Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40697759›Full record

ArticleForensic science international. Synergy2025

Metabolic patterns of new psychoactive substances: Methyl-ketamine and 2-oxo-PCE in rats using UHPLC-QTOF analysis.

Yu-Gang Cai, Yan-Jun Wang, Yong-Fu Wu, Jia-Yi Feng, Yan Mo, Qing-Hong Wang, Yong Dai

Abstract read
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Article in Forensic science international. Synergy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Yu-Gang CaiLuzhou Public Security Bureau Criminal Science and Technology Research Institute, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China.
Yan-Jun WangSichuan Provincial Public Security Department Criminal Investigation Bureau, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610015, China.
Yong-Fu WuLuzhou Public Security Bureau Criminal Science and Technology Research Institute, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China.
Jia-Yi FengSouthwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China.
Yan MoSichuan Police College, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China.
Qing-Hong WangSichuan Provincial Public Security Department Criminal Investigation Bureau, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610015, China.
Yong DaiSichuan Police College, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This study investigated the metabolic profiles of two isomeric psychoactive agents, methyl-ketamine [2-(ortho-tolyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexanone] and 2-oxo-PCE [2-(phenyl)-2-(ethylamino)cyclohexanone], in rats. Following oral administration, blood, liver, and urine samples were collected at timed intervals and analyzed via ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS). Metabolomic comparisons revealed distinct metabolic pathways driven by structural differences. Methyl-ketamine primarily underwent cyclohexanone hydroxylation, dehydration, N-demethylation, cyclohexanone carbonyl hydrogenation, and glucuronidation, with N-dealkylation as the dominant process. In contrast, 2-oxo-PCE metabolism involved carbonyl hydrogenation of cyclohexanone, N-diethylation, deamination, hydroxylation, dehydration, and glucuronidation. Structural variations-specifically the steric hindrance imposed by the methyl group on o-tolyl in methyl-ketamine-were identified as key factors influencing metabolic divergence. This hindered the carbonyl hydrogenation of cyclohexanone observed in 2-oxo-PCE, while promoting hydroxylation/dehydration reactions in methyl-ketamine. Post-N-dealkylation, methyl-ketamine retained cyclohexyl hydroxylation/dehydration, whereas 2-oxo-PCE exhibited deamination and cyclohexanone carbonyl hydrogenation/dehydration. Notably, urinary metabolite profiles in humans were mirrored those in rats, and relevance was shown. It was elucidated how structural isomerism dictating metabolic outcomes and offering insights into the mechanistic basis of new psychoactive substances. The study underscored steric effects as critical determinants of metabolic pathways and provided a foundation for predicting pharmacokinetic behavior in related compounds.

Indexed as

2-oxo-PCEMarkers of metabolismMetabolism in vivoMethyl-ketamineUHPLC-QTOF

Identifiers

PMID40697759
PMCPMC12281064

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.