Distribution of Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-210, RCS-4 and Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol After Intravenous Administration to Pigs

Title:Distribution of Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-210, RCS-4 and Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol After Intravenous Administration to Pigs

Volume: 15 Issue: 5

Author(s): Nadine Schaefer*, Mattias Kettner, Matthias W. Laschke, Julia Schlote, Andreas H. Ewald, Michael D. Menger, Hans H. Maurer and Peter H. Schmidt

Affiliation:

• Institute of Legal Medicine, Saarland University, Building 80.2, D-66421 Homburg (Saar),Germany

Keywords: Synthetic cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol, pigs, tissue distribution, LC-MS/MS, pharmacokinetics

Abstract: Background: Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) have become an increasing issue in forensic toxicology. Controlled human studies evaluating pharmacokinetic data of SCs are lacking and only few animal studies have been published. Thus, an interpretation of analytical results found in intoxicated or poisoned individuals is difficult. Therefore, the distribution of two selected SCs, namely 4-ethylnaphthalen-1-yl-(1-pentylindol-3-yl)methanone (JWH-210) and 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(1- pentyl-indol-3-yl)methanone (RCS-4) as well as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as reference were examined in pigs.

Methods: Pigs (n = 6 per drug) received a single intravenous 200 μg/kg BW dose of JWH-210, RCS- 4, or THC. Six hours after administration, the animals were exsanguinated and relevant organs, important body fluids such as bile, and tissues such as muscle and adipose tissue, as well as the bradytrophic specimens dura and vitreous humor were collected. After hydrolysis and solid phase extraction, analysis was performed by LC-MS/MS. To overcome matrix effects of the LC-MS/MS analysis, a standard addition method was applied for quantification.

Results: The parent compounds could be detected in every analyzed specimen with the exception of THC that was not present in dura and vitreous humor. Moderate concentrations were present in brain, the site of biological effect. Metabolite concentrations were highest in tissues involved in metabolism and/or elimination

Conclusions: Besides kidneys and lungs routinely analyzed in postmortem toxicology, brain, adipose, and muscle tissue could serve as alternative sources, particularly if other specimens are not available. Bile fluid is the most appropriate specimen for SCs and THC metabolites detection.

Cite this article as:

Schaefer Nadine*, Kettner Mattias, Laschke W. Matthias, Schlote Julia, Ewald H. Andreas, Menger D. Michael, Maurer H. Hans and Schmidt H. Peter, Distribution of Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-210, RCS-4 and Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol After Intravenous Administration to Pigs, Current Neuropharmacology 2017; 15 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X15666161111114214

DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X15666161111114214	Print ISSN 1570-159X
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher	Online ISSN 1875-6190