3,4-Dihydroxymethamphetamine (HHMA). A Major in Vivo 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) Metabolite in Humans
Chemical Research in Toxicology August 2, 2001 Mireia Segura, Jordi Ortuño, Magı́ Farré et al. 105 citations
A new method using strong cation-exchange solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection was validated for measuring the metabolite 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine (HHMA) in plasma and urine. Applied to samples from healthy volunteers given MDMA (ecstasy), HHMA appeared as a major metabolite, with peak plasma concentrations (154.5 microg/L) and overall exposure (AUC 1990.9 microg/L h) similar to those of MDMA itself. Urinary recovery of HHMA over 24 hours accounted for 17.7% of the 100 mg MDMA dose, raising total recovery of MDMA and its metabolites to 58%. The method is accurate and precise for pharmacokinetic studies, and measuring HHMA may help clarify its role in MDMA metabolism and potential neurotoxicity.