In vitro and in vivo metabolism and detection of 3-HO-PCP, a synthetic phencyclidine, in human samples and pooled human hepatocytes using high resolution mass spectrometry.
Drug Testing and Analysis April 20, 2020 A. Davidsen, M. Mardal, S. Johansen et al.
The phencyclidine (PCP) analogue 3-HO-PCP, a potent dissociative new psychoactive substance, was detected in a law enforcement seizure and forensic samples in Denmark. Its toxicokinetic properties were investigated for the first time. The unbound fraction in plasma was 0.72 ± 0.09. Four in vitro metabolites were identified after incubation with human hepatocytes; in vivo, the O-sulphate-conjugated metabolite was not detected, and the N-dealkylated-COOH metabolite was the main metabolite in deconjugated urine. In blood and brain, 3-HO-PCP and its O-glucuronidated metabolite were the primary analytical targets. Drug levels in blood were 0.013 mg/kg in a living subject and 0.095 mg/kg in a deceased subject. Post-mortem brain concentration was 0.16 mg/kg, 1.5-fold higher than in post-mortem blood.