α-Pyrrolidinohexanophenone (α-PHP) vs. α-pyrrolidinoisohexanophenone (α-PiHP): A toxicological investigation about plasma concentrations and behavior in forensic routine cases.

New psychoactive substances (NPS), like pyrrolidinophenones, are still very present on the illegal drug market. The presented study reports on two members of this substance group, α-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (α-PHP) and α-pyrrolidinoisohexanophenone (α-PiHP), which occurred in forensic routine cases in the last 6 years. α-PHP could be detected predominantly by a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method in 33 authentic human plasma samples and α-PiHP in 8.

Alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiothiophenone (α-PVT): A forensic case study including plasma concentrations.

Alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiothiophenone (α-PVT) belongs to the drug class of pyrrolidinophenones, a subgroup of synthetic cathinones, which are among the most prevalent new psychoactive substances. The study describes a series of 44 authentic forensic cases with analytical confirmed intake of α-PVT. Plasma concentrations, determined by a validated LC-MS/MS method, ranged from ca.

Retrospective analysis of new psychoactive substances in blood samples of German drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs.

Driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) is a serious global problem and poses a public health risk. With new psychoactive substances (NPS) entering the illicit drug market several years ago, a significant number of highly potent and harmful drugs have become easily available and the use of these substances may impair a person's ability to drive a vehicle safely. Since NPS are not usually covered in routine toxicological analyses used in DUID investigations, only little is known about their prevalence.

MDPV in forensic routine cases: Psychotic and aggressive behavior in relation to plasma concentrations.

The new psychoactive substance 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) belongs to the group of synthetic cathinones and is purchased mainly as "research chemical" or "bath salt" on the illegal drug market, also in South Bavaria. MDPV was detected in blood and urine samples from 2010 on in 50 authentic routine cases in a forensic setting. Plasma concentrations in 46 cases with available blood specimens ranged from approximately 1.

Proof of a 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine (mCPP) intake: use as adulterant of cocaine resulting in drug-drug interactions?

Since 2005, increasing numbers of seizures of the designer drug of abuse 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine (mCPP) have been reported. This paper describes the unequivocal proof of a mCPP intake. Differentiation from the intake of its precursor drugs trazodone and nefazodone was performed by a systematic toxicological analysis (STA) procedure using full-scan GC-MS after acid hydrolysis, liquid-liquid extraction and microwave-assisted acetylation.

Bioanalytical procedures for determination of drugs of abuse in blood.

Determination of drugs of abuse in blood is of great importance in clinical and forensic toxicology. This review describes procedures for detection of the following drugs of abuse and their metabolites in whole blood, plasma or serum: Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-hydroxy-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-nor-9-carboxy-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-nor-9-carboxy-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol glucuronide, heroin, 6-monoacetylmorphine, morphine, morphine-6-glucuronide, morphine-3-glucuronide, codeine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, N-ethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, cocaethylene, other cocaine metabolites or pyrolysis products (norcocaine, norcocaethylene, norbenzoylecgonine, m-hydroxycocaine, p-hydroxycocaine, m-hydroxybenzoylecgonine, p-hydroxybenzoylecgonine, ethyl ecgonine, ecgonine, anhydroecgonine methyl ester, anhydroecgonine ethyl ester, anhydroecgonine, noranhydroecgonine, N-hydroxynorcocaine, cocaine N-oxide, anhydroecgonine methyl ester N-oxide). Metabolites and degradation products which are recommended to be monitored for assessment in clinical or forensic toxicology are mentioned.

Fenproporex N-dealkylation to amphetamine--enantioselective in vitro studies in human liver microsomes as well as enantioselective in vivo studies in Wistar and Dark Agouti rats.

Fenproporex (FP) is known to be N-dealkylated to R(-)-amphetamine (AM) and S(+)-amphetamine. Involvement of the polymorphic cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform CYP2D6 in metabolism of such amphetamine precursors is discussed controversially in literature. In this study, the human hepatic CYPs involved in FP dealkylation were identified using recombinant CYPs and human liver microsomes (HLM).

Identification of human cytochrome P450 2D6 as major enzyme involved in the O-demethylation of the designer drug p-methoxymethamphetamine.

p-Methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) is a new designer drug, listed in many countries as a controlled substance. Several fatalities have been attributed to the abuse of this designer drug. Previous in vivo studies using Wistar rats had shown that PMMA was metabolized mainly by O-demethylation.

Cytochrome P450 isoenzymes involved in rat liver microsomal metabolism of californine and protopine.

Studies are described on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzyme dependence of the main metabolic steps of the Eschscholtzia californica alkaloids californine and protopine using rat liver microsomes. Preparations of E. californica are in use as phytopharmaceuticals and as herbal drugs of abuse.

Cytochrome P450 dependent metabolism of the new designer drug 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP). In vivo studies in Wistar and Dark Agouti rats as well as in vitro studies in human liver microsomes.

1-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP) is a designer drug with serotonergic properties. Previous studies with male Wistar rats (WI) had shown, that TFMPP was metabolized mainly by aromatic hydroxylation. In the current study, it was examined whether this reaction may be catalyzed by cytochrome P450 (CYP)2D6 by comparing TFMPP vs.

Identification of cytochrome p450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of 4'-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinopropiophenone, a novel scheduled designer drug, in human liver microsomes.

4'-Methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (MPPP) is a new drug of abuse. It is believed to have an abuse potential similar to that of amphetamines. Previous studies with Wistar rats had shown that MPPP was metabolized mainly by hydroxylation in position 4' followed by dehydrogenation to the corresponding carboxylic acid.

Studies on the metabolism and toxicological detection of the Eschscholtzia californica alkaloids californine and protopine in urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Eschscholtzia californica preparations are in use as phytopharmaceuticals and as herbal drugs. Studies are described on the metabolism and the toxicological analysis of the Eschscholtzia californica alkaloids californine and protopine in rat urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The identified metabolites indicated that californine is extensively metabolized by N-demethylation and/or single or double demethylenation with consecutive catechol-O-methylation of one of the hydroxy groups.