Problems of Forensic Sciences 2006 Vol. 67 (LXVII) 289-300
DETERMINATION OF GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE (GHB) IN URINE BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY WITH POSITIVE CHEMICAL IONISATION (PCI-GC-MS)
Katarzyna KASPRZAK2, Piotr ADAMOWICZ1, Maria KAŁA1
1Institute of Forensic Research, Krakow
2Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow
Streszczenie
γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is an endogenous compound naturally occurring in the human body. It is a minor metabolite and precursor of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GHB is pharmacologically active and has some therapeutic uses. Moreover, in recent years GHB and its derivatives have been gaining popularity as recreational and club drugs because of their euphoric and stimulant effects. It has also been implicated as an agent in drug-facilitated sexual assault. Detection of GHB in urine is important for forensic testing and could be of clinical benefit in overdose management. In this context a sensitive and specific gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) positive chemical ionisation (PCI) method has been developed for the quantification of the target analyte in urine. The method has the following validation parameters [μg/ml]: LOD – 0.045, LOQ – 0.074, LOLs – 0.1-10 and 10-100. It was applied to the determination of endogenous concentrations of GHB in random intravital and post mortem urine samples and to study the effect of storage time and temperature on these concentrations. The results showed that GHB concentrations ranged between 0.05-0.35 μg/ml (average 0.21 ± 0.09 and median 0.21 μg/ml) in intravital samples (n = 12) and between 0.12-14.50 μg/ml (5.82 ± 5.50 and 4.11 μg/ml) in post mortem samples (n = 12). The studies indicated that the GHB urine concentrations did not change significantly when stored for two months in a freezer (-20°C). Considerable increases in GHB concentrations were observed in urine samples that were stored at room temperature.
Słowa kluczowe
GHB; Endogenous; Exogenous; Date-rape drugs; GC-MS.