Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.15644/asc59/3/8
A Pilot Study on the Deposition of Drugs in Dental Tissues as Alternative Matrices for Forensic Toxicology
Ilenia Bianchi
; Sveučilište u Firenci, Odjel za zdravstvene znanosti, Laboratorij za identifikaciju tijela i forenzičku morfologiju, Firenca, Italija
Emma Croce
; Sveučilište u Firenci. Odjel za zdravstvene znanosti. FT-LAB Laboratorij za forenzičku toksikologiju, Firenca, Italija
Federica Gelli
; Sveučilište u Firenci, Odjel za zdravstvene znanosti, Laboratorij za identifikaciju tijela i forenzičku morfologiju, Firenca, Italija
Alexandra Dimitrova
; Sveučilište u Firenci. Odjel za zdravstvene znanosti. FT-LAB Laboratorij za forenzičku toksikologiju, Firenca, Italija
Francesco Pradella
; Sveučilište u Firenci, Odjel za zdravstvene znanosti, Laboratorij za identifikaciju tijela i forenzičku morfologiju, Firenca, Italija
Beatrice Defraia
; Sveučilište u Firenci, Forenzičke medicinske znanosti, Odjel za zdravstvene znanosti, Foirenca, Italija
Emanuele Capasso
; Sveučilište Federico II., Medicinski fakultet, Odjel za napredne biomedicinske znanosti, Napulj, Italija
Fabio Vaiano
; Sveučilište u Firenci. Odjel za zdravstvene znanosti. FT-LAB Laboratorij za forenzičku toksikologiju, Firenca, Italija
Guido Mannaioni
; Sveučilište u Firenci, Odjel za neuroznanosti, psihologiju, istraživanje lijekova i zdravlje djece, Firenca, Italija
Vilma Pinchi
; Sveučilište u Firenci, Odjel za zdravstvene znanosti, Laboratorij za identifikaciju tijela i forenzičku morfologiju, Firenca, Italija
Sažetak
Background: Teeth may serve as alternative matrices for post-mortem toxicological analysis. Although the mechanism of drug incorporation into dental tissues remains unclear, it is hypothesized that orally ingested substances can permeate dental enamel and reach dentin and the pulp. Objectives: This study investigated enamel permeability to commonly ingested drugs, considering molecular characteristics (methadone - MET and dextromethorphan hydrobromide – DXM), pH, sugar content, and tooth conditions (intact enamel, cement-enamel junction-CEJ exposure, enamel wear). Materials and Methods: Sixteen clinically extracted teeth were divided into three groups and immersed in different substances, including MET with sugar, DXM with and without sugar (pH 4.5, 1 mg/ml), and acidified saliva (pH 5–6), simulating an addicted individual’s oral environment. Cyclic immersions (substance-saliva-substance) mimicked chronic drug intake for about six weeks. After treatment, each tooth was separated into enamel, dentin, and pulp, and analyzed using liquid-liquid extraction and LC-MS/MS. Results: Preliminary results showed that both MET and DXM can penetrate both the enamel and dentin, reaching the pulp regardless of tooth integrity or molecule type. Acidity and sugar content significantly increased the diffusion. Conclusions: These findings suggest that other substances orally assumed might be endowed with similar effects on dental tissues, especially when combined with sugar or acid solutions, supporting teeth as viable matrices in post-mortem toxicology. However, pulp concentrations may reflect oral contamination rather than systemic levels.
Ključne riječi
Pharmaceutical Preparations; Dental Enamel Permeability; Forensic Dentistry; Forensic toxicology; Drugs; Forensic odontology; Alternative matrices; Teeth
Hrčak ID:
335368
URI
Datum izdavanja:
15.9.2025.
Posjeta: 273 *