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Published:
Journal of Analytical Toxicology,
ISSN 0146-4760,
Volume 26, Number 4, May/June
pp. 228-232
Technical Note: Identification of 4-Methylthioamphetamine
and Some of its Metabolites in Mouse Urine by GC–MS after Acute Administration
Helena Carmo[1], Douwe de Boer[2], Fernando Remião[1],
Félix Carvalho[1], Lesseps A. dos Reys[2], and Maria de Lourdes Bastos[1]
[1]ICETA/CEQUP, Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Porto University,
Rua Aníbal Cunha, 164, 4050-047 Porto, Portugal
[2]Laboratory of Doping Control, LADB, Lisbon Sports Medicine Centre, Portugal
p-Methylthioamphetamine,
also known as 4-methylthioamphetamine (4-MTA), is a stimulant drug originally
synthesized as a potential antidepressant, although at present it has no therapeutic
use. It is currently submitted to control measures and criminal penalties within
the Member States of the European Union (1). 4-MTA has been associated with
several deaths in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands (1).
Animal studies have shown that 4-MTA induces convulsive effects and respiratory
depression (mentioned in report of EMCDDA [1]) and typical serotonergic behavioral
syndromes (2). The major acute neuropharmacological effects of 4-MTA in the
rat consist of increase in the release of serotonin and inhibition of serotonin
uptake from nerve endings (2) and also inhibition of monoamine oxidase A (3,4).
Synaptosome monoamine uptake inhibition studies showed that 4-MTA is a very
selective serotonergic agent (2) with a low affinity for noradrenaline and dopamine
uptake sites and monoamine receptors (2,3). An increase in the secretion of
several hormones such as adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone,
prolactin, oxytocin, and renin induced by 4-MTA through stimulation of serotonergic
neurotransmission has also been reported (3). Reproduction
of editorial content of this journal is prohibited without publisher’s
permission.
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