George R. Nakamura

Kinetics of heroin deacetylation in aqueous alkaline solution and in human serum and whole blood

A kinetic study of heroin hydrolysis in alkaline aqueous solution at room temperature was conducted by a gas chromatographic method to measure the consecutive reactions of diacetylmorphine to monoacetylmorphine and of monoacetylmorphine to morphine. A first-order reaction was observed in both instances, and the rate for the deacetylation of heroin was greater than that of monoacetylmorphine. The rates of in vitro hydrolysis of diacetylmorphine in human whole blood and in serum were compared by the same method. Diacetylmorphine was hydrolyzed twice as rapidly in blood as in serum. While morphine was an end product of hydrolysis in the blood, it was absent in the serum.

Drug analyses of skeletonizing remains.

A 47-year old white female was reported missing by her family after an argument with her husband and son. The arguments were of long and continuing nature with sharp differences as to the use of real properties. Her body was discovered by the family dog eight months later in a desolate area on the family ranch on the slope of a hill.

Antemortem conversion of codeine to morphine in man.

Forty-five drug overdose cases involving codeine were investigated. Concentrations of codeine and morphine were determined in blood, bile, liver, kidney, and urine. Ratios of codeine to morphine values for each of these specimens were compared and evidence was developed that codeine was metabolized partially into morphine in the antemortem stage. Morphine concentration was less than that of codeine in blood, liver, kidney, and urine. However, bile analyses showed that the amount of morphine exceeded that of codeine, suggesting a more active demethylation activity in the hepatic system than in the blood and other tissues studied. Controlled-in-vitro studies showed that no codeine demethylation occurred in postmortem tissues during cold storage for a period as long as 30 days.

Solid-Phase Extraction, Identification, and Quantitation of 11-Nor-Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-9-Carboxylic Acid

A procedure has been developed to extract and recover minute amounts of delta-9-carboxytetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) from urine. A new non-isotopic internal standard is introduced to permit a chromatographic assay of the metabolite. The method affords a 91% recovery of 20 ng/mL of the THC-COOH acid from spiked urine with the assurance of a 3.8% coefficient of variation.

Hydromorphone Detected in Bile Following Hydrocodone Ingestion

Two similar cases are reported here in which Tussionex, a preparation containing hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine, caused or contributed to death. Toxicological analyses revealed a high concentration ratio of hydromorphone to hydrocodone in the bile in both cases. It is postulated that the finding of hydromorphone is due to the metabolism of hydrocodone.

Assay of cocaine in the presence of procaine and quinine by column chromatography.

Abstract A column chromatography method is presented for the separation and quantitation of cocaine in the presence of procaine, quinine and lactose. Separation procedures are described to afford purification of cocaine for infrared absorption spectrum examination.

Analysis of Dihydrocodeine in Urine Using Sep-Pak® C18Cartridges for Sample Cleanup

A rapid and precise method for the isolation and identification of dihydrocodeine from urine is reported. The narcotic is isolated from urine using Sep-Pak C18 cartridges for cleanup, requiring less than 30 min for preparation. Identification is performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.