A number of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) have recently been detected in meconium samples. Several of these FAEEs have been evaluated as possible biomarkers for in utero ethanol exposure. In the present study, a method was optimized and validated for the simultaneous determination of eight FAEEs (ethyl laurate, ethyl myristate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl palmitoleate, ethyl stearate, ethyl oleate, ethyl linoleate and ethyl arachidonate) in meconium samples. FAEEs were extracted by headspace solid-phase microextraction. Analyte detection and quantification were carried out using GC-MS operated in chemical ionization mode. The corresponding D5-ethyl esters were synthesized and used as internal standards. The LOQ and LOD for each analyte were <150 and <100 ng/g, respectively. The method showed good linearity (r(2)>0.98) in the concentration range studied (LOQ-2000 ng/g). The intra- and interday imprecision, given by the RSD of the method, was lower than 15% for all FAEEs studied. The validated method was applied to 63 authentic specimens. FAEEs could be detected in alcohol-exposed newborns (>600 ng/g cumulative concentration). Interestingly, FAEEs could also be detected in some non-exposed newborns, although the concentrations were much lower than those measured in exposed cases.
RESUMO:A prática clandestina do aborto pode provocar diversos efeitos prejudiciais à saúde da mulher. Em muitos casos, a situação política, social e religiosa do Brasil favorece a automedicação e a procura por preparações caseiras e populares para induzir o aborto. Atualmente, medicamentos e plantas são alguns dos métodos empregados para interromper a gestação. Observa-se uma diversificação na legislação do aborto entre os países, com tendência à menor restrição na interrupção da gravidez em países desenvolvidos. É fundamental o envolvimento da iniciativa pública em programas de educação e planejamento familiar da população para que esta esteja capacitada a avaliar suas escolhas e os riscos aos quais se expõe. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar uma revisão bibliográfica e análise crítica dos aspectos toxicológicos de fármacos e de plantas utilizados como abortifacientes, considerando também os riscos associados quando não há um acompanhamento médico efetivo.
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