Jeremy Carlier1, Xingxing Diao1,2, Karl B Scheidweiler1, Marilyn A Huestis3,4. 1. Chemistry & Drug Metabolism Section, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD. 2. Current address: XenoBiotic Laboratories, Inc., 107 Morgan Lane, Plainsboro, NJ. 3. Chemistry & Drug Metabolism Section, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD; marilyn.huestis@gmail.com. 4. School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: ADB-PINACA and its 5-fluoropentyl analog 5F-ADB-PINACA are among the most potent synthetic cannabinoids tested to date, with several severe intoxication cases. ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA have a different legal status, depending on the country. Synthetic cannabinoid metabolites predominate in urine, making detection of specific metabolites the most reliable way for proving intake in clinical and forensic specimens. However, there are currently no data on ADB-PINACA and 5F-PINACA metabolism. The substitution of a single fluorine atom distinguishes the 2 molecules, which may share common major metabolites. For some legal applications, distinguishing between ADB-PINACA and 5F-PINACA intake is critical. For this reason, we determined the human metabolic fate of the 2 analogs. METHODS: ADB-PINACA and 5F-PINACA were incubated for 3 h with pooled cryopreserved human hepatocytes, followed by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis. Data were processed with Compound Discoverer. RESULTS: We identified 19 and 12 major ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA metabolites, respectively. Major metabolic reactions included pentyl hydroxylation, hydroxylation followed by oxidation (ketone formation), and glucuronidation of ADB-PINACA, and oxidative defluorination followed by carboxylation of 5F-ADB-PINACA. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend ADB-PINACA ketopentyl and hydroxypentyl, and ADB-PINACA 5-hydroxypentyl and pentanoic acid, as optimal markers for ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA intake, respectively. Since the 2 compounds present positional isomers as the primary metabolites, monitoring unique product ions and optimized chromatographic conditions are required for a clear distinction between ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA intake.
BACKGROUND:ADB-PINACA and its 5-fluoropentyl analog 5F-ADB-PINACA are among the most potent synthetic cannabinoids tested to date, with several severe intoxication cases. ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA have a different legal status, depending on the country. Synthetic cannabinoid metabolites predominate in urine, making detection of specific metabolites the most reliable way for proving intake in clinical and forensic specimens. However, there are currently no data on ADB-PINACA and 5F-PINACA metabolism. The substitution of a single fluorine atom distinguishes the 2 molecules, which may share common major metabolites. For some legal applications, distinguishing between ADB-PINACA and 5F-PINACA intake is critical. For this reason, we determined the human metabolic fate of the 2 analogs. METHODS:ADB-PINACA and 5F-PINACA were incubated for 3 h with pooled cryopreserved human hepatocytes, followed by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis. Data were processed with Compound Discoverer. RESULTS: We identified 19 and 12 major ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA metabolites, respectively. Major metabolic reactions included pentyl hydroxylation, hydroxylation followed by oxidation (ketone formation), and glucuronidation of ADB-PINACA, and oxidative defluorination followed by carboxylation of 5F-ADB-PINACA. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend ADB-PINACA ketopentyl and hydroxypentyl, and ADB-PINACA 5-hydroxypentyl and pentanoic acid, as optimal markers for ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA intake, respectively. Since the 2 compounds present positional isomers as the primary metabolites, monitoring unique product ions and optimized chromatographic conditions are required for a clear distinction between ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA intake.
Authors: André Niebel; Franziska Krumbiegel; Sven Hartwig; Maria Kristina Parr; Michael Tsokos Journal: Forensic Sci Med Pathol Date: 2019-12-18 Impact factor: 2.007
Authors: Francesco P Busardò; Alfredo F Lo Faro; Ascanio Sirignano; Raffaele Giorgetti; Jeremy Carlier Journal: Arch Toxicol Date: 2022-04-11 Impact factor: 6.168