Journal Published Online: 01 March 1997
Volume 42, Issue 2

Enantioselective Separation of Methadone and Its Main Metabolite in Human Hair by Liquid Chromatography/Ion Spray-Mass Spectrometry

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Optical isomers exhibit significant differences in their affinities for receptor sites, biotransformation and binding to serum and tissue proteins. Methadone has been used for the substitution of heroin addicts since 1964. The racemic form is used, i.e., a mixture of the biologically active R-form and the practically inactive S-form. To investigate methadone distribution, a chiral separation of the isomers was developed in human hair samples. The method involves decontamination of hair with water and acetone, pulverization in a ball mill, enzymatic hydrolysis in presence of deuterated internal standards, solid-phase extraction, and liquid chromatography/ion spray-mass spectrometry. Enantioselective separation of methadone and its main metabolite, EDDP, was obtained using an alphal-acid glycoprotein column (100 by 4 mm ID). In all nine specimens obtained from subjects under racemic methadone treatment in a detoxification center, R- and S-enantiomers of methadone and EDDP were identified with the following concentrations: 2.58–10.22, 1.89–9.53, 0.42–1.73, and 0.40–2.10 ng/mg for R-methadone, S-methadone, R-EDDP, and S-EDDP, respectively. Results are suggestive of a predominance of the R-enantiomer of methadone in human hair.

Author Information

Kintz, P
Institut de Médecine Légale, Strasbourg, France
Eser, HP
Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany
Tracqui, A
Institut de Médecine Légale, Strasbourg, France
Moeller, M
Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany
Cirimele, V
Institut de Médecine Légale, Strasbourg, France
Mangin, P
Institut de Médecine Légale, Strasbourg, France
Pages: 5
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Stock #: JFS14113J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14113J