Proposal of 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine consumption biomarkers through identification of in vivo metabolites from mice.
D Fabregat-safont, M Barneo-muñoz, F Martinez-garcia, J V Sancho, F Hernández, M Ibáñez
Journal of chromatography. A July 28, 2017 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2017.06.010 via PubMed
Summary
The metabolism and pharmacokinetics of 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine were studied using adult male C57BL/6 mice. Four metabolites were identified through ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry. The O-demethylated metabolite and the non-metabolized parent compound are suggested as consumption markers in hydrolyzed urine, aiding hospitals and forensic labs in monitoring cases of consumption and potential intoxication related to this new psychoactive substance.
Study at a glance
| Design | in vivo study |
|---|---|
| Population | adult male mice of the inbred strain C57BL/6 |
| Key finding | Four metabolites of 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine were identified, with the O-demethylated metabolite and the non-metabolized parent compound proposed as consumption markers. |
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a new breed of synthetically produced substances designed to mimic the effects of traditional illegal drugs. Synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones are the two most common groups, which try to mimic the effects of the natural compounds 9Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol and cathinone, respectively. Similarly, synthetic tryptamines are designer compounds which are based on the compounds psilocin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine found in some mushrooms. One of the most important tryptamine compounds found in seizures is 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine, which has been placed as controlled substance in USA and some European countries. The control of this compound has promoted the rising of another tryptamine, the 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine, which at the time of writing this article has not been banned yet. So, it is undeniable that this new substance should be monitored. 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine has been reported by the Spanish Early Warning System and detected in our laboratory in two pill samples purchased in a local smart shop. This has promoted the need of stablishing consumption markers for this compound in consumers' urine. In the present work, the metabolism and pharmacokinetic of 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine has been studied by an in vivo approach, using adult male mice of the inbred strain C57BLJ/6. The use of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry allowed the identification of four metabolites. After the pharmacokinetic study in serum and urine, the O-demethylated metabolite and the non-metabolised parent compound are proposed as consumption markers in hydrolysed urine. Data reported in this work will help hospitals and forensic laboratories to monitor the consumption and potential intoxication cases related to this tryptamine.