Pyrovalerone and its analogs are inhibitors of the transporters for certain monoamine neurotransmitters, including dopamine and norepinephrine, preventing their uptake.1,2 Methylenedioxy Pyrovalerone (MDPV) is an analog of pyrovalerone which includes the 3,4-methylenedioxy moiety found on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a DEA Schedule I controlled substance. While its physiological, neurological, and toxicological actions have not been characterized, MDPV has been reported by the DEA to be abused as a central nervous system stimulant.3 Its effective dose and chemical interactions are unknown, but it has been used alone and in combination with other stimulating compounds. Products containing MDPV have been marketed in Europe and Australia; they have also been seized by law enforcement in several states.3 MDPV and some of its metabolites have recently been characterized by spectroscopic analysis.4,5,6,7 MDPV is to be used in the forensic analysis of samples that may contain this compound. This product, the free base of MDPV, has superior solubility in organic solvents, compared to the hydrochloride salt (Item No. 10684).
1
Heron, C., Costentin, J., and Bonnet, J. Evidence that pure uptake inhibitors including cocaine interact slowly with the dopamine neuronal carrier. Eur J Pharmacol 264 391-398 (1994).
2
Meltzer, P.C., Butler, D., Deschamps, J.R., et al. 1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-pentan-1-one (pyrovalerone) analogs. A promising class of monoamine uptake inhibitors. J Med Chem 49(4) 1420-1432 (2006).
3
Drug Enforcement Admin.Office of Diversion Control. Methylenedioxypyrovalerone [(MDPV) 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-pentanone]. .
4
Westphal, F., Junge, T., Rosner, P., et al. Mass and NMR spectroscopic characterization of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone: A designer drug with α-pyrrolidinophenone structure. Forensic Sci Int 190 1-8 (2009).
5
Meyer, M.R., Du, P., Schuster, F., et al. Studies on the metabolism of the α-pyrrolidinophenone designer drug methylenedioxy-pyrovalerone (MDPV) in rat and human urine and human liver microsomes using GC-MS and LC-high-resolution MS and its detectability in urine by GC-MS. J Mass Spectrom 45(12) 1426-42 (2010).
6
Yohannan, J.C., and Bozenko, J.S. The characterization of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). Microgram Journal 7 (1) 12-15 (2010).
7
Strano-Rossi, S., Cadwallader, A.B., de la Torre, X., et al. Toxicological determination and in vitro metabolism of the designer drug methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MPDV) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 24 2706-2714 (2010).
