Toxicological detection of the designer drug 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE, "Eve") and its metabolites in urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and fluorescence polarization immunoassay.
Studies are presented on the toxicological detection of the designer drug methylenedioxyethylamphetamine [MDE, rac-N-ethyl-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-propane-2-amine] in urine after a single oral dose of 140 mg of MDE by GC-MS and fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). After acid hydrolysis, extraction and acetylation MDE and its metabolites could be detected by mass chromatography with the selected ions m/z 72, 86, 114, 150, 162 and 164, followed by identification of the peaks underlying full mass spectra by computer library search. The following metabolites could be detected: unchanged MDE and 3,4-dihydroxyethylamphetamine (DHE) for 33-62 h, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) for 32-36 h and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyethylamphetamine (HME) for 7-8 days. 3,4-Dihydroxyamphetamine (DHA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA), piperonyl acetone, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetone and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl acetone could only be detected in trace amounts within the first few hours. The Abbott TD x FPIA assay amphetamine/metamphetamine II gave positive results in urine for 33-62 h. Therefore, positive immunoassay results could be confirmed by the GC-MS procedure which also allowed the differentiation of MDE and its homologues 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and MDA as well as other amphetamine derivatives interfering with the TD x assay. Furthermore, this GC-MS procedure allowed the simultaneous detection of most of the toxicologically relevant drugs.
Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Tübingen, Germany.
H K
HK
Ensslin
K A
KA
Kovar
H H
HH
Maurer
D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000652:urine; D003846:Deoxyepinephrine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D015198:Designer Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D016231:Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors
D000662:Amphetamines; D015198:Designer Drugs; D006213:Hallucinogens; C031105:3-O-methyl-alpha-methyldopamine; D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine; C023492:alpha-methyldopamine; C104316:4-hydroxy-3-methoxyethylamphetamine; C104315:3,4-dihydroxyethylamphetamine; C051800:3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine; D003846:Deoxyepinephrine; D004298:Dopamine