scholarly journals High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Characterizing the Metabolism of Synthetic Cannabinoid THJ-018 and Its 5-Fluoro Analog THJ-2201 after Incubation in Human Hepatocytes

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingxing Diao ◽  
Ariane Wohlfarth ◽  
Shaokun Pang ◽  
Karl B Scheidweiler ◽  
Marilyn A Huestis
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Human Hepatocytes ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoid ◽  
High Resolution Mass ◽  
Data Acquisition And Processing ◽  
Resolution Mass

Abstract BACKGROUND Despite increasing prevalence of novel psychoactive substances, no human metabolism data are currently available, complicating laboratory documentation of intake in urine samples and assessment of the drugs' pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological properties. In 2014, THJ-018 and THJ-2201, synthetic cannabinoid indazole analogs of JWH-018 and AM-2201, were identified, with the National Forensic Laboratory Information System containing 220 THJ-2201 reports. Because of numerous adverse events, the Drug Enforcement Administration listed THJ-2201 as Schedule I in January 2015. METHODS We used high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) (TripleTOF 5600+) to identify optimal metabolite markers after incubating 10 μmol/L THJ-018 and THJ-2201 in human hepatocytes for 3 h. Data were acquired via full scan and information-dependent acquisition triggered product ion scans with mass defect filter. In silico metabolite predictions were performed with MetaSite and compared with metabolites identified in human hepatocytes. RESULTS Thirteen THJ-018 metabolites were detected, with the major metabolic pathways being hydroxylation on the N-pentyl chain and further oxidation or glucuronidation. For THJ-2201, 27 metabolites were observed, predominantly oxidative defluorination plus subsequent carboxylation or glucuronidation, and glucuronidation of hydroxylated metabolites. Dihydrodiol formation on the naphthalene moiety was observed for both compounds. MetaSite prediction matched well with THJ-018 hepatocyte metabolites but underestimated THJ-2201 oxidative defluorination. CONCLUSIONS With HR-MS for data acquisition and processing, we characterized THJ-018 and THJ-2201 metabolism in human hepatocytes and suggest appropriate markers for laboratories to identify THJ-018 and THJ-2201 intake and link observed adverse events to these new synthetic cannabinoids.

scholarly journals First Metabolic Profile of XLR-11, a Novel Synthetic Cannabinoid, Obtained by Using Human Hepatocytes and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
pp. 1638-1648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariane Wohlfarth ◽  
Shaokun Pang ◽  
Mingshe Zhu ◽  
Adarsh S Gandhi ◽  
Karl B Scheidweiler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Human Hepatocytes ◽  
Pentanoic Acid ◽  
Dynamic Background ◽  
High Resolution Mass ◽  
Abused Drugs ◽  
Resolution Mass

BACKGROUND Since the mid-2000s synthetic cannabinoids have been abused as recreational drugs, prompting scheduling of these substances in many countries. To circumvent legislation, manufacturers constantly market new compounds; [1-(5-fluoropentyl)indol-3-yl]-(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone (XLR-11), the fluorinated UR-144 analog, is one of the most recent and widely abused drugs, and its use is now linked with acute kidney injury. Our goal was to investigate XLR-11 metabolism for identification of major urinary targets in analytical methods and to clarify the origin of metabolites when one or more parent synthetic cannabinoids can be the source. METHODS We incubated 10 μmol/L XLR-11 with pooled human hepatocytes and sampled after 1 and 3 h. Samples were analyzed by high-resolution mass spectrometry with a TOF scan followed by information-dependent acquisition triggered product ion scans with dynamic BACKGROUND subtraction and mass defect filters. Scans were thoroughly data mined with different data processing algorithms (Metabolite Pilot 1.5). RESULTS XLR-11 underwent phase I and II metabolism, producing more than 25 metabolites resulting from hydroxylation, carboxylation, hemiketal and hemiacetal formation, internal dehydration, and further glucuronidation of some oxidative metabolites. No sulfate or glutathione conjugation was observed. XLR-11 also was defluorinated, forming UR-144 metabolites. On the basis of mass spectrometry peak areas, we determined that the major metabolites were 2′-carboxy-XLR-11, UR-144 pentanoic acid, 5-hydroxy-UR-144, hydroxy-XLR-11 glucuronides, and 2′-carboxy-UR-144 pentanoic acid. Minor metabolites were combinations of the biotransformations mentioned above, often glucuronidated. CONCLUSIONS These are the first data defining major urinary targets of XLR-11 metabolism that could document XLR-11 intake in forensic and clinical investigations.

scholarly journals First Characterization of AKB-48 Metabolism, a Novel Synthetic Cannabinoid, Using Human Hepatocytes and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 1091-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adarsh S. Gandhi ◽  
Mingshe Zhu ◽  
Shaokun Pang ◽  
Ariane Wohlfarth ◽  
Karl B. Scheidweiler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Human Hepatocytes ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoid ◽  
High Resolution Mass ◽  
Resolution Mass

scholarly journals Human Hepatocyte Metabolism of Novel Synthetic Cannabinoids MN-18 and Its 5-Fluoro Analog 5F-MN-18

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
pp. 1753-1763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingxing Diao ◽  
Jeremy Carlier ◽  
Mingshe Zhu ◽  
Marilyn A Huestis
Keyword(s):  
Carboxylic Acid ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Human Hepatocytes ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
High Resolution Mass ◽  
Full Scan ◽  
Resolution Mass

Abstract BACKGROUND In 2014, 2 novel synthetic cannabinoids, MN-18 and its 5-fluoro analog, 5F-MN-18, were first identified in an ongoing survey of novel psychoactive substances in Japan. In vitro pharmacological assays revealed that MN-18 and 5F-MN-18 displayed high binding affinities to human CB1 and CB2 receptors, with Ki being 1.65–3.86 nmol/L. MN-18 and 5F-MN-18 were scheduled in Japan and some other countries in 2014. Despite increasing prevalence, no human metabolism data are currently available, making it challenging for forensic laboratories to confirm intake of MN-18 or 5F-MN-18. METHODS We incubated 10 μmol/L of MN-18 and 5F-MN-18 in human hepatocytes for 3 h and analyzed the samples on a TripleTOF 5600+ high-resolution mass spectrometer to identify appropriate marker metabolites. Data were acquired via full scan and information-dependent acquisition-triggered product ion scans with mass defect filter. RESULTS In total, 13 MN-18 metabolites were detected, with the top 3 abundant metabolites being 1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid, pentyl-carbonylated MN-18, and naphthalene-hydroxylated MN-18. For 5F-MN-18, 20 metabolites were observed, with the top 3 abundant metabolites being 5′-OH-MN-18, MN-18 pentanoic acid, and 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid. CONCLUSIONS We have characterized MN-18 and 5F-MN-18 metabolism with human hepatocytes and high-resolution mass spectrometry, and we recommend characteristic major metabolites for clinical and forensic laboratories to identify MN-18 and 5F-MN-18 intake and link observed adverse events to these novel synthetic cannabinoids.

scholarly journals Distinguishing Intake of New Synthetic Cannabinoids ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA with Human Hepatocyte Metabolites and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1008-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Carlier ◽  
Xingxing Diao ◽  
Karl B Scheidweiler ◽  
Marilyn A Huestis
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
High Resolution Mass ◽  
Resolution Mass

Abstract BACKGROUND ADB-PINACA and its 5-fluoropentyl analog 5F-ADB-PINACA are among the most potent synthetic cannabinoids tested to date, with several severe intoxication cases. ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA have a different legal status, depending on the country. Synthetic cannabinoid metabolites predominate in urine, making detection of specific metabolites the most reliable way for proving intake in clinical and forensic specimens. However, there are currently no data on ADB-PINACA and 5F-PINACA metabolism. The substitution of a single fluorine atom distinguishes the 2 molecules, which may share common major metabolites. For some legal applications, distinguishing between ADB-PINACA and 5F-PINACA intake is critical. For this reason, we determined the human metabolic fate of the 2 analogs. METHODS ADB-PINACA and 5F-PINACA were incubated for 3 h with pooled cryopreserved human hepatocytes, followed by liquid chromatography—high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis. Data were processed with Compound Discoverer. RESULTS We identified 19 and 12 major ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA metabolites, respectively. Major metabolic reactions included pentyl hydroxylation, hydroxylation followed by oxidation (ketone formation), and glucuronidation of ADB-PINACA, and oxidative defluorination followed by carboxylation of 5F-ADB-PINACA. CONCLUSIONS We recommend ADB-PINACA ketopentyl and hydroxypentyl, and ADB-PINACA 5-hydroxypentyl and pentanoic acid, as optimal markers for ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA intake, respectively. Since the 2 compounds present positional isomers as the primary metabolites, monitoring unique product ions and optimized chromatographic conditions are required for a clear distinction between ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA intake.

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