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Gerred K, Kapoor A. A fit-for-purpose validation of a commercial radioimmunoassay for measurement of human peripheral oxytocin. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 38:101666. [PMID: 38434143 PMCID: PMC10907144 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2024.101666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a peptide hormone synthesized in the hypothalamus and released into systemic circulation or other areas of the brain. Its physiological roles include action as a hormone with stimulation of uterine contractions and that as a neuromodulator with involvement in social behaviors and regulation of mood. Its small size and low levels within biological matrices make it challenging to accurately measure. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the specificity of the antibody, sensitivity, and reproducibility of the Phoenix Pharmaceuticals (PP) OT radioimmunoassay (RIA) for use in human urine, serum, and saliva. Specificity of the antibody was assessed by high pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) separation and assay of the fractions. Immunoreactivity was evaluated using the percent OT bound, and the fraction retention times were compared to the retention time of an intact OT standard to determine which fractions contained OT in the extracted samples. Reproducibility was assessed by running replicates of pools of each biomatrix over several assays. Sensitivity was assessed by repeated measurement of physiologically relevant low-concentration specimens. In all tested specimens the greatest reactivity in assay corresponded to the same fraction(s) as the OT standard. Only minimal reactivity was found in the other fractions, suggesting that in an unfractionated sample the antibody reacts mostly with intact OT. Reproducibility was acceptable for all specimens and the coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 3.72 to 8.04% and 5.89-12.8%, for intra and inter-assay, respectively. The limits of quantitation (LOQ) were sufficient for measurement of normal values in urine (0.643 & 1.43 pg/mL), serum (1.90 pg/mL), and saliva pools (0.485 & 4.42 pg/mL). In conclusion, the PP OT RIA is specific and sensitive enough for reproducible measurement of intact OT in human peripheral biological matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keenan Gerred
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1220 Capitol Court, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Amita Kapoor
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1220 Capitol Court, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
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2
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Klima M, Auwärter V, Altenburger MJ, Neukamm MA. In vitro studies on the dependence of drug deposition in dentin on drug concentration, contact time, and the physicochemical properties of the drugs. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:2675-2685. [PMID: 37587384 PMCID: PMC10474980 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03573-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
The chemical analysis of dental hard tissues can provide information on previous drug use due to the deposition of drugs into this tissue. For the interpretation of analytical results in, e.g., postmortem toxicology or regarding archeological samples, the influence of drug dosing, consumption frequency, duration of intake and type of drug on analyte concentrations in teeth has to be characterized. To approximate these correlations, in vitro models were applied to investigate the time dependency of drug deposition via and against pulp pressure (perfusion studies) and the concentration dependency of drug deposition via oral cavity (incubation study) as well as the influence of de- and remineralization (pH cycling) on the incorporation of drugs in bovine dentin pellets. Some of the drugs of abuse most relevant in forensic case work (amphetamines, opiates, cocaine and benzoylecgonine) were applied. Concentrations in dentin samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) after pulverization and extraction via ultrasonication with methanol. The studies showed that drug deposition in dentin likely depends on the physicochemical properties of the drug molecules as well as on the duration of contact with drugs via the blood stream and on drug concentrations present in the oral cavity. Higher drug concentrations in teeth can result from a more frequent or longer drug use. In addition, intake of higher doses or oral/inhalative consumption can also be expected to lead to higher drug concentrations. These findings can be helpful for the interpretation of postmortem cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Klima
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Toxicology, Labor Berlin-Charité Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Markus J Altenburger
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center for Dental Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Merja A Neukamm
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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3
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Zijp TR, Knobbe TJ, van Hateren K, Roggeveld J, Blokzijl H, Tji Gan C, Jl Bakker S, Jongedijk EM, Investigators T, Touw DJ. Expeditious quantification of plasma tacrolimus with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in solid organ transplantation. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2023; 1222:123709. [PMID: 37060814 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2023.123709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, tacrolimus is assessed in whole blood samples, but this is suboptimal from the perspective that erythrocyte-bound tacrolimus is not a good representative of the active fraction. In this work, a straightforward and rapid method was developed for determination of plasma tacrolimus in solid organ transplant recipients, using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with heated electrospray ionisation. Sample preparation was performed through protein precipitation of 200 µl plasma with 500 µl stable isotopically labelled tacrolimus I.S. in methanol, where 20 µl was injected on the LC-MS/MS system. Separation was done using a chromatographic gradient on a C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, 2.6 µm). The method was linear in the concentration range 0.05-5.00 µg/L, with within-run and between-run precision in the range 2-6 % and a run time of 1.5 min. Furthermore, the method was validated for selectivity, sensitivity, carry-over, accuracy and precision, process efficiency, recovery, matrix effect, and stability following EMA and FDA guidelines. Clinical validation was performed in 2333 samples from 1325 solid organ transplant recipients using tacrolimus (liver n = 312, kidney n = 1714, and lung n = 307), which had median plasma tacrolimus trough concentrations of 0.10 µg/L, 0.15 µg/L and 0.23 µg/L, respectively. This method is suitable for measurement of tacrolimus in plasma and will facilitate ongoing observational and prospective studies on the relationship of plasma tacrolimus concentrations with clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja R Zijp
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Tim J Knobbe
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Kai van Hateren
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Roggeveld
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Blokzijl
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - C Tji Gan
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Stephan Jl Bakker
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Erwin M Jongedijk
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - TransplantLines Investigators
- University Medical Center Groningen Transplant Center, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Daan J Touw
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Hansen SL, Nielsen MKK, Linnet K, Rasmussen BS. Suitability of cardiac blood, brain tissue, and muscle tissue as alternative matrices for toxicological evaluation in postmortem cases. Drug Test Anal 2023; 15:529-538. [PMID: 36611280 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Drug concentrations in peripheral blood are often used to evaluate whether death was caused by drug intoxication. In some cases, peripheral blood is not available, and analytical results of alternative matrices should instead be used in the toxicological evaluation. However, reference concentrations of alternative matrices are few, which makes interpretation of results a challenge. In this study, concentrations of selected benzodiazepines, opioids, illicit drugs, and other commonly used drugs in postmortem femoral blood, cardiac blood, brain tissue, and muscle tissue are presented. Alternative matrix-to-femoral blood drug concentration ratios and correlations of blood and alternative matrix drug concentrations were calculated to examine which of the investigated alternative matrices were most suited to use for toxicological evaluation in cases where peripheral blood is not available. The results showed that concentrations in cardiac blood, brain tissue, and muscle tissue could be useful in the postmortem evaluation of most of the 19 selected analytes. In most cases, analytes were detected in all the alternative matrices. The median concentration ratios for the selected analytes in brain tissue, cardiac blood, and muscle tissue relative to femoral blood ranged from 0.57 to 3.42, 0.59 to 1.87, and 0.67 to 7.04, respectively. Overall, cardiac blood provided the concentrations most comparable with femoral blood concentrations, indicating that cardiac blood can be useful in cases where femoral blood is not available. However, the measured concentrations should be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine Lund Hansen
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marie Katrine Klose Nielsen
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Linnet
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Brian Schou Rasmussen
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Gomez-Gomez A, Miranda J, Feixas G, Arranz Betegon A, Crispi F, Gratacós E, Pozo OJ. Determination of the steroid profile in alternative matrices by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 197:105520. [PMID: 31698034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The simultaneous determination of a broad panel of steroids provides more accurate information about the hormonal status than the detection of a single hormone. For that reason, the determination of the steroid profile, i.e. the endogenous steroid hormones and their main metabolites, has become the most powerful tool for the study of hormonal imbalances. The usefulness of the evaluation of the steroid profile in urine and plasma is widely accepted. However, despite its broad potential applicability, the evaluation of the whole steroid profile in alternative matrices such as amniotic fluid, saliva and breast milk remains almost unexplored. In this research we developed and validated a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of several steroids and their metabolites in amniotic fluid (28 analytes), saliva (15) and breast milk (12). Sample preparation, chromatographic conditions and mass spectrometric conditions (e.g. ionization species or ion source parameters) were optimized. The method was shown to be linear in the range of endogenous concentrations for all studied metabolites. Intra- and inter-assay accuracies were between 80% and 120% while intra- and inter-precisions were below 20% for all analytes in all matrices. The applicability of the method was evaluated by the comparison between the concentration ranges obtained in healthy volunteers (n = 30 per matrix) and the scarce data previously reported in literature. The concentration ranges for several analytes are reported for the first time. The present methodology represents a useful tool for the comprehensive evaluation of the steroid profile in alternative matrices and can be applicable for different clinical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Gomez-Gomez
- Integrative Pharmacology & Systems Neuroscience Group, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (CEXS-UPF), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jezid Miranda
- BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Institut Clinic de Ginecologia, Obstetricia i Neonatologia, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Sabino Arana 1, 08028 Spain
| | - Georgina Feixas
- BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Institut Clinic de Ginecologia, Obstetricia i Neonatologia, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Sabino Arana 1, 08028 Spain
| | - Angela Arranz Betegon
- BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Institut Clinic de Ginecologia, Obstetricia i Neonatologia, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Sabino Arana 1, 08028 Spain
| | - Fatima Crispi
- BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Institut Clinic de Ginecologia, Obstetricia i Neonatologia, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Sabino Arana 1, 08028 Spain; Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Gratacós
- BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Institut Clinic de Ginecologia, Obstetricia i Neonatologia, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Sabino Arana 1, 08028 Spain; Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar J Pozo
- Integrative Pharmacology & Systems Neuroscience Group, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
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6
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Brockbals L, Staeheli SN, Gentile S, Schlaepfer M, Bissig C, Bolliger SA, Kraemer T, Steuer AE. Fatal poisoning involving cyclopropylfentanyl - Investigation of time-dependent postmortem redistribution. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 294:80-85. [PMID: 30497048 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A growing number of fatal overdoses involving opioid drugs, in particular involving fentanyl and its analogues, pose an immense threat to public health. Postmortem casework of forensic toxicologists in such cases is challenging, as data on pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties as well as reference values for acute toxicities and data on potential postmortem redistribution (PMR) mechanisms often do not exist. A fatal case involving cyclopropylfentanyl was investigated at the Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Zurich Forensic Science Institute; an unknown powder found at the scene was reliably identified as cyclopropylfentanyl by gas chromatography-infrared spectroscopy (GC-IR). Femoral blood samples were collected at two time points after death; 11h postmortem (t1) and during the medico-legal autopsy 29h after death (t2). At the autopsy, additional samples from the heart blood, urine and gastric content were collected. Cyclopropylfentanyl was quantified using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method. Femoral blood concentration of cyclopropylfentanyl at autopsy was 19.8ng/mL (t1=15.7ng/mL; heart blood concentration at autopsy=52.4ng/mL). In the light of the current literature and under the exclusion that no other morphological findings could explain the cause of death, contribution of cyclopropylfentanyl to death was proposed (polydrug use). Significant postmortem concentration increases of cyclopropylfentanyl in femoral blood during 18h after the first sampling were observed, thus indicating a relevant potential to undergo PMR. A central-to-peripheral blood concentration ratio of 2.6 supports this. Consequently, the current case suggests that postmortem cyclopropylfentanyl concentration should always be interpreted with care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Brockbals
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sandra N Staeheli
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Gentile
- Department of Forensic Medicine & Imaging, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Stephan A Bolliger
- Department of Forensic Medicine & Imaging, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Kraemer
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea E Steuer
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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7
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Henkel K, Altenburger MJ, Auwärter V, Neukamm MA. Full validation of a method for the determination of drugs of abuse in non-mineralized dental biofilm using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and application to postmortem samples. Talanta 2017; 176:360-366. [PMID: 28917762 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2017.08.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Alternative matrices play a major role in postmortem forensic toxicology, especially if common matrices (like body fluids or hair) are not available. Incorporation of illicit and medicinal drugs into non-mineralized dental biofilm (plaque) seems likely but has not been investigated so far. Analysis of plaque could therefore extend the spectrum of potentially used matrices in postmortem toxicology. For this reason, a rapid, simple and sensitive method for the extraction, determination and quantification of ten drugs of abuse from plaque using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed and fully validated. Amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDEA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), cocaine, benzoylecgonine, morphine, codeine and 6-acetylmorphine were extracted from 2mg of dried and powdered plaque via ultrasonication with acetonitrile. The extracts were analyzed on a triple-quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer in scheduled multiple reaction monitoring mode (sMRM). The method was fully validated and proved accurate, precise, selective and specific with satisfactory linearity within the calibrated ranges. The lower limit of quantification was 10-15pgmg-1 for all compounds except for MDA (100pgmg-1) and amphetamine (200pgmg-1). The method has been successfully applied to three authentic postmortem samples with known drug history. Amphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, morphine and codeine could be detected in these cases in concentrations ranging from 18pgmg-1 for cocaine to 1400pgmg-1 for amphetamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Henkel
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 9, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Hebelstr. 27, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Markus J Altenburger
- Center for Dental Medicine, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 9, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Merja A Neukamm
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 9, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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8
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Staeheli SN, Boxler MI, Oestreich A, Marti M, Gascho D, Bolliger SA, Kraemer T, Steuer AE. Postmortem distribution and redistribution of MDAI and 2-MAPB in blood and alternative matrices. Forensic Sci Int 2017; 279:83-87. [PMID: 28850871 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Intoxication cases involving new psychoactive substances (NPS) provide several challenges for forensic toxicologists as data on pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties are lacking, especially on potency and toxicity. Furthermore, reference values and information on postmortem redistribution (PMR) do not exist so far for most NPS. A fatal case involving the amphetamine-derivatives MDAI (5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane) and 2-MAPB (1-(benzofuran-2-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine) was investigated at the Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine. At admission at the institute approx. 11h after death (first time point, t1), femoral and heart blood (right ventricle) was collected using computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy sampling. At autopsy (t2), samples from the same body regions as well as various tissue samples were collected manually. In addition, an antemortem blood sample collected 6h before death was available. MDAI and 2-MAPB were quantified using a validated LC-MS/MS method. A significant concentration decrease between the antemortem and the first peripheral postmortem blood sample was observed, which most probably can be explained by remaining metabolism and excretion within the last 6h prior to death. No significant concentration change was observed between the two postmortem heart blood and peripheral blood samples. Accordingly, MDAI and 2-MAPB did not seem to undergo relevant postmortem redistribution in peripheral and heart blood in the presented case. This is the first study on postmortem redistribution of the new psychoactive substances MDAI and 2-MAPB. However, more studies covering more cases are necessary to generate universal statements on the PMR with these two NPSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra N Staeheli
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology & Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martina I Boxler
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology & Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Oestreich
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology & Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michelle Marti
- Department of Forensic Medicine & Imaging, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominic Gascho
- Department of Forensic Medicine & Imaging, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan A Bolliger
- Department of Forensic Medicine & Imaging, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Kraemer
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology & Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea E Steuer
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology & Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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9
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Abstract
The results of biochemical analyses in specimens obtained postmortem may aid death investigation when diabetic and alcoholic ketoacidosis is suspected, when death may have been the result of drowning, anaphylaxis, or involved a prolonged stress response such as hypothermia, and in the diagnosis of disease processes such as inflammation, early myocardial infarction, or sepsis. There is often cross-over with different disciplines, in particular with clinical and forensic toxicology, since some endogenous substances such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and insulin can be used as poisons. The interpretation of results is often complicated because of the likelihood of postmortem change in analyte concentration or activity, and proper interpretation must take into account all the available evidence. The unpredictability of postmortem changes means that use of biochemical measurements in time of death estimation has little value. The use of vitreous humour is beneficial for many analytes as the eye is in a physically protected environment, this medium may be less affected by autolysis or microbial metabolism than blood, and the assays can be performed with due precaution using standard clinical chemistry analysers. However, interpretation of results may not be straightforward because (i) defined reference ranges in life are often lacking, (ii) there is a dearth of knowledge regarding, for example, the speed of equilibration of many analytes between blood, vitreous humour, and other fluids that may be sampled, and (iii) the effects of post-mortem change are difficult to quantify because of the lack of control data. A major limitation is that postmortem vitreous glucose measurements are of no help in diagnosing antemortem hypoglycaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Belsey
- Toxicology Unit, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 9RS, UK.
| | - R J Flanagan
- Toxicology Unit, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 9RS, UK; Toxicology Unit, Dept of Pathology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU, UK
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Bévalot F, Cartiser N, Bottinelli C, Fanton L, Guitton J. Vitreous humor analysis for the detection of xenobiotics in forensic toxicology: a review. Forensic Toxicol 2015; 34:12-40. [PMID: 26793276 PMCID: PMC4705140 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-015-0294-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Vitreous humor (VH) is a gelatinous substance contained in the posterior chamber of the eye, playing a mechanical role in the eyeball. It has been the subject of numerous studies in various forensic applications, primarily for the assessment of postmortem interval and for postmortem chemical analysis. Since most of the xenobiotics present in the bloodstream are detected in VH after crossing the selective blood-retinal barrier, VH is an alternative matrix useful for forensic toxicology. VH analysis offers particular advantages over other biological matrices: it is less prone to postmortem redistribution, is easy to collect, has relatively few interfering compounds for the analytical process, and shows sample stability over time after death. The present study is an overview of VH physiology, drug transport and elimination. Collection, storage, analytical techniques and interpretation of results from qualitative and quantitative points of view are dealt with. The distribution of xenobiotics in VH samples is thus discussed and illustrated by a table reporting the concentrations of 106 drugs from more than 300 case reports. For this purpose, a survey was conducted of publications found in the MEDLINE database from 1969 through April 30, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Bévalot
- Laboratoire LAT LUMTOX, 71 Avenue Rockefeller, 69003 Lyon, France.,Institut de Médecine Légale, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69373 Lyon Cedex 08, France
| | - Nathalie Cartiser
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie, ISPB-Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69373 Lyon Cedex 08, France
| | | | - Laurent Fanton
- Département de Médecine Légale, Hôpital Edouard-Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Place D'Arsonval, 69437 Lyon Cedex 03, France.,CREATIS CNRS UMR 5220, INSERM U1044, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSA Lyon, 7 Avenue Jean Capelle, 69621 Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Jérôme Guitton
- Laboratoire de Toxicologie, ISPB-Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69373 Lyon Cedex 08, France.,Laboratoire de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie, Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 165 Chemin Grand Revoyet, 69495 Pierre Bénite Cedex, France
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Patteet L, Cappelle D, Maudens KE, Crunelle CL, Sabbe B, Neels H. Advances in detection of antipsychotics in biological matrices. Clin Chim Acta 2014; 441:11-22. [PMID: 25512162 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2014.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Revised: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Measuring antipsychotic concentrations in human matrices is important for both therapeutic drug monitoring and forensic toxicology. This review provides a critical overview of the analytical methods for detection and quantification of antipsychotics published in the last four years. Focus lies on advances in sample preparation, analytical techniques and alternative matrices. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is used most often for quantification of antipsychotics. This sensitive technique makes it possible to determine low concentrations not only in serum, plasma or whole blood, but also in alternative matrices like oral fluid, dried blood spots, hair, nails and other body tissues. Current literature on analytical techniques for alternative matrices is still limited and often requires a more thorough validation including a comparison between conventional and alternative results to determine their actual value. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) makes it possible to quantify a high amount of compounds within a shorter run time. This technique is widely used for multi-analyte methods. Only recently, high-resolution mass spectrometry has gained importance when a combination of screening of (un)known metabolites, and quantification is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisbeth Patteet
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory for TDM and Toxicology, ZNA Stuivenberg, Lange Beeldekensstraat 267, B-2060 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Delphine Cappelle
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kristof E Maudens
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Cleo L Crunelle
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bernard Sabbe
- Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hugo Neels
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory for TDM and Toxicology, ZNA Stuivenberg, Lange Beeldekensstraat 267, B-2060 Antwerp, Belgium
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12
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Alvear E, von Baer D, Mardones C, Hitschfeld A. Determination of cocaine and its major metabolite benzoylecgonine in several matrices obtained from deceased individuals with presumed drug consumption prior to death. J Forensic Leg Med 2014; 23:37-43. [PMID: 24661704 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the field of forensic toxicology, femoral blood is the most useful sample for the determination and quantification of drugs; however, cases in which blood is unavailable are common. In such cases, validated methodologies for drug determination in alternative matrices can be decisive in the investigation of a case. In particular, when femoral blood is unavailable for analysis for the presence of systemic exposure to cocaine and its principal metabolite, benzoylecgonine, validated methodologies from matrices other than blood that can be obtained in the autopsy room would be useful to the forensic toxicologist in the evaluation of a specific forensic case. To address this issue, we implemented and compared in our study the systematic evaluation of extraction, chromatographic separation, and quantification of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in different biological matrices (right and left cardiac blood, femoral arterial and venous blood, urine, vitreous humor, cerebrospinal fluid, brain accumbens nucleus, brain ventral tegmental area, and liver). The studied matrices were those most likely to be obtained from different autopsy rooms at the time of forensic testing in deceased individuals who are presumed of antemortem drug consumption. Solid phase extraction of analytes from the different matrices was performed using C-8/SCX mixed-phase columns, and gas chromatographic mass spectrometry separation was performed using detection in single-ion monitoring mode. The methodological validation was performed for all the studied matrices, and the results showed similar sensitivity and recoveries without statistical differences between the studied matrices. The methods were applied to evaluate a thanatological case using all the study matrices, showing unequal postmortem distribution of cocaine and benzoylecgonine throughout the different matrices tested. The present work opens the option of applying appropriate methodologies in the analysis of matrices, other than the usual blood, to obtain reliable results that may help clarify a forensic case. In addition, we present findings from different studies. This work affirms not only the potentiality of obtaining reliable data but also reaffirms the challenge of applying these data and taking into account the complexity of interpreting results in matrices other than blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Alvear
- Servicio Médico Legal de Concepción, Laboratorio, Camino a Penco 4018, Concepción, Chile
| | - Dietrich von Baer
- Universidad de Concepción, Facultad de Farmacia - Depto de Análisis Instrumental, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepción, Chile.
| | - Claudia Mardones
- Universidad de Concepción, Facultad de Farmacia - Depto de Análisis Instrumental, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepción, Chile
| | - Antonieta Hitschfeld
- Universidad de Concepción, Facultad de Farmacia - Depto de Análisis Instrumental, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepción, Chile
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