Monitoring the Results of Chemical-Toxicological Studies of Narcotic Drugs in the Sverdlovsk Region in 2021-2023

Gofenberg M. A.
Biologist, Chemical-Toxicological Laboratory¹; Biologist, Chemical-Toxicological Laboratory²
ORCID: 0000-0003-2877-1301

Urazaev T. Kh.
MD, PhD, Physician¹; Assistant Professor, Chair for Pharmacy³

Dvorskaya O. N.
Doctor of Pharmacy, Head, Chair for Pharmacy and Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy⁴
ORCID: 0000-0003-4774-8887

1 - Sverdlovsk Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
2 - Regional Narcological Clinic, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
3 - Ural State Medical University, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
4 - South Ural State Medical University, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation

M. A. Gofenberg; e-mail: Hoffenberg@yandex.ru

The study had no sponsorship.

None declared.

Introduction. Rapid changes are taking place in the illegal drug market, characterized by dominant positions of new psychoactive substances. In order to describe the structure of the consumption of narcotic drugs and other psychoactive substances in the Sverdlovsk region, it is relevant to study the data obtained during chemical-toxicological researches as part of a medical examination for intoxication, in laboratory diagnostics of acute poisoning and forensic chemical examinations. Aim of the study. Retrospective assessment of the detection of cases of use of various types of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and new psychoactive substances during chemical-toxicological and forensic chemical studies in the Sverdlovsk Region in 2021-2023. Materials and methods. Logical, retrospective, comparative and content analysis of data from the results of chemical and toxicological studies of the Regional Narcological Clinic (Ekaterinburg), Sverdlovsk Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital and Psychiatric Hospital No. 7 for 2021-2023 was carried out. Statistical processing of the results was performed using MS Excel for Windows and Statistica for Windows. Results. The leading position among the substances detected during a medical examination for intoxication is occupied by synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids. The largest number of acute poisonings is associated with the use of narcotic drugs, psychostimulating substances (α‑pyrrolidinovalerophenone and mephedrone), as well as opiates and opioids. Discussion. A retrospective analysis of the results of chemical and toxicological studies of biological fluids of drug users showed that the detectability of various compounds changes over time in the Sverdlovsk region according to data for 2021-2023. During a medical examination for intoxication and during the diagnosis of acute poisoning, «traditional» narcotic drugs are still identified in all areas of chemical and toxicological research, but at present new psychoactive substances of synthetic origin predominate in illegal circulation. Conclusion. Analysis of the results of chemical-toxicological in the Sverdlovsk region in 2021–2023 allowed us to conclude that the detection of new psychoactive substances is prevalent while the detection of «traditional» drugs is stable.

chemical-toxicological researches, narcotic drugs, new psychoactive substances

10.29234/2308-9113-2024-12-2-48-63

1. Zaami S., Marinelli E., Varì M.R. New trends of substance abuse during COVID-19 pandemic: an international perspective. Front Psychiatry. 2020; 11: 700: 1-4, doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00700

2. Lo Faro A.F., Berardinelli D., Cassano T., Dendramis G., Montanari E., Montana A., Berretta P., Zaami S., Busardò F.P., Huestis M.A. New Psychoactive Substances Intoxications and Fatalities during the COVID-19 Epidemic. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12(2): 273, doi: 10.3390/biology12020273

3. Shafi A., Berry A.J., Sumnall H., Wood D.M., Tracy D.K. New psychoactive substances: a review and updates. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2020; 17 (10): 1-21, doi: 10.1177/2045125320967197

4. Sajwani H.S. The dilemma of new psychoactive substances: A growing threat. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal 2023; 31(3): 348-350, doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.01.002

5. Simão A.Y., Antunes M., Marques H., Rosado T., Soares S., Gonçalves J., Barroso M., Andraus M., Gallardo E. Recent bionalytical methods for the determination of new psychoactive substances in biological specimens. Bioanalysis 2020; 12(21): 1557-1595, doi: 10.4155/bio-2020-0148

6. Simão A.Y., Antunes M., Cabral E., Oliveira P., Rosendo L.M., Brinca A.T., Alves E., Marques H., Rosado T., Passarinha L.A., Andraus M., Barroso M., Gallardo E. An Update on the Implications of New Psychoactive Substances in Public Health. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022; 19(8): 4869, doi: 10.3390/ijerph19084869

7. Vicknasingam B., Narayanan S., Singh D., Corazza O. Global strategy for New Psychoactive Substances: an update. Current Opinion in Psychiatry 2020; 33(4): 295-300, doi: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000612

8. Kuropka P., Zawadzki M., Szpot P. A review of synthetic cathinones emerging in recent years (2019-2022). Forensic Toxicol. 2023; 41(1): 25-46, doi: 10.1007/s11419-022-00639-5

9. Daziani G., Lo Faro A.F., Montana V., Goteri G., Pesaresi M., Bambagiotti G., Montanari E., Giorgetti R., Montana A. Synthetic Cathinones and Neurotoxicity Risks: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24(7): 6230, doi: 10.3390/ijms24076230

10. Baumann M.H., Walters H.M., Niello M., Sitte H.H. Neuropharmacology of Synthetic Cathinones. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2018; 252: 113-142, doi: 10.1007/164­_2018­_178

11. Gonçalves J.L., Alves V.L., Aguiar J., Teixeira H.M., Câmara J.S. Synthetic cathinones: an evolving class of new psychoactive substances. Crit Rev Toxicol. 2019; 49(7): 549-566, doi: 10.1080/10408444.2019.1679087

12. Luethi D., Liechti M.E. Designer drugs: mechanism of action and adverse effects. Arch Toxicol. 2020; 94(4): 1085-1133, doi: 10.1007/s00204-020-02693-7

13. Melentyev A.B., Kataev S.S., Dvorskaya O.N. Dizaynerskiye narkotiki. Metabolizm i podkhody k analizu v biologicheskikh ob«yektakh. [Designer drugs. Metabolism and approaches to analysis in biological media.] Moscow: »Pero«, 2016. P 129-162. (In Russ.)

14. Patocka J., Zhao B., Wu W., Klimova B., Valis M., Nepovimova E., Kuca K. Flakka: New Dangerous Synthetic Cathinone on the Drug Scene. Int J Mol Sci. 2020; 21(21): 8185, doi: 10.3390/ijms21218185

15. Halberstadt A.L. Pharmacology and Toxicology of N-Benzylphenethylamine (»NBOMe«) Hallucinogens. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences 2017; 32: 283-311, doi: 10.1007/7854­_2016­_64

16. Zaikina O.L., Smirnov A.V., Krupina N.A., Dvorskaya O.N., Grigoryev A.M. Prakticheskie aspekty diagnostiki priema psihoaktivnyh soedinenij gruppy NBOMe. Obnaruzhenie NBOMe i ih metabolitov metodami gazovoj i zhidkostnoj hromato-mass-spektrometrii v biologicheskih ob»ektah. [Practical aspects of diagnosis consumption of psychoactive compounds NBOMe group. Detection of NBOMe and its metabolites in biological objects by gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.] Narkologia [Narcology] 2018; 17(10): 85-96, doi: 10.25557/1682-8313.2018.10 (In Russ.)

17. Deventer M.H., Van Uytfanghe K., Vinckier I.M.J., Reniero F., Guillou C., Stove C.P. A new cannabinoid receptor 1 selective agonist evading the 2021 «China ban»: ADB-FUBIATA. Drug Test Anal. 2022; 14(9): 1639-1644, doi: 10.1002/dta.3285

18. Kataev S.S., Dvorskaya O.N., Gofenberg M.A. Identification of cannabimimetic MDMB(N)-073F metabolites in urine by method of gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. Pharmacy & Pharmacology 2019; 7(2): 70-83, doi: 10.19163/2307-9266-2019-7-2-70-83

19. Kataev S.S., Dvorskaya O.N., Gofenberg M.A. Identifikaciya metabolitov kannabimimetika MDMB(N)-022 v moche s primeneniem tverdofaznoj ekstrakcii i gazovoj hromatografii s mass-spektrometricheskim detektirovaniem. [Identification of cannabimimetics MDMB(N)-022 in urine using SPE and GG-MS.] Voprosy biologicheskoy, meditsinskoy i farmatsevticheskoy khimii [Issues in biological, medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry] 2022; 25(1): 10-20, doi: 10.29296/25877313-2022-01-02 (In Russ.)

20. Taheri F., Yaraghi A., Sabzghabaee A.M., Moudi M., Eizadi-Mood N., Gheshlaghi F., Farajzadegan Z. Methadone toxicity in a poisoning referral center. J Res Pharm Pract. 2013; 2(3): 130-134, doi: 10.4103/2279-042X.122387

21. Livanov G.A., Loladze A.T., Batotsyrenov B.V., Lodyagin A.N., Glushkov S.I., Kharitonova T.V., Ivanova A.A., Baranov D.V., Antonova A.M. Ostrye otravleniya metadonom (dol'finom) (obzor). [Acute Poisoning with Methadone (Dolphin) (Review).] Obshchaya reanimatologiya [General Reanimatology] 2017; 13(3): 48-63, doi: 10.15360/1813-9779-2017-3-48-63 (In Russ.)

22. Solonin S.A., Belova M.V., Bazhenov A.I., Tyurin I.A., Potskhveria M.M., Godkov M.A. Ostrye otravleniya metadonom u pacientov stacionara skoroj medicinskoj pomoshchi. [Acute methadone poisonings in patients in an emergency hospital.] VICH-infekciya i immunosupressii [HIV Infection and Immunosuppressive Disorders] 2020; 12(2): 69-78, doi: 10.22328/2077-9828-2020-12-2-69-78 (In Russ.)

23. Blanckaert P., Cannaert A., Van Uytfanghe K., Hulpia F., Deconinck E., Van Calenbergh S., Stove C. Report on a novel emerging class of highly potent benzimidazole NPS opioids: Chemical and in vitro functional characterization of isotonitazene. Drug Test Anal. 2020; 12(4): 422-430, doi: 10.1002/dta.2738

24. Krotulski A.J., Papsun D.M., Kacinko S.L., Logan B.K. Isotonitazene Quantitation and Metabolite Discovery in Authentic Forensic Casework. J Anal Toxicol. 2020; 44(6): 521-530, doi: 10.1093/jat/bkaa016

25. Shover C.L., Falasinnu T.O., Freedman R.B., Humphreys K. Emerging Characteristics of Isotonitazene-Involved Overdose Deaths: A Case-Control Study. J Addict Med. 2021; 15(5): 429-431, doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000775

26. Romanova О.L., Blagonravov M.L., Kislov M.A. Baklofen: mekhanizmy terapevticheskogo i toksicheskogo dejstviya (obzor). [Baclofen: Therapeutic and Toxic Mechanisms of Action (Review).] Obshchaya reanimatologiya [General Reanimatology] 2020; 16(4): 60-71, doi: 10.15360/1813-9779-2020-4-60-71 (In Russ.)

27. Myslivseva A., Malyshko E. Klinicheskie proyavleniya novyh potencial'no opasnyh psihoaktivnyh veshchestv pri medicinskom osvidetel'stvovanii na sostoyanie op'yaneniya. [Clinical manifestations of new hazardous substances during the medical examination for intoxication.] Glavnyy vrach Yuga Rossii [Chief physician of the South of Russia] 2018. 3(62): 57-59. (In Russ.)

28. Kriikk P., Ojanperä I. Pregabalin and gabapentin in non-opioid poisoning deaths. Forensic Sci Int. 2021; 324: 110830, doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110830

29. Porseva N.Yu., Soloninina A.V., Dvorskaya O.N., Karpenko Yu. N., Tumilovich E.Yu. Primenenie holinolitikov v nemedicinskih celyah. [Use of cholinolytics for non-medical purposes.] Pharmacia [Pharmacy] 2012; 2: 51-53. (In Russ.)

30. Loban I.E., Gorbacheva T.V., Bychkov V.A. Himiko-toksikologicheskoe issledovanie GOMK v bioob«ektah i interpretaciya rezul'tatov analiza. [The chemical toxicological investigation of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in biological objects and the interpretation of the results of the analysis.] Sudebno-medicinskaya ekspertiza [Forensic medical expertise] 2018; 61(5): 21-24, doi: 10.17116/sudmed20186105125 (In Russ.)