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Published on: April 23, 2019
Validation of meconin as a marker for illicit opiate use
Stephen R Morley1, A Robert W Forrest, John H Galloway
1Toxicology Section, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Royal Hallamshire, Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2]F, United Kingdom. stephen.morley@sth.nhs.uk
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|June 1, 2007
Summary
Meconin, a noscapine metabolite, effectively detects illicit opiate use. This marker showed high sensitivity and 100% specificity in both clinical and postmortem samples, aiding substance misuse management and identification.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Detecting illicit opiate misuse is crucial for clinical management and postmortem identification.
- Established markers include 6-monoacetylmorphine and acetylcodeine.
- Other proposed markers include papaverine, noscapine, and their metabolites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate meconin, a noscapine metabolite, as a marker for illicit opiate use.
- To assess the sensitivity and specificity of meconin detection in urine samples.
Main Methods:
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed for analysis.
- Urine samples from 362 individuals in substance misuse services and 26 postmortem cases were analyzed.
- Samples were tested for the presence of meconin.
Main Results:
- Meconin was detected in 94.7% of substance misuse samples and 78% of postmortem samples where morphine was the major opiate.
- The specificity of meconin detection was 100% in both sample groups.
- Meconin was not detected in cases without major morphine presence or with medicinal diamorphine administration.
Conclusions:
- Meconin is a reliable and specific marker for illicit opiate use.
- Its detection can serve as a valuable adjunct in forensic toxicology and substance misuse monitoring.
- Further use of meconin in detecting illicit opiate use is recommended.
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