Document Details
Document Type |
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Thesis |
Document Title |
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Assessment of postmortem concentrations of opiates and their metabolites in different tissues and fluids تقييم تركيزات المواد الأفيونية بعد الوفاة ومستقلباتها في الأنسجة والسوائل المختلفة |
Subject |
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Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences |
Document Language |
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Arabic |
Abstract |
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Objective: To assess and compare postmortem concentrations of opiates/opioids and their metabolites in different tissues and fluids.
Methods: This study followed a comparative analytical assay of 64 cadavers. Examined samples were stored at -20C for up to 6 months in the “Poison Control and Forensic Chemistry Center”, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The analysis of opiates/opioids was performed using Liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry.
Results: The highest levels for postmortem morphine concentrations in body fluids were in bile and urine. For codeine, the highest levels were in urine and gastric contents. For 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM), the highest levels were in urine and gastric content. The median concentrations of morphine, codeine and 6-MAM in blood were relatively low (77 ng/mL, 12.78 ng/mL, and 11.0 ng/mL, respectively). Almost all obtained biological samples were positive for morphine (60, 93.8%), codeine (55, 85.9%) and 6-MAM (44, 68.8%). The highest levels for morphine codeine, and 6-MAM concentrations in tissues were in the intestine and the stomach. Postmortem biologic samples revealed that most cadavers contained all three opioids morphine, codeine and 6-MAM (42, 65.6%). Two opioid drugs were present as morphine/codeine (9, 14.1%) or morphine/6-MAM (2, 3.1%). Morphine alone was present in 7 cadavers (10.9%), and codeine alone was present in 4 cadavers (6.3%), while 6-MAM was not present alone.
Conclusions: The highest levels for postmortem morphine concentrations in body fluids are in bile and urine. The most common substance identified at autopsy is morphine. For codeine, the highest levels are in urine and gastric contents. For 6-MAM, the highest levels are present in urine and nasal secretions. Concentrations of morphine, codeine and 6-MAM in blood are relatively low. The highest levels for postmortem assessment of morphine and 6-MAM concentrations in tissues are in the intestine and the stomach; while for codeine, the highest levels are in the urinary bladder and the stomach. To confirm opiate overdose as the cause of death, a medical-legal examination, comprising an evaluation of information from the police and relatives, as well as a complete toxicological investigation, must be conducted.
Key Words: LC-MS/MS, Opiates, Morphine, Codeine, 6-MAM |
Supervisor |
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Dr. Turki Al-Zoghibi |
Thesis Type |
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Master Thesis |
Publishing Year |
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1444 AH
2022 AD |
Added Date |
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Monday, February 27, 2023 |
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Researchers
زياد أحمد عسيري | Asiri, Ziad Ahmed | Researcher | Master | |
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