Application of a convenient extraction procedure to analyze gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in fatalities involving gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, gamma-butyrolactone, and 1,4-butanediol.

The most common chemicals that can be ingested and lead to greater than endogenous levels of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in decedents are salts of GHB, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and 1,4-butanediol (BD). Results for three deaths involving the ingestion of one or another of these three chemicals, which led to findings of GHB in the decedents, are presented. An extraction procedure that facilitates the quantitation of GHB was developed. If present in the same specimen, both GHB and GBL can be quantitated. To determine the GBL concentration, the specimen is first analyzed for existing GHB, the GBL is then converted to GHB, and the analysis is repeated. The difference between the results in molarity units can yield the GBL concentration. A separate procedure was utilized for estimating concentrations of BD. Specimens analyzed included urine, blood, ocular fluid, brain, and solutions consumed by the decedents prior to death. The procedures were found to be convenient in as much as they are relatively rapid, precise, and economical.

Determination of bromide ion concentration in greyhound urine by ion chromatography.

An ion chromatographic method was used to determine Br ion in the urine of Greyhounds. Phenol was added to the urine, before filtration through a 30,000-molecular weight cutoff filter and to the eluant (pH 11, NaOH-Na2CO3), as a preservative. Urine from 103 racing Greyhounds resulted in a mean +/- SD of 3.60 +/- 2.72 mg of Br/L of urine. Urine samples obtained from a Greyhound, to which 2 g of KBr was administered, yielded a diurnal elimination pattern with a half-life of 7.6 days.

Procaine in the urine of racing Greyhounds: possible sources.

Greyhounds (n = 25) were given procaine in the form of procaine HCl or procaine penicillin G or were fed meat prepared from a heifer given procaine penicillin G on 3 consecutive days before slaughter. Dogs given procaine HCl or procaine penicillin G were given daily doses equivalent to 9 mg of procaine/kg. Urine samples were collected from the dogs twice daily before dosing, during the dosing period, and for 4 days after final dose administration. All dogs excreted detectable concentrations of procaine in the urine, regardless of the dose form or route of administration. Blood plasma samples were prepared from 10 Greyhounds to determine procaine esterase activity. Hydrolysis of procaine by plasma esterases did not occur. Low plasma procaine esterase activity, coupled with rapid oral absorption of procaine, resulted in high urinary concentrations of the parent drug in dogs given procaine HCl or procaine penicillin G (9 mg/kg). Even in the dogs given relatively small doses (0.85 mg/kg) of procaine in the form of meat residues, urinary procaine concentrations were found. The results of these studies indicate that procaine is rapidly absorbed following oral administration and that meat from livestock given procaine penicillin before slaughter may serve as a source of urinary procaine in Greyhounds consuming the meat.