Characterization of in vitro phase I metabolites of methamnetamine in human liver microsomes by liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Methamnetamine (PAL-1046), an amphetamine-based new psychoactive substance that causes excessive serotonin release, is not regulated in most countries and had no prior metabolism studies. Using human liver microsomes and flavin-containing monooxygenase analyzed by liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, eight phase I metabolites were identified. Metabolic processes include N-demethylation, N-hydroxylation, and aromatic hydroxylation. N-hydroxylated metabolites were confirmed using expressed FMOs. The major metabolite results from hydroxylation of the naphthalene ring. These findings may help detect methamnetamine ingestion by users.

Study at a glance

Abstract

N -Methyl-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)propan-2-amine (methamnetamine, PAL-1046) is an amphetamine-based new psychoactive substance (NPS). Methamnetamine has been reported to cause excessive release of serotonin, and it is classified as an empathogen or entactogen. It is not regulated as a controlled substance in most countries, and there are no studies on its metabolism. In this study, in vitro phase I metabolism of methamnetamine in human liver microsomes (HLM) and flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) was investigated by liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF/MS). Eight metabolites of methamnetamine were identified and were structurally characterized achieved by a combination of accurate mass analysis and tandem mass spectrometry. The identified metabolic processes include N -demethylation, N -hydroxylation, aromatic hydroxylation, and a combination of these processes. N -Hydroxylated metabolites were confirmed based on expressed FMOs. The major metabolite was formed from methamnetamine via hydroxylation of the naphthalene ring after the in vitro phase I process. These results could help detect methamnetamine ingestion by NPS abusers.