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M Balíková

Publications and source records attributed to M Balíková.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Screening and identification of stimulant and psychedelic drugs as acetyl-derivatives by GC-MS].

With the increasing number of abused stimulant and psychedelic drugs, along with so called "dance drugs" and "new synthetic drugs" available on the Czech illegal market, there is a need to update methods in toxicological laboratories and therefore it is necessary to develop and optimalize screening and identification procedures for new toxic substances appearing in the laboratory practice. It is well known that relatively popular commercial screening immunoassays have some limits: for instance restricted amount of detectable substances, specificity and sensitivity of detection. Therefore, it is mandatory to combine or complete them with more specific methods based on a different principle. In this paper we have focused on collecting useful analytical data to introduce or complete the system of detection and identification of unknown drugs and their metabolites which can appear in biological samples by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after preparation of relevant acetylated derivatives. The collection of experimental data involves retention indexes and mass spectra of acetylated phenylalkylamines, tryptamines and piperazines and some of their metabolites. These data are fundamental for laboratory diagnostics of drugs of abuse or intoxication and they can be useful for practical application in a number of toxicological laboratories. The mean limit of detection 0.1 ng analyte injected to GC-MS is low enough to allow the method to be successfully applied to real toxicological samples.

Central Nervous System Stimulants↗

[Trends in toxicologic examinations in clinical practice].

Review presented on the occasion of the significant life jubilee of Prof. J. Tesar, MD, DrSc., 16.12.2002 in the Medical House in Prague deals with the development and application of analytical technologies in toxicological practice in the last fifty years, with demands on decreasing the size of biological samples, detection limits achievable, with possibilities of interpretation deduced from analyses of alternative matrices. The paper also informs about scientific guidelines applied in Europe with attention focused on the reliable detection of illicit drugs in the workplace or drugs and driving. Based on more advanced analytical strategy, more complete and more precise information can be achieved and consequently more perfect interpretation based on objective evidence can be gained and it can comply to "Evidence Based Forensic Toxicology".

Forensic Sciences↗

Plasma levels of dosulepine and heart electric field.

Antidepressants, particularly tricyclic (TCA) antidepressants, may have cardiotoxic effects, such as cardiac arrhythmias, especially in patients with cardiovascular diseases. For most of TCA, no exact correlation between dosage, plasma levels and changes of ECG parameters of standard ECG has been found. So far, no relationship between dosulepine plasma levels and heart electric field parameters has been studied. We selected 18 female outpatient subjects diagnosed with recurrent depressive disorders, currently in the remission phase (HAMD < 10), without any cardiovascular disease. Patients were treated with daily dosulepine doses of 25-125 mg for 4-8 weeks. 30 heart electric field parameters were analyzed by Cardiag 128.1 diagnostic system as part of BSPM (Body Surface Potential Mapping). Acquired data were correlated with dosulepine plasma levels by means of Spearman's rank order correlation test. Four ECG parameters showed a significant correlation with dosulepine plasma levels: QRS axis deviation in frontal plane (p=0.01), DIAM 40 max (p<0.05), QRS-STT angle in transversal and left sagittal plane (p<0.05). The demonstrated changes confirmed dosulepine influence on the early myocardium depolarization phase and the correlation of this effect with dosulepine dose (its plasma concentration). The higher the dosulepine level, the more marked are the changes of the QRS-STT angle in transversal and sagittal planes and the changes in the QRS axis deviation in frontal plane. Repeatedly recorded changes in the heart electric field were dosulepine-specific and dependent on its plasma levels.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of methods of trace analysis of various opiates including hydrocodone and hydromorphone in the blood and urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry].

A GC-MS method suitable to conduct practical trace toxicological analyses of various opiates including hydrocodone or hydromorphone is presented both in scan and selected ion monitoring modes. Silylation can be a convenient reaction to derivatize unknown analytes in toxicological samples. However, silylation of drugs with tautomeric keto/enol groups in molecular structure can cause analytical problems due to poor reproducibility of conversion degree. After using N-Methyl-N-trimethyl-silyltrifluoracetamide (MSTFA) acceptable results were achieved.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

[Sensitivity of GC-MS in the detection of benzodiazepines in the urine in the form of trimethylsilyl derivatives].

A sensitive evidence of trace concentrations of benzodiazepines and their metabolites in urine can be enabled after special sample preparation including enzymatic hydrolysis, special solid phase extraction, silylation and following analysis by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in electron impact mode. After optimalization of the procedure the extraction recovery values in the range 50-85% are achieved. The scale of retention times with basic mass spectral data are presented for the spectrum of silylated benzodiazepines which can overlap some gaps in the standard toxicological literature up to now available.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗

[Pitfalls in the interpretation of toxicologic analysis of psychoactive substances].

Toxicological examination of biological samples of a certain case is a complex task which demands knowledge not only of modern analytical methods but also of the fate and effects of xenobiotics in organism. The evidence of unknown drugs and poisons in biological material is a difficult matter due to the broad variety of harmful substances and their unlimited possible mixtures, due to variable concentrations in a broad unpredictable range. In toxicology, there is the important question of the completeness of evidence and correctness of chemical identification of individual substances. Generally, the validation of qualitative methods is less developed than the validation of quantitative methods. The evidence of unknown harmful substances in biological samples requires often the individual consideration about optimal attitude to a nonstandard toxicological case and prevent from application of uniform procedures in fixed combinations.

Forensic Medicine↗

Fatal opiates overdose. Toxicological identification of various metabolites in a blood sample by GC-MS after silylation.

A fatal opiates overdose, where ethylmorphine, hydrocodone, dihydrocodeine and codeine were consumed concomitantly, is reported. This case report may contribute to data on fatal blood concentrations of drugs with rare incidence. The relative retention times in capillary gas chromatography and full mass spectra of various opiates in their silylated forms, detected together in one sample, may serve as a helpful analytical reference for clinical and forensic toxicologists.

Adult↗

[Detection of the metabolite of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in urine by means of GC/MS and interpretation of analytical findings].

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is one of many components of plants of Cannabis. In the human body it is susceptible to oxidation and its metabolites together with metabolites of other cannabinoids are excreted into urine and faeces. In this paper there is described our experience with the specific confirmation of the metabolite of the main psychoactive substance, 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid, using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry after urine alkaline hydrolisis, solid phase extraction and silylation. The preliminary immunochemical screening of cannabinoids in urine is performed by EMIT method.

Dronabinol↗

[A sensitive method for detection of sympathomimetic amines in pentafluorobenzamide form in biological samples using gas chromatography].

A toxicological method of sensitive and specific confirmation of methamphetamine and other primary and secondary amines in biological samples after extractive perfluorobenzoylation is described. The method is based on the principle of gas chromatography with parallel specific nitrogen detection and electron capture detection. The other alternative is the gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry in chemical ionization mode. The method described allows the detection of methamphetamine and amphetamine in urine in concentrations below 10 ng/ml.

Amphetamines↗

High-performance liquid chromatographic confirmation of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in biological samples using photodiode-array detection after toxicological screening.

In the later stages after intake, the important markers of cocaine abuse are its main metabolites in urine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester. The efficiency of the extraction of amphoteric benzoylecgonine together with cocaine from aqueous media by means of various solvents at various pH values and by means of a mixed solid phase was tested. The extraction of benzoylecgonine with diethyl ether is not efficient, whereas chloroform, dichloromethane or mixed solid-phase extraction give satisfactory results. The analytical strategy for the general chromatographic screening and identification of unknown drugs in biological samples based on diethyl ether extraction was modified to permit the sensitive detection of cocaine abuse also on the basis of benzoylecgonine. A complementary high-performance liquid chromatographic method with photodiode-array detection after solid-phase extraction was introduced for specific confirmation and determination of cocaine and benzoylecgonine.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

[The sorption effectiveness of Czech-manufactured hemoperfusion sorbents for amatoxins].

BACKGROUND: Haemoperfusion was introduced in the treatment of intoxications with Amanita phalloides in 1974. Haemoperfusion over active charcoal is used most frequently. The objective of the present study was to compare the sorption capacity of Czech haemoperfusion sorbents of the charcoal and resin type for amatoxins extracted from dried Amanita phalloides. METHODS AND RESULTS: Haemoperfusion sorbents on the basis of charcoal-Chemviron SC XII and on the basis of synthetic resin--Amberlite XAD 2 were used in experiments in vitro. Recirculation of an aqueous extract of Amanita phalloides over a haemoperfusion column with a volume of 400 ml located in a closed system took 4 hours. Amanitin levels (alpha and beta) were assessed by HPLC. Two-hour perfusion over Amberlite XAD led to removal of the entire amount of both amanitins from the aqueous solution. Four-hour perfusion over charcoal, however, reduced the original alpha amanitin level by 24% (p < 0.05) and of beta amanitin by 8% (change not significant). Extraction of alpha and beta amanitin by the resin sorbent varied between 0.95-1.00. The type of charcoal used, produced from the shells of coconuts, had a low extraction activity, cca 12%. CONCLUSIONS: The assembled results provide evidence that the synthetic resin Amberlite XAD 2 has a more than ten times greater sorption capacity, as compared with charcoal (Chemviron SC XII) and that in experiments in vitro it removes rapidly and effectively alpha and beta amanitin from an aqueous solution. Although during sorption of mycotoxins from plasma or blood the sorption rate and total capacity declines amberlite resins (Czech haemoperfusion column Hemabsorb A2) can be recommended for use in clinical toxicology.

Absorption↗

Application of HPLC with photodiode array detection for systematic toxicological analyses of drug groups.

During four years experience high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with photodiode array detection has been proved to be the demanded method of systematic toxicological analysis (STA) for unknown drugs in biological sample because of separation efficiency, sensitivity, flexibility and identification potential. HPLC can be an easy way of quantitation as well. Ultraviolet spectra acquired with Waters 990+ photodiode array detector together with retention data are used to identify unknown or suspected drugs and metabolites in various biological material often after basic TLC examination of urine. At present spectrum library used for comparison involves 180 spectra of standards in acid and neutral media. Various sample preparation procedures have been tested and till now eight isocratic liquid chromatographic systems have been used routinely for sensitive screening in small samples, identification and/or quantitative assays of drug groups. These analytical systems are suitable for toxicological examinations of forensic cases, acute poisonings, drug abuse. They are convenient to subsequent monitoring of serum drug levels during treatment of an intoxication as well.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Selective system of identification and determination of antidepressants and neuroleptics in serum or plasma by solid-phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection in analytical toxicology.

A selective off-line solid-phase isolation of antidepressants, neuroleptics and other structurally related basic drugs from plasma or serum prior to high-performance liquid chromatography was tested and optimized for general use in toxicological analyses where concomitant drugs can be encountered. The sequential elution preseparated drug mixtures and simplified the subsequent analytical steps. High isolation efficiencies of cyano-bonded silica cartridges from Baker for fifteen amine drugs were determined. Isocratic chromatography on octadecylsilica proved to be very suitable for broad practical applications in complicated cases. The identification of an unknown peak was supported by photodiode-array detection in the range 200-400 nm with a resolution of 2 nm. The linearity of the assay from therapeutic to toxic concentrations was attained. Sufficient sensitivities covering low therapeutic levels of parent drugs and their demethylated metabolites were reached. The system is flexible and allows various methods of quantitative assay to be devised according to the conditions of a particular case in clinical or forensic toxicology.

Animals↗

Gas chromatography of simple phenols in biological fluids.

Acid hydrolysis of phenol conjugates in urine by concentrated H3PO4 followed by extraction of phenols with n-hexane and their acetylation before gas chromatography on columns packed with OV-1 or OV-17 is described. The sensitivity of the method is sufficient to monitor normal levels of phenol and p-cresol or phenol and o-cresol after exposure to benzene or toluene vapours. The detection limit is 1 mg/l. The method can also be used to diagnose acute oral intoxication by phenol or cresols and to estimate its significance in clinical or forensic toxicology. Normal urine levels of phenols and those in different cases of human intoxication are evaluated.

Chromatography, Gas↗

[Is absorption hemoperfusion effective in the treatment of baclofen poisoning?].

By six-hour sorption haemoperfusion over active charcoal in a 33-year-old woman intoxicated with baclofen (Baclofen Polfa) the initial plasma concentration was reduced by 87%, while from the blood only 3% of the ingested dose were removed. Therefore the capacity of baclofen elimination was tested by perfusion and dialysis in vitro. Two-hour dialysis with the Czechoslovak haemodialyzer Chiraplat was equally effective for removal of baclofen from an aqueous solution (21.2 mg) as four-hour perfusion over active charcoal and resin--Czechoslovak haemoperfusion columns Hemasorb 800 C (19.4 mg) and Hemasorb 800 A-4 (18.9 mg). Because during the first 30 minutes of perfusion the resin sorbent has a double extraction, as compared with dialysis, it is better to use in serious intoxication haemodialysis and haemoperfusion concurrently.

Adult↗