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Open Access 01-01-2020 | Cannabinoid | Original Article

Evidence of enzyme-mediated transesterification of synthetic cannabinoids with ethanol: potential toxicological impact

Authors: Orapan Apirakkan, Ivana Gavrilović, Giuseppe Floresta, Cheyanne Pierre, Annelies Cannaert, Christophe P. Stove, Paul I. Dargan, David A. Cowan, Lewis Couchman, Vincenzo Abbate

Published in: Forensic Toxicology | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) represent a large proportion of novel psychoactive substances on the black market and have caused a number of deaths. Polydrug use including combination of SCs and ethanol could further complicate the toxicological impact. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports presenting evidence of transesterification between SCs and ethanol in vitro.

Methods

The in vitro metabolism of the four carboxylate SCs PB-22, NPB-22, 5-fluoro-PB-22 (5F-PB-22), and 5-fluoro-NPB-22 (5F-NPB-22) in the presence of ethanol using human liver microsomes with and without appropriate enzyme inhibitors was studied. Newly identified SC ethyl esters were chemically synthesised and fully characterised. The activity of these SCs and their ethanol transesterification products were assessed using cannabinoid receptor (CB₁ and CB₂) activation assays.

Results

SCs/ethanol transesterification products were detected and studied using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry. We have shown that the SC ethyl ester formation is mediated by human carboxyl esterase enzymes. The ethyl esters exhibited a reduced activity for the CB receptors compared with their parent compounds.

Conclusions

These novel ethyl esters may be useful additional markers of cannabinoid administration, and especially so if they prove to have longer half-lives than their parent compounds.

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Title: Evidence of enzyme-mediated transesterification of synthetic cannabinoids with ethanol: potential toxicological impact
Authors: Orapan Apirakkan
Ivana Gavrilović
Giuseppe Floresta
Cheyanne Pierre
Annelies Cannaert
Christophe P. Stove
Paul I. Dargan
David A. Cowan
Lewis Couchman
Vincenzo Abbate
Publication date: 01-01-2020
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Keyword: Cannabinoid
Published in: Forensic Toxicology / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1860-8965
Electronic ISSN: 1860-8973
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-019-00491-0

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Evidence of enzyme-mediated transesterification of synthetic cannabinoids with ethanol: potential toxicological impact

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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