Testing for AB‐PINACA in human hair: Distribution in head hair versus pubic hair

Abstract

Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists were first identified in herbal products in 2008 advertised as a legal replacement for cannabis. These herbal incense are usually called “spice” and among these, one product in particular has gained popularity: AB‐PINACA (N‐[(2S)‐1‐Amino‐3‐methyl‐1‐oxobutan‐2‐yl]‐1‐pentyl‐1H‐indazole‐3‐carboxamide). This drug has been discovered to have a stronger binding to human cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors than ∆9‐THC.While some articles have been published regarding the presence of AB‐PINACA in biological fluids such as blood and urine, none reports the presence of AB‐PINACA in hair. We have developed and validated a method for detection of AB‐PINACA in hair using a liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry system and applied it to head and pubic hair obtained in a case of intoxication. The validation procedure demonstrated a limit of detection and a limit of quantification of 0.5 and 1 pg/mg, respectively and acceptable linearity, repeatability, and reproducibility. AB‐PINACA tested positive in the blood (5.7 ng/mL) and less than 1 ng/mL was found in urine. The analysis of the hair specimens resulted in an unusual distribution of the drug between head and pubic hair. AB‐PINACA was identified at a higher concentration in head hair (195 pg/mg) versus in pubic hair (5 pg/mg). The very low concentration of AB‐PINACA in the urine after consumption, due to rapid metabolism, could explain this infrequent distribution, as pubic hair can be contaminated by urine. In any case, it cannot be excluded that the high concentration in head hair may be due to environmental contamination.

Detection of a New Tert-Leucinate Synthetic Cannabinoid 5F-MDMB-PICA and Its Metabolites in Human Hair: Application to Authentic Cases

“…It has been reported in some studies that LC-MS/MS methods can be used to analyse other synthetic cannabinoids in human hair. The limit of detection of this study was the same as that of a previous study and reached the pg level (Arbouche et al, 2019 ; Cho et al, 2020 ). Chinese hair is similar to Korean and Japanese hair.…”

“…The concentrations of AB-CHMINCA and its metabolite M2 were 2.5–13,500.0 and 0.5–35.1 pg/mg, respectively, and the concentration of the precursor drug was greater than the concentrations of metabolites in all cases. Moreover, Arbouche et al ( 2019 ) detected a higher concentration of AB-PINACA in head hair than in pubic hair and detected a very low concentration of AB-PINACA in urine, which may be caused by rapid metabolism, and pubic hair is easily contaminated by urine.…”

Testing for midazolam and oxycodone in blood after formalin‐embalmment: About a complex medico‐legal case

“…Chromatography was achieved using a Waters Acquity HSS C18 column (150 x 2.1 mm x 1.8 μm) maintained at 50°C in a thermostatically controlled oven, according to previous applications . A gradient elution was performed using formate buffer adjusted to pH 3 (mobile phase A) and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (mobile phase B).…”

Hair testing for doping agents. What is known and what remains to do

“…12 It contains the list of substances prohibited at all times and those prohibited in-competition. With respect to the list, Table 1 presents a compendium of selected literature papers [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] dealing with doping agent detection in human hair. Although several compounds from the same class have been identified in hair, the aim of this table was just to indicate whether within each specific class one substance has already been identified.…”