The distribution of clopidogrel in the organs of poisoned animals

Introduction. Clopidogrel is a representative of antiplatelet agents, which is effectively used in the combination treatment of cardiovascular diseases (acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, peripheral artery diseases, and others). In China, this drug is very often used for suicide. There have also been cases of clopidogrel poisoning in the treatment of COVID-19. The chemical and toxicological study of this drug is relevant in today's conditions. Objective: to investigate the distribution of clopidogrel in the organs of animals poisoned with this drug. Material and methods. The investigations were conducted on laboratory animals. TLC and extraction photometry were used as methods of analysis. Male rats were injected with a triple LD50 of clopidogrel bisulfate into the stomach. The test substance was extracted from the biomatrices of dead animals with diethyl ether and chloroform, eluted with chloroform-acetone (80:20) and ethanol-acetic acid-water (5:3:2) systems. The substance was identified by the Rf value (TLC). The analyte was quantitative determined using extraction photometry. Results. The largest amounts of the test substance were found in the liver (82.88±1.34 pg/g), intestines (54.43.6±1.97 pg/g), and urine (89.69±1.33 pg/g) of the animals. Conclusion. The findings suggest that for clinical laboratory studies, blood (serum) should be taken for analysis within the first three hours after taking clopidogrel. For the purposes of forensic chemical analysis in case of fatal poisoning with clopidogrel, it is recommended to send the stomach with the contents, intestines, liver, and urine for their examination.

clopidogrel, clopidogrel carboxylic acid, metabolite, body distribution, chemical and toxicological analysis