Abstract
AM-2201 is a popular synthetic cannabinoid first synthesized in 2000. AM-2201 pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data are scarce, requiring further investigation. We developed a sensitive method for quantifying AM-2201 and 13 metabolites in plasma to provide a tool to further metabolic, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies. Analysis was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Chromatographic separation was performed by gradient elution on a biphenyl column with 0.1% formic acid in water/0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile:methanol 50:50 (v/v) mobile phase. Sample preparation (75μL) consisted of an enzymatic hydrolysis and a supported liquid extraction. The method was validated with human plasma with a 0.025 or 0.050-50μg/L working range, and cross-validated for rat plasma. Analytical recovery was 88.8-110.1% of target concentration, and intra- (n=30) and inter-day (n=30) imprecision<11.9% coefficient of variation. Method recoveries and matrix effects ranged from 58.4-84.4% and -62.1 to -15.6%, respectively. AM-2201 and metabolites were stable (±20%) at room temperature for 24h, at 4°C for 72h, and after three freeze-thaw cycles, and for 72h in the autosampler after extraction. The method was developed for pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies with controlled administration in rats but is applicable for pre-clinical and clinical research and forensic investigations. Rat plasma specimen analysis following subcutaneous AM-2201 administration demonstrated the suitability of the method. AM-2201, JWH-018 N-(5-hydroxypentyl), and JWH-018 N-pentanoic acid concentrations were 4.8±1.0, 0.15±0.03, and 0.34±0.07μg/L, respectively, 8h after AM-2201 administration at 0.3mg/kg (n=5).