Adamowicz Piotr, Lechowicz Wojciech
a Institute of Forensic Research , Krakow , Poland.
Traffic Inj Prev. 2015;16(8):754-9. doi: 10.1080/15389588.2015.1018990. Epub 2015 Mar 20.
UR-144 [(1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)-methanone] is a synthetic cannabinoid, which has been detected in many "legal highs" seized from the global drug market since the beginning of 2012. It gained popularity as a "legal" alternative to classic cannabis in countries where it was not controlled. The popularity of UR-144 means that this substance is also abused by individuals driving motor vehicles. This article describes a case of driving under the influence (DUI) of UR-144. The aim of the undertaken case analysis and presenting description of pharmacological similarity of THC and UR-144 is to answer the question whether UR-144 can produce effects incompatible with safe driving.
Blood from the driver was obtained by a physician approximately 2 h after the collision and 4.5 h after self-reported dosing. Police from the crash site provided behavioral observations, and the physician performed medical examination. Blood was analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The developed method was described in detail. The method was linear in the range of 0.5-50 ng/mL; the precision and accuracy values obtained were less than 15%. The symptoms observed by police and physician who collected the blood sample were described.
In the blood sample collected from the driver, UR-144 and its major pyrolysis product [1-(1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-3-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)but-3-en-1-one] were detected. Whole-blood concentration of UR-144 was 14.6 ng/mL. The result of blood analysis and observed symptoms clearly indicated that the driver was under the influence of UR-144.
UR-144 produces effects and impairment similar to or even more dangerous than delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC), making it unsafe for driving. Therefore, UR-144 should be treated as a potentially dangerous substance in traffic safety.
UR - 144 [（1 - 戊基 - 1H - 吲哚 - 3 - 基）（2,2,3,3 - 四甲基环丙基）甲酮]是一种合成大麻素，自2012年初以来，在从全球毒品市场查获的许多“合法兴奋剂”中都检测到了它。在不受管控的国家，它作为经典大麻的“合法”替代品而流行起来。UR - 144的流行意味着这种物质也被驾驶机动车的人滥用。本文描述了一起UR - 144影响下驾驶（DUI）的案例。进行该案例分析并描述四氢大麻酚（THC）和UR - 144药理学相似性的目的，是为了回答UR - 144是否会产生与安全驾驶不相容的影响这一问题。
碰撞发生约2小时后且在自述服药4.5小时后，由一名医生采集了司机的血液。事故现场的警察提供了行为观察情况，医生进行了医学检查。血液通过液相色谱 - 串联质谱法（LC - MS/MS）进行分析。详细描述了所开发的方法。该方法在0.5 - 50 ng/mL范围内呈线性；所获得的精密度和准确度值均小于15%。描述了采集血样的警察和医生观察到的症状。
在从司机采集的血样中，检测到了UR - 144及其主要热解产物[1 - （1 - 戊基 - 1H - 吲哚 - 3 - 基） - 3 - 甲基 - 2 - （丙 - 2 - 基）丁 - 3 - 烯 - 1 - 酮]。UR - 144的全血浓度为14.6 ng/mL。血液分析结果和观察到的症状清楚地表明司机受到了UR - 144的影响。
UR - 144产生的影响和损害与δ - 9 - 四氢大麻酚（Δ(9)-THC）相似，甚至更危险，使其驾驶不安全。因此，在交通安全方面，UR - 144应被视为一种潜在危险物质。
