Detection of the synthetic drug 4-fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) in serum and urine

4-Fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) was detected in the blood and urine of two individuals suspected for driving under the influence (DUI). The test for amphetamines in urine subjected to immunoassay screening using the CEDIA DAU assay proved positive. Further investigations revealed a 4-FA cross-reactivity of about 6% in the CEDIA amphetamine assay. 4-FA was qualitatively detected in a general unknown screening for drugs using GC/MS in full scan mode. No other drugs or fluorinated phenethylamines were detected. A validated GC/MS method was established in SIM mode for serum analysis of 4-FA with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 ng/mL and a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 5 ng/mL. Intra-assay precision was approx. 4% and inter-assay precision approx. 8%. Applying this method, the 4-FA serum concentrations of the two subjects were determined to be 350 ng/mL and 475 ng/mL, respectively. Given the pharmacological data of amphetamine, 4-FA psychoactive effects are to be expected at these serum levels. Both subjects exhibited sympathomimetic effects and psychostimulant-like impairment accordingly.     

Simultaneous determination of creatinine and uric acid in urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with polarity switching electrospray ionization

A simple liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to simultaneously determine creatinine (Cr) and uric acid (UA) levels as a confirmatory method for adulteration or dilution of urine. Centrifuged urine samples (10μL) were diluted with 390μL of distilled water. 30μL of internal standard solution (Cr-d(3), 5μg/mL) and 10μL of acetonitrile were added to 20μL aliquots of diluted urine samples and filtered. The samples (1μL) were introduced into LC-MS/MS with no further pretreatment. Cr and UA were separated on a multi-mode ODS column (Scherzo SM-C18, 75mm×2.0mm I.D., 3μm) and quantified by LC-MS/MS with polarity-switching electrospray ionization. Cr requires the positive-ion mode, whereas the negative-ion mode is required for the analysis of UA. The linear ranges were 1.0-300mg/dL for Cr and 0.5-300mg/dL for UA, with good determination coefficients (R(2)≥0.9988). The intra-day and inter-day precision of the analytes was within 13.0% and 14.4%, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day accuracy was -8.8 to 3.7% and -0.3 to 6.6%, respectively. The lower limits of detection (LLODs) were 0.3mg/dL for Cr and 0.07mg/dL for UA. The applicability of the developed method was examined by analyzing urine samples from suspected drug abusers (n=46).     

生物检材中吗啡类生物碱的LC-MS／MS分析

目的针对滥用药物分析鉴定实践中亟待解决的问题,开展LC-MS/MS分析生物检材中吗啡类生物碱的应用研究。方法满足不同的鉴定需要,分别建立血液、尿液、唾液和头发等生物检材的样品前处理方法,确定同时分析海洛因、单乙酰吗啡、吗啡、可待因、乙酰可待因、二氢可待因酮和氢吗啡酮等吗啡类生物碱的LC-MS/MS方法。将方法应用于实际案例。结果所建立的方法对吗啡类生物碱分离良好。尿液稀释法、尿液提取法和头发中吗啡的最低检测限(LOD)分别为10ng/mL、0.01ng/mL和0.01ng/mg。结论所建立的方法简便、快速、特异性强、灵敏度高。目标物中加入二氢可待因酮和氢吗啡酮扩大了方法的实用范围。     

Development of a quantitative LC-MS/MS method for the analysis of common propellant powder stabilizers in gunshot residue

In traditional scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis of gunshot residue (GSR), one has to cope more and more frequently with limitations of this technique due to the use of lead-free ammunition or ammunition lacking heavy metals. New methods for the analysis of the organic components of common propellant powder stabilizers were developed based on liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A multiple reactions monitoring scanning method was created for the screening of akardite II, ethylcentralite, diphenylamine, methylcentralite, N-nitrosodiphenylamine, 2-nitrodiphenylamine, and 4-nitrodiphenylamine, present in standards mixtures. Five out of seven of these target compounds can be selectively identified and distinguished from the two others with a high accuracy. Samples from the hands of a shooter were collected by swabbing and underwent solid phase extraction prior to analysis. Detection limits ranging from 5 to 115 mug injected were achieved. Results from several firing trials show that the LC-MS/MS method is suitable for the detection of stabilizers in samples collected following the firing of 9 mm Para ammunitions.     

Trace analysis of peroxide explosives by high performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI-MS/MS) for forensic applications

An HPLC-APCI-MS(/MS) method for the (trace) analysis of the most commonly encountered peroxide explosives, hexamethylenetriperoxidediamine (HMTD) and triacetonetriperoxide (TATP), has been developed. With this method, HMTD and TATP have been analyzed in the same run. (Pseudo-)molecular ions of these peroxides have been obtained as base peak under the same condition. A series of product ions was produced from these pseudo-molecular ions ([HMTD - 1]+ and [TATP + NH4]+) in the MS/MS analysis. We also pioneered in showing that a TATP molecular ion [TATP + H]+ can be observed with HPLC-MS/MS. The limit of detection for HMTD and TATP was 0.26 and 3.3 ng, respectively, on column by HPLC-MS in the Full Scan mode and 0.08 and 0.8, respectively, by HPLC-APCI-MS/MS in Selected Reaction Monitoring (single mass unit) mode. The method presented has been applied successfully for the identification of peroxides in the bulk solid state (powder sample), as well as in post-blast extracts originating from a forensic case. For the post-blast extracts, the use of tandem MS has been shown clearly to be of crucial importance for the identification and detection of the peroxide explosives.     

新型微流体液相色谱(micro-LC)串联四极杆质谱检测头发中5种苯二氮卓类药物

目的建立了新型微流体液相色谱(micro-LC)串联四级杆质谱检测头发中5种苯二氮卓类药物(三唑仑,α-羟基咪达唑仑,咪达唑仑,α-羟基阿普唑仑,普拉西泮)。方法采用液-液萃取法(LLE)提取毛发样品,微流体液相色谱串联四级杆质谱检测。结果在回归系数大于0.99的情况下,目标分析物的良好线性。精密度和萃取效率分别在2.7%~17.1%和66.5%~120.5%之间。每个分析物的检出限和定量限分别为0.001~0.08 pg·mg^-1和0.0125~0.25pg·mg^-1。结论本方法与传统的液相色谱串联质谱法(LC/MS-MS)相比灵敏度出高2-10倍。本研究展示了新型微流体分离系统串联质谱方法的实用性,并为法医毒理学领域关于头发样本中痕量药物检测提供了一种新的检测手段。     

Simultaneous screening and quantitation of 18 antihistamine drugs in blood by liquid chromatography ionspray tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method is presented for the simultaneous screening and quantitation of 18 antihistamine drugs in blood samples. Sample pretreatment involved liquid-liquid extraction of the basic antihistamines followed by a second extraction of the acidic antihistamines. The recoveries were 43-113% for basic drugs and 23-66% for acidic drugs. The combined extracts were run by LC on C(18) reversed phase column using acetonitrile-ammonium acetate mobile phase at pH 3.2. The mass spectrometric analysis was performed with a triple stage quadrupole mass analyzer. Screening was performed using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and any compounds tentatively identified as antihistamine drugs were then automatedly verified by their Product Ion Spectra in a subsequent MS/MS run.Quantitation was based on the MRM data from the screening step. In validation tests, the method showed good linearity at the relevant concentrations. The attained limits of quantitation varied between 0.0005 and 0.01mg/l in blood and were lower than the therapeutic concentrations (C(max)). The limits for identification by Product Ion Spectra were also lower than C(max), except for clemastine, which has exceptionally low concentrations in blood. The intra-assay relative standard deviations were better than 10% and the inaccuracy varied between 39% for levocabastine and 5% for cyclizine, the majority of the values being <20%.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法筛查鉴定203种毒品

目的建立203种毒品的液相色谱-串联质谱筛查鉴定方法。方法选用Accucore TM Phenyl/Hexyl苯基己基柱(100 mm×2.1 mm,2.6μm)为色谱柱,柱温50℃,以甲醇乙腈混合溶剂(体积比1:1,含0.1%甲酸和2 mmol/L甲酸铵)、水(含0.1%甲酸和2 mmol/L甲酸铵)作为流动相进行梯度洗脱,流速0.4 mL/min。质谱采用电喷雾正离子模式(ESI+)进行离子化,使用多反应监测(MRM)模式采集数据,总分析时间14 min。结果该方法实现了203种毒品的筛查鉴定分析,各目标物的方法检出限均为10 ng/mL。结论建立的筛查鉴定方法具有快速、准确、灵敏等优点,能够满足禁毒工作的日常需要。     

Plasma,oral fluid and sweat wipe ecstasy concentrations in controlled and real life conditions

In a double-blind placebo controlled study on psychomotor skills important for car driving (Study 1), a 75 mg dose of +/- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was administered orally to 12 healthy volunteers who were known to be recreational MDMA-users. Toxicokinetic data were gathered by analysis of blood, urine, oral fluid and sweat wipes collected during the first 5h after administration. Resultant plasma concentrations varied from 21 to 295 ng/ml, with an average peak concentration of 178 ng/ml observed between 2 and 4h after administration. MDA concentrations never exceeded 20 ng/ml. Corresponding MDMA concentrations in oral fluid, as measured with a specific LC-MS/MS method (which required only 50 microl of oral fluid), generally exceeded those in plasma and peaked at an average concentration of 1215 ng/ml. A substantial intra- and inter-subject variability was observed with this matrix, and values ranged from 50 to 6982 ng/ml MDMA. Somewhat surprisingly, even 4-5h after ingestion, the MDMA levels in sweat only averaged 25 ng/wipe. In addition to this controlled study, data were collected from 19 MDMA-users who participated in a driving simulator study (Study 2), comparing sober non-drug conditions with MDMA-only and multiple drug use conditions. In this particular study, urine samples were used for general drug screening and oral fluid was collected as an alternative to blood sampling. Analysis of oral fluid samples by LC-MS/MS revealed an average MDMA/MDEA concentration of 1121 ng/ml in the MDMA-only condition, with large inter-subject variability. This was also the case in the multiple drug condition, where generally, significantly higher concentrations of MDMA, MDEA and/or amphetamine were detected in the oral fluid samples. Urine screening revealed the presence of combinations such as MDMA, MDEA, amph, cannabis, cocaine, LSD and psilocine in the multiple-drug condition.     

Prevalence of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in serum samples of amphetamine, metamphetamine and ecstasy impaired drivers

Two hundred and forty-seven serum samples which have been collected by police during roadside testing and have been found positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and/or 3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine (MDE) were analyzed for gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). Serum samples were spiked with deuterated GHB as internal standard and acetonitrile was added to achieve dilution and protein precipitation. Samples were analyzed with a LC-MS/MS system operated in the multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) using a TurboIonSpray source. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a Synergi Polar RP column applying a gradient elution with a runtime of 15 min. To differentiate between endogenous and exogenously administered GHB a cut-off concentration of 10 microg/mL was applied. Five samples exceeded this concentration and were found positive for GHB. These samples were only found positive for amphetamine but no other amphetamine derivatives were detected, while in three samples THC and in one sample cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ethanol were found.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法分析生物检材中的河豚毒素

目的建立血液、尿液以及肝中河豚毒素(tetrodotoxin,TTX)的液相色谱-串联质谱分析方法,并进行方法学验证。方法血液、尿液和肝用1%乙酸甲醇溶液去蛋白后,上清液用固相萃取法净化,LC-MS/MS检测。结果血液、尿液和肝中TTX检出限分别为2ng/mL、2ng/mL和4ng/g。血液和尿液在4～100ng/mL、肝在5～100ng/g的范围内线性关系良好,相关系数r≥0.9973;日内精密度和日间精密度均在12.80%以内;回收率大于47.2%。结论所建方法高效、灵敏、准确,可以为河豚毒素中毒的法医学鉴定、临床诊治以及食品安全的监控提供技术保障。     

Determination of ethyl glucuronide in human hair by SPE and LC-MS/MS

A method for the sensitive and selective determination of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in hair has been developed using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Washed and cut hair segments were extracted by ultrasonication (3h, 50 degrees C) and the extracts were cleaned-up with aminopropyl SPE columns. LC-MS/MS analysis was performed using a polar-endcapped phenyl-hexyl-RP-phase with negative mode electrospray ionisation (ESI) using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (Sciex API 365) with a turboionspray source and post-column addition of acetonitrile for enhanced sensitivity. The MS/MS transitions monitored were m/z 221 -->75 for EtG and 226 -->75 for D(5)-EtG as an internal standard. The method was selective and sensitive, with a detection limit of 51 pg/mg hair at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1. The mean recovery was 96%, with an intra- and inter-day precision of less than 11.7% at a concentration of 200 pg/mg. The linearity was assessed in the range of 25-2000 pg/mg hair, with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The method was successfully applied to 97 human hair samples which were taken at autopsies from persons with known alcoholism or were obtained from alcoholics who were hospitalized for ethanol withdrawal, from social drinkers and from children having not consumed any alcohol. Although, approximately two-third of the alcoholics showed EtG concentrations in hair of higher than 51 pg/mg (up to >4000 pg/mg), in one-third the EtG concentration was below the detection limit. However, only in one of five hair samples of "social drinkers", the EtG concentration was above the detection limit (51 pg/mg). No EtG has been detected in the hair of children. These investigations demonstrate that heavy alcohol consumption may be but not necessarily has to be detectable by EtG analysis in hair.     

Benzoylecgonine (cocaine metabolite) detection in hair samples of jail detainees using radioimmunoassay (RIA) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)

Benzoylecgonine (BE) was detected in hair samples using nonproprietary extraction methodology and modifications of well-established radioimmunoassay (RIA) screening/quantitative gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) confirmation procedures. Samples collected anonymously from a population of 48 jail detainees weighed between 5.3 and 61.2 mg. All of the 22 hair samples which had RIA results indicating the presence of BE or immunologically similar substances above a cutoff amount of 1.25 ng/sample (50 ng/mL) were confirmed by GC/MS. Several varieties of hair color and texture were tested, although in each general category there were samples which contained BE as well as other samples which did not reveal detectable amounts of BE. The range of concentrations in 22 hair extracts that screened positive were 0.26 to 18 ng/mg hair as determined by GC/MS. In comparison with other reports of cocaine-related substances in hair, these data show consistent concentrations.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法检测血液中的美西律

目的建立测定血液中美西律(mexiletine)的液相色谱-串联质谱联用法(LC-MS/MS)。方法采用简便的乙腈蛋白沉淀法对血液进行预处理,应用Allure PFP Propyl液相柱分离,用电喷雾正离子模式离子化,多反应监测模式对美西律进行分析。结果美西律与内标纳洛酮分离良好,在0.02～10.00μg/mL内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.9999,回归方程为y=0.0283x-0.0151,日内与日间精密度的RSD均小于15%,最低检测限为0.01μg/mL。结论建立的LC-MS/MS方法简单、灵敏、可靠,可同时适用于美西律临床药物监测和法医毒物分析的需要。     

Quantitative analysis of multiple illicit drugs in preserved oral fluid by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

We present a validated method for the simultaneous analysis of basic drugs which comprises a sample clean-up step, using mixed-mode solid-phase extraction (SPE), followed by LC-MS/MS analysis. Deuterated analogues for all of the analytes of interest were used for quantitation. The applied HPLC gradient ensured the elution of all the drugs examined within 14 min and produced chromatographic peaks of acceptable symmetry. Selectivity of the method was achieved by a combination of retention time, and two precursor-product ion transitions for the non-deuterated analogues. Oral fluid was collected with the Intercept, a FDA approved sampling device that is used on a large scale in the US for workplace drug testing. However, this collection system contains some ingredients (stabilizers and preservatives) that can cause substantial interferences, e.g. ion suppression or enhancement during LC-MS/MS analysis, in the absence of suitable sample pre-treatment. The use of the SPE was demonstrated to be highly effective and led to significant decreases in the interferences. Extraction was found to be both reproducible and efficient with recoveries >76% for all of the analytes. Furthermore, the processed samples were demonstrated to be stable for 48 h, except for cocaine and benzoylecgonine, where a slight negative trend was observed, but did not compromise the quantitation. In all cases the method was linear over the range investigated (2-200 microg/L) with an excellent intra-assay and inter-assay precision (coefficients of variation <10% in most cases) for QC samples spiked at a concentration of 4, 12 and 100 microg/L. Limits of quantitation were estimated to be at 2 microg/L with limits of detection ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 microg/L, which meets the requirements of SAMHSA for oral fluid testing in the workplace. The method was subsequently applied to the analysis of Intercept samples collected at the roadside by the police, and to determine MDMA and MDA levels in oral fluid samples from a controlled study.     

固相萃取／LC-MS／MS测定尿液中吗啡类药物

目的 建立尿液中吗啡类药物的固相萃取／LC—MS／MS方法。方法采用OASIS MCX3cc（60mg）固相萃取柱进行提取,应用LC—MS／MS方法进行检测,运用保留时间和MRM方式对尿液中吗啡类药物及其代谢物进行定性定量分析。结果磷酸盐缓冲液pH4．0时,海洛因、6-MAM、可待因、吗啡、M3G的固相萃取回收率分别达64．33％-70．21％,96．95％～117．57％,83．60％～123．63％,68．82％～91．03％,94．64％～107．33％;最低检测限（LOD）分别为5、10、5、5、2pg,线性范围0．005～10μg／mL;相关系数分别为0．9998、0．9958、0．9992、0．9994、0．9997。结论本文所建方法,适用于尿液中吗啡类药物的分析。     

LC-MS/MS法快速测定全血中25种精神药物的研究

目的建立人全血中25种精神药物快速测定的LC-MS/MS方法,并应用于分析杭州地区药物影响下驾驶(driving under the inference of drugs,DUID)情况。方法以乙腈沉淀蛋白,离心后取上清液,氮气流下吹干,残渣以初始流动相复溶,离心后取上清分析;采用C18色谱柱(50mm×3.0mm,2.6μm)分离,流动相:0.1%甲酸水(A相),乙腈:甲醇=1:1(B相),梯度洗脱;质谱检测,采用串联质谱电喷雾离子源,正电离扫描,多反应监测(MRM)。结果 25种精神药物在0.05~20ng/m L范围内线性良好,R=0.994 4~0.999 6;定量下限为0.05ng/m L;提取回收率为83.0%~99.7%;方法回收率为80.2%~97.4%;日内精密度(RSD)为1.6%~14%;日间精密度(RSD)为3.1%~14%。以该法测定杭州市公安司法鉴定中心留存的全血样品3140例,25种精神药物至少一种的检出率为3.7%。结论本方法灵敏、快捷、准确,适用于全血中25种精神药物快速检测。     

Screening and elucidation of fragmentations of 23 diuretics in dietary supplements using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap

Diuretics are used to treat the edematous state in cases of renal insufficiency, nephrotic syndrome, liver cirrhosis, and heart failure. These compounds are used by athletes to lose weight and are included in the list of prohibited substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency. They are also used by obese and overweight people for losing weight, and there are a number of recent reports on the contamination of dietary supplements with diuretics. Due to the alluring online marketing and blogging, there is an extensive misuse of products that are illegally adulterated with diuretics, which has seriously increased health risks. Therefore, it is essential to develop an analytical method for the detection of adulterants in such substances. In this study, 23 diuretics, categorized into four groups, namely, thiazide diuretics (e.g., bendroflumethiazide), loop diuretics (e.g., bumetanide), potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., amiloride), and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., acetazolamide), were analyzed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole orbitrap (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap). Their fragmentation was elucidated based on the MS/MS data. The 124 products were screened by the UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap (LC-HRMS) method, and the confirmed compounds were quantitated by a previously established LC-MS/MS method. Approximately 5% of the samples were found to be illegally contaminated with diuretics at a concentration of 0.051–162 mg/g. The high selectivity and sensitivity of the UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap (LC-HRMS) method, in combination with the established fragmentation, offer a new approach for the rapid and accurate screening of diuretics in adulterated products, which would be ultimately beneficial for the public health.     

LC-MS／MS测定尿液中可卡因及其代谢物苯甲酰爱康宁

目的建立尿液中可卡因(cocaine,COC)及其代谢物苯甲酰爱康宁(benzoylecgonine,BZE)的液相色谱-串联质谱分析方法。方法尿液经固相萃取后,用AllurePFP丙基柱分离,以V(甲醇):V(20mmol/L乙酸胺和0.1%甲酸的缓冲溶液)=80∶20为流动相,采用二级质谱多反应监测模式检测COC和BZE。按10mg/kg的剂量对豚鼠腹腔注射可卡因,给药后收集7d尿液。结果尿液中COC和BZE在2.0～100ng/mL质量浓度范围内线性关系良好(r=0.9995),最低检测限(LOD)为0.5ng/mL;回收率大于90%;日内和日间精密度均小于6%;豚鼠尿液中主要检测目标物是BZE,且BZE检测时限也较COC长。结论所建方法灵敏度高,选择性好,适用于尿液中可卡因和苯甲酰爱康宁的检测。     

Detection and validated quantification of 21 benzodiazepines and 3 "z-drugs" in human hair by LC-MS/MS

A method for detection and quantification of 21 benzodiazepines and the pharmacologically related "z-drugs" in human hair samples was developed and fully validated using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). After methanolic and methanolic/aqueous extraction, the analytes were separated using two different LC-MS systems (AB Sciex 3200 QTRAP and AB Sciex 5500 QTRAP). Separation columns, mobile phases and MS modes for both systems were: Phenomenex Kinetex, 2.6 μm, 50/2.1; 5mM ammonium formate buffer pH 3.5/methanol, total flow 0.75 mL/min; electrospray ionization (ESI), multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), information dependent acquisition (IDA), enhanced product ion scan (EPI). The assays were found to be selective for the tested compounds (alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, 7-aminoflunitrazepam, bromazepam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, N-desalkylflurazepam, diazepam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, alpha-hydroxymidazolam, lorazepam, lormetazepam, midazolam, nitrazepam, nordazepam, oxazepam, phenazepam, prazepam, temazepam, triazolam, zaleplon, zolpidem and zopiclone), all validation criteria were in the required ranges according to international guidelines, except for bromazepam. Matrix effects, and process efficiencies were in the acceptable ranges evaluated using the post-extraction addition approach. Lower limits of quantification were between 0.6 and 16 pg/mg of hair. The LC-MS/MS assay has proven to be applicable for determination of the studied analytes in human hair in numerous authentic cases (n=175).