Organ distribution of 4-MEC, MDPV, methoxetamine and α-PVP: comparison of QuEChERS and SPE

Purpose An organ distribution investigation was carried out on two deceased (A and B) who consumed 4-methylethcathinone (4-MEC), methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), methoxetamine (MXE) and alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP). Methods The detection of the aforementioned drugs in the specimens was performed on a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system. Two different extraction methods were compared with each other-a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) approach and an automated Instrument Top Sample Preparation-solid phase extraction (ITSP-SPE). Standard addition method was used to quantify the drugs. Results 4-MEC, MDPV and MXE were detected in all collected tissues and body fluids of the two deceased. alpha-PVP was also detectable in deceased A. Deceased A showed femoral blood concentrations of 97 mu g/L 4-MEC, 396 mu g/L MDPV, 295 mu g/L MXE and 4 mu g/L alpha-PVP measured after extraction by QuEChERS and 118 mu g/L 4-MEC, 342 mu g/L MDPV, 385 mu g/L MXE and 4 mu g/L alpha-PVP measured after ITSP-SPE. Deceased B revealed heart blood concentrations of 8 mu g/L 4-MEC, 3 mu g/L MDPV and 2 mu g/L MXE after extraction by QuEChERS and 8 mu g/L 4-MEC and 1 mu g/L MXE after ITSP-SPE. Conclusions Both preparation techniques were suitable for quantifying NPS in organ tissues and body fluids. With respect to the autopsy findings, the cause of death of deceased A was determined to be an acute intoxication with NPS. No certain cause of death could be ascertained for deceased B.