Drug testing and analysis
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Drug testing and analysis · Apr 2014
Fast and sensitive analysis of dermorphin and HYP6-dermorphin in equine plasma using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.
Dermorphin and HYP(6) -dermorphin are hepta-peptides and natural opioids originally isolated from the skin of South American frogs. They are more potent than morphine but less likely to produce drug tolerance and addiction. These properties make them ideal candidates for the doping of racehorses to enhance performance during competition. ⋯ The method has good selectivity and precision. Results of stability studies showed that both analytes were stable at low temperature. This is the first report of dermorphin and HYP(6)-dermorphin analysis in equine plasma, which could be adopted as a regular screening or confirmation method for controlling the abuse of these compounds in equine sports.