title: [Serum norharman and harman analysis using high pressure liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and value of beta-carbolines as blood alcohol markers].
abstract: Firstly, a method for LC-MS/MS-analysis of the beta-carbolines norharman and harman in serum was established and validated. Secondly, serum samples from persons during ethanol loading conditions were investigated (n = 26). Norharman was regularly found positive only in persons with BAC > 1.6@1000. In this subgroup harman was detected in 5 out of 9 cases. The finding of norharman concentrations > 50 pg/mL in the serum of 4 out of 5 control persons was of high interest. In addition serum samples of smokers (n = 9) were analyzed for the beta-carbolines. All samples from smokers were tested positive for norharman with concentrations > 50 pg/mL in 7 cases. These results were in accordance with recent reports in literature and underline that the beta-carbolines norharman and harman do not meet the criteria of alcohol state-markers and positive serum sample testing may result from endogenous as well as from exogenous sources.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität Mainz.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pötsch
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Skopp
mesh_terms: D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002243:Carbolines; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006247:Harmine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002243:Carbolines; D000431:Ethanol; D006247:Harmine; C005010:harman; C010262:norharman