MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine Research Articles

High-pressure liquid chromatography/electrochemical detection method for monitoring MDA and MDMA in whole blood and other biological tissues

The drug Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)) is one of several hallucinogenic amphetamine derivatives reported to be serotonergic neurotoxins. The following is a description of a new high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analytical method for the analysis of MDMA, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and N-ethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDE) from whole blood. Upon separation of MDMA, MDA and MDE by HPLC, quantitation is achieved by use of electrochemical detection. Retention times for MDA, MDMA, and MDE are 6.5, 9.2, and 10.3 min, respectively, allowing for a complete chromatographic run every 15 min. The sensitivity of the method is 1 ng/ml which allows for measurement of MDA, MDMA, or MDE in microsamples of whole blood. The volume of blood required is very small (200 μl); therefore, there is minimal blood loss in repeated blood sampling from small animals. Assay linearity was demonstrated from 1 ng/ml to at least 1 μg/ml. The coefficients of variation for both intra-assay and inter-assay comparisons were less than 9%. Other HPLC methods have been previously described for the analysis of amphetamine derivatives, but this new method offers greater sensitivity, rapid turn-around time and ease of use.

Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay Detection of Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, and Illicit Amphetamine Analogues*

The Abbott Diagnostics Amphetamine/Methamphetamine II and Amphetamine Class reagents were evaluated on the Abbott TDx for cross-reactivity to amphetamine and methamphetamine stereoisomers, several of their metabolites, and various illicit analogues, including 2-methoxyamphetamine, 4-hydroxymethamphetamine, 2,5-dimethoxy-amphetamine (DMA), 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (DOB), 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-beta-phenethylamine (BDMPEA), 3,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamine (TMA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-amphetamine (MDA) N,N-dimethyl-3,4-methylenedioxy-amphetamine, N-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (N-OH MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine (DOE), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM), and mescaline in concentrations ranging from 100 to 100,000 ng/mL. Results demonstrate the utility of this assay for detection of several of the above compounds; unfortunately many are still not detectable. Significant differences were observed between the Amphetamine/Methamphetamine II and Amphetamine Class reagents, particularly regarding their cross-reactivity to over-the-counter medications. Detection of the drugs amphetamine, methamphetamine, and the illicit analogues is not enhanced with the Amphetamine Class reagents, and unless detection of the over-the-counter compounds is of interest, these reagents are a poor choice compared to the Amphetamine/Methamphetamine II reagents. Cross-reactivity of some of the illicit analogues is such that the assay can reliably be used for the routine screening of these compounds.

Cross-Reactivity of Amphetamine Analogues with Roche Abuscreen Radioimmunoassay Reagents

Cross-reactivity of amphetamine analogues with the Abuscreen amphetamine radioimmunoassay reagents was determined for both the standard and high specificity antibody systems. Compounds tested included 2-methoxyamphetamine, 4-hydroxymethamphetamine, 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (DMA), 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (DOB), 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-beta-phenethylamine (BDMPEA), 3,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamine (TMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), N,N-dimethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and N-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (N-OH MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM), and 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine (mescaline). Blank negative reference material was spiked with 1,000 to 100,000 ng/mL of the amphetamine analogue and used as sample in the assays. MDA was the only analogue that showed cross reactivity equal to or greater than that of amphetamine. None of the other analogue compounds demonstrated a positive result at even the highest concentration; however several showed depressed counts at various concentration levels.