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Diclofenac Concentrations in Post-Mortem Specimens-Distribution, Case Reports, and Validated Method (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS)
Paweł Szpot1, Olga Wachełko2, Marcin Zawadzki1
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50345 Wroclaw, Poland.
Toxics
|July 27, 2022
Summary
A new sensitive method quantifies diclofenac in postmortem samples, aiding investigations into suspected drug use and fatal outcomes. This technique accurately measures diclofenac in various biological matrices.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Diclofenac quantification in postmortem samples is crucial for forensic investigations.
- Existing methods may lack the sensitivity or scope required for diverse biological matrices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a highly sensitive method for quantifying diclofenac in postmortem samples.
- To apply the method in real forensic cases, including suspected drug-induced abortions and fatal incidents.
Main Methods:
- Liquid-liquid extraction of postmortem samples.
- Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS).
- Analysis using electrospray ionization in positive multiple reaction monitoring mode with diclofenac-d4 as internal standard.
Main Results:
- The method demonstrated high sensitivity with a lower limit of quantification of 0.5 ng/mL.
- Validation showed excellent linearity (0.5-500 ng/mL), accuracy, precision (≤15%), and recovery (72.0-102.2%).
- Successful determination of diclofenac in blood, urine, vitreous humor, bile, stomach content, placenta, kidney, liver, heart, and fetal bones.
Conclusions:
- The developed UHPLC-MS/MS method is sensitive, accurate, and precise for diclofenac quantification in various postmortem biological samples.
- This validated method is suitable for application in forensic toxicology and clinical investigations involving diclofenac.
