title: Validation of JWH-018 and its metabolites in blood and urine by UPLC-MS/MS: Monitoring in forensic cases.
abstract: The herbal products referred to as 'Spice' have been used as 'legal alternatives' to cannabis worldwide since 2004. The first synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 was detected in 'Spice' products in 2008, and has been banned by many legal authorities since the beginning of 2009. In order to prove use of JWH cannabinoids (JWHs), specific and robust methods were needed. We have developed a specific and reliable method for the detection and quantification of JWH-018, JWH-018 N-pentanoic acid, and JWH-018 N-(5-hydroxypentyl) in blood and urine using solid-phase extraction followed by UPLC-MS/MS analysis. The method has been validated in terms of linearity (0.1-50ng/mL), selectivity, intra-assay and inter-assay accuracy and precision (CV<15%), recovery (85-98%), limits of detection (LOD) (0.08-0.14ng/mL), and quantification (LOQ) (0.10-0.21ng/mL). Matrix effects, stability, and process efficiency were also assessed. The method has been applied to 868 authentic samples received by the Department of Chemistry (Istanbul) in the Council of Forensic Medicine of the Ministry of Justice.
authors.affiliation: Council of Forensic Medicine, Bursa Chemistry Department, Toxicology Division, 16140 Ataevler, Bursa, Turkey. Electronic address: yetererol@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Yeter
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Erol Öztürk
authors.affiliation: Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul Chemistry Department, Toxicology Division, 34196 Bahcelievler, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yeter
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, 34116 Beyazit, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Buket
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alpertunga
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D007211:Indoles / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D010421:Pentanoic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
chemical_list: C586534:(1-(5-hydropentyl)indol-3-yl)-(1-naphthyl)methanone; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007211:Indoles; D009281:Naphthalenes; D010421:Pentanoic Acids; C552597:1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole; C038780:n-pentanoic acid
keywords: JWH-018; LC–MS/MS; Metabolite; Synthetic cannabinoid