title: Ultra-rapid procedure to test for gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in blood and urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
abstract: Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a substance naturally present within mammal species. Properties of a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator are generally suggested for this substance. GHB is therapeutically used as an anaesthetic, but can be used for criminal offences (date-rape drug). It appears that the window of detection of GHB is very short in both blood and urine, and therefore its presence is very difficult to prove after a rape case. Twenty microl of blood or urine were pipetted into a glass tube, followed by 20 microl GHB-d(6) and 45 microl acetonitrile. After vortexing and efficient centrifugation, the supernatant was collected and evaporated to dryness. The residue was derivatized with BSTFA+1% TMCS for 20 min at 70 degrees C. After injection on a 30-m HP5 MS capillary column, GHB (m/z 233, 204 and 147) and GHB-d(6) (m/z 239) were identified by mass spectrometry. The procedure was linear from 1 to 200 mg/l for both blood and urine. Precisions were in the range 4 to 11%. The method appears simple, specific and rapid as an accurate result can be obtained within 1 h.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Médecine Légale, Université Louis Pasteur (ULP), 11 rue Humann, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villain
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cirimele
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ludes
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kintz
mesh_terms: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D012978:Sodium Oxybate