian Dist, New Taipei City 231209, Taiwan
| | - Song-Lin Zhou
- Department of Forensic Science, Investigation Bureau, Ministry of Justice, Xindian Dist, New Taipei City 231209, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Lin Liu
- Department of Forensic Science, Investigation Bureau, Ministry of Justice, Xindian Dist, New Taipei City 231209, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Su YJ, Chen TH, Liao WH, Chang KS, Lai YC. Clinical characteristics in new psychoactive substance users: A single center study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e34084. [PMID: 37352073 PMCID: PMC10289540 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000034084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are emerging illegal substances or synthetic drugs that pose public health threats worldwide. This study was aimed at reporting the clinical characteristics of NPS and classical illicit substances used by patients who presented to the emergency room. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients with suspected illicit substance use who visited the emergency department (ED) with the suspicion of illicit substance use. We divided the patients into 4 groups based on the NPS testing results: NPS positive, NPS negative, NPS combined with classical illicit drugs (INPS), and subjects with negative testing results. The majority of patients in all groups were male. The NPS users were significantly younger than those with negative results on toxic testing (26.4 vs 37.5, P = .005 < 0.05). The heart rate of NPS users was significantly faster than that of the group with negative results of toxic testing (111.1 vs 93.5 beats per minute, P = .046). The heartbeats of INPS group were also significantly faster than those with a negative result in toxicology screen (119.6 vs 93.5 beats per minute, P = .024). Those who used classical illicit drugs combined with NPS had significantly higher palpitation than those with negative results of toxic testing (27.3% vs 3.1%, P = .017). Patients who were highly suspicious of NPS use were younger, had tachycardia, felt palpitations, and had fair oxygen saturation compared to patients who were negative for urine toxicity screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jang Su
- Toxicology Division, Department of Emergency Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, HsinChu, Taiwan
| | - Tse-Hao Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hsiang Liao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, TAMSUI BRANCH, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Song Chang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Disaster Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Chun Lai
- Department of Anesthesiology. Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Busardò FP, Zaami S. Current Design of New Psychoactive Substances. Curr Pharm Des 2022; 28:1211-1212. [PMID: 35899910 DOI: 10.2174/138161282815220624141644] [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: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Science and Public Health, University "Politecnica delle Marche", Ancona, Italy
| | - Simona Zaami
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|