Methods for labeling urine in a subject with fluorophores

Abstract

A method for labeling urine in a subject using fluorophores is provided that allows for determining if a urine sample originates from the subject that accepted the administered fluorophore. The method comprises detection of the fluorophore in the urine sample with optical means. One suitable fluorophore is fluorescein sodium. The method may be suitable for ensuring that urine samples for drug, illicit substance or other substance tests are genuine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of labeling urine in a subject, the method comprising:
 administering one or more fluorophores to the subject at a time prior to miction;   obtaining a urine sample from the subject; and   detecting the presence of the one or more fluorophores in the urine sample.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises screening the urine sample for one or more drugs, illicit substances or other substances and/or measuring urine parameters. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the drugs are cannabinoids, cocaine, phencyclidine, opiates, amphetamines, oxycodone, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, propoxyphene, methaqualone, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, anaesthetics, methadone, hallucinogens, inhalants, hydrocodone, beta agonists, beta blockers, and glucocorticoids. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the illicit substances are androgens including testosterone and other anabolic steroids or precursors, stimulants including caffeine, nutritional supplements including herbs and extracts, alcohol, nicotine, diuretics and masking agents. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the other substances are growth hormone and growth factors, erythropoietin and creatine. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the urine parameters are temperature, specific gravity, pH, osmolality, colour viewed with natural light, odour, amount of creatine, amount of ions, amount of trace metals, amount of proteins, amount of vitamins, amount of metabolic molecules and amount of haematopoietic cells. 
     
     
         7 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  6 , wherein the method comprises a preliminary step of inspection of the subject by an administrator for one or more signs of substance abuse, wherein the administrator determines to proceed with labeling urine in the subject. 
     
     
         8 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  7 , wherein the one or more fluorophores is non-toxic. 
     
     
         9 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the one or more fluorophores is excreted unchanged in the urine sample or metabolized into one or more second compounds that is one or more second fluorophores and is excreted in the urine sample. 
     
     
         10 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  9 , wherein the one or more fluorophores is fluorescein, a derivative or a salt thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more fluorophores is fluorescein sodium. 
     
     
         12 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  11 , wherein the amount of each of the one or more fluorophores administered to the subject is from about 50 to about 100 mg. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the amount of each of the one or more fluorophores administered to the subject is about 100 mg. 
     
     
         14 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  13 , wherein the amount of each of the one or more fluorophores administered to the subject is from about 0.6 to about 1.2 mg/kg body weight of the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the amount of each of the one or more fluorophores administered to the subject is about 1.2 mg/kg body weight of the subject. 
     
     
         16 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  15 , wherein the administering is oral administering. 
     
     
         17 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  16 , wherein the time prior to miction is from about 5 to about 30 minutes. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the time prior to miction is about 20 minutes. 
     
     
         19 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  18 , wherein the one or more fluorophores is detected in the urine sample with a spectrophotometer, ophthalmoscope equipped with a cobalt blue or equivalent filter, fluorometer, UV light source capable of exciting the fluorophore or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more fluorophores is detected in the urine sample with an ophthalmoscope equipped with a cobalt blue or equivalent filter. 
     
     
         21 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  20 , wherein the one or more fluorophores is dissolved in about 200 to about 500 mL of an aqueous solution prior to administration. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more fluorophores is dissolved in about 300 mL of an aqueous solution prior to administration. 
     
     
         23 . A method of labeling urine in a subject, the method comprising:
 administering fluorescein sodium to the subject at a time 20 minutes prior to miction;   obtaining a urine sample from the subject; and   detecting the presence of fluorescein sodium in the urine sample with an opthalmascope equipped with a cobalt blue optical filter.