2-Methiopropamine [1-(thiophen-2-yl)-2-methylaminopropane, 2-MPA], a thiophene analogue of methamphetamine, is available from online vendors selling "research chemicals." The first samples were seized by the German police in 2011. As it is a recreational stimulant, its inclusion in routine drug screening protocols should be required. The aims of this study were to identify the phase I and II metabolites of 2-MPA in rat and human urine and to identify the human cytochrome-P450 (CYP) isoenzymes involved in its phase I metabolism. In addition, the detectability of 2-MPA in urine samples using the authors' well-established gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-linear ion trap-mass spectrometry (LC-MS(n)) screening protocols was also evaluated. The metabolites were isolated from rat and human urine samples by solid-phase extraction without or following enzymatic cleavage of conjugates. The phase I metabolites, following acetylation, were separated and identified by GC-MS and/or liquid chromatography-high-resolution linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-HR-MS(n)) and the phase II metabolites by LC-HR-MS(n). The following major metabolic pathways were proposed: N-demethylation, hydroxylation at the side chain and at the thiophene ring, and combination of these transformations followed by glucuronidation and/or sulfation. CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 were identified as the major phase I metabolizing enzymes. They were also involved in the N-demethylation of the analogue methamphetamine and CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 in its ring hydroxylation. Following the administration of a typical user's dose, 2-MPA and its metabolites were identified in rat urine using the authors' GC-MS and the LC-MS(n) screening approaches. Ingestion of 2-MPA could also be detected by both protocols in an authentic human urine sample.

5-APB (5-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran) and its N-methyl derivative 5-MAPB (N-methyl-5-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran) are analogues of amphetamine and methamphetamine, respectively, and belong to the so-called novel psychoactive substances (NPS). They were consumed as stimulants or entactogens with euphoric and empathogenic effects. Being controlled in some countries, both compounds should be covered by drug testing in clinical and forensic toxicology. Therefore, metabolism studies have been performed by working up rat urine samples after a high single dose of the corresponding NPS with solid-phase extraction without and after enzymatic conjugates cleavage. The phase I metabolites were separated and identified after acetylation by GC-MS and/or LC-HR-MS(n) and the phase II metabolites by LC-HR-MS(n). The main metabolite of 5-APB was 3-carboxymethyl-4-hydroxy amphetamine and the main metabolites of 5-MAPB were 5-APB (N-demethyl metabolite) and 3-carboxymethyl-4-hydroxy methamphetamine. The cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes involved in the 5-MAPB N-demethylation were CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6, and according to the kinetic parameters, CYP2B6 was responsible for the main part of the total CYP-dependent clearance. An intake of a common users' dose of 5-APB or 5-MAPB could be confirmed in rat urine using the authors' GC-MS and the LC-MS(n) standard urine screening approaches with the corresponding parent drugs as major target. In authentic human urine samples after ingestion of unknown doses of 5-MAPB, both metabolites could also be detected besides the parent drug. The plasma concentrations determined in six clinical cases ranged from 5 to 124 μg/L for 5-MAPB and from 1 to 38 μg/L for its N-demethyl metabolite 5-APB.

Methoxetamine (MXE; 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(N-ethylamino)-cyclohexanone), a ketamine analog, is a new designer drug and synthesized for its longer lasting and favorable pharmacological effects over ketamine. The aims of the presented study were to identify the phases I and II metabolites of MXE in rat and human urine by GC-MS and LC-high-resolution (HR)-MS(n) and to evaluate their detectability by GC-MS and LC-MS(n) using authors' standard urine screening approaches (SUSAs). Furthermore, human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes were identified to be involved in the initial metabolic steps of MXE in vitro, and respective enzyme kinetic studies using the metabolite formation and substrate depletion approach were conducted. Finally, human urine samples from forensic cases, where the ingestion of MXE was suspected, were analyzed. Eight metabolites were identified in rat and different human urines allowing postulation of the following metabolic pathways: N-deethylation, O-demethylation, hydroxylation, and combinations as well as glucuronidation or sulfation. The enzyme kinetic studies showed that the initial metabolic step in humans, the N-deethylation, was catalyzed by CYP2B6 and CYP3A4. Both SUSAs using GC-MS or LC-MS(n) allowed monitoring an MXE intake in urine.

Modern ergometric equipment enables the simulation of laboratory maximal oxygen uptake (.VO(2max)) testing in the field. Therefore, it was investigated whether the improved event specificity on the track might lead to higher .VO(2max) measurements in running. Identical protocols were used on the treadmill and on the track (speed was indicated by a computer-driven flashing light system). Ambulatory measurements of gas exchange were carried out throughout both tests, which were executed in randomized order. There were no significant differences ( P=0.71) in .VO(2max) between treadmill [4.65 (0.51) ml.min(-1)] and field tests [4.63 (0.55) ml.min(-1)]. However, the test duration differed significantly ( P<0.001) by approximately 5%: treadmill 691 (39) s; field test 727 (42) s. With the exception of maximum heart rate (HR(max); significantly higher in the field with P=0.02) all criteria for the degree of effort were similar between the two tests. However, the difference in HR(max) at less than 2 beats.min(-1), was practically negligible. Submaximal measurements of oxygen uptake and minute ventilation were significantly higher on the treadmill ( P<0.001 for both parameters). In summary, field tests with incremental running protocols do not result in higher .VO(2max) measurements compared to laboratory treadmill exercise. A better running economy on the track results in higher maximal velocities and longer exercise durations being sustained. The determination of .VO(2max) is not a reasonable application for ambulatory gas exchange measurements because laboratory values are not surpassed.

Metabolic fate, mass spectral fragmentation, detectability, and differentiation in urine of the benzofuran designer drugs 6-APB and 6-MAPB in comparison to their 5-isomers using GC-MS and LC-(HR)-MSn techniques