Detection of l-Methamphetamine and l-Amphetamine as Selegiline Metabolites

Abstract

Abstract Selegiline (SE) is a selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor, used for reducing symptoms in early-stage Parkinson’s disease. The metabolites of SE include l-methamphetamine, l-amphetamine and desmethylselegiline (DSE). The stereoisomers of SE metabolites, d-methamphetamine and d-amphetamine are highly addictive psychostimulants and some of the most abused drugs in South Korea. In order to differentiate medical SE users form illicit methamphetamine abusers, it is important to distinguish between the l-isomers and d-isomers in urine samples. A 52-year-old male, seemingly under the influence of intoxication and demonstrating abnormal behavior, was reported to the police. The initial urine test using a methamphetamine detection kit demonstrated a positive result. Given the initial results, the police officer requested a further analysis of the urine sample. The urine sample was screened using headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC–MS). Both methamphetamine and amphetamine were detected, in addition to SE and DSE. To quantitate methamphetamine and amphetamine by HS-SPME-GC–MS, we performed a standard addition method due to the matrix effect of the case sample. Consistent with previous studies, our results indicated that the ratio of amphetamine to methamphetamine was 0.27, which was in the range of SE ingestion. Furthermore, we confirmed l-methamphetamine and l-amphetamine by chiral derivatization using (R)-(−)-α-methoxy-α-(trifluoromethyl) phenylacetyl chloride.