[Effect of temperature and time on stability of ketamine in biological samples].
OBJECTIVE
The stability of ketamine in biological samples was studied under different storage temperature and time.


METHODS
The rabbits were given intragastric administration of ketamine with a dose of 150 mg/kg and were sacrificed after 30 minutes. Blood, liver, kidney and brain of the rabbits were stored at room temperature (between 18 degrees C and 24 degrees C) and -20 degrees C. The specimens were analyzed at different times by GC-MS and GC-NPD.


RESULTS
At -20 degrees C, the concentration of ketamine decreased in all of samples (P < 0.05) within 30 days. The concentration of ketamine increased in all of samples stored at room temperature after 5 days(P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The stability of ketamine in biological samples stored at -20 degrees C was better than that at room temperature. The samples suspected containing ketamine should be stored at -20 degrees C and should be tested as soon as possible.
School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China. cj9955@163.com
Jie
J
Cao
Zhen-Hua
ZH
Wang
Juan
J
Jia
Ke-Ming
KM
Yun
Zhi-Wen
ZW
Wei
Yu-Jin
YJ
Wang
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004355:Drug Stability; D005260:Female; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007649:Ketamine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000506:poisoning*; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D007649:Ketamine