Effects of putrefaction on the quantitative analyses of diphenhydramine in blood and tissues: model experiments by the routine matrix-matched calibration method and standard addition method with different internal standards

Purpose The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of putrefaction on the quantitative analyses of diphenhydramine in blood and tissues by the routine matrix-matched calibration (MMC) method and the standard addition (SA) method for comparison. Methods Putrefied samples were prepared by leaving pig blood, liver and muscle at room temperature. Toxic amounts of diphenhydramine and six internal standards (ISs) having different similarities were added to the prepared samples, and the drug was extracted with a liquid-liquid extraction method. The concentrations of diphenhydramine were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The accuracies and precisions of the obtained quantitative values were compared in each quantification method. The results were also verified using human blood and tissues obtained at the time of autopsy. Results In the MMC method, the deuterium-labeled IS showed good accuracies and precisions for putrefied samples. On the other hand, the concentrations of diphenhydramine using some non-isotopic ISs were found to deviate significantly from the true value. Conclusions The obtained results showed that the MMC method using fresh blood calibration curve with isotope-labeled IS could accurately measure drug concentrations in putrefied blood and tissues. If the isotope-labeled compound is not available, the quantification by the MMC method seems effective using several ISs with high similarity. This kind of study on the effects of putrefaction on forensic analyses has not been reported to our knowledge.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the effect of putrefaction on the quantitative analyses of diphenhydramine in blood and tissues using the routine matrix-matched calibration method and the standard addition method. Results showed that the MMC method with isotope-labeled IS accurately measured drug concentrations in putrefied blood and tissues. This kind of study on the effects of putrefaction on forensic analyses has not been reported previously.