The Italian National Institute of Health helpline to quit tobacco and nicotine dependence: 20 years of activity.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use is one of the world's leading preventable causes of death and is a major preventable risk factor of non-communicable diseases. Although smokers are aware of the health risks, their attempts to quit often fail, primarily due to the strong nicotine and/or tobacco dependence. Antismoking helplines have become an integral part of tobacco control efforts in many countries. In Italy, the ISS Antismoking Helpine is active since 2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The professional staff of the ISS Antismoking Helpline have gathered socio-demographic and smoking-related data via an electronic form, related to the received calls. The collected data have been processed in a dedicated database and analyzed to monitor the use and the quality of the service. In this study, a descriptive statistical analysis was conducted to inform about the activity of the helpline over the years. RESULTS: From May 2003 to June 2023 the helpline received 99,423 calls. Most smokers called to receive "support to quit" (82.6%). Counselling was provided in 11.4% of cases, and in the last two years has been strongly increased (40.0% of cases). The percentage of users requesting information on emerging tobacco and nicotine products is 1.2%, even if in 2023 this percentage has risen significantly (6.0%). Two legislative measures (in 2012 and in 2016) required to add the helpline number to all packets of tobacco cigarettes. Accordingly, the offer of counselling increased from 2.6% to 12.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The available resources in tobacco control, including the helpline, are still not sufficient to meet all the users needs. Adequate policies and stable funding to fight tobacco and nicotine dependence need increased commitment from government institutions to ensure equal access to treatments for all Italian citizens.

Gender disparity in addiction: an Italian epidemiological sketch.

INTRODUCTION: Gender disparity in different fields of addiction such as tobacco smoking, alcohol use, drugs of abuse consumption and doping practice has been investigated in Italian population. METHODS: We used the surveys and studies carried out for the above reported issues in recent years as revised by the "National Observatory on Tobacco smoke, Drugs of abuse, Alcohol and Doping" at Istituto Superiore di Sanità. RESULTS: Concerning tobacco habit, the trend of smoking women has been in constant decrease from a 19.7% in 2010 to a 16.9% in 2015, differently from men who passed from a 23.9% in 2010 to a 25.1% in 2015 with a slight increase in the habit. With respect to alcohol, in the last five years an increasing trend of consumption has been observed in 18-24 years old women, with 53% drinking women in the age range of 18-19 years overcoming the 50.4% general female population. Generally speaking, a one to four ratio can be underlined in the percentage of elderly women with a risky alcohol consumption with respect to men, while in case of adolescents and young adults gender disparity is not so pronounced. Drug abuse still remains a prevalent male phenomenon. However, an increase in cannabis users for both genders has been reported with a prevalence of "once in the life" around 20%, although more pronounced in females (+2.66 percentage points for females vs +0.93 percentage points in male). With respect to cocaine, the second most consumed drug, a reduction in consumption has been recently observed mainly in female population (-42.1%) than in men one (-27.5%). Finally, there are significant gender differences in doping attitude and/or in doping profiling. First of all, males seem to be more exposed to doping than females The prohibited substances most frequently used by females athletes are "Diuretics and Masking Agents" (38.3% positive female vs 14% males) compared to males athletes who use mostly anabolic agents (20.1% males vs 11.2% females). CONCLUSIONS: Results presented for the different fields of addiction show that a gender disparity is apparent and that females are less prone in having an addiction behaviour, although the young generation seems to increase that tendency.

Segmental hair testing to disclose chronic exposure to psychoactive drugs. / Análisis segmentario del pelo para detectar la exposición crónica a drogas psicoactivas.

This study presents the case of a 4-year-old healthy child admitted to the paediatric ward for suspected accidental intoxication due to ingestion of narcoleptic drugs (methylphenidate, sertraline and quetiapine), taken on a regular basis by his 8-year-old brother affected by Asperger syndrome.Intoxication can be objectively assessed by measurements of drugs and metabolites in biological matrices with short-term (blood and urine) or long-term (hair) detection windows. At the hospital, the child's blood and urine were analysed by immunoassay (confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry), and sertraline and quetiapine and their metabolites were identified. The suspicion that the mother administered drugs chronically prompted the analysis of six, consecutive 2-cm segments of the child's hair, using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, thereby accounting for ingestion over the previous 12 months. Quetiapine was found in the first four segments with a mean concentration of 1.00 ng/mg ± 0.94 ng/mg hair while sertraline and its metabolite, desmethyl-sertraline, were found in all segments with a mean concentration of 2.65 ± 0.94 ng/mg and 1.50 ± 0.94 ng/mg hair, respectively. Hair analyses were negative for methylphenidate and its metabolite (ritalinic acid). Biological matrices testing for psychoactive drugs disclosed both acute and chronic intoxication with quetiapine and sertraline administered by the mother.

Se presenta el caso de un niño sano de 4 años de edad que ingresa en la sala de hospitalización pediátrica por la sospecha de una intoxicación accidental debido a la ingesta de fármacos narcolépticos (metilfenidato, sertralina y quetiapina), que tomaba de forma pautada su hermano de 8 años de edad que padecía un síndrome de Asperger.La evaluación objetiva de la intoxicación se puede realizar con la determinación de los fármacos y sus metabolitos en matrices biológicas con una ventana de tiempo corta (sangre y orina) o larga (pelo).En el hospital se realizó un análisis de sangre y orina mediante inmunoanálisis (confirmado mediante espectrometría líquida-cromatografía de masas) y se identificó la presencia de sertralina y quetiapina y sus metabolitos. Con la sospecha de administración crónica de fármacos al niño, se procedió al análisis del pelo con cromatografía líquida de ultra-alto rendimiento-espectrometría de masas en tándem. El pelo se dividió en 6 segmentos consecutivos de 2 cm de longitud, de forma que permitieron estudiar la ingesta de los fármacos durante los últimos 12 meses. En los primeros 4 segmentos se encontró quetiapina con una concentración media de 1,00 ng/mg ± 0,94 ng/mg de pelo y en todos los segmentos se encontraron sertralina y su metabolito, desmetil-sertralina, con una concentración media de 2,65 ± 0,94 ng/mg y 1,50 ± 0,94 ng/mg de pelo, respectivamente. El análisis de pelo resultó negativo para metilfenidato y su metabolito (ácido ritalínico).La detección en matrices biológicas de fármacos psicoactivos demostró la intoxicación aguda y crónica por quetiapina y sertralina, administradas por la madre.

Emerging trends in consuming behaviours for non-controlled substances by Italian urban youth: a cross sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated emerging trends in consuming behaviours for non-controlled substances in a cross sectional study on urban Italian adolescents and young adults, the reasons for consumption and risk perception as function of age, the relation with lifestyles and finally risk factors associated. METHODS: The survey methodology involved the administration of an anonymous questionnaire. It consisted of 68 questions, divided into five sections: personal details, socioeconomic characteristics, family and peer group, free time and lifestyles, and substances use. RESULTS: A total of 2621 adolescents and young adults (14-35 years old) from seven different Italian cities answered the questionnaire. The substances examined were mainly used recreationally (alcohol, energy drinks and smart-drugs) or to improve physical and sexual performance (physical performance-enhancing drugs, anabolic steroids and male sexual enhancement). The knowledge of the health related harm arising from the use of these products was very high for alcohol (> 90%), high for smart-drugs (> 70%), but significantly lower for anabolic steroids, drugs for sexual enhancement (~ 60%), physical performance-enhancing drugs or energy drinks (~ 55%). The principal risks factors for consumption were: the influence of friends (OR: 8.8), attending recreational places (OR: 5.4) aged between 25-35 years (OR: 3.0), be male (OR: 2.5) and having a bad relationship with the mother (OR: 2.1). CONCLUSIONS: These results have implication for prevention and early intervention programs of "physically and psychologically enhancing" non controlled substances use, which similarly to what is frequently advised for classical illicit drugs should focus on information campaigns and awareness initiatives especially addressed to young male adults who go clubbing, live outside the family and showed closed links with peers.

Análisis segmentario del pelo para detectar la exposición crónica a drogas psicoactivas / Segmental hair testing to disclose chronic exposure to psychoactive drugs

Se presenta el caso de un niño sano de 4 años de edad que ingresa en la sala de hospitalización pediátrica por la sospecha de una intoxicación accidental debido a la ingesta de fármacos narcolépticos (metilfenidato, sertralina y quetiapina), que tomaba de forma pautada su hermano de 8 años de edad que padecía un síndrome de Asperger. La evaluación objetiva de la intoxicación se puede realizar con la determinación de los fármacos y sus metabolitos en matrices biológicas con una ventana de tiempo corta (sangre y orina) o larga (pelo). En el hospital se realizó un análisis de sangre y orina mediante inmunoanálisis (confirmado mediante espectrometría líquida-cromatografía de masas) y se identificó la presencia de sertralina y quetiapina y sus metabolitos. Con la sospecha de administración crónica de fármacos al niño, se procedió al análisis del pelo con cromatografía líquida de ultra-alto rendimiento-espectrometría de masas en tándem. El pelo se dividió en 6 segmentos consecutivos de 2 cm de longitud, de forma que permitieron estudiar la ingesta de los fármacos durante los últimos 12 meses. En los primeros 4 segmentos se encontró quetiapina con una concentración media de 1,00 ng/mg ± 0,94 ng/mg de pelo y en todos los segmentos se encontraron sertralina y su metabolito, desmetil-sertralina, con una concentración media de 2,65 ± 0,94 ng/mg y 1,50 ± 0,94 ng/mg de pelo, respectivamente. El análisis de pelo resultó negativo para metilfenidato y su metabolito (ácido ritalínico). La detección en matrices biológicas de fármacos psicoactivos demostró la intoxicación aguda y crónica por quetiapina y sertralina, administradas por la madre

This study presents the case of a 4-year-old healthy child admitted to the paediatric ward for suspected accidental intoxication due to ingestion of narcoleptic drugs (methylphenidate, sertraline and quetiapine), taken on a regular basis by his 8-year-old brother affected by Asperger syndrome. Intoxication can be objectively assessed by measurements of drugs and metabolites in biological matrices with short-term (blood and urine) or long-term (hair) detection windows. At the hospital, the child’s blood and urine were analysed by immunoassay (confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry), and sertraline and quetiapine and their metabolites were identified. The suspicion that the mother administered drugs chronically prompted the analysis of six, consecutive 2-cm segments of the child’s hair, using ultra-high performance liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry, thereby accounting for ingestion over the previous 12 months. Quetiapine was found in the first four segments with a mean concentration of 1.00 ng/mg ± 0.94 ng/mg hair while sertraline and its metabolite, desmethyl-sertraline, were found in all segments with a mean concentration of 2.65 ± 0.94 ng/mg and 1.50 ± 0.94 ng/mg hair, respectively. Hair analyses were negative for methylphenidate and its metabolite (ritalinic acid). Biological matrices testing for psychoactive drugs disclosed both acute and chronic intoxication with quetiapine and sertraline administered by the mother

[Focus on electronic cigarettes]. / Focus sulle sigarette elettroniche.

There is no clear regulation on electronic cigarettes (e-cig); their health effects are not yet fully investigated and there is insufficient standardisation and quality control of the product. Moreover, the e-cig could be a gateway for young people to nicotine addiction and traditional cigarette smoking. In Italy, the Ministry of Health banned the sale of e-cig with nicotine firstly to adolescents aged <16 years, then to people <18 years. Until further scientific evidence is available, it is mandatory to regulate the production and marketing of e-cigs, to make them less attractive, to forbid their use in enclosed areas, and prevent them from being promoted. E-cigs, however, seem to be much less dangerous than traditional cigarettes, although the few studies conducted are not sufficient to demonstrate either a clear therapeutic efficacy of e-cig or their total harmlessness. If e-cig had a known content, were made according to clear rules and in certified laboratories, without toxic substances, it could be used to help heavy smokers to quit, or at least to reduce smoking habits. There is a large proportion of smokers who are unable to quit. The revision of the European Directive (the proposal is being evaluated and we are waiting for its final approval) on tobacco recommends free sale for a minority of e-cigs only, those with a nicotine content <4 mg/ml. This will be difficult, considering that the business is just the free sale of e-cig and the much more dangerous tobacco cigarettes are still sold without any restriction.

The NASOROSSO (Rednose) project: an Italian study on alcohol consumption in recreational places.

The Nasorosso project of the Italian Youth Department and the National Institute of Health, aimed to raise awareness about drinking and driving under the influence of alcohol among club goers with a series of initiatives. Within the framework of the project, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was measured on 106,406 individuals before and after clubbing in 66 different recreational sites from 11 Italian provinces, over 16 months. Participating individuals were interviewed regarding sociodemographic and environmental characteristics and alcohol intoxicated people were offered to be taken home. The BAC median at the club entry was 0.26 g/L with 65.3% subjects showing a BAC value under the driving legal limit of 0.5 g/L. At the exit from clubs, BAC median value rose to 0.44 g/L and subjects with BAC value under the legal limit decreased to 54.9%. Being male, aged between 18 and 34 years with a diploma, being a drinker and entering the disco with a BAC already beyond the legal limit predicted a BAC value beyond 0.5 g/L at exit from the recreational place. Conversely, being a driver, being a student and exiting from the disco before 4 a.m. reduced the probability of having a BAC higher than 0.5 g/L at the end of the night. Health policies to prevent harmful use of alcohol in young people should continue to offer targeted information/ prevention; in order to steadily increase the awareness of the dangers and the damages of excessive use of alcohol.

Effect of physical fitness and endurance exercise on indirect biomarkers of growth hormone and insulin misuse: Immunoassay-based measurement in urine samples.

Indirect biomarkers of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II), insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3) and insulin (C-peptide) were measured together with urinary parameters of renal damage (beta(2)-microglobulin and proteinuria) by immunoassays, in house validated for the purpose, in 61 subjects (36 elite athletes, 18 recreational athletes and 7 sedentary individuals) with different levels of physical fitness and endurance exercise. Validation parameters were good for the evaluated assays, excluding a high inter-assay imprecision and inaccuracy of 24 and 26% obtained for GH assay. The range of concentrations found in urine samples under investigation was generally covered by the calibration curves of the studied immunoassays. However, for the samples below or above the calibration curve, opportune dilution or concentration were performed. Particularly, C-peptide samples had to be diluted 1:5 and beta(2)-microglobulin ones assayed using a triple sample volume, to fall within the calibration range. Urinary C-peptide was the only biomarker statistically higher in samples of elite athletes when compared to recreational athletes and sedentary individuals. Among elite athletes, tae-kwon-do athletes showed the highest IGF-II basal values while weightlifting athletes showed the lower IGF-I and IGFBP-3 basal values. The trend observed in weightlifters' basal samples was confirmed in their training samples: IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-3 and beta(2)-microglobulin were lower in with respect to those from synchronised swimming. Over the training season, within athlete variability was observed for IGFBP-3 for weightlifting athletes. In the studied subjects, no direct associations were found between biomarkers of GH or insulin misuse and urinary parameters of renal damage, eventually due to high-workload endurance training. The variations observed in different biomarkers should be taken in consideration in the hypothesis of setting reference concentration ranges for doping detection.

Ethylglucuronide and ethylsulfate in meconium to assess gestational ethanol exposure: preliminary results in two Mediterranean cohorts.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in meconium emerged as reliable, direct biological markers for establishing gestational ethanol exposure. Among the minor nonoxidative products of ethanol metabolism, there are ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyse meconium specimens from two different Mediterranean cohorts to check for the presence of EtG and EtS, and to investigate the eventual correlation between meconium FAEEs and these two metabolites and their possible application as direct biomarkers of gestational ethanol exposure. METHODS: FAEEs, EtG and EtS were quantified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in meconium samples obtained from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy (N= 96) and from the Pediatric Service of the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain (N=81). RESULTS: EtG was present in more than 80% meconium samples while EtS only in 50% specimens Although the samples from Spain and Italy originated from similar socio-demographic cohort, EtG values in the Barcelona samples (median value: 101.5 ng/g) were statistically higher than those from Reggio Emilia ones (median value: 15.6 ng/g). In the Barcelona cohort, EtG values could differentiate between samples with FAEEs below and those equal or above 2 nmol/g - the cut-off used to differentiate heavy maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy from occasional or no use. CONCLUSION: For the first time the presence of EtG and EtS in meconium has been proven, with EtG concentration likely to discriminate heavy maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy disclosed by FAEEs concentration in this matrix. Further investigations are needed to verify the use of these two ethanol metabolites as alternative biomarkers of chronic in utero exposure to ethanol.

Evaluation of immunoassays for the measurement of insulin and C-peptide as indirect biomarkers of insulin misuse in sport: values in selected population of athletes.

Insulin and C-peptide have been proposed as possible biomarkers of human insulin hormone misuse in sport. An extended intra- and inter-laboratory validation of commercially available immunoassays was performed. Enzyme Amplified Sensitivity Immunoassay (EASIA) assays (Human Insulin-EASIA and C-peptide EASIA kits from BioSource) were evaluated for insulin and C-peptide in serum. The intra- and inter-laboratory precision and accuracy values were good for the evaluated assays with maximum imprecision and inaccuracy of 16% and 23%, respectively, obtained just for one day C-peptide assay evaluation. The range of concentrations found in serum samples under investigation was always covered by the calibration curves of the studied immunoassays. However, a 19.7% of the samples felt below the estimated insulin limit of quantification. High concordance between laboratory results was obtained for insulin assay (intraclass correlation coefficient -ICC=0.857), whereas that for C-peptide was lower (ICC=0.539). Evaluated immunoassays were used to measure serum concentrations of insulin and C-peptide in elite athletes of various sport disciplines at different moment of training season, in recreational athletes at baseline conditions and finally in sedentary individuals. Serum insulin was statistically lower both in recreational and elite athletes when compared to sedentary individuals. Among elite athletes, the specific sport affected serum insulin (e.g., weightlifting) and C-peptide (e.g., triathlon) concentrations. Over the training season, a within athletes variability was observed for taekwondo, swimming and weightlifting athletes. Variations due to those aspects should be taken in careful consideration in the hypothesis of setting reference concentration ranges for doping detection.

Immunoassays for the measurement of IGF-II, IGFBP-2 and -3, and ICTP as indirect biomarkers of recombinant human growth hormone misuse in sport. Values in selected population of athletes.

Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II), insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) -2 and -3 and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) have been proposed, among others, as indirect biomarkers of the recombinant human growth hormone misuse in sport. An extended intra- and inter-laboratory validation of commercially available immunoassays for biomarkers detection was performed. ELISA assays for total IGF-II, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 (IGF-II/ELISA1: DSLabs, IGFBP-2/ELISA2: Biosource, and IGFBP-3/ELISA3: BioSource) and an EIA assay for ICTP (ICTP/EIA: Orion Diagnostica) were evaluated. The inter- and intra-laboratory precision values were acceptable for all evaluated assays (maximum imprecision of 30% and 66% were found only for the lowest quality control samples of IGF-II and IGFBP-3). Correct accuracy was obtained for all inter-laboratory immunoassays and for IGFBP-2 intra-laboratory immunoassay. The range of concentrations found in serum samples under investigation was always covered by the calibration curves of the studied immunoassays. However, 11% and 15% of the samples felt below the estimated LOQ for IGF-II and ICTP, respectively, in the zone where lower precision was obtained. Although the majority of evaluated assays showed an overall reliability not always suitable for antidoping control analysis, relatively high concordances between laboratory results were obtained for all assays. Evaluated immunoassays were used to measure serum concentrations of IGF-II, IGFBP-2 and -3 and ICTP in elite athletes of various sport disciplines at different moments of the training season; in recreational athletes at baseline conditions and finally in sedentary individuals. Serum IGF-II was statistically higher both in recreational and elite athletes compared to sedentary individuals. Elite athletes showed lower IGFBP-2 and higher IGFBP-3 concentration with respect to recreational athletes and sedentary people. Among elite athletes, serum IGFBP-3 (synchronized swimming), and ICTP (rhythmic gymnastics) concentrations were sport-dependent. Over the training season, within athlete variability was observed for IGFBP-2 in case of taekwondo and IGFBP-2 and -3 in case of weightlifting. Variations due to those aspects should be taken in careful consideration in the hypothesis of setting reference concentration ranges for doping detection.

Tolerability of statins is not linked to CYP450 polymorphisms, but reduced CYP2D6 metabolism improves cholesteraemic response to simvastatin and fluvastatin.

Statin therapy, although generally well tolerated, leads not infrequently to significant subjective and at times objective adverse effects (AEs), mainly of a muscular nature. The genetic background of these AEs is not clear and possibly side effects and lipid lowering efficacy may be linked. Aim of the study was a detailed evaluation of CYP450 and apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms in two large series of age-sex matched patients with and without muscular side effects to statins. In a Clinical Institution specialised in lipid-lipoprotein disorders, 50 statin treated patients were selected, with subjective or objective statin-associated myopathy, evaluated using standardized forms. These were sex and age matched with 50 statin-treated patients from the same Clinic, without any subjective or objective complaints. DNA samples for the evaluation of CYP450 genetic polymorphisms and apo E genotypes were collected in order to assess correlations with both genetic polymorphisms and AEs, as well as with therapeutic efficacy. None of the assessed CYP450 polymorphisms appeared to be related to an increased incidence of AEs. The CYP2D6 *1/*4 and *4/4* poor metabolizer (PM) status was associated to a higher efficacy of statins metabolized by this system and, in addition, the apo E2 genotype was, in this series, linked to increased HDL-C levels after therapy. Patients with statin associated myopathy are not characterized by significantly different genotypes for the CYP450s responsible for statin metabolism. On the other hand, CYP2D6 PM status is associated to an increased efficacy of statins metabolized by this system.

Quantification of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its major metabolites in meconium by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric assay: assay validation and preliminary results of the "meconium project".

A rapid and simple procedure based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is described for determination of Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-OH) and 11-nor-Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) in meconium using Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-THC) and deuterated THC-COOH as internal standards. The biological matrix was subjected to liquid-liquid extraction after enzyme hydrolysis for conjugated analytes.Chromatography was performed on a fused silica capillary column and analytes were determined in the selected-ion-monitoring (SIM) mode. The method was validated in the range 20 to 500 microg/g using 1g of meconium per assay. The method was applied to the analysis of meconium in a cohort of newborns to assess eventual fetal exposure to cannabis. Within positive samples, THC-COOH and THC-OH (range: 33.7 to 182.1 and 20.7 to 493.3 microg/g, respectively) were both present in the majority of cases with only 1 specimen with THC-OH as the most abundant metabolite and 2 with THC only.

Development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay for methylxanthines and taurine in dietary supplements.

A procedure based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is described for determination of caffeine, theobromine, theophylline, taurine in different dietary supplements. After addition of tryptophan as internal standard, both solid and liquid specimens were extracted with 4 ml of hexane/isopropanol (9:1). Chromatography was performed on a C18 reversed-phase column using water/methanol/acetic acid (75:20:5, v/v/v) as a mobile phase. Analytes were determined in LC-MS single ion monitoring mode with atmospheric pressure ionization-electrospray (ESI) interface. The method was validated in the range 0.1-500 and 0.06-500 microg/ml or microg/g for taurine and caffeine, respectively; 0.06-100 microg/ml or microg/g for theobromine and theophylline. Mean recoveries ranged between 70.1 and 94.4% for different analytes. The quantification limits were 0.1 microg/ml or microg/g for taurine and 0.06 microg/ml or microg/g for methylxanthines either in liquid samples or in solid samples. The method was applied to the analysis of various dietary supplements containing methylxanthines and taurine. Energetic drinks contained amounts of taurine in the range of hundreds to thousands microg/ml and ten times lower amounts of caffeine. Conversely, herbal powders, tablets and capsules mainly contained mg amounts of caffeine per gram of product with the other two methylxanthines in the range of ten to hundred microg/g.