Opioids: Analytical and Toxicological Aspects

Abstract

A sensitive Gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC) method was developed and validated for determination of Morphine, Codeine, 6MAM, Normorphine, from Heroin in deceased human plasma.

Gas Chromatography was accomplished with Capillary column: MS5 (0.25 x 30 m) (5% phenylmethyl siloxane), Temperature column: 150°C for 7 min- rate 15 °C min, 280°C for 12 min).

Sample: 1ml of blood extracted with 4ml of diethyl ether, centrifugation and elimination of the supernatant, suspension of the biological matrix in physiologic solution.

Internal standard: Nalorphine (200ng). Injection; 1 μl for stock solutions

Retention time Codeine – 15.9 – 16.1, monitorated ions Codeine 371- 414- 440.

Heroin (diacetylmorphine) semisynthetic derivative of morphine marketed by Bayer in 1898. Fig. 1

Usually taken intravenously, currently also nasal and inhaled (smoked).

In the body is converted rapidly (10-15 min.), by deacetylation in 3-MAM and 6-MAM and then more slowly (4-6 hours) to morphine.

Morphine derivative heroin has a very large volume of distribution (2-5 L / Kg); Undergoes conjugation with acid glucuronic transformed into morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide.

Metabolic pathway of opiates in man: methylation (I= N-methylation, II= N-dimethylation, III=o-methylation, IV= o-demethylation). Fig. 2

Criteria of subject selection and sampling documented history of drug abuse, detectable by criterion circumstantial - medical history. Blood sampling during the course of autopsy;

Autopsy performed in cases, within 20-60 hours from the discovery of the corpse.

Keywords: Overdose, Morphine, Heroin, GC- mass.