LC-HR-MS/MS on the metabolism of four synthetic cannabinoids by human liver microsomes

What is it about?

We investigated their phase I metabolism by incubating with human liver microsomes to provide potential biomarkers for monitoring their intake, and the metabolites were identified by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–high resolution–tandem massspectrometry. Metabolites generated by N‐dealkylation and hydroxylation on the 1‐amino‐alkylmoiety were found to be predominant for all these four substances, and others which underwenthydroxylation, amide hydrolysis and dehydrogenation were also observed in our investigation.

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Why is it important?

These four synthetic cannabinoids are newly emerged NPS in the illicit drug market, and have gradually replaced the old generations ofsynthetic cannabinoids (SCs). Biomonitoring studies to screen their consumption lack anyinformation about the potential biomarkers (e.g. metabolites) to target. To bridge this gap, we investigated their phase I metabolism by incubating with human liver microsomes to provide suitable and appropriate analytical markers for monitoring their intake.