DEVELOPMENT OF A RADIOIMMUNOASSAY FOR DETECTION OF COCAINE METABOLITES

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 199  (1) , 171-178
Abstract
The production of antibenzoylecgonine (BE) serum is described in rabbits and sheep from an ecgonine-sheep .gamma.-globulin cojugate. With the use of this antiserum a radioimmunoassay was developed capable of detecting 5-10 ng of benzoylecgonine, a major cocaine metabolite in human urine. The antibody recognized ecgonine approximately 1/2, benzoylnorecgonine 1/10, cocaine 1/5, and norcocaine and ecgonine methyl ester less than 1/50 as much as benzoylecgonine. The radioimmunoassay was utilized in the measurement of benzoylecgonine levels in human urines and in organs and biological fluids of rabbits and rats. Qualitative results were compared with the Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique and TLC and found in good agreement. The technique is the most sensitive one available for monitoring cocaine ingestion by man and allows for specific determination of benzoylecgonine directly in urine without extraction and/or derivatization. Although ecgonine-sheep .gamma.-globulin was used as the immunogen, the total antibody produced by both species was more reactive with respect to BE. The greater reactivity to BE suggests a possible conversion of a significant portion of the conjugated ecgonine in vivo to compound(s) conformationally more closely related to BE against which the major portion of the total antibody subsequently elicited was directed.

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