For Forensic toxicologists working with either post mortem or human performance testing samples, the confirmation of 6-acetylmorphine (6-MAM) is considered definitive evidence of heroin abuse. A recent study conducted by forensic scientists at Cuyohoga Medical Examiners Laboratory and published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology (August 2013) investigated the possibility that aspirin, when in solution with morphine, may acetylate morphine to produce acetylmorphine (6-MAM).
Incubated samples were extracted using UCT's CleanScreen® DAU solid phase extraction cartridges and derivatized with UCT's Selectra-Sil® MSFA reagent. Samples were then analyzed by gas chromatography with a mass spec detector. The analysts found that both 3- and 6-MAM were detected in samples containing morphine and aspirin in combination; no heroin was detected. Production of acetylmorphine was pH dependent with optimal formation at pH above 4. In gastric contents, concentrations of 3-MAM exceeded that of 6-MAM by 10-fold. Production of 3-MAM in gastric contents was approximately twice as high as it was in water, meanwhile the matrix did not appear to affect 6-MAM production.
Over 10,000 urine specimens assayed at a pain management laboratory and over 6,000 postmortem cases were also investigated for in vivo formation of monoacetyl morphine. Three cases exhibited unexplained 6-MAM results. These data indicate that in vivo formation of 6-MAM from the co-administration of aspirin and morphine, if it happens, is quite rare. In instances where this is suspected, 3-MAM should be monitored. The study results also nullify the idea being purported in some areas that SPE columns can produce false positive results by acetylating morphine in situ. This supports data from other medical examiners laboratories who have failed to produce 6-MAM on mixed mode SPE columns.
Incubated samples were extracted using UCT's CleanScreen® DAU solid phase extraction cartridges and derivatized with UCT's Selectra-Sil® MSFA reagent. Samples were then analyzed by gas chromatography with a mass spec detector. The analysts found that both 3- and 6-MAM were detected in samples containing morphine and aspirin in combination; no heroin was detected. Production of acetylmorphine was pH dependent with optimal formation at pH above 4. In gastric contents, concentrations of 3-MAM exceeded that of 6-MAM by 10-fold. Production of 3-MAM in gastric contents was approximately twice as high as it was in water, meanwhile the matrix did not appear to affect 6-MAM production.
Over 10,000 urine specimens assayed at a pain management laboratory and over 6,000 postmortem cases were also investigated for in vivo formation of monoacetyl morphine. Three cases exhibited unexplained 6-MAM results. These data indicate that in vivo formation of 6-MAM from the co-administration of aspirin and morphine, if it happens, is quite rare. In instances where this is suspected, 3-MAM should be monitored. The study results also nullify the idea being purported in some areas that SPE columns can produce false positive results by acetylating morphine in situ. This supports data from other medical examiners laboratories who have failed to produce 6-MAM on mixed mode SPE columns.
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