Toxicological detection of the designer drug 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE, "Eve") and its metabolites in urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and fluorescence polarization immunoassay

J Chromatogr B Biomed Appl. 1996 Aug 30;683(2):189-97. doi: 10.1016/0378-4347(96)00129-6.

Abstract

Studies are presented on the toxicological detection of the designer drug methylenedioxyethylamphetamine [MDE, rac-N-ethyl-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-propane-2-amine] in urine after a single oral dose of 140 mg of MDE by GC-MS and fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). After acid hydrolysis, extraction and acetylation MDE and its metabolites could be detected by mass chromatography with the selected ions m/z 72, 86, 114, 150, 162 and 164, followed by identification of the peaks underlying full mass spectra by computer library search. The following metabolites could be detected: unchanged MDE and 3,4-dihydroxyethylamphetamine (DHE) for 33-62 h, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) for 32-36 h and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyethylamphetamine (HME) for 7-8 days. 3,4-Dihydroxyamphetamine (DHA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA), piperonyl acetone, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetone and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl acetone could only be detected in trace amounts within the first few hours. The Abbott TD x FPIA assay amphetamine/metamphetamine II gave positive results in urine for 33-62 h. Therefore, positive immunoassay results could be confirmed by the GC-MS procedure which also allowed the differentiation of MDE and its homologues 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and MDA as well as other amphetamine derivatives interfering with the TD x assay. Furthermore, this GC-MS procedure allowed the simultaneous detection of most of the toxicologically relevant drugs.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / administration & dosage
  • 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / analogs & derivatives*
  • 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / metabolism
  • 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / urine
  • Administration, Oral
  • Amphetamines / urine
  • Deoxyepinephrine / analogs & derivatives
  • Deoxyepinephrine / urine
  • Designer Drugs / administration & dosage
  • Designer Drugs / analysis*
  • Designer Drugs / metabolism
  • Dopamine / analogs & derivatives
  • Dopamine / urine
  • Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Hallucinogens / urine
  • Humans
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Amphetamines
  • Designer Drugs
  • Hallucinogens
  • 3-O-methyl-alpha-methyldopamine
  • 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine
  • alpha-methyldopamine
  • 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyethylamphetamine
  • 3,4-dihydroxyethylamphetamine
  • 3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine
  • Deoxyepinephrine
  • Dopamine