Assessment and Comparison of Vitreous Humor as an Alternative Matrix for Forensic Toxicology Screening by GC-MS. 2016

Imir G Metushi, and Robert L Fitzgerald, and Iain M McIntyre
Department of Pathology, Center for Advanced Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Diego Health Systems, San Diego, CA, USA.

Alternative specimens have been occasionally considered as substitutes for whole blood for postmortem toxicology testing. We studied the applicability of vitreous humor, and evaluated whether it would be suitable to replace (or augment) whole blood for routine drug screening. Results showed that from 51 autopsy cases, we were able to identify an aggregate of 209 findings in whole blood compared with 169 in vitreous. The total number of compounds identified was 71 for whole blood and 60 for vitreous humor. Quantitative analysis showed that whole-blood concentrations of trazodone were several fold higher than vitreous humor concentrations (1.42 ± 0.57 vs. 0.15 ± 0.05 mg/L, respectively) and similar results were also obtained for diazepam (0.37 ± 0.06 vs. 0.13 ± 0.01, respectively). For other drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and doxylamine, a trend suggesting higher concentrations in vitreous humor vs. whole blood was observed; however, this was not significant. Our results are consistent with the limited work of other investigators, and suggest that vitreous humor could be an appropriate matrix for drug screening in postmortem toxicology.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008401 Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry A microanalytical technique combining mass spectrometry and gas chromatography for the qualitative as well as quantitative determinations of compounds. Chromatography, Gas-Liquid-Mass Spectrometry,Chromatography, Gas-Mass Spectrometry,GCMS,Spectrometry, Mass-Gas Chromatography,Spectrum Analysis, Mass-Gas Chromatography,Gas-Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry,Mass Spectrometry-Gas Chromatography,Chromatography, Gas Liquid Mass Spectrometry,Chromatography, Gas Mass Spectrometry,Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry-Gas,Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Gas,Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Gas-Liquid,Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry,Gas Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry,Mass Spectrometry Gas Chromatography,Spectrometries, Mass-Gas Chromatography,Spectrometry, Gas Chromatography-Mass,Spectrometry, Gas-Liquid Chromatography-Mass,Spectrometry, Mass Gas Chromatography,Spectrometry-Gas Chromatography, Mass,Spectrum Analysis, Mass Gas Chromatography
D001774 Blood Chemical Analysis An examination of chemicals in the blood. Analysis, Blood Chemical,Chemical Analysis, Blood,Analyses, Blood Chemical,Blood Chemical Analyses,Chemical Analyses, Blood
D003975 Diazepam A benzodiazepine with anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, and amnesic properties and a long duration of action. Its actions are mediated by enhancement of GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID activity. 7-Chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one,Apaurin,Diazemuls,Faustan,Relanium,Seduxen,Sibazon,Stesolid,Valium
D004364 Pharmaceutical Preparations Drugs intended for human or veterinary use, presented in their finished dosage form. Included here are materials used in the preparation and/or formulation of the finished dosage form. Drug,Drugs,Pharmaceutical,Pharmaceutical Preparation,Pharmaceutical Product,Pharmaceutic Preparations,Pharmaceutical Products,Pharmaceuticals,Preparations, Pharmaceutical,Preparation, Pharmaceutical,Preparations, Pharmaceutic,Product, Pharmaceutical,Products, Pharmaceutical
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001344 Autopsy Postmortem examination of the body. Autopsies,Post-Mortem Examination,Postmortem Examination,Examination, Post-Mortem,Examination, Postmortem,Examinations, Post-Mortem,Examinations, Postmortem,Post Mortem Examination,Post-Mortem Examinations,Postmortem Examinations
D014196 Trazodone A serotonin uptake inhibitor that is used as an antidepressive agent. It has been shown to be effective in patients with major depressive disorders and other subsets of depressive disorders. It is generally more useful in depressive disorders associated with insomnia and anxiety. This drug does not aggravate psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p309) AF-1161,Apo-Trazodone,Deprax,Desyrel,Gen-Trazodone,Molipaxin,Novo-Trazodone,Nu-Trazodone,PMS-Trazodone,Ratio-Trazodone,Thombran,Tradozone,Trazodon Hexal,Trazodon-Neuraxpharm,Trazodone Hydrochloride,Trazon,Trittico,AF 1161,AF1161,Apo Trazodone,Gen Trazodone,Novo Trazodone,Nu Trazodone,PMS Trazodone,Ratio Trazodone,RatioTrazodone,Trazodon Neuraxpharm,TrazodonNeuraxpharm
D014822 Vitreous Body The transparent, semigelatinous substance that fills the cavity behind the CRYSTALLINE LENS of the EYE and in front of the RETINA. It is contained in a thin hyaloid membrane and forms about four fifths of the optic globe. Vitreous Humor,Bodies, Vitreous,Body, Vitreous,Humor, Vitreous,Humors, Vitreous,Vitreous Bodies,Vitreous Humors
D015203 Reproducibility of Results The statistical reproducibility of measurements (often in a clinical context), including the testing of instrumentation or techniques to obtain reproducible results. The concept includes reproducibility of physiological measurements, which may be used to develop rules to assess probability or prognosis, or response to a stimulus; reproducibility of occurrence of a condition; and reproducibility of experimental results. Reliability and Validity,Reliability of Result,Reproducibility Of Result,Reproducibility of Finding,Validity of Result,Validity of Results,Face Validity,Reliability (Epidemiology),Reliability of Results,Reproducibility of Findings,Test-Retest Reliability,Validity (Epidemiology),Finding Reproducibilities,Finding Reproducibility,Of Result, Reproducibility,Of Results, Reproducibility,Reliabilities, Test-Retest,Reliability, Test-Retest,Result Reliabilities,Result Reliability,Result Validities,Result Validity,Result, Reproducibility Of,Results, Reproducibility Of,Test Retest Reliability,Validity and Reliability,Validity, Face
D015813 Substance Abuse Detection Detection of drugs that have been abused, overused, or misused, including legal and illegal drugs. Urine screening is the usual method of detection. Drug Abuse Testing,Illicit Drug Testing,Street Drug Testing,Substance Abuse Testing,Drug Abuse Detection,Drug Abuse Screening,Illicit Drug Detection,Street Drug Detection,Detection, Drug Abuse,Detection, Illicit Drug,Detection, Street Drug,Detection, Substance Abuse,Detections, Drug Abuse,Detections, Illicit Drug,Detections, Street Drug,Detections, Substance Abuse,Drug Abuse Detections,Drug Abuse Screenings,Drug Abuse Testings,Drug Testing, Illicit,Drug Testings, Illicit,Illicit Drug Detections,Illicit Drug Testings,Screening, Drug Abuse,Screenings, Drug Abuse,Street Drug Detections,Street Drug Testings,Substance Abuse Detections,Substance Abuse Testings,Testing, Drug Abuse,Testing, Illicit Drug,Testing, Street Drug,Testing, Substance Abuse,Testings, Drug Abuse,Testings, Illicit Drug,Testings, Street Drug,Testings, Substance Abuse

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