Objective: The possibility for the identification of GHB administration through hair analysis was investigated to provide method and information for toxicology examination of GHB. METHODS A GC/MS assay for GHB in hair was developed. Endogenous levels of GHB in hair, time course of GHB in hair, relationship between GHB levels in hair and hair color or administration dose were also established by guinea pig model.
Results: Endogenous levels of GHB in guinea pig black hair and human black hair were (3.01 +/- 1.41) ng/mg (n=28) and (1.02 +/- 0.27) ng/mg (n=20), respectively. GHB levels in black hair were increased by GHB administration and related with drug dosage, and also much higher than in brown and white hair.
Conclusion: Analysis of GHB in hair is suitable for investigation of GHB abuse in forensic toxicology and GHB level in segmental analysis compared with endogenous level of GHB may provide useful information about GHB administration.