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Publication
Avaliação toxicológica do ácido gama-hidroxibutírico em contexto forense
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPG_27869 | 630.95 KB | Adobe PDF |
Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
O ácido gama-hidroxibutírico (GHB) ocorre naturalmente no corpo humano, sendo um
metabolito do neurotransmissor ácido gama-aminobutírico (GABA), mas pode
igualmente ter origem exógena. Foi inicialmente usado como anestésico, mas foi
retirado devido a efeitos colaterais que incluíam convulsões e coma. No final do séc.
XX emergiu como droga de abuso, popularmente designado de “ecstasy líquida”, “easy
lay” e “fantasia”. Podem ser definidos 3 grupos principais de consumidores de GHB: os
fisiculturistas enquanto anabolizante, devido à estimulação da libertação da hormona do
crescimento; os predadores sexuais enquanto droga facilitadora de agressões sexuais,
devido aos seus efeitos sedativos e amnésicos; e os frequentadores de ambientes
recreativos noturnos que tomam a droga devido aos seus efeitos eufóricos. Indivíduos
que consomem repetidamente doses elevadas de GHB podem desenvolver tolerância e
dependência. Além disso, o consumo de GHB e dos seus análogos gama-butirolactona e
1,4-butanodiol (que são rapidamente metabolizados a GHB) está associado a casos de
intoxicações e morte por depressão respiratória. Deste modo, a determinação de GHB e
dos seus análogos em amostras biológicas assume grande interesse em Toxicologia
Forense. Neste trabalho pretende-se efetuar uma revisão dos aspetos mais relevantes do
GHB para a perícia em Toxicologia Forense, com ênfase na farmacocinética e
farmacodinâmica, mecanismo de ação e toxicidade. No final, serão abordadas as
análises toxicológicas de matrizes biológicas e apresentados alguns casos de estudo
nesta temática.
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) occurs naturally in the human body, being a metabolite of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), but may also have exogenous origin. It was initially used as an anesthetic but was withdrawn due to side effects that included seizures and coma. At the end of the century XX, GHB has emerged as a drug of abuse, popularly termed "Liquid Ecstasy", "Easy Lay" and "Fantasy". Three main groups of GHB consumers can be defined: bodybuilders as an anabolic drug due to stimulation of growth hormone release; sexual predators as a drug that facilitates sexual aggression due to its sedative and amnestic effects; and recreational nightclubs who take the drug because of its euphoric effects. Individuals who repeatedly consume high doses of GHB may develop tolerance and dependence. In addition, the consumption of GHB and its γ-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol analogues (which are rapidly metabolized to GHB) is associated with cases of intoxication and death from respiratory depression. Thus, the determination of GHB and its analogues in biological samples assumes great interest in Forensic Toxicology. In this work we intend to review the most relevant aspects of the GHB for expertise in Forensic Toxicology with emphasis on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, mechanism of action and toxicity. At the end, the toxicological analyzes of biological matrices will be approached and some case studies will be presented.
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) occurs naturally in the human body, being a metabolite of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), but may also have exogenous origin. It was initially used as an anesthetic but was withdrawn due to side effects that included seizures and coma. At the end of the century XX, GHB has emerged as a drug of abuse, popularly termed "Liquid Ecstasy", "Easy Lay" and "Fantasy". Three main groups of GHB consumers can be defined: bodybuilders as an anabolic drug due to stimulation of growth hormone release; sexual predators as a drug that facilitates sexual aggression due to its sedative and amnestic effects; and recreational nightclubs who take the drug because of its euphoric effects. Individuals who repeatedly consume high doses of GHB may develop tolerance and dependence. In addition, the consumption of GHB and its γ-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol analogues (which are rapidly metabolized to GHB) is associated with cases of intoxication and death from respiratory depression. Thus, the determination of GHB and its analogues in biological samples assumes great interest in Forensic Toxicology. In this work we intend to review the most relevant aspects of the GHB for expertise in Forensic Toxicology with emphasis on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, mechanism of action and toxicity. At the end, the toxicological analyzes of biological matrices will be approached and some case studies will be presented.
Description
Keywords
Ácido gama-hidroxibutírico 1,4-butanodiol Gama-butirolactona Farmacocinética Farmacodinâmica Toxicidade Abuso Forense Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid 1,4-butanediol Gama-butyrolactone Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics Toxicity Abuse Forensic