<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The present study examined regional distribution of opiate alkaloids from seized heroin in brain regions of experimental animals in order to select parts with the highest content of opiates. Their analysis should contribute to resolve causes of death due to heroin intake. The tests were performed at different time periods (5, 15, 45 and 120 min) after male and female Wistar rats were treated with seized heroin. Opiate alkaloids (codeine, morphine, acetylcodeine, 6-acetylmorphine and 3,6-diacetylmorphine) were quantitatively determined in brain regions known for their high concentration of μ-opiate receptors: cortex, brainstem, amygdala and basal ganglia, by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The highest content of opiate alkaloids in the brain tissue of female animals was found 15 min and in male animals 45 min after treatment. The highest content of opiates was determined in the basal ganglia of the animals of both genders, indicating that this part of brain tissue presents a reliable sample for identifying and assessing contents of opiates after heroin intake.</p></abstract>

The present study examined regional distribution of opiate alkaloids from seized heroin in brain regions of experimental animals in order to select parts with the highest content of opiates. Their analysis should contribute to resolve causes of death due to heroin intake. The tests were performed at different time periods (5, 15, 45 and 120 min) after male and female Wistar rats were treated with seized heroin. Opiate alkaloids (codeine, morphine, acetylcodeine, 6-acetylmorphine and 3,6-diacetylmorphine) were quantitatively determined in brain regions known for their high concentration of μ-opiate receptors: cortex, brainstem, amygdala and basal ganglia, by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The highest content of opiate alkaloids in the brain tissue of female animals was found 15 min and in male animals 45 min after treatment. The highest content of opiates was determined in the basal ganglia of the animals of both genders, indicating that this part of brain tissue presents a reliable sample for identifying and assessing contents of opiates after heroin intake.

Distribution of opiate alkaloids in brain tissue of experimental animals

Institute of Forensic Medicine, Clinical Center Vojvodina I va Andica 3, 21000 Novi Sad,, Serbia, TEL.: +381 63 83 999 15

Institute of Forensic Medicine, Clinical Center Vojvodina, Serbia

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia

Faculty of Education, University of Novi Sad, Serbia

Interdisciplinary Toxicology

{"article-title":"Distribution of opiate alkaloids in brain tissue of experimental animals"}

The present study examined regional distribution of opiate alkaloids from seized heroin in brain regions of experimental animals in order to select parts with...

Distribution of opiate alkaloids in brain tissue of experimental animals

Pubblicato online: 09 mar 2013

Pagine: 173 - 178

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10102-012-0029-y

This content is open access.