Forensic Toxicology最新文献

Purpose: Diphenhydramine is an antihistaminic agent available in numerous over-the-counter preparations, while modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent, available only by prescription, but also used recreationally, when purchased from the black market. Structurally, both substances belong to the class of so-called benzhydryl compounds, which can complicate their proper differentiation. The authors point out the possibility of misattributing modafinil in diphenhydramine-positive cases due to the likely coelution of nordiphenhydramine and modafinil.

Methods: Post-mortem blood and vitreous humor samples were subjected to liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate in an alkaline environment (pH = 9), followed by a detailed toxicological analysis utilizing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: Through the application of full scan mode, multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), and product ion scan mode, the presence of modafinil was excluded in diphenhydramine-positive biological matrices (blood and vitreous humor).

Conclusions: In the analysis of benzhydryl compounds, particular caution should be exercised, with each case verified by comparison with a certified analytical standard, and, where possible, by detecting the metabolites of these compounds.

Purpose: Identification and quantification of sulfide ion in biological samples are required in forensic purpose. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been used for the analysis of sulfide ion by using derivatization reagents. However, conventional derivatization reagents require special attention for derivatization. To simplify the derivatization protocol, we examined ethenesulfonyl fluoride (ESF) as a derivatizing reagent of sulfide ion.

Methods: To 100 μL of whole blood sample containing sulfide ion, 100 μL of boric acid buffer (pH 8.0), 100 μL of acetone solution containing internal standard, 100 μL of acetone solution containing 600 mM concentration of ESF, and 100 μL of hexane were added in a 1.5-mL plastic tube. The mixture was vortexed at room temperature, the tubes were centrifuged, and the organic layer was injected into the GC/MS.

Results: ESF exhibited higher reactivity toward sulfide ion than interfering compounds present in whole blood, allowing for selective derivatization. With the optimized protocol, the detection limit for sulfide ion was 0.01 μg/mL. The calibration curve showed good linearity (R² = 0.9999) in the range of 0.05-10.0 μg/mL, and the precision (% relative standard deviation) and the accuracy (% bias) were within ± 10% (intra- and inter-day).

Conclusion: This GC/MS-based method is a valuable tool for forensic investigations and various analytical fields, offering reliable quantification of sulfide ion in whole blood.

Purpose: In this paper, the authors report a hidden administration of mifepristone, an antiprogestogen used in abortion procedure, by the boyfriend of a pregnant woman. After drinking an iced tea, the woman experienced pelvic cramps and then expulsed products of conception. Due to conflicts in the couple, she suspected a surreptitious administration of an abortion medicine and reported the fact to the police.

Methods: Urine was collected 3 days after the event, while a strand of head hair was collected 1 month later. Urine and hair samples were tested for mifepristone using a liquid chromatography system coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.05 and 0.1 ng/mL for urine and 0.5 and 1 pg/mg for hair, respectively.

Results: Urine and the hair segment corresponding to the period of the event were positive for mifepristone at 0.4 ng/mL and 1.4 pg/mg, respectively.

Conclusion: The presence of mifepristone in both biological specimens demonstrates that the woman was exposed to the drug at the period of the event. The findings of this case make a valuable contribution to the literature, addressing an important gap regarding the concentrations found in biological matrices. There is a few data available in the literature, and these results help to expand knowledge on the subject.

Purpose: The epimers of 11-nor-9-carboxy-hexahydrocannabinol (HHC-COOH) have been identified as metabolites of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) in human urine. Owing to the similarity of chemical structures to 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC-COOH), a major urinary metabolite of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), HHC-COOH may show cross-reactivity in panel tests for urinary Δ⁹-THC metabolites. The authors have evaluated the cross-reactivity of HHC-COOH epimers in three commercial panel tests.

Methods: Human urine spiked with 9α- and 9β-HHC-COOH (final concentrations: 20-500 ng/mL) was subjected to three panel tests (Driven Flow THC L50, IVeX-Screen THC L50-S, and AccuSign THC) with a nominal cutoff concentration of 50 ng/mL for Δ⁹-THC-COOH. Additionally, an intact urine sample from an alleged HHC user was used.

Results: The lowest concentrations judged as positive were 100-500 ng/mL for 9α-HHC-COOH and 50-100 ng/mL for 9β-HHC-COOH. Intact urine samples from an alleged HHC user, whose 9α-/9β-HHC-COOH concentrations (ng/mL) were < 4.0/25.5 before alkaline hydrolysis and 13.4/132.2 after alkaline hydrolysis, were positive for all three panel tests.

Conclusions: Both epimers of HHC-COOH showed cross-reactivity in three panel tests. The reactivity of 9β-HHC-COOH was found to be higher than that of 9α-HHC-COOH. The urine test results from the alleged HHC user suggested that the acyl glucuronides of HHC-COOH also exhibited cross-reactivity. Users of panel tests for urinary Δ⁹-THC metabolites should pay attention to false positives potentially caused by HHC metabolites.

Purpose: In recent years, analogues of ∆⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆⁹-THC) have been widely distributed in Japan via the internet. Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), synthesized by reducing THC, was controlled as a designated substance under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act in Japan in 2022. However, other semi-synthetic cannabinoids, such as acetyl derivatives of THC and HHC, appeared soon. Herein, we examined whether the enzymatic hydrolysis of acetylated forms of ∆⁹-THC, ∆⁸-THC 11-α-HHC, and 11-β-HHC by human liver microsomes (HLM) occurs.

Methods: The hydrolysis reaction was accomplished with HLM. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine products. Recombinant enzymes carboxylesterase 1C (CES1c), carboxylesterase 2 (CES2), and carboxylesterase inhibitor bis-(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) were used to clarify the principal hydrolysis enzymes for acetylated cannabinoids.

Results: The acetylated form underwent hydrolysis with HLM time-dependently, with almost no acetylated product remaining after 60 min. Furthermore, results from LC-MS showed that only the deacetylated form was present after hydrolysis. Although hydrolysis did not occur when HLM was pre-incubated with the carboxylesterase inhibitor BNPP, it was observed when CES1c or CES2 was used for in vitro experiments.

Conclusion: This is the first time that it is elucidated that ∆⁹-THC-O, ∆⁸-THC-O, 11-α-HHC-O, and 11-β-HHC-O are enzymatically hydrolyzed with HLM to produce ∆⁹-THC, ∆⁸-THC, 11-α-HHC, and 11-β-HHC, respectively. Our results also support that CES1c and CES2 were the main enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of the acetylated cannabinoids. This study provides scientific support for the metabolism of newly regulated acetylated cannabinoids to cause the parent compound in vivo.

Purpose: Suvorexant is an orexin receptor antagonist used in the treatment of insomnia. In this study, we investigated the urinary excretion profiles of suvorexant and its major metabolites, including conjugates, to obtain fundamental information for proving exposure to suvorexant in criminal cases.

Methods: Urine specimens were collected from three subjects for maximum 168 h after a single oral ingestion of suvorexant (10 mg), and suvorexant and its metabolites in urine were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with a C18 semi-micro column.

Results: The carboxylic and hydroxy metabolites (M4 and M9) were identified with authentic standards synthesized in our laboratory, and their glucuronides and other hydroxy metabolites (M8 and M10) were tentatively detected based on measured exact masses and product ion spectra of them. Suvorexant, M4 and M9 would be detectable for 20-34 h, 6-7 days and 42-61 h after intake, respectively. The quantitative results demonstrated that the molar ratios of accumulated amounts of M4 and M9 including their glucuronides excreted in urine to dose ranged about 2.6-6.2% and 0.37-0.51%, respectively, while that of the unchanged parent was much lower (0.011-0.013%). The ratios of the amount of glucuronide to the total amount of M4 and M9 excreted in urine was less than 10% and approximately 90%, respectively.

Conclusions: The urinary excretion profiles indicated that M4 and M9 would be effective indicators for proving suvorexant intake, and M4 could be detected until one week after intake even without enzymatic hydrolysis (limit of detection: 0.05 ng/mL).

Purpose: This study investigates the cardiovascular effects of the synthetic cannabinoid naphthalene-1-yl-(1-pentylindole-3-yl)methanone (JWH-018) in rats. The research aims to evaluate the pharmacologic, cardiologic, biochemical, and histopathological effects of acute and subacute administration at low and high doses. The primary research question is how JWH-018 impacts heart function, blood pressure, ECG patterns, and cardiac tissue integrity.

Methods: Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups: control, acute low-dose (ALD, 0.5 mg/kg), acute high-dose (AHD, 5 mg/kg), subacute low-dose (SALD, 0.5 mg/kg for 14 days), and subacute high-dose (SAHD, 5 mg/kg for 14 days). Cardiovascular effects were assessed using echocardiography, hemodynamic and ECG analysis, histopathology, biochemical markers, and LC-MS/MS quantification of JWH-018 and its metabolites in heart tissue.

Results: Acute high-dose JWH-018 caused bradycardia and hypotension, while subacute high-dose increased heart rate but continued to lower blood pressure. JWH-018 induced cardiac arrhythmias, conduction blocks, and ischemic ECG changes, with prolonged QT intervals in subacute high-dose rats. Histopathological findings revealed myocardial infarction-like features, including contraction bands and ischemic damage, particularly in subacute groups. Elevated pro-BNP and triglycerides indicated cardiac stress and metabolic effects. JWH-018 and its metabolites were detected in heart tissue, primarily in high-dose groups.

Conclusions: JWH-018 has significant cardiovascular risks, causing heart rate dysregulation, hypotension, arrhythmias, and ischemic damage. These effects depend on dose and duration. The study highlights the potential dangers of synthetic cannabinoids, emphasizing that they should not be considered safe alternatives to natural cannabis.

Purpose: Toxicological analyses of postmortem blood samples are essential to elucidate forensic cases involving toxic agents, such as illicit drugs. A simple method for determining stimulant substances in postmortem blood samples through protein precipitation and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed and applied in nearly 1000 samples from Brazilian forensic cases.

Methods: For sample preparation, 100 µL of postmortem blood was precipitated using acetonitrile. The supernatant was analyzed via LC-MS/MS system for sixteen substances, including amphetamine, benzoylecgonine, cocaethylene, cocaine, diethylpropion, dimethyltryptamine, ecgonine methyl ester (EME), ephedrine, fenproporex, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methamphetamine, methylphenidate, phenylephrine, and sibutramine. The method was validated following the parameters established by the ANSI/ASB Standard 036 Guideline. After validation, a total of 971 postmortem blood samples were analyzed.

Results: The lower limits of quantification varied from 5 to 20 ng/mL, with all substances demonstrating linearity up to 1000 ng/mL. The method exhibited maximum precision values of 19.3%, while the bias ranged from - 15.4 to + 4.3%. A significant matrix effect was observed only for EME and phenylephrine. Approximately 20.1% of the analyzed samples tested positive for at least one substance, and 12 out of the 16 target analytes were detected. The most prevalent substances identified were benzoylecgonine (17.8%), ecgonine methyl ester (13.9%), and cocaine (13.0%).

Conclusions: A rapid and straightforward LC-MS/MS method for the quantitative analysis of drugs in postmortem blood was validated and successfully applied to nearly 1000 postmortem blood samples.

Purpose: This study examined the applicability of hair analysis as an approach to identify suvorexant (SUV) and lemborexant (LEM) intake by analyzing black hair specimens collected from study participants after a single oral administration.

Methods: Hair specimens were collected form participants who took a single dose of 10 mg SUV or 5 mg LEM. Identification of the dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) and their metabolites was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Reference standards of S-M9 and L-M4, the metabolites of SUV and LEM, respectively, were synthesized in our laboratory. Sectional analysis of 1-mm segments of the single-hair strands was also performed to investigate the incorporation behavior of the drugs into hair.

Results: Unchanged SUV and LEM, and their metabolites S-M9 and L-M4 were detected even in the single-hair specimens. Results of the segmental hair analysis showed predominant incorporation of the drugs into hair through the hair bulb region rather than through the upper dermis zone of the hair root. The drug concentrations in the hair specimens, collected about 1 month after intake, were 0.033-0.037 pg/hair strand (0.17-0.19 pg/mg) for SUV and 0.054-0.28 pg/hair strand (0.28-1.5 pg/mg) for LEM. The calculated distribution ratios of the DORAs into hair to the oral doses were much lower than those of benzodiazepines and zolpidem reported in a previous study.

Conclusions: This is the first report of the detection of the DORAs in hair. The incorporation behavior of the DORAs into hair revealed herein are crucial for proper interpretation of hair test results.

Purpose: Pyrrolidinophenone derivatives (PPs) are amphetamine-like designer drugs containing a pyrrolidine ring, and their adverse effects resemble those of methamphetamine (METH). Microglial activation has been recently suggested as a key event in eliciting the adverse effects against dysfunction of the central nervous system. The aim of this study is to clarify the mechanisms of microglial activation induced by PPs.

Methods: We employed the human microglial cell line HMC3 to assess microglial activation induced by PPs and evaluated the capacities for proliferation and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production that are characteristic features of the activation events.

Results: The WST-1 assay indicated that viability of HMC3 cells was increased by treatment with sublethal concentrations (5-20 µM) of α-pyrrolidinooctanophenone (α-POP), a highly lipophilic PP, whereas it was decreased by treatment with concentrations above 40 µM. Treatment with sublethal α-POP concentrations up-regulated the expression and secretion of IL-6. Additionally, α-POP-induced increase in cell viability was restored by pretreating with N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, and stattic, an inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), respectively, suggesting that activation of the ROS/STAT3 pathway is involved in the α-POP-induced activation of HMC3 cells. The increases in cell viability were also observed in HMC3 cells treated with other α-POP derivatives and METH.

Conclusions: These results suggest that enhanced productions of ROS and IL-6 are also involved in microglial activation by drug treatment and that HMC3 cell-based system is available to evaluate accurately the microglial activation induced by abused drugs.