Effect of hydrolysis on identifying prenatal cannabis exposure.
Identification of prenatal cannabis exposure is important due to potential cognitive and behavioral consequences. A two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for cannabinol, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), 8beta,11-dihydroxy-THC, and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) quantification in human meconium was developed and validated. Alkaline, enzymatic, and enzyme-alkaline tandem hydrolysis conditions were optimized with THC- and THCCOOH-glucuronide reference standards. Limits of quantification ranged from 10 to 15 ng/g, and calibration curves were linear to 500 ng/g. Bias and intra-day and inter-day imprecision were <12.3%. Hydrolysis efficiencies were analyte-dependent; THC-glucuronide was effectively cleaved by enzyme, but not base. Conversely, THCCOOH-glucuronide was most sensitive to alkaline hydrolysis. Enzyme-alkaline tandem hydrolysis maximized efficiency for both glucuronides. Identification of cannabinoid-positive meconium specimens nearly doubled following alkaline and enzyme-alkaline hydrolysis. Although no 11-OH-THC glucuronide standard is available, enzymatic hydrolysis improved 11-OH-THC detection in authentic specimens. Maximal identification of cannabis-exposed neonates and the widest range of cannabis biomarkers are achieved with enzyme-alkaline tandem hydrolysis.
Chemistry and Drug Metabolism, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd. Suite 200, Room 05A721A, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Teresa R
TR
Gray
Allan J
AJ
Barnes
Marilyn A
MA
Huestis
D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000032:analysis*; D002188:Cannabis; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D020719:Glucuronides / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008470:Meconium / Q000737:chemistry*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012015:Reference Standards
D002186:Cannabinoids; D020719:Glucuronides