Analysis of methaqualone in autopsy material

Summary A method for detection and determination of methaqualone and some of its metabolites in autopsy material is described, involving extraction, ultra-violet spectrophotometry, gas and thin-layer chromatography.Twenty autopsy cases of intoxications were investigated in a detailed fashion. In most cases, the concentration of metabolites in blood, liver and kidney were considerably lower than those of the parent drug, especially when other drugs and/or ethanol also were found. Only small amounts of methaqualone and free metabolites were present in the urine. However, after acid hydrolysis, considerable quantities of metabolites were liberated.A statistical survey of autopsy cases where methaqualone was detected in routine analyses are given. Between, 1964 and June, 197O, methaqualone was detected in 165 autopsy cases, about 90% of these being suicides. 22 cases were intoxications with methaqualone alone. In the remaining ones, death was due to combinations of drugs (including ethanol), or due to physical factors.From the material presented here, the lower limit of lethal concentration in blood seems to be 1–2 mg of drug per 100 ml in pure methaqualone intoxications.

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Zusammenfassung Eine Methode zur Isolierung und Identifizierung von Methaqualon (2-Methyl-3-o-4(3H)-chinazolinon) in Leichenmaterial wird beschrieben. Proben von Leber bzw. Niere werden mit Äthanol homogenisiert und die Suspension zentrifugiert. Die klare Lösung wird abdekantiert und eingedunstet. Im übrigen, sowie auch für Blut und Harn, wurde das Verfahren von Bonnichsen u. Mitarb. (1961) und Maehly und Bonnichsen (1966) verwendet.Um unverändertes Methaqualon in den Extrakten zu bestimmen, wurden diese gaschromatographisch untersucht. Als stationäre Phase wurde 1% HiEff 3 A verwendet (ein Polyester von Applied Science Laboratories, U.S.A.) und als Träger Gas Chrom Q bei einer Kolonnentemperatur von 190°. Unter diesen Verhältnissen wurden Metaboliten des Methaqualons nicht eluiert.Mit Hilfe der Ultraviolett-Spektrophotometrie wurde die Gesamtmenge von Methaqualon und gewissen Metaboliten mit annähernd gleichen Spektren bestimmt. In einigen Fällen wurden Extrakte von Blut, Leber und Niere auch dünnschicht-chromatographisch untersucht. Auf den Chromatogrammen konnten außer Methaqualon 3 andere Flecken (manchmal nur 1 oder 2), die mit Dragendorffs Reagens angefärbt werden und Metaboliten von Methaqualon darstellen, entdeckt werden (Abb. 2). Die Metaboliten wurden nicht identifiziert.Mit den genannten Methoden wurden 20 Fälle von tödlichen Vergiftungen (im allgemeinen Suicide) untersucht. Die Resultate sind in Tabellen 1 und 2 angegeben. Der Anteil von Metaboliten war im allgemeinen viel niedriger als der des unveränderten Methaqualons, besonders wenn auch andere Arzneimittel oder Äthanol vorlagen. Bemerkenswert niedrige Konzentrationen von Metaboliten zeigte Fall Nr. 7 (Tabelle 2), in welchem auch hohe Konzentrationen von Salicylsäure gefunden wurden.Im Harn wurden nur geringe Mengen von Methaqualon oder freien Metaboliten nachgewiesen, saure Hydrolyse setzte hingegen große Mengen gebundene Metaboliten frei. Im Blut oder in den Organen wurden nur unbedeutende Mengen von gebundenen Metaboliten entdeckt.

     

Effect of tetraethyl lead on food and water intake in the rat

The effect of tetraethyl lead (TEL) on food and water intake in adult male albino rats was studied. Animals received 1, 4, 7, 10, or 13 mg/kg body weight of TEL in peanut oil, or a peanut oil placebo, via either intragastric (IG) intubation or intraperitoneal (IP) injection. For food intake, route of administration was a significant factor and, compared to baseline levels, food intake was significantly depressed at dosage levels of 7, 10, and 13 mg/kg for both IP and IG administration. Further, the time course of food intake differed significantly across route of administration. Water intake was also significantly depressed at 7, 10, and 13 mg/kg, but route of administration was not a critical factor. Results were discussed in relation to clinical and experimental data on lead intoxication, and were viewed as severely limiting the utility of employing food and/or water as motivational variables in assessment of behavioral effects linked to TEL poisoning.     

Carbon tetrachloride poisoning in Reykjavík and vicinity

Summary A report is given of all known cases of carbon tetrachloride poisoning treated at hospitals and/or coming to autopsy at the Department of Pathology, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, during the 20-years period 1945–1964.The main features of each case are summarized in the table. On the basis of previous report (Bjarnason et al.), it was concluded that carbon tetrachloride must be a considerably more toxic substance than trichloroethylene.Department of Pathology, University of Iceland, Reykjavík; Head: ProfessorNiels Dungal (deceased Oct. 29th, 1965).Department of Pharmacology, University of Iceland, Reykjavík; Head: ProfessorKristinn Stefánsson.The Sct. Joseph's Hospital, Reykjavík; Head:Bjarni Jónsson, M.D.     

X-Ray microanalytical studies of lead-implanted rat brains

Summary Various cytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions found in macrophages and astrocytes of lead-implanted rat brains were studied with an energy dispersive x-ray microanalytical technique. Cytoplasmic inclusions contained large quantities of lead, calcium and phosphorus. The proportions of these elements were different within each inclusion. Intranuclear inclusions also contained small amounts of lead and, occasionally, calcium.     

Physical Properties of Fluorosis Bone: Critical Comments

In 1976 Franke and co-workers reported a study of the physical properties of bone from patients who had been exposed to fluorine for many years.¹ In addition the ash from a rib and an iliac crest was examined and found to contain considerable amounts of fluorine. In the mechanical tests, determinations were made of the fracture load and bending strength of complete bones or parts of bones, and of the fracture load per unit of area and the modulus of elasticity of cylindrical test bodies made from bone specimens.     

A Hemoperfusion Column Based on Activated Carbon Granules Coated with an Ultrathin Membrane of Cellulose Acetate

A hemoperfusion system has been developed which makes use of activated carbon encapsulated with cellulose acetate. Studies have revealed that there are no stagnant flow regions in the column, there is minimal particle release and the coating is 30 A thick. The relationships between pore size, pore volume and surface area have been examined. Twenty-five patients in grade IV coma have been treated with the column for treatment of drug overdose or agricultural chemical poisoning; the clinical course of one meprobamate-poisoned patient is described in detail.     

Suizidale Phosphorvergiftung

Zusammenfassung Akute Vergiftungen mit gelbem Phosphor sind im mitteleuropäischen Raum heute selten. Wir beobachteten eine suizidale Phosphorintoxikation. Der klinische Verlauf zeigte die klassischen drei Phasen mit einem symptomfreien Intervall. Bei dieser Vergiftung sind Form und Menge des aufgenommenen Phosphors für die enterale Absorption und somit für Prognose und klinischen Verlauf entscheidend. Gerade bei der Aufnahme auch größerer Mengen von Stangenphosphor scheint eine adäquate Therapie mit dem Grundprinzip der Absorptionsverhinderung sinnvoll.

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Suicide by phosphorus poisoning

In central European countries phosphorus poisonings are rare today. A case of a suicidal intoxication with yellow phosphorus was studied. The clinical course showed the typical three stages including a symptom-free period, although death occurred within 50 h from acute toxic damage of the myocardium.The oral ingestion of phosphorus presents an emergency which demands immediate treatment. Prognosis is depending on the amount of phosphorus absorption in the intestine which is expected to be high if the poison is in a liquid vehicle.

     

Dibenzepine and its Metabolites in Blood,Muscle, Liver,Vitreous Body and Urine from Fatal Poisoning

Abstract: This paper presents a separation technique followed by spectrophotometry for the quantitative determination of dibenzepine and its main metabolites in autopsy material. The method, which has a lower detection limit of 0.5 μg/g material, was used for blood, tissue and urine from 8 cases in which dibenzepine was considered to be the only or a contributory cause of death. In addition to unchanged dibenzepine, three N-demethylated metabolites were detected and identified in the material. According to the results the material could be divided into two groups. One group, six cases, with high concentrations of total dibenzepine (dibenzepine plus metabolites), blood 23–147 μg/g, liver 255–566 μg/g, in which death was caused by dibenzepine alone or in combination with alcohol, and another group, two cases, with ten times lower total dibenzepine concentrations in blood and tissue; in this group additional factors might have contributed to death.