DETECTION OF 1,4-BUTANEDIOL (1,4-BD) IN URINE BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY (GC/MS) AND RAPID IN VIVO CONVERSION TO GH

Background: The gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) precursors gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-BD are available as non-regulated substitutes for GHB. We demonstrate reliable GC/MS detection of 1,4-BD in human urine and rapid in vivo conversion to GHB in 2 human ingestions. Case 1: A 41-year-old male body-builder ingested 50 B 60 drops of liquid Rejov-at-nite[TM] (1,4-BD) associated with nausea and lost consciousness. Upon arrival at hospital, he was comatose with seizure activity, and a core temperature of 35 [degrees] C. He remained comatose and hypothermic for 8 hours. Urine samples were obtained 1 and 9 hours post contact for GC/MS analysis. Case 2: A 25-year-old male body-builder ingested 32 ounces of Rejoov[TM] leading to respiratory depression, non-reactive pupils, and coma. Urine was collected 13 hours post admission for GC/MS analysis. Both cases recovered spontaneously within 24 hours and were discharged. Method: GC/MS methodology for detection, separation and semi-quantification of 1,4-BD and GHB in urine followed established methods (Pediatr Res (2000) 47, 830-833). Representative chromatograms and mass spectra will be presented. Conclusion: Our data indicate that 1,4-BD is rapidly converted to GHB in vivo. Reliable identification in physiologic fluids can be made for diagnostic and legal purposes.
Lewis-Younger C, Gibson KM, Burlingame TG, Horowitz Z. Oregon Poison Control Center and Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, [...]