Simultaneous liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry quantification of urinary opiates, cocaine, and metabolites in opiate-dependent pregnant women in methadone-maintenance treatment.

Abstract

Opiates, cocaine, and metabolites were quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in 284 urine specimens, collected thrice weekly, to monitor possible drug relapse in 15 pregnant heroin-dependent women. Opiates were detected in 149 urine specimens (52%) with limits of quantification (LOQ) of 10-50 microg/L. Morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide, and/or morphine-6-glucuronide were positive in 121 specimens; 6-acetylmorphine, a biomarker of heroin ingestion, was quantifiable in only 7. No heroin, 6-acetylcodeine, papaverine, or noscapine were detected. One hundred and sixty-five urine specimens (58%) from all 15 participants were positive for one or more cocaine analytes (LOQ 10-100 microg/L). Ecgonine methylester (EME) and/or benzoylecgonine were the major cocaine biomarkers in 142. Anhydroecgonine methylester, a biomarker of smoked cocaine, was positive in six; cocaethylene and/or ecgonine ethylester, biomarkers of cocaine and ethanol co-ingestion, were found in 25. At the current Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration cutoffs for total morphine (2000 microg/L), codeine (2000 microg/L), 6-acetylmorphine (10 microg/L), and benzoylecgonine (100 microg/L), 16 opiate- and 29 cocaine-positive specimens were identified. Considering 100 microg/L EME as an additional urinary cocaine biomarker would identify 51 more positive cocaine specimens. Of interest is the differential pattern of opiate and cocaine biomarkers observed after LC-MS as compared to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.

• Authors: Diaa M Shakleya, Riet Dams, Robin E Choo, Hendree Jones, Marilyn A Huestis
• Journal: Journal of analytical toxicology (J Anal Toxicol) 2010 Jan-Feb Vol. 34 Issue 1 Pg. 17-25 ISSN: 1945-2403 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20109298 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural)

Chemical References

• Morphine Derivatives
• Narcotics
• Cocaine
• Methadone

Topics

• Adult
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Cocaine (urine)
• Cocaine-Related Disorders (diagnosis, urine)
• Female
• Humans
• Methadone (therapeutic use, urine)
• Morphine Derivatives (urine)
• Narcotics (therapeutic use, urine)
• Opioid-Related Disorders (diagnosis, rehabilitation, urine)
• Pregnancy
• Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization (methods)
• Substance Abuse Detection (methods)
• Urinalysis (methods)
• Young Adult