Plasma Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic Effects on the 2-Benzylbenzimidazole Synthetic Opioid, Isotonitazene, in Male Rats

Walton SE, Krotulski AJ, Glatfelter GC, Walther D, Logan BK, Baumann MH

Psychopharmacology
Rationale: Isotonitazene is an illicit synthetic opioid associated with many intoxications and fatalities. Recent studies show that isotonitazene is a potent μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist in vitro, but little information is available about its in vivo effects.

Objectives: The aims of the present study were to investigate the pharmacokinetics of isotonitazene in rats, and relate pharmacokinetic parameters to pharmacodynamic effects. Methods Isotonitazene and its metabolites were identified and quantified by liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QQQ-MS). Male Sprague–Dawley rats with jugular catheters and subcutaneous (s.c.) temperature transponders received isotonitazene (3, 10, 30 μg/kg, s.c.) or its vehicle. Blood samples were drawn at 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min post-injection, and plasma was assayed using LC-QQQ-MS. At each blood draw, body temperature, catalepsy scores, and hot plate latencies were recorded.

Results: Maximum plasma concentrations of isotonitazene rose in parallel with increasing dose (range 0.2–9.8 ng/mL) and half-life ranged from 23.4 to 63.3 min. The metabolites 4′-hydroxy nitazene and N-desethyl isotonitazene were detected, and plasma concentrations were below the limit of quantitation (0.5 ng/mL) but above the limit of detection (0.1 ng/mL). Isotonitazene produced antinociception ( ED50 = 4.22 μg/kg), catalepsy-like symptoms ( ED50 = 8.68 μg/kg), and hypothermia (only at 30 μg/kg) that were significantly correlated with concentrations of isotonitazene. Radioligand binding in rat brain tissue revealed that isotonitazene displays nM affinity for MOR (Ki = 15.8 nM), while the N-desethyl metabolite shows even greater affinity (Ki = 2.2 nM).

Conclusions: In summary, isotonitazene is a potent MOR agonist whose pharmacodynamic effects are related to circulating concentrations of the parent drug. The high potency of isotonitazene portends substantial risk to users who are exposed to the drug.

Keywords: Isotonitazene · Body temperature · NPS · Catalepsy · Mu-opioid receptor · Toxicology · Metabolites · Method validation · Quantitation · Synthetic opioid · Forensic

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