Lefetamine‐derived designer drugs N‐ethyl‐1,2‐diphenylethylamine (NEDPA) and N‐iso‐propyl‐1,2‐diphenylethylamine (NPDPA): Metabolism and detectability in rat urine using GC‐MS,LC‐MSn and LC‐HR‐MS/MS

N‐Ethyl‐1,2‐diphenylethylamine (NEDPA) and N‐iso‐propyl‐1,2‐diphenylethylamine (NPDPA) are two designer drugs, which were confiscated in Germany in 2008. Lefetamine (N,N‐dimethyl‐1,2‐diphenylethylamine, also named L‐SPA), the pharmaceutical lead of these designer drugs, is a controlled substance in many countries. The aim of the present work was to study the phase I and phase II metabolism of these drugs in rats and to check for their detectability in urine using the authors’ standard urine screening approaches (SUSA). For the elucidation of the metabolism, rat urine samples were worked up with and without enzymatic cleavage, separated and analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and liquid chromatography‐high resolution‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐HR‐MS/MS). According to the identified metabolites, the following metabolic pathways for NEDPA and NPDPA could be proposed: N‐dealkylation, mono‐ and bis‐hydroxylation of the benzyl ring followed by methylation of one of the two hydroxy groups, combinations of these steps, hydroxylation of the phenyl ring after N‐dealkylation, glucuronidation and sulfation of all hydroxylated metabolites. Application of a 0.3 mg/kg BW dose of NEDPA or NPDPA, corresponding to a common lefetamine single dose, could be monitored in rat urine using the authors’ GC‐MS and LC‐MSⁿ SUSA. However, only the metabolites could be detected, namely N‐deethyl‐NEDPA, N‐deethyl‐hydroxy‐NEDPA, hydroxy‐NEDPA, and hydroxy‐methoxy‐NEDPA or N‐de‐iso‐propyl‐NPDPA, N‐de‐iso‐propyl‐hydroxy‐NPDPA, and hydroxy‐NPDPA. Assuming similar kinetics, an intake of these drugs should also be detectable in human urine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diphenidine,a new psychoactive substance: metabolic fate elucidated with rat urine and human liver preparations and detectability in urine using GC‐MS,LC‐MSn,and LC‐HR‐MSn

Diphenidine is a new psychoactive substance (NPS) sold as a ‘legal high’ since 2013. Case reports from Sweden and Japan demonstrate its current use and the necessity of applying analytical procedures in clinical and forensic toxicology. Therefore, the phase I and II metabolites of diphenidine should be identified and based on these results, the detectability using standard urine screening approaches (SUSAs) be elucidated. Urine samples were collected after administration of diphenidine to rats and analyzed using different sample workup procedures with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and liquid chromatography‐(high resolution)‐mass spectrometry (LC‐(HR)‐MS). With the same approaches incubates of diphenidine with pooled human liver microsomes (pHLM) and cytosol (pHLC) were analyzed. According to the identified metabolites, the following biotransformation steps were proposed in rats: mono‐ and bis‐hydroxylation at different positions, partly followed by dehydrogenation, N,N‐bis‐dealkylation, and combinations of them followed by glucuronidation and/or methylation of one of the bis‐hydroxy‐aryl groups. Mono‐ and bis‐hydroxylation followed by dehydrogenation could also be detected in pHLM or pHLC. Cytochrome‐P450 (CYP) isozymes CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 were all capable of forming the three initial metabolites, namely hydroxy‐aryl, hydroxy‐piperidine, and bis‐hydroxy‐piperidine. In incubations with CYP2D6 hydroxy‐aryl and hydroxy‐piperidine metabolites were detected. After application of a common users’ dose, diphenidine metabolites could be detected in rat urine by the authors’ GC‐MS as well as LC‐MSⁿ SUSA. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Elucidation of the metabolites of the novel psychoactive substance 4‐methyl‐N‐ethyl‐cathinone (4‐MEC) in human urine and pooled liver microsomes by GC‐MS and LC‐HR‐MS/MS techniques and of its detectability by GC‐MS or LC‐MSn standard screening approaches

4‐methyl‐N‐ethcathinone (4‐MEC), the N‐ethyl homologue of mephedrone, is a novel psychoactive substance of the beta‐keto amphetamine (cathinone) group. The aim of the present work was to study the phase I and phase II metabolism of 4‐MEC in human urine as well as in pooled human liver microsome (pHLM) incubations. The urine samples were worked up with and without enzymatic cleavage, the pHLM incubations by simple deproteinization. The metabolites were separated and identified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and liquid chromatography‐high resolution‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐HR‐MS/MS). Based on the metabolites identified in urine and/or pHLM, the following metabolic pathways could be proposed: reduction of the keto group, N‐deethylation, hydroxylation of the 4‐methyl group followed by further oxidation to the corresponding 4‐carboxy metabolite, and combinations of these steps. Glucuronidation could only be observed for the hydroxy metabolite. These pathways were similar to those described for the N‐methyl homologue mephedrone and other related drugs. In pHLM, all phase I metabolites with the exception of the N‐deethyl‐dihydro isomers and the 4‐carboxy‐dihydro metabolite could be confirmed. Glucuronides could not be formed under the applied conditions. Although the taken dose was not clear, an intake of 4‐MEC should be detectable in urine by the GC‐MS and LC‐MSⁿ standard urine screening approaches at least after overdose. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metabolism of the tryptamine‐derived new psychoactive substances 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DALT, 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐ALCHT,and 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DIPT and their detectability in urine studied by GC–MS,LC–MSn,and LC‐HR‐MS/MS

Many N,N‐dialkylated tryptamines show psychoactive properties and were encountered as new psychoactive substances. The aims of the presented work were to study the phase I and II metabolism and the detectability in standard urine screening approaches (SUSA) of 5‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐N,N‐diallyltryptamine (5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DALT), 5‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐N‐allyl‐N‐cyclohexyltryptamine (5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐ALCHT), and 5‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐N,N‐diisopropyltryptamine (5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DIPT) using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), liquid chromatography coupled with multistage accurate mass spectrometry (LC–MSⁿ), and liquid chromatography‐high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐HR‐MS/MS). For metabolism studies, urine was collected over a 24 h period after administration of the compounds to male Wistar rats at 20 mg/kg body weight (BW). Phase I and II metabolites were identified after urine precipitation with acetonitrile by LC‐HR‐MS/MS. 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DALT (24 phase I and 12 phase II metabolites), 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐ALCHT (24 phase I and 14 phase II metabolites), and 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DIPT (20 phase I and 11 phase II metabolites) were mainly metabolized by O‐demethylation, hydroxylation, N‐dealkylation, and combinations of them as well as by glucuronidation and sulfation of phase I metabolites. Incubations with mixtures of pooled human liver microsomes and cytosols (pHLM and pHLC) confirmed that the main metabolic reactions in humans and rats might be identical. Furthermore, initial CYP activity screenings revealed that CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 were involved in hydroxylation, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 in O‐demethylation, and CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 in N‐dealkylation. For SUSAs, GC–MS, LC‐MSⁿ, and LC‐HR‐MS/MS were applied to rat urine samples after 1 or 0.1 mg/kg BW doses, respectively. In contrast to the GC–MS SUSA, both LC–MS SUSAs were able to detect an intake of 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐ALCHT and 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DIPT via their metabolites following 1 mg/kg BW administrations and 5‐MeO‐2‐Me‐DALT following 0.1 mg/kg BW dosage. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Toxicokinetics of new psychoactive substances: plasma protein binding,metabolic stability,and human phase I metabolism of the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212‐2 studied using in vitro tools and LC‐HR‐MS/MS

The new psychoactive substance WIN 55,212‐2 ((R)‐(+)‐[2,3‐dihydro‐5‐methyl‐3‐(4‐morpholinylmethyl)pyrrolo‐[1,2,3‐de]‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐6‐yl]‐1‐napthalenylmethanone) is a potent synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist. The metabolism of WIN 55,212‐2 in man has never been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the human in vitro metabolites of WIN 55,212‐2 using pooled human liver microsomes and liquid chromatography‐high resolution‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐HR‐MS/MS) to provide targets for toxicological, doping, and environmental screening procedures. Moreover, a metabolic stability study in pooled human liver microsomes (pHLM) was carried out. In total, 19 metabolites were identified and the following partly overlapping metabolic steps were deduced: degradation of the morpholine ring via hydroxylation, N‐ and O‐dealkylation, and oxidative deamination, hydroxylations on either the naphthalene or morpholine ring or the alkyl spacer with subsequent oxidation, epoxide formation with subsequent hydrolysis, or combinations. In conclusion, WIN 55,212‐2 was extensively metabolized in human liver microsomes incubations and the calculated hepatic clearance was comparably high, indicating a fast and nearly complete metabolism in vivo. This is in line with previous findings on other synthetic cannabinoids. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Detection and metabolic investigations of a novel designer steroid: 3‐chloro‐17α‐methyl‐5α‐androstan‐17β‐ol

In 2012, seized capsules containing white powder were analyzed to show the presence of unknown steroid‐related compounds. Subsequent gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) investigations identified a mixture of 3α‐ and 3β‐ isomers of the novel compound; 3‐chloro‐17α‐methyl‐5α‐androstan‐17β‐ol. Synthesis of authentic reference materials followed by comparison of NMR, GC‐MS and gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS) data confirmed the finding of a new ‘designer’ steroid. Furthermore, in vitro androgen bioassays showed potent activity highlighting the potential for doping using this steroid. Due to the potential toxicity of the halogenated steroid, in vitro metabolic investigations of 3α‐chloro‐17α‐methyl‐5α‐androstan‐17β‐ol using equine and human S9 liver fractions were performed. For equine, GC‐MS/MS analysis identified the diagnostic 3α‐chloro‐17α‐methyl‐5α‐androstane‐16α,17β‐diol metabolite. For human, the 17α‐methyl‐5α‐androstane‐3α,17β‐diol metabolite was found. Results from these studies were used to verify the ability of GC‐MS/MS precursor‐ion scanning techniques to support untargeted detection strategies for designer steroids in anti‐doping analyses. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monitoring of drug intake during pregnancy by questionnaires and LC‐MS/MS drug urine screening: evaluation of both monitoring methods

Various studies pointed towards a relationship between chronic diseases such as asthma and allergy and environmental risk factors, which are one aspect of the so‐called Exposome. These environmental risk factors include also the intake of drugs. One critical step in human development is the prenatal period, in which exposures might have critical impact on the child's health outcome. Thereby, the health effects of drugs taken during gestation are discussed controversially with regard to newborns' disease risk. Due to this, the drug intake of pregnant women in the third trimester was monitored by questionnaire, in addition to biomonitoring using a local birth cohort study, allowing correlations of drug exposure with disease risk. Therefore, 622 urine samples were analyzed by an untargeted liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) urine screening and the results were compared to self‐administered questionnaires. In total, 48% (n = 296) reported an intake of pharmaceuticals, with analgesics as the most frequent reported drug class in addition to dietary supplements. 182 times compounds were detected by urine screening, with analgesics (42%; n = 66) as the predominantly drug class. A comparison of reported and detected drug intake was performed for three different time spans between completion of the questionnaires and urine sampling. Even if the level of accordance was low in general, similar percentages (~25%, ~19%, and ~ 20%) were found for all groups. This study illustrates that a comprehensive evaluation of drug intake is neither achieved by questionnaires nor by biomonitoring alone. Instead, a combination of both monitoring methods, providing complementary information, should be considered. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

GC‐MS and GC‐IRD studies on the six‐ring regioisomeric dimethoxybenzylpiperazines (DMBPs)

Gas chromatography with infrared detection (GC‐IRD) provides direct confirmatory data for the differentiation between the six regioisomeric aromatic ring substituted dimethoxybenzylpiperazines (DMBPs). These regioisomeric substances are resolved by GC and the vapour‐phase infrared spectra clearly differentiate among the six dimethoxybenzyl substitution patterns. The mass spectra for these regioisomeric substances are almost identical. With only the 2,3‐dimethoxy isomer showing one unique major fragment ion at m/z 136. Thus mass spectrometry does not provide for the confirmation of identity of any one of these compounds to the exclusion of the other isomers. Perfluoroacylation of the secondary amine nitrogen for each of the six regioisomers gave mass spectra showing some differences in the relative abundance of fragment ions without the appearance of any unique fragments for specific confirmation of structure. Gas chromatography coupled with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric detection (GC‐TOF) provided an additional means of confirmation of the elemental composition of the major fragment ions in the mass spectra of these compounds. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The in vivo and in vitro phase I metabolism of FYL‐67, a novel oxazolidinone antibacterial drug,studied by LC‐MS/MS

In our previous study, FYL‐67, a novel linezolid analogue with the morpholinyl ring replaced by a 4‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl group, was demonstrated to own an excellent activity against Gram‐positive organisms,such as methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, metabolic biotransformation was not investigated. This study was performed to identify the phase I metabolites of FYL‐67 using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). The chemical structures were confirmed by comparison with corresponding chemical standards obtained internal. Primary elucidation of the metabolic pathway of FYL‐67 in vitro was performed using liver preparations (microsomes and hepatocytes) from rats and humans, and SD (Sprague Dawley, rat, rattus norvegicus) rats were used for the study of in vivo approach. To the end, two metabolites (M₁ and M₂) were detected after in vitro as well as in vivo experiments. Based on LC‐MS/MS analyses, the metabolites were demonstrated to be 5‐(aminomethyl)‐3‐(3‐fluoro‐4‐(4‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)phenyl)oxazolidin‐2‐one (M₁) and 3‐(3‐fluoro‐4‐(4‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)phenyl)‐5‐(hydroxymethyl)oxazolidin‐2‐one (M₂). Amide hydrolysis at acetyl group of FYL‐67 leading to the formation of M₁ was observed and suggested to play a major role in both in vivo and in vitro phase I metabolism of FYL‐67. M₁ was demonstrated to undergo a further oxidation to form M₂. In addition, the results indicated no species difference existing between rats and humans. The outcomes of our research can be utilized for the development and validation of the analytical method for the quantification of FYL‐67 as well as its metabolites in biological samples. Furthermore, it is helpful to conduct studies of pharmacodynamics and toxicodynamics. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Targeting misuse of 2‐amino‐N‐ethyl‐1‐phenylbutane in urine samples: in vitro–in vivo correlation of metabolic profiles and development of LC‐TOF‐MS method

A phenyethylamine derivative, 2‐amino‐N‐ethyl‐1‐phenylbutane (2‐AEPB), has recently been detected in doping control and drugs‐of‐abuse samples, and identified as a non‐labelled ingredient in a dietary supplement. To facilitate efficient control of this substance we have studied the in vitro metabolic behaviour of 2‐AEPB with human liver preparation, compared these results with in vivo pathways in human, and finally propose an analytical strategy to target the potential misuse of 2‐AEPB for toxicological, forensic and doping control purposes. The major in vitro formed metabolites originated from desethylation (M1) and monohydroxylation (M2). A minor metabolite with hydroxylation/N‐oxidation was also observed (M3). In vitro‐in vivo correlation was studied in an excretion study with a single, oral dose of 2‐AEPB‐containing supplement. An unmodified substance was the most abundant target compound and detected until the last point of sample collection (72 h), and the detection of M1 (40 h) and M2 (27 h) demonstrated good correlation to in vitro results. In the study with authentic cases (n = 6), 2‐AEPB and M1 were mainly found in free urinary fraction, whereas higher inter‐individual variability was observed for M2. It was predominantly conjugated and already within this limited number of cases, the ratio between glucuronide‐ and sulpho‐conjugated fractions varied significantly. As a conclusion, hydrolysis is not mandatory in the routine sample preparation, and as the separation can be based on either gas chromatography or liquid chromatography, this study verifies that routine mass spectrometric detection methods targeted to amphetamine derivatives can be easily extended to control the misuse of 2‐AEPB. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

LC‐MS/MS detection of unaltered glucuronoconjugated metabolites of metandienone

The aim of this study was to evaluate the direct detection of glucuronoconjugated metabolites of metandienone (MTD) and their detection times. Metabolites resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis were also evaluated. Based on the common mass spectrometric behaviour of steroid glucuronides, three liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) strategies were applied for the detection of unpredicted and predicted metabolites: precursor ion scan (PI), neutral loss scan (NL), and theoretical selected reaction monitoring (SRM) methods. Samples from four excretion studies of MTD were analyzed for both the detection of metabolites and the establishment of their detection times. Using PI and NL methods, seven metabolites were observed in post‐administration samples. SRM methods allowed for the detection of 13 glucuronide metabolites. The detection times, measured by analysis with an SRM method, were between 1 and 22 days. The metabolite detected for the longest time was 18‐nor‐17β‐hydroxymethyl‐17α‐methyl‐5β‐androsta‐1,4,13‐triene‐3‐one‐17‐glucuronide. One metabolite was resistant to hydrolysis with β ‐glucuronidase; however it was only detected in urine up to four days after administration. The three glucuronide metabolites with the highest retrospectivity were identified by chemical synthesis or mass spectrometric data, and although they were previously reported, this is the first time that analytical data of the intact phase II metabolites are presented for some of them. The LC‐MS/MS strategies applied have demonstrated to be useful for detecting glucuronoconjugated metabolites of MTD, including glucuronides resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis which cannot be detected by conventional approaches. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surveillance of drug abuse in Hong Kong by hair analysis using LC‐MS/MS

The aim of this study is to reveal the habits of drug abusers in hair samples from drug rehabilitation units in Hong Kong. With the application of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) technology, a total of 1771 hair samples were analyzed during the period of hair testing service (January 2012 to March 2016) provided to 14 drug rehabilitation units including non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), rehabilitation centers, and medical clinics. Hair samples were analyzed for abused drugs and their metabolites simultaneously, including ketamine, norketamine, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, cocaethylene, norcocaine, codeine, MDMA, MDA, MDEA, amphetamine, methamphetamine, morphine, 6‐acetylmorphine, phencyclidine, and methadone. The results showed that ketamine (77.2%), cocaine (21.3%), and methamphetamine (16.5%) were the frequently detected drugs among those drug abusers, which is consistent with the reported data. In addition, the usage of multiple drugs was also observed in the hair samples. About 29% of drug‐positive samples were detected with multiple drug use. Our studies prove that our locally developed hair drug‐testing method and service can be a valid tool to monitor the use of abused drugs, and which could facilitate rehabilitation program management.     

Identification and analytical characterization of four synthetic cathinone derivatives iso‐4‐BMC, β‐TH‐naphyrone,mexedrone, and 4‐MDMC

New psychoactive substances (NPS) have gained much popularity on the global market over the last number of years. The synthetic cathinone family is one of the most prominent groups and this paper reports on the analytical properties of four synthetic cathinone derivatives: ( 1 ) 1‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐1‐(methylamino)propan‐2‐one (iso‐4‐BMC or iso‐brephedrone), ( 2 ) 2‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)‐1‐(5,6,7,8‐tetrahydronaphthalen‐2‐yl)pentan‐1‐one (β ‐TH‐naphyrone), ( 3 ) 3‐methoxy‐2‐(methylamino)‐1‐(4‐methylphenyl)propan‐1‐one (mexedrone), and ( 4 ) 2‐(dimethylamino)‐1‐(4‐methylphenyl)propan‐1‐one (4‐MDMC). These identifications were based on liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (LC‐QTOF‐MS), gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. To our knowledge, no chemical or pharmacological data about compounds 1–3 have appeared until now, making this the first report on these compounds. The Raman and GC‐MS data of 4 have been reported, but this study added the LC‐MS and NMR data for additional characterization. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification and characterization of 2,5‐dimethoxy‐3,4‐dimethyl‐β‐phenethylamine (2C‐G) – A new designer drug

This study presents and discusses the mass spectrometric, infrared spectroscopic and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data of 2,5‐dimethoxy‐3,4‐dimethyl‐β‐phenethylamine (2C‐G), a new designer drug. A powder sample containing 2C‐G was seized in Poland in 2011. The paper focuses on a comparison of the analytical features of 2C‐G and other members of the 2C‐series, in order to assess the possibility of unequivocal identification. The occurrence of intense peak at m/z = 178 and different intensities of the ions at m/z = 165 and 180 in the gas chromatography‐electron impact‐mass spectrometry (GC‐EI/MS) spectrum of 2C‐G made it possible to distinguish it from 2C‐E. Differences in relative intensities of the ions at m/z = 192, 179 and 177 were observed for GC‐EI/MS spectra of TFAA derivatives of 2C‐G and 2C‐E. An identical set of ions was recorded for these substances using the liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization/quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI/QTOFMS) method in both MS and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) mode, but the distinction was possible based on differences in the ion intensities at m/z = 193.1223 and 178.0988. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of 2C‐G was significantly different from other members of the 2C‐series, with a characteristic doublets at 993–1014 cm^‐1 and 1099–1124 cm^‐1, and the ratio of bands at higher wavenumbers. Final elucidation of the structure of 2C‐G was carried out by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The study indicated that the marketing of analogues of controlled substances poses a real analytical challenge for forensic laboratories, and the application of sophisticated methods is often required for unequivocal identification of a new substance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies on drug metabolism by fungi colonizing decomposing human cadavers. Part II: biotransformation of five model drugs by fungi isolated from post‐mortem material

The present study investigated the in vitro metabolic capacity of 28 fungal strains isolated from post‐mortem material towards five model drugs: amitriptyline, metoprolol, mirtazapine, promethazine, and zolpidem. Each fungal strain was incubated at 25 °C for up to 120 h with each of the five models drugs. Cunninghamella elegans was used as positive control. Aliquots of the incubation mixture were centrifuged and 50 μL of the supernatants were diluted and directly analyzed by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) with product ion scanning. The remaining mixture was analyzed by full scan gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) after liquid‐liquid extraction and acetylation. The metabolic activity was evaluated through the total number of detected metabolites (NDM) produced in each model and fungal strains and the percentage of parent drug remaining (%RPD) after up to five days of incubation. All the tested fungal strains were capable of forming mammalian phase I metabolites. Fungi from the normal fungal flora of the human body such as Candida sp., Geotrichum candidum, and Trichosporon asahii) formed up to seven metabolites at %RPD values greater than 52% but no new fungal metabolites (NFM). In contrast, some airborne fungal strains like Bjerkandera adusta, Chaetomium sp, Coriolopsis sp., Fusarium solani and Mucor plumbeus showed NDM values exceeding those of the positive control, complete metabolism of the parent drug in some models and formation of NFM. NFM (numbers in brackets) were detected in four of the five model drugs: amitriptyline (18), metoprolol (4), mirtazapine (8), and zolpidem (2). The latter NFM are potential candidates for marker substances indicating post‐mortem fungal metabolism. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development and validation of an LC‐MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of piperaquine and 97‐63, the active metabolite of CDRI 97‐78, in rat plasma and its application in interaction study

Piperaquine‐dihydroartemisinin combination is the latest addition to the repertoire of ACTs recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for treatment of falciparum malaria. Due to the increasing resistance to artemisinin derivatives, CSIR‐CDRI has developed a prospective short acting, trioxane antimalarial derivative, CDRI 97‐78. In the present study, a liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI‐MS/MS) method for the simultaneous quantification of piperaquine (PPQ) and 97‐63, the active metabolite of CDRI 97‐78 found in vivo, was developed and validated in 100 μL rat plasma using halofantrine as internal standard. PPQ and 97‐63 were separated using acetonitrile:methanol (50:50, v/v) and ammonium formate buffer (10 mM, pH 4.5) in the ratio of 95:5(v/v) as mobile phase under isocratic conditions at a flow rate of 0.65 mL/min on Waters Atlantis C₁₈ (4.6 × 50 mm, 5.0 µm) column. The extraction recoveries of PPQ and 97‐63 ranged from 90.58 to 105.48%, while for the internal standard, it was 94.27%. The method was accurate and precise in the linearity range 3.9–250 ng/mL for both the analytes, with a correlation coefficient (r) of ≥ 0.998. The intra‐ and inter‐day assay precision ranged from 2.91 to 8.45% and; intra‐ and inter‐day assay accuracy was between 92.50 and 110.20% for both the analytes. The method was successfully applied to study the effect of oral co‐administration of PPQ on the pharmacokinetics of CDRI 97‐78 in Sprague‐dawley rats and vice versa. The co‐administration of CDRI 97‐78 caused significant decrease in AUC_0–∞ of PPQ from 31.52 ± 2.68 to 14.84 ± 4.33 h*µg/mL. However, co‐administration of PPQ did not have any significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of CDRI 97‐78. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Detection of the designer benzodiazepine flunitrazolam in urine and preliminary data on its metabolism

Designer benzodiazepines have emerged as recreational drugs. They are available via the Internet without control and are found in the form of falsified (fake) medicines. For some of them, limited information concerning their effects, their toxicity, and their detection in bio fluids is available in the literature. For others, nothing has been published, as in the case of flunitrazolam (FNTZ). To gain preliminary data on its elimination parameters in urine and to investigate its metabolism, one of the authors ingested one pink tablet bought on the Internet, after confirming the absence of other compounds and agreement with the labeled dosage (0.25 mg) by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). A software algorithm (MetaboLynx, Waters, Milford, MA, USA) was used to predict FNTZ biotransformation and four potential metabolites were proposed: 4‐hydroxy‐FNTZ, desnitro‐FNTZ, 7‐amino‐FNTZ, and 7‐acetamido‐FNTZ. Urine samples were collected over 72 hours following oral administration of one tablet. After liquid/liquid extraction at pH 9.5, FNTZ concentrations were determined using ultra performance liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole–mass spectrometry (UPLC–QqQ–MS/MS). FNTZ remained detectable in hydrolyzed urine for 21 hours after ingestion, with concentrations ranging between 1 and 18 ng/mL. About 3% of the initial dose was excreted in urine as total unchanged FNTZ during this period. In vitro experiments (HLM incubations) were performed using ultra performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time of flight‐mass spectrometry (UPLC–QTOF–MS) in order to investigate the potential CYP‐ and UGT‐dependent metabolites where only 7‐amino‐FNTZ was detected as the only metabolite. However, in the urine specimens, desnitro‐FNTZ, 7‐acetamido‐FNTZ and 7‐amino‐FNTZ were the main detected compounds. The identification of FNTZ metabolites dramatically improves the detection windows of the drug up to 37 hours.     

Power of Orbitrap‐based LC‐high resolution‐MS/MS for comprehensive drug testing in urine with or without conjugate cleavage or using dried urine spots after on‐spot cleavage in comparison to established LC–MSn or GC–MS procedures

Reliable, sensitive, and comprehensive urine screening procedures by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) or liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) with low or high resolution (HR) are of high importance for drug testing, adherence monitoring, or detection of toxic compounds. Besides conventional urine sampling, dried urine spots are of increasing interest. In the present study, the power of LC–HR–MS/MS was investigated for comprehensive drug testing in urine with or without conjugate cleavage or using dried urine spots after on‐spot cleavage in comparison to established LC–MSⁿ or GC–MS procedures. Authentic human urine samples (n = 103) were split in 4 parts. One aliquot was prepared by precipitation (UP), one by UP with conjugate cleavage (UglucP), one spot on filter paper cards and prepared by on‐spot cleavage followed by liquid extraction (DUSglucE), and one worked‐up by acid hydrolysis, liquid–liquid extraction, and acetylation for GC–MS analysis. The 3 series of LC–HR–MS/MS results were compared among themselves, to corresponding published LC–MSⁿ data, and to screening results obtained by conventional GC–MS. The reference libraries used for the 3 techniques contained over 4500 spectra of parent compounds and their metabolites. The number of all detected hits (770 drug intakes) was set to 100%. The LC–HR–MS/MS approach detected 80% of the hits after UP, 89% after UglucP, and 77% after DUSglucE, which meant over one‐third more hits in comparison to the corresponding published LC–MSⁿ results with ≤49% detected hits. The GC–MS approach identified 56% of all detected hits. In conclusion, LC–HR–MS/MS provided the best screening results after conjugate cleavage and precipitation.     

A method for confirming CJC‐1295 abuse in equine plasma samples by LC–MS/MS

CJC‐1295 is a peptide‐based drug that stimulates the production of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland. It incorporates a functional maleimido group at the C‐terminus that allows it to covalently bind plasma proteins such as serum albumin. These CJC‐1295‐protein conjugates have a much greater half‐life compared to the unconjugated peptide and are capable of stimulating GH production for more than six days in humans after a single administration. Conjugated CJC‐1295 is difficult to detect in blood by mass spectrometry due to its low abundance, high molecular weight, and conjugation to a range of different protein substrates. Previously we described a screening procedure for the detection of CJC‐1295 in equine plasma using an immuno‐PCR assay. Here we demonstrate the confirmation of CJC‐1295 in equine plasma by LC?MS/MS after immuno‐affinity capture and tryptic digestion. Using this method, CJC‐1295 was identified down to concentrations as low as 180 pg/mL in 1 mL of equine plasma.