Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

, Volume 403, Issue 5, pp 1385–1394 | Cite as

Development of a simultaneous analytical method for selected anorectics, methamphetamine, MDMA, and their metabolites in hair using LC-MS/MS to prove anorectics abuse

  • Sooyeun Lee
  • Jihyun Kim
  • Sanghwan In
  • Hwakyung Choi
  • Seung Min Oh
  • Choon-Gon Jang
  • Kyu Hyuck Chung
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

Owing to the tight control of methamphetamine, it is presumed that phentermine, an amphetamine-type anorectic, has recently been considered a supplement for methamphetamine abusers in Korea. In addition, the abuse of other anorectics obtained by inappropriate means has become a social issue. Hair is a useful specimen to prove chronic drug use. Therefore, an analytical method for the simultaneous detection of phentermine, phendimetrazine, amfepramone, fenfluramine, mazindol, methamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), as well as their metabolites, which covers the major amphetamines and anorectic agents in Korea, in hair was established and validated using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The drugs and their metabolites in hair were extracted using 1 % HCl in methanol and then filtered and analyzed by LC-MS/MS with electrospray ionization in positive mode. The validation results for selectivity, linearity, matrix effect, recovery, process efficiency, intra- and interassay precision and accuracy, and processed sample stability were satisfactory. The limits of detection ranged from 0.025 to 1 ng/10 mg hair and the limits of quantification were 0.25 ng/10 mg hair for every analyte except mazindol and phentermine, for which they were 10 ng/10 mg hair. The method was successfully applied for the segmental determination of selected anorectics, methamphetamine, MDMA, and their metabolites in hair from 39 drug suspects. Among the anorectics, phentermine and/or phendimetrazine were identified with or without methamphetamine in the hair samples. Closer supervision of the inappropriate use of anorectics is necessary. Also, hair analysis is useful for monitoring the abuse potential of unnoticed drugs.

Keywords

Drug abuse Anorectics Amphetamines Hair analysis Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

This research was partly supported by grants from the Korea Food and Drug Administration (11182-612) and the National Forensic Service (2011-05) in 2011.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  • Sooyeun Lee
    • 1
  • Jihyun Kim
    • 2
  • Sanghwan In
    • 2
  • Hwakyung Choi
    • 2
  • Seung Min Oh
    • 3
  • Choon-Gon Jang
    • 4
  • Kyu Hyuck Chung
    • 4
  1. 1.College of PharmacyKeimyung UniversityDaeguRepublic of Korea
  2. 2.National Forensic ServiceSeoulRepublic of Korea
  3. 3.Hoseo Toxicology Research CenterHoseo UniversityAsanRepublic of Korea
  4. 4.School of PharmacySungkyunkwan UniversitySuwonRepublic of Korea

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