Case report: Etizolam and its major metabolites in two unnatural death cases.
A simultaneous analytical method for etizolam and its main metabolites (alpha-hydroxyetizolam and 8-hydroxyetizolam) in whole blood was developed using solid-phase extraction, TMS derivatization and ion trap gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Separation of etizolam, TMS derivatives of alpha-hydroxyetizolam and 8-hydroxyetizolam and fludiazepam as internal standard was performed within about 17 min. The inter-day precision evaluated at the concentration of 50 ng/mL etizolam, alpha-hydroxyetizolam and 8-hydroxyetizolam was evaluated 8.6, 6.4 and 8.0% respectively. Linearity occurred over the range in 5-50 ng/mL. This method is satisfactory for clinical and forensic purposes. This method was applied to two unnatural death cases suspected to involve etizolam. Etizolam and its two metabolites were detected in these cases.
Nakamae
Takuma
T
Department of Pharmaceutical Science, International University of Health and Welfare, 2600-1 Kitakanemaru, Ohtawara, Tochigi 324-8501, Japan. tak-n@iuhw.ac.jp
Shinozuka
Tatsuo
T
Sasaki
Chizuko
C
Ogamo
Akira
A
Murakami-Hashimoto
Chikako
C
Irie
Wataru
W
Terada
Masaru
M
Nakamura
Shigeki
S
Furukawa
Masataka
M
Kurihara
Katsuyoshi
K
D003975:Diazepam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning; D005260:Female; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction; D013405:Suicide; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000097:blood* / Q000506:poisoning
C539701:8-hydroxyetizolam; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents; C069801:alpha-hydroxyetizolam; C044610:etizolam; D003975:Diazepam