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Evans-Brown M, Sedefov R. Responding to New Psychoactive Substances in the European Union: Early Warning, Risk Assessment, and Control Measures. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2018; 252:3-49. [PMID: 30194542 DOI: 10.1007/164_2018_160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are drugs that are not controlled by the United Nations international drug control conventions of 1961 and 1971 but that may pose similar threats to public health. Many of them are traded as "legal" replacements to controlled drugs such as cannabis, heroin, benzodiazepines, cocaine, amphetamines, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Driven by globalization, there has been a large increase in the availability and, subsequently, harms caused by these substances over the last decade in Europe. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) is monitoring more than 670 NPS that have appeared on Europe's drug market in the last 20 years, of which almost 90% have appeared in the last decade. While some recent policy responses have been successful in reducing availability and sales of these substances in some settings - such as "legal highs" and "research chemicals" sold openly in the high street and online - and there are signs that growth in the market is slowing, new challenges have emerged. This includes monitoring a growing number of highly potent substances - including 179 synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists and 28 fentanils - that can pose a high risk of life-threatening poisoning to users and can cause explosive outbreaks. This chapter briefly traces the origins of NPS, provides an overview of the situation in Europe, and discusses the work of the EMCDDA as part of a legal framework of early warning, risk assessment, and control measures that allows the European Union to rapidly detect, assess, and respond to public health and social threats caused by these substances.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roumen Sedefov
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
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52
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Calvo-Castro J, Guirguis A, Samaras EG, Zloh M, Kirton SB, Stair J. Detection of newly emerging psychoactive substances using Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics. RSC Adv 2018; 8:31924-31933. [PMID: 35547469 PMCID: PMC9085863 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra05847d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel approach for the identification of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) by means of Raman spectroscopy coupled with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) employing the largest dataset of NPS reference materials to date is reported here. Fifty three NPS were selected as a structurally diverse subset from an original dataset of 478 NPS compounds. The Raman spectral profiles were experimentally acquired for all 53 substances, evaluated using a number of pre-processing techniques, and used to generate a PCA model. The optimum model system used a relatively narrow spectral range (1300–1750 cm−1) and accounted for 37% of the variance in the dataset using the first three principal components, despite the large structural diversity inherent in the NPS subset. Nonetheless, structurally similar NPS (i.e., the synthetic cannabinoids FDU-PB-22 & NM-2201) grouped together in the PCA model based on their Raman spectral profiles, while NPS with different chemical scaffolds (i.e., the benzodiazepine flubromazolam and the cathinone α-PBT) were well delineated, occupying markedly different areas of the three-dimensional scores plot. Classification of NPS based on their Raman spectra (i.e., chemical scaffolds) using the PCA model was further investigated. NPS that were present in the initial dataset of 478 NPS but were not part of the selected 53 training set (validation set) were observed to be closely aligned to structurally similar NPS within the generated model system in all cases. Furthermore, NPS that were not present in the original dataset of 478 NPS (test set) were also shown to group as expected in the model (i.e., methamphetamine and N-ethylamphetamine). This indicates that, for the first time, a model system can be applied to potential ‘unknown’ psychoactive substances, which are new to the market and absent from existing chemical libraries, to identify key structural features to make a preliminary classification. Consequently, it is anticipated that this study will be of interest to the broad scientific audience working with large structurally diverse chemical datasets and particularly to law enforcement agencies and associated scientific analytical bodies worldwide investigating the development of novel identification methodologies for psychoactive substances. A novel approach for the identification of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) by means of Raman spectroscopy coupled with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) employing the largest dataset of NPS reference materials to date is reported here.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Calvo-Castro
- Department of Pharmacy
- Pharmacology and Postgraduate Medicine
- School of Life and Medical Sciences
- University of Hertfordshire
- Hatfield
| | - Amira Guirguis
- Department of Pharmacy
- Pharmacology and Postgraduate Medicine
- School of Life and Medical Sciences
- University of Hertfordshire
- Hatfield
| | - Eleftherios G. Samaras
- Department of Pharmacy
- Pharmacology and Postgraduate Medicine
- School of Life and Medical Sciences
- University of Hertfordshire
- Hatfield
| | - Mire Zloh
- Department of Pharmacy
- Pharmacology and Postgraduate Medicine
- School of Life and Medical Sciences
- University of Hertfordshire
- Hatfield
| | - Stewart B. Kirton
- Department of Pharmacy
- Pharmacology and Postgraduate Medicine
- School of Life and Medical Sciences
- University of Hertfordshire
- Hatfield
| | - Jacqueline L. Stair
- Department of Pharmacy
- Pharmacology and Postgraduate Medicine
- School of Life and Medical Sciences
- University of Hertfordshire
- Hatfield
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Rychert M, Wilkins C, Parker K, Witten K. Are government-approved products containing new psychoactive substances perceived to be safer and more socially acceptable than alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs? Findings from a survey of police arrestees in New Zealand. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017; 37:406-413. [DOI: 10.1111/dar.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Rychert
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre; Massey University; Auckland New Zealand
| | - Chris Wilkins
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre; Massey University; Auckland New Zealand
| | - Karl Parker
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre; Massey University; Auckland New Zealand
| | - Karen Witten
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre; Massey University; Auckland New Zealand
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Fluorinated phenmetrazine "legal highs" act as substrates for high-affinity monoamine transporters of the SLC6 family. Neuropharmacology 2017; 134:149-157. [PMID: 28988906 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A variety of new psychoactive substances (NPS) are appearing in recreational drug markets worldwide. NPS are compounds that target various receptors and transporters in the central nervous system to achieve their psychoactive effects. Chemical modifications of existing drugs can generate NPS that are not controlled by current legislation, thereby providing legal alternatives to controlled substances such as cocaine or amphetamine. Recently, 3-fluorophenmetrazine (3-FPM), a derivative of the anorectic compound phenmetrazine, appeared on the recreational drug market and adverse clinical effects have been reported. Phenmetrazine is known to elevate extracellular monoamine concentrations by an amphetamine-like mechanism. Here we tested 3-FPM and its positional isomers, 2-FPM and 4-FPM, for their abilities to interact with plasma membrane monoamine transporters for dopamine (DAT), norepinephrine (NET) and serotonin (SERT). We found that 2-, 3- and 4-FPM inhibit uptake mediated by DAT and NET in HEK293 cells with potencies comparable to cocaine (IC50 values < 2.5 μM), but display less potent effects at SERT (IC50 values >80 μM). Experiments directed at identifying transporter-mediated reverse transport revealed that FPM isomers induce efflux via DAT, NET and SERT in HEK293 cells, and this effect is augmented by the Na+/H+ ionophore monensin. Each FPM evoked concentration-dependent release of monoamines from rat brain synaptosomes. Hence, this study reports for the first time the mode of action for 2-, 3- and 4-FPM and identifies these NPS as monoamine releasers with marked potency at catecholamine transporters implicated in abuse and addiction. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Designer Drugs and Legal Highs.'
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55
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Fockele C, Armenian P. A cross-sectional emergency department survey of novel psychoactive substance prevalence. Am J Emerg Med 2017; 35:1580. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2017.04.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 04/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Brandt SD, Kavanagh PV, Westphal F, Elliott SP, Wallach J, Stratford A, Nichols DE, Halberstadt AL. Return of the lysergamides. Part III: Analytical characterization of N 6 -ethyl-6-norlysergic acid diethylamide (ETH-LAD) and 1-propionyl ETH-LAD (1P-ETH-LAD). Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:1641-1649. [PMID: 28342178 PMCID: PMC6230477 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The psychoactive properties of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) have fascinated scientists across disciplines and the exploration of other analogues and derivatives has been motivated by deepening the understanding of ligand-receptor interactions at the molecular level as well as by the search for new therapeutics. Several LSD congeners have appeared on the new psychoactive substances (NPS) market in the form of blotters or powders. Examples include 1-propionyl-LSD (1P-LSD), AL-LAD, and LSZ. The absence of analytical data for novel compounds is a frequent challenge encountered in clinical and toxicological investigations. Two newly emerging lysergamides, namely N6 -ethyl-6-norlysergic acid diethylamide (ETH-LAD) and 1P-ETH-LAD, were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), low and high mass accuracy electrospray MS(/MS), GC solid-state infrared analysis, high performance liquid chromatography diode array detection as well as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Limited analytical data for ETH-LAD were previously available, whereas information about 1P-ETH-LAD has not previously been encountered in the scientific literature. This study extends the characterization of lysergamides distributed on the NPS market, which will help to make analytical data available to clinicians, toxicologists, and other stakeholders who are likely to encounter these substances. The analysis of a test incubation of 1P-ETH-LAD with human serum at 37°C by LC single quadrupole MS at various time points (0-6 h, once per hour and one measurement after 24 h) revealed the formation of ETH-LAD, suggesting that 1P-ETH-LAD might serve as a pro-drug. 1P-ETH-LAD was still detectable in serum after 24 h. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon D. Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Pierce V. Kavanagh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 8 D08W9RT, Ireland
| | - Folker Westphal
- State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Schleswig-Holstein, Section Narcotics/Toxicology, Mühlenweg 166, D-24116 Kiel, Germany
| | - Simon P. Elliott
- Alere Forensics (Forensics Ltd), Malvern Hills Science Park, Geraldine Road, WR14 3SZ, UK
| | - Jason Wallach
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, 600 South 43rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - David E. Nichols
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Genetic Medicine Building, 120 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Adam L. Halberstadt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA
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Smolianitski-Fabian E, Cohen E, Dronova M, Voloshenko-Rossin A, Lev O. Discrimination between closely related synthetic cannabinoids by GC-Cold-EI-MS. Drug Test Anal 2017; 10:474-487. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny Smolianitski-Fabian
- Casali Center of Applied Chemistry, The Institute of Chemistry; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Israel
| | - Etia Cohen
- Analytical Laboratory, Division of Identification and Forensic Science (DIFS), Israel Police, National HQ; Jerusalem Israel
| | - Marina Dronova
- Casali Center of Applied Chemistry, The Institute of Chemistry; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Israel
| | - Anna Voloshenko-Rossin
- Casali Center of Applied Chemistry, The Institute of Chemistry; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Israel
| | - Ovadia Lev
- Casali Center of Applied Chemistry, The Institute of Chemistry; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Israel
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Luethi D, Kaeser PJ, Brandt SD, Krähenbühl S, Hoener MC, Liechti ME. Pharmacological profile of methylphenidate-based designer drugs. Neuropharmacology 2017; 134:133-140. [PMID: 28823611 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methylphenidate-based designer drugs are new psychoactive substances (NPS) that are used outside medical settings and their pharmacology is largely unexplored. The aim of the present study was to characterize the pharmacology of methylphenidate-based substances in vitro. METHODS We determined the potencies of the methylphenidate-based NPS N-benzylethylphenidate, 3,4-dichloroethylphenidate, 3,4-dichloromethylphenidate, ethylnaphthidate, ethylphenidate, 4-fluoromethylphenidate, isopropylphenidate, 4-methylmethylphenidate, methylmorphenate, and propylphenidate and the potencies of the related compounds cocaine and modafinil with respect to norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin transporter inhibition in transporter-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells. We also investigated monoamine efflux and monoamine receptor and transporter binding affinities. Furthermore, we assessed the cell integrity under assay conditions. RESULTS All methylphenidate-based substances inhibited the norepinephrine and dopamine transporters 4 to >1000-fold more potently than the serotonin transporter. Similar to methylphenidate and cocaine, methylphenidate-based NPS did not elicit transporter-mediated efflux of monoamines. Besides binding to monoamine transporters, several test drugs had affinity for adrenergic, serotonergic, and rat trace amine-associated receptors but not for dopaminergic or mouse trace amine-associated receptors. No cytotoxicity was observed after drug treatment at assay concentrations. CONCLUSION Methylphenidate-based substances had pharmacological profiles similar to methylphenidate and cocaine. The predominant actions on dopamine transporters vs. serotonin transporters may be relevant when considering abuse liability. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Designer Drugs and Legal Highs.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Dino Luethi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philine J Kaeser
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simon D Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Stephan Krähenbühl
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marius C Hoener
- Neuroscience Research, pRED, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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59
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Baumann MH, Majumdar S, Le Rouzic V, Hunkele A, Uprety R, Huang XP, Xu J, Roth BL, Pan YX, Pasternak GW. Pharmacological characterization of novel synthetic opioids (NSO) found in the recreational drug marketplace. Neuropharmacology 2017; 134:101-107. [PMID: 28807672 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Novel synthetic opioids (NSO) are increasingly encountered in illicit heroin and counterfeit pain pills. Many NSO are resurrected from older biomedical literature or patent applications, so limited information is available about their biological effects. Here we examined the pharmacology of three structurally-distinct NSO found in the recreational drug market: N-(1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl)-N-phenylbutyramide (butyrylfentanyl), 3,4-dichloro-N-[(1R,2R)-2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methylbenzamide (U-47700) and 1-cyclohexyl-4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazine (MT-45). Radioligand binding and GTPγS functional assays were carried out in cells transfected with murine mu- (MOR-1), delta- (DOR-1) or kappa-opioid receptors (KOR-1). Antinociceptive effects were determined using the radiant heat tail flick technique in mice, and opioid specificity was assessed with the mu-opioid antagonist naloxone. Butyrylfentanyl, U-47700 and MT-45 displayed nM affinities at MOR-1, but were less potent than morphine, and had much weaker effects at DOR-1 and KOR-1. All NSO exhibited agonist actions at MOR-1 in the GTPγS assay. Butyrylfentanyl and U-47700 were 31- and 12-fold more potent than morphine in the tail flick assay, whereas MT-45 was equipotent with morphine. Analgesic effects were reversed by naloxone and absent in genetically-engineered mice lacking MOR-1. Our findings confirm that butyrylfentanyl, U-47700 and MT-45 are selective MOR-1 agonists with in vitro affinities less than morphine. However, analgesic potencies vary more than 30-fold across the compounds, and in vitro binding affinity does not predict in vivo potency. Taken together, our findings highlight the risks to humans who may unknowingly be exposed to these and other NSO when taking adulterated heroin or counterfeit pain medications. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Designer Drugs and Legal Highs.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Valerie Le Rouzic
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Amanda Hunkele
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Rajendra Uprety
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Xi Ping Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ying-Xian Pan
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Gavril W Pasternak
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Lee HZS, Ong MC, Lim JLW, Yap TWA. Challenges in GC–MS analysis: Case studies on phenibut and ethylphenidate. Forensic Sci Int 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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61
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Luethi D, Kolaczynska KE, Docci L, Krähenbühl S, Hoener MC, Liechti ME. Pharmacological profile of mephedrone analogs and related new psychoactive substances. Neuropharmacology 2017; 134:4-12. [PMID: 28755886 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mephedrone is a synthetic cathinone and one of the most popular recreationally used new psychoactive substances. The aim of the present study was to characterize the in vitro pharmacology of novel analogs of mephedrone and related newly emerged designer stimulants. METHODS We determined norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin transporter inhibition potencies and monoamine release in transporter-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells. We also assessed monoamine receptor and transporter binding affinities. RESULTS Mephedrone analogs potently inhibited the norepinephrine transporter and, with the exception of 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC), inhibited the serotonin transporter more potently than the dopamine transporter. Similar to classic amphetamines, mephedrone analogs were substrate-type monoamine releasers. 5-(2-Aminopropyl)indole (5-IT) was a highly potent monoamine transporter inhibitor and a releaser of dopamine and serotonin. 4-Methylamphetamine (4-MA) mediated efflux of all three monoamines and inhibited the serotonin transporter more potently than the dopamine transporter, unlike amphetamine. N-methyl-2-aminoindane (N-methyl-2-AI) was a selective norepinephrine transporter inhibitor and norepinephrine releaser, whereas 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindane (MMAI) was a selective serotonin transporter inhibitor and serotonin releaser. All of the drugs interacted with monoamine receptors. CONCLUSION The predominant actions on serotonin vs. dopamine transporters suggest that dimethylmethcathinones, 4-MA, and MMAI cause entactogenic effects similar to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, whereas 3-MMC, 5-IT, and N-methyl-2-AI have more stimulant-type properties like amphetamine. Because of pharmacological and structural similarity to mephedrone, similar health risks can be expected for these analogs. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Designer Drugs and Legal Highs.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Dino Luethi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karolina E Kolaczynska
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luca Docci
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Krähenbühl
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marius C Hoener
- Neuroscience Research, pRED, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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62
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Elliott S, Sedefov R, Evans-Brown M. Assessing the toxicological significance of new psychoactive substances in fatalities. Drug Test Anal 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Elliott
- Alere Forensics; Malvern Hills Science Park; Worcestershire UK
| | - Roumen Sedefov
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA); Lisbon Portugal
| | - Michael Evans-Brown
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA); Lisbon Portugal
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63
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Colestock T, Wallach J, Mansi M, Filemban N, Morris H, Elliott SP, Westphal F, Brandt SD, Adejare A. Syntheses, analytical and pharmacological characterizations of the 'legal high' 4-[1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexyl]morpholine (3-MeO-PCMo) and analogues. Drug Test Anal 2017; 10:272-283. [PMID: 28513099 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are commonly referred to as 'research chemicals', 'designer drugs' or 'legal highs'. One NPS class is represented by dissociative anesthetics, which include analogues of the arylcyclohexylamine phencyclidine (PCP), ketamine and diphenidine. A recent addition to the NPS market was 4-[1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexyl]morpholine (3-MeO-PCMo), a morpholine analogue of 3-MeO-PCP. Although suspected to have dissociative effects in users, information about its pharmacological profile is not available. From clinical and forensic perspectives, detailed analytical data are needed for identification, especially when facing the presence of positional isomers, as these are frequently unavailable commercially. This study presents the analytical and pharmacological characterization of 3-MeO-PCMo along with five additional analogues, namely the 2- and 4-MeO-PCMo isomers, 3,4-methylenedioxy-PCMo (3,4-MD-PCMo), 3-Me-PCMo and PCMo. All six arylcyclohexylmorpholines were synthesized and characterized using chromatographic, mass spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques. The three positional isomers could be differentiated and the identity of 3-MeO-PCMo obtained from an internet vendor was verified. All six compounds were also evaluated for affinity at 46 central nervous system receptors including the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), an important target for dissociative anesthetics such as PCP and ketamine. In vitro binding studies using (+)-[3-3 H]-MK-801 in rat forebrain preparations revealed moderate affinity for NMDAR in the rank order of 3-Me >3-MeO > PCMo >3,4-MD > 2-MeO > 4-MeO-PCMo. 3-MeO-PCMo was found to have moderate affinity for NMDAR comparable to that of ketamine, and had an approximate 12-fold lower affinity than PCP. These results support the anecdotal reports of dissociative effects from 3-MeO-PCMo in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Colestock
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jason Wallach
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Matt Mansi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nadine Filemban
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hamilton Morris
- Department of Anthropology, New School for Social Research, New York, New York, USA
| | - Simon P Elliott
- Alere Forensics (Forensics Ltd), Malvern Hills Science Park, Malvern, UK
| | - Folker Westphal
- State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Schleswig-Holstein, Section Narcotics/Toxicology, Kiel, Germany
| | - Simon D Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Adeboye Adejare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Fabregat-Safont D, Carbón X, Ventura M, Fornís I, Guillamón E, Sancho JV, Hernández F, Ibáñez M. Updating the list of known opioids through identification and characterization of the new opioid derivative 3,4-dichloro-N-(2-(diethylamino)cyclohexyl)-N-methylbenzamide (U-49900). Sci Rep 2017; 7:6338. [PMID: 28740128 PMCID: PMC5524693 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06778-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
New psychoactive substances have been rapidly growing in popularity in the drug market as non-illegal drugs. In the last few years, an increment has been reported on the use of synthetic alternatives to heroin, the synthetic opioids. Based on the information provided by the European Monitoring Centre for Drug and Drug Addiction, these synthetic opioids have been related to overdoses and deaths in Europe and North America. One of these opioids is the U-47700. A few months ago, U-47700 was scheduled in the U.S. and other countries, and other opioid derivatives have been appearing in order to replace it. One of these compounds is U-49900, an analog of U-47700. A white powder sample was obtained from an anonymous user in Spain. After an accurate characterization by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance and single-crystal X-ray diffraction; and complemented by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet and circular dichroism spectrophotometry, the drug sample was unequivocally identified as U-49900. The information provided will be useful for the Early Warning System and forensic laboratories for future identifications of the U-49900, as well as in tentative identifications of other related opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Fabregat-Safont
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - X Carbón
- Energy Control (Asociación Bienestar y Desarrollo), c/Independencia 384, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Ventura
- Energy Control (Asociación Bienestar y Desarrollo), c/Independencia 384, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Fornís
- Energy Control (Asociación Bienestar y Desarrollo), c/Independencia 384, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Guillamón
- Departament de Química Física I Analítica, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - J V Sancho
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - F Hernández
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - M Ibáñez
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain.
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Apirakkan O, Frinculescu A, Shine T, Parkin MC, Cilibrizzi A, Frascione N, Abbate V. Analytical characterization of three cathinone derivatives, 4-MPD, 4F-PHP and bk-EPDP, purchased as bulk powder from online vendors. Drug Test Anal 2017; 10:372-378. [PMID: 28544816 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Novel emerging drugs of abuse, also referred as new psychoactive substances, constitute an ever-changing mixture of chemical compounds designed to circumvent legislative controls by means of chemical modifications of previously banned recreational drugs. One such class, synthetic cathinones, namely β-keto derivatives of amphetamines, has been largely abused over the past decade. A number of new synthetic cathinones are detected each year, either in bulk powders/crystals or in biological matrices. It is therefore important to continuously monitor the supply of new synthetic derivatives and promptly report them. By using complementary analytical techniques (i.e. one- and two-dimensional NMR, FT-IR, GC-MS, HRMS and HPLC-UV), this study investigates the detection, identification and full characterization of 1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-(methylamino)pentanone (4-methylpentedrone, 4-MPD), 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)hexanone (4F-PHP) and 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(ethylamino)-1-pentanone (bk-EPDP), three emerging cathinone derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orapan Apirakkan
- Analytical & Environmental Sciences Division, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anca Frinculescu
- TICTAC Communications Ltd, Room 1.159 Jenner Wing, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Trevor Shine
- TICTAC Communications Ltd, Room 1.159 Jenner Wing, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Mark C Parkin
- Analytical & Environmental Sciences Division, King's College London, London, UK
- Drug Control Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Nunzianda Frascione
- Analytical & Environmental Sciences Division, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Vincenzo Abbate
- Drug Control Centre, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK
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66
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Luethi D, Trachsel D, Hoener MC, Liechti ME. Monoamine receptor interaction profiles of 4-thio-substituted phenethylamines (2C-T drugs). Neuropharmacology 2017; 134:141-148. [PMID: 28720478 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 4-Thio-substituted phenethylamines (2C-T drugs) are potent psychedelics with poorly defined pharmacological properties. Because of their psychedelic effects, 2C-T drugs are sometimes sold as new psychoactive substances (NPSs). The aim of the present study was to characterize the monoamine receptor and transporter interaction profiles of a series of 2C-T drugs. METHODS We determined the binding affinities of 2C-T drugs at monoamine receptors and transporters in human cells that were transfected with the respective receptors or transporters. We also investigated the functional activation of serotonergic 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) and 5-HT2B receptors, activation of human trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), and inhibition of monoamine uptake transporters. RESULTS 2C-T drugs had high affinity for 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors (1-54 nM and 40-350 nM, respectively). With activation potencies of 1-53 nM and 44-370 nM, the drugs were potent 5-HT2A receptor and 5-HT2B receptor, respectively, partial agonists. An exception to this were the benzylthiophenethylamines, which did not potently activate the 5-HT2B receptor (EC50 > 3000 nM). Furthermore, the compounds bound to serotonergic 5-HT1A and adrenergic receptors. The compounds had high affinity for the rat TAAR1 (5-68 nM) and interacted with the mouse but not human TAAR1. The 2C-T drugs did not potently interact with monoamine transporters (Ki > 4000 nM). CONCLUSION The receptor binding profile of 2C-T drugs predicts psychedelic effects that are mediated by potent 5-HT2 receptor interactions. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Designer Drugs and Legal Highs.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Dino Luethi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Marius C Hoener
- Neuroscience Research, pRED, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Abstract
The term "new psychoactive substances" (NPS) can be defined as individual drugs in pure form or in complex preparations that are not scheduled under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) or the Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971). NPS may be categorized by chemical structure, by psychoactive properties, by biological targets, or by source (plant, synthetic, or combined). The emergence of hundreds of NPS in the past decade is challenging for public health and drug policies globally. The novelty of NPS, their ambiguous legal status, ability to evade toxicological tests, swift adaptation to legal restrictions, global Internet marketing, and scant public knowledge of their adverse effects are among the key drivers of this twenty-first century phenomenon. Multi-disciplinary research in areas of biology, epidemiology, prevention, and web analytics are needed to develop effective responses in a domain capable of overwhelming current international conventions and national drug control policies. Ultimately, research-guided prevention education will fortify societies against this tidal wave.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertha K Madras
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, USA.
- Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital, Oaks Building, Room 342, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA.
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68
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Mayer FP, Luf A, Nagy C, Holy M, Schmid R, Freissmuth M, Sitte HH. Application of a Combined Approach to Identify New Psychoactive Street Drugs and Decipher Their Mechanisms at Monoamine Transporters. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2017; 32:333-350. [PMID: 28025810 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2016_63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Psychoactive compounds can cause acute and long-term health problems and lead to addiction. In addition to well-studied and legally controlled compounds like cocaine, new psychoactive substances (NPS) are appearing in street drug markets as replacement strategies and legal alternatives. NPS are effectively marketed as "designer drugs" or "research chemicals" without any knowledge of their underlying pharmacological mode of action and their potential toxicological effects and obviously devoid of any registration process. As of 2016, the knowledge of structure-activity relationships for most NPS is scarce, and predicting detailed pharmacological activity of newly emerging drugs is a challenging task. Therefore, it is important to combine different approaches and employ biological test systems that are superior to mere chemical analysis in recognizing novel and potentially harmful street drugs. In this chapter, we provide a detailed description of techniques to decipher the molecular mechanism of action of NPS that target the high-affinity transporters for dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. In addition, this chapter provides insights into a combined approach to identify and characterize new psychoactive street drugs of unknown content in a collaboration with the Austrian prevention project "checkit!."
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix P Mayer
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anton Luf
- Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 10-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Constanze Nagy
- checkit! - Suchthilfe Wien GmbH, Gumpendorfer Gürtel 8, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marion Holy
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rainer Schmid
- Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 10-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Freissmuth
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Center for Addiction Research and Science - Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Abstract
Novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) include various analogs of fentanyl and newly emerging non-fentanyl compounds. Together with illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF), these drugs have caused a recent spike in overdose deaths, whereas deaths from prescription opioids have stabilized. NSOs are used as stand-alone products, as adulterants in heroin, or as constituents of counterfeit prescription medications. During 2015 alone, there were 9580 deaths from synthetic opioids other than methadone. Most of these fatalities were associated with IMF rather than diverted pharmaceutical fentanyl. In opioid overdose cases, where the presence of fentanyl analogs was examined, analogs were implicated in 17% of fatalities. Recent data from law enforcement sources show increasing confiscation of acetylfentanyl, butyrylfentanyl, and furanylfentanyl, in addition to non-fentanyl compounds such as U-47700. Since 2013, deaths from NSOs in the United States were 52 for acetylfentanyl, 40 for butyrylfentanyl, 128 for furanylfentanyl, and 46 for U-47700. All of these substances induce a classic opioid toxidrome, which can be reversed with the competitive antagonist naloxone. However, due to the putative high potency of NSOs and their growing prevalence, it is recommended to forgo the 0.4 mg initial dose of naloxone and start with 2 mg. Because NSOs offer enormous profit potential, and there is strong demand for their use, these drugs are being trafficked by organized crime. NSOs present major challenges for medical professionals, law enforcement agencies, and policymakers. Resources must be distributed equitably to enhance harm reduction though public education, medication-assisted therapies, and improved access to naloxone.
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70
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Pereira LS, Lisboa FL, Neto JC, Valladão FN, Sena MM. Direct classification of new psychoactive substances in seized blotter papers by ATR-FTIR and multivariate discriminant analysis. Microchem J 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2017.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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71
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Brunt TM, Atkinson AM, Nefau T, Martinez M, Lahaie E, Malzcewski A, Pazitny M, Belackova V, Brandt SD. Online test purchased new psychoactive substances in 5 different European countries: A snapshot study of chemical composition and price. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 44:105-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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72
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Mdege ND, Meader N, Lloyd C, Parrott S, McCambridge J. The Novel Psychoactive Substances in the UK Project: empirical and conceptual review work to produce research recommendations. PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.3310/phr05040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundAlthough illegal drug use has largely been declining in the UK over the past decade, this period has witnessed the emergence of a range of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) (‘legal highs’). These are new, mostly synthetic, substances that mimic the effects of existing drugs). Despite there being many causes for concern in relation to NPS, there has been little prior study of the burden associated with their use in public health terms. Clarity is lacking on research priorities in this rapidly developing literature.ObjectivesTo inform the development of public health intervention research on NPS by reviewing existing data on their use, associated problems and potential responses to such problems.DesignA scoping review and narrative synthesis of selected bodies of evidence was undertaken to summarise and evaluate what is known about NPS use and the related harms of, and responses to, such use. Relevant literature was identified from electronic databases (covering January 2006 to June 2016 inclusive), Google (Google Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA), relevant websites and online drug forums and by contacting experts. Articles were included if they were primary studies, secondary studies involving the analysis and interpretation of primary research or discussion papers. A conceptual framework postulating an evidence-informed public health approach to NPS use in the UK was developed through a pragmatic literature review, the iterative development of concepts and finalisation in light of the results from the empirical review work. The process also involved feedback from various stakeholders. Research recommendations were developed from both strands of work.ResultsA total of 995 articles were included in the scoping review, the majority of which related to individual-level health-related adverse effects attributable to NPS use. The prevalence of lifetime NPS use varied widely between (e.g. with higher prevalence in young males) and within population subgroups. The most commonly reported adverse effects were psychiatric/other neurological, cardiovascular, renal and gastrointestinal manifestations, and there is limited evidence available on responses. In these and other respects, available evidence is at an early stage of development. Initial evidence challenges the view that NPS should be treated differently from other illicit drugs. The conceptual framework indicated that much of the evidence that would be useful to inform public health responses does not yet exist. We propose a systems-based prevention approach that develops existing responses, is multilevel and life course informed in character, and emphasises commonalities between NPS and other legal and illegal drug use. We make 20 recommendations for research, including nine key recommendations.LimitationsScoping reviews do not interrogate evidence in depth, and the disjunction between the scoping review and the conceptual framework findings is worthy of careful attention.ConclusionsKey research recommendations build on those that have previously been made and offer more evidence-based justification and detail, as previous recommendations have not yet been acted on. The case for decision-making on commissioning new research based on these recommendations is both strong and urgent.Future workThe validity of recommendations generated through this project could be enhanced via further work with research commissioners, policy-makers, researchers and the public.Study registrationThe systematic review element of this study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016026415.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreen D Mdege
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Nick Meader
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Charlie Lloyd
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Steve Parrott
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
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Texter KB, Waymach R, Kavanagh PV, O'Brien JE, Talbot B, Brandt SD, Gardner EA. Identification of pyrolysis products of the new psychoactive substance 2‐amino‐1‐(4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)ethanone hydrochloride (
bk
‐2C‐B) and its iodo analogue
bk
‐2C‐I. Drug Test Anal 2017; 10:229-236. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly B. Texter
- Department of Justice Sciences University of Alabama at Birmingham 1201 University Boulevard Birmingham AL 35294 USA
| | - Rachel Waymach
- Department of Justice Sciences University of Alabama at Birmingham 1201 University Boulevard Birmingham AL 35294 USA
| | - Pierce V. Kavanagh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences St James's Hospital Dublin 8 Ireland
| | - John E. O'Brien
- School of Chemistry Trinity College Dublin University of Dublin College Green Dublin 2 D02 EV57 Ireland
| | - Brian Talbot
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Trinity College Dublin The University of Dublin, College Green Dublin 2 D02 EV57
| | - Simon D. Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences Liverpool John Moores University Byrom Street Liverpool L3 3AF UK
| | - Elizabeth A. Gardner
- Department of Justice Sciences University of Alabama at Birmingham 1201 University Boulevard Birmingham AL 35294 USA
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Loi B, Zloh M, De Luca MA, Pintori N, Corkery J, Schifano F. 4,4'-Dimethylaminorex ("4,4'-DMAR"; "Serotoni") misuse: A Web-based study. Hum Psychopharmacol 2017; 32. [PMID: 28657180 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 4,4'-DMAR (4,4'-dimethylaminorex; "Serotoni") is a potent stimulant drug that has recently been associated with a number of fatalities in Europe. Over the last few years, online communities have emerged as important resources for disseminating levels of technical knowledge on novel psychoactive substances. OBJECTIVE Analysing the information provided by the fora communities on 4,4'-DMAR use, additionally critical reviewing the available evidence-based literature on this topic. METHODS Different website drug fora were identified. A critical review of the existing evidence-based literature was undertaken. Individuation and analysis of qualitative data from the identified website fora were performed. RESULTS The combined search results identified six website fora from which a range of qualitative data on recurring themes was collected. These themes included routes of administration and doses; desired effects; adverse effects; comparison with other drugs; association with other drugs; medications self-administered to reverse 4,4'-DMAR action; overall impression; and provision of harm-reduction advice. CONCLUSIONS Although being characterized by a number of methodological limitations, the social networks' Web monitoring approach (netnography) may be helpful to better understand some of the clinical and psychopharmacological issues pertaining to a range of novel psychoactive substances, including 4,4'-DMAR, for which only extremely little, if any, scientific knowledge is available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Loi
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology & Post-graduate Medicine, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Mire Zloh
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology & Post-graduate Medicine, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Maria Antonietta De Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicholas Pintori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - John Corkery
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology & Post-graduate Medicine, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Fabrizio Schifano
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology & Post-graduate Medicine, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
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75
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Kimergård A, Foley M, Davey Z, Wadsworth E, Drummond C, Deluca P. The challenge of complex drug use: Associated use of codeine-containing medicines and new psychoactive substances in a European cross-sectional online population. Hum Psychopharmacol 2017; 32. [PMID: 28597537 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Misuse of codeine-containing medicines in combination with new psychoactive substances (NPS) is inadequately described. This study characterises codeine consumption amongst NPS users and non-NPS users to provide warning of health issues. METHODS Online survey conducted between July 2015 and March 2016. RESULTS Out of 340 respondents, residing in a country in Europe and using codeine recently, 63.8% were female. Mean age: 34.9 years (SD = 12.4). Substance use included NPS (18.5%) and illicit controlled drugs (55.9%). Factors relating to codeine use found to significantly predict NPS use were consuming codeine extracted from combination tablets (OR = 16.79, 95% CI [8.67, 32.51]), obtaining codeine from friends, family, and acquaintances (OR = 3.98, 95% CI [1.82, 8.7]), use of illicit controlled drugs (OR = 34.99, 95% CI [8.39, 145.94]) and use of codeine to experience euphoria (OR = 6.41, 95% CI [3.42, 12.04]). CONCLUSIONS Amongst NPS users, codeine is less likely to be used daily but more likely to be used for recreational purposes. Smaller populations engaging in high-risk use exist who take multiple drugs in high doses. Combinations of misused codeine and NPS highlight the need for policy to respond to a more complex drug situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kimergård
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Michelle Foley
- School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Zoe Davey
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Elle Wadsworth
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Colin Drummond
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Paolo Deluca
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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76
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Coney LD, Maier LJ, Ferris JA, Winstock AR, Barratt MJ. Genie in a blotter: A comparative study of LSD and LSD analogues' effects and user profile. Hum Psychopharmacol 2017; 32. [PMID: 28517366 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe self-reported patterns of use and effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) analogues (AL-LAD, 1P-LSD, and ETH-LAD) and the characteristics of those who use them. METHODS An anonymous self-selected online survey of people who use drugs (Global Drug Survey 2016; N = 96,894), which measured perceived drug effects of LSD and its analogues. RESULTS Most LSD analogue users (91%) had also tried LSD. The proportion of U.K. and U.S. respondents reporting LSD analogue use in the last 12 months was higher than for LSD only. LSD analogue users described the effects as psychedelic (93%), over half (55%) obtained it online, and almost all (99%) reported an oral route of administration. The modal duration (8 hr) and time to peak (2 hr) of LSD analogues were not significantly different from LSD. Ratings for pleasurable high, strength of effect, comedown, urge to use more drugs, value for money, and risk of harm following use were significantly lower for LSD analogues compared with LSD. CONCLUSIONS LSD analogues were reported as similar in time to peak and duration as LSD but weaker in strength, pleasurable high, and comedown. Future studies should seek to replicate these findings with chemical confirmation and dose measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh D Coney
- Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Jason A Ferris
- Institute for Social Science Research, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Adam R Winstock
- University College London, London, UK.,Global Drug Survey Ltd, London, UK
| | - Monica J Barratt
- Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,Centre of Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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77
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Fragkaki AG, Kioukia-Fougia N, Kiousi P, Kioussi M, Tsivou M. Challenges in detecting substances for equine anti-doping. Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:1291-1303. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. G. Fragkaki
- Doping Control Laboratory of Athens; Olympic Athletic Center of Athens ‘Spyros Louis’; 37 Kifisias Avenue 15123 Maroussi Greece
| | - N. Kioukia-Fougia
- Doping Control Laboratory of Athens; Olympic Athletic Center of Athens ‘Spyros Louis’; 37 Kifisias Avenue 15123 Maroussi Greece
| | - P. Kiousi
- Doping Control Laboratory of Athens; Olympic Athletic Center of Athens ‘Spyros Louis’; 37 Kifisias Avenue 15123 Maroussi Greece
| | - M. Kioussi
- Laboratory of Pesticides Residues, Department of Pesticides Control and Phytopharmacy; Benaki Phytopathological Institute; 8 St. Delta str., 14561 Kifissia Athens Greece
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry; University of Athens; 15771 Panepistimiopolis-Zographou Athens Greece
| | - M. Tsivou
- Doping Control Laboratory of Athens; Olympic Athletic Center of Athens ‘Spyros Louis’; 37 Kifisias Avenue 15123 Maroussi Greece
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In vitro monoamine oxidase inhibition potential of alpha-methyltryptamine analog new psychoactive substances for assessing possible toxic risks. Toxicol Lett 2017; 272:84-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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79
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Klare H, Neudörfl JM, Brandt SD, Mischler E, Meier-Giebing S, Deluweit K, Westphal F, Laussmann T. Analysis of six ‘neuro-enhancing’ phenidate analogs. Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:423-435. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Helge Klare
- Central Customs Authority; Centre of Education and Science; Merianstrasse 110 50765 Cologne Germany
| | - Jörg M. Neudörfl
- University of Cologne; Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry; Greinstrasse 6 50939 Cologne Germany
| | - Simon D. Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences; Liverpool John Moores University; Liverpool L3 3AF UK
| | - Elisabeth Mischler
- Central Customs Authority; Centre of Education and Science; Merianstrasse 110 50765 Cologne Germany
| | - Sigrid Meier-Giebing
- Central Customs Authority; Centre of Education and Science; Merianstrasse 110 50765 Cologne Germany
| | - Kathrin Deluweit
- Central Customs Authority; Centre of Education and Science; Merianstrasse 110 50765 Cologne Germany
| | - Folker Westphal
- State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Schleswig-Holstein; Section Narcotics/Toxicology; Mühlenweg 166 24116 Kiel Germany
| | - Tim Laussmann
- Central Customs Authority; Centre of Education and Science; Merianstrasse 110 50765 Cologne Germany
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80
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Breindahl T, Kimergård A, Andreasen MF, Pedersen DS. Identification of a new psychoactive substance in seized material: the synthetic opioid N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenethyl)piperidin-4-yl]prop-2-enamide (Acrylfentanyl). Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:415-422. [PMID: 27476446 PMCID: PMC5396312 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Among the new psychoactive substances (NPS) that have recently emerged on the market, many of the new synthetic opioids have shown to be particularly harmful. A new synthetic analogue of fentanyl, N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenethyl)piperidin-4-yl]prop-2-enamide (acrylfentanyl), was identified in powder from a seized capsule found at a forensic psychiatric ward in Denmark. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified a precursor to synthetic fentanyls, N-phenyl-1-(2-phenylethyl)piperidin-4-amine; however, the precursor 1-(2-phenethyl)piperidin-4-one, was not detected. Analysis of the electron impact mass spectrum of the main, unknown chromatographic peak (GC) tentatively identified an acryloyl analogue of fentanyl. Further analyses by quadrupole time-of-flight high resolution mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS), matrix-assisted laser ionization Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MALDI-Orbitrap-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and infra-red spectroscopy (IR) confirmed the presence of acrylfentanyl (also known as acryloylfentanyl). Quantitative analysis with liquid chromatography and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) determined the content of acrylfentanyl in the powder, equal to 88.3 mass-% acrylfentanyl hydrochloride. An impurity observed by NMR was identified as triethylamine hydrochloride. Acrylfentanyl is sold on the Internet as a 'research chemical'. Like other synthetic fentanyls, such as acetylfentanyl, it poses a serious risk of fatal intoxication. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Drug Testing and Analysis Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Breindahl
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, North Denmark Regional Hospital (Aalborg University), Hjørring, Denmark
| | - Andreas Kimergård
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mette Findal Andreasen
- Section for Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Daniel Sejer Pedersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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81
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Brandt SD, Kavanagh PV. Addressing the challenges in forensic drug chemistry. Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:342-346. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon D. Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences; Liverpool John Moores University; Byrom Street Liverpool L3 3AF UK
| | - Pierce V. Kavanagh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics; School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James Hospital; Dublin 8, D08W9RT Ireland
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82
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Liu C, Jia W, Hua Z, Qian Z. Identification and analytical characterization of six synthetic cannabinoids NNL-3, 5F-NPB-22-7N
, 5F-AKB-48-7N
, 5F-EDMB-PINACA, EMB-FUBINACA, and EG-018. Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:1251-1261. [PMID: 28063270 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cuimei Liu
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; 100193 No. 18 Dongbeiwang West Road, Haidian District Beijing China
| | - Wei Jia
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; 100193 No. 18 Dongbeiwang West Road, Haidian District Beijing China
| | - Zhendong Hua
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; 100193 No. 18 Dongbeiwang West Road, Haidian District Beijing China
| | - Zhenhua Qian
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; 100193 No. 18 Dongbeiwang West Road, Haidian District Beijing China
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83
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Rychert M, Wilkins C, Witten K. Issues with monitoring the safety of psychoactive products under a legal regulated market for new psychoactive substances (‘legal highs’) in New Zealand. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017; 36:589-596. [DOI: 10.1111/dar.12507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Rychert
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre; Massey University; Auckland New Zealand
| | - Chris Wilkins
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre; Massey University; Auckland New Zealand
| | - Karen Witten
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre; Massey University; Auckland New Zealand
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84
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Rychert M, Wilkins C, Witten K. “Lost in translation”: Issues with the establishment of a legal market for “low risk” psychoactive products (“legal highs”) in New Zealand. DRUGS-EDUCATION PREVENTION AND POLICY 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2017.1282422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Rychert
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Chris Wilkins
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Karen Witten
- SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
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85
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Brandt SD, Kavanagh PV, Westphal F, Elliott SP, Wallach J, Colestock T, Burrow TE, Chapman SJ, Stratford A, Nichols DE, Halberstadt AL. Return of the lysergamides. Part II: Analytical and behavioural characterization of N 6 -allyl-6-norlysergic acid diethylamide (AL-LAD) and (2'S,4'S)-lysergic acid 2,4-dimethylazetidide (LSZ). Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:38-50. [PMID: 27265891 PMCID: PMC5411264 DOI: 10.1002/dta.1985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Lysergic acid N,N-diethylamide (LSD) is perhaps one of the most intriguing psychoactive substances known and numerous analogs have been explored to varying extents in previous decades. In 2013, N6 -allyl-6-norlysergic acid diethylamide (AL-LAD) and (2'S,4'S)-lysergic acid 2,4-dimethylazetidide (LSZ) appeared on the 'research chemicals'/new psychoactive substances (NPS) market in both powdered and blotter form. This study reports the analytical characterization of powdered AL-LAD and LSZ tartrate samples and their semi-quantitative determination on blotter paper. Included in this study was the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), low and high mass accuracy electrospray MS(/MS), high performance liquid chromatography diode array detection and GC solid-state infrared analysis. One feature shared by serotonergic psychedelics, such as LSD, is the ability to mediate behavioural responses via activation of 5-HT2A receptors. Both AL-LAD and LSZ displayed LSD-like responses in male C57BL/6 J mice when employing the head-twitch response (HTR) assay. AL-LAD and LSZ produced nearly identical inverted-U-shaped dose-dependent effects, with the maximal responses occurring at 200 µg/kg. Analysis of the dose responses by nonlinear regression confirmed that LSZ (ED50 = 114.2 nmol/kg) was equipotent to LSD (ED50 = 132.8 nmol/kg) in mice, whereas AL-LAD was slightly less potent (ED50 = 174.9 nmol/kg). The extent to which a comparison in potency can be translated directly to humans requires further investigation. Chemical and pharmacological data obtained from NPS may assist research communities that are interested in various aspects related to substance use and forensic identification. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon D. Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Pierce V. Kavanagh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Folker Westphal
- State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Schleswig-Holstein, Section Narcotics/Toxicology, Mühlenweg 166, D-24116 Kiel, Germany
| | - Simon P. Elliott
- ROAR Forensics, Malvern Hills Science Park, Geraldine Road, WR14 3SZ, UK
| | - Jason Wallach
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tristan Colestock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of the Sciences, 600 South 43rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Timothy E. Burrow
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | | | | | - David E. Nichols
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Genetic Medicine Building, 120 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Adam L. Halberstadt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA
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86
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Baumann MH, Bukhari MO, Lehner KR, Anizan S, Rice KC, Concheiro M, Huestis MA. Neuropharmacology of 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), Its Metabolites, and Related Analogs. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2017; 32:93-117. [PMID: 27830575 PMCID: PMC5392131 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2016_53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a psychoactive component of so-called bath salts products that has caused serious medical consequences in humans. In this chapter, we review the neuropharmacology of MDPV and related analogs, and supplement the discussion with new results from our preclinical experiments. MDPV acts as a potent uptake inhibitor at plasma membrane transporters for dopamine (DAT) and norepinephrine (NET) in nervous tissue. The MDPV formulation in bath salts is a racemic mixture, and the S isomer is much more potent than the R isomer at blocking DAT and producing abuse-related effects. Elevations in brain extracellular dopamine produced by MDPV are likely to underlie its locomotor stimulant and addictive properties. MDPV displays rapid pharmacokinetics when injected into rats (0.5-2.0 mg/kg), with peak plasma concentrations achieved by 10-20 min and declining quickly thereafter. MDPV is metabolized to 3,4-dihydroxypyrovalerone (3,4-catechol-PV) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxypyrovalerone (4-OH-3-MeO-PV) in vivo, but motor activation produced by the drug is positively correlated with plasma concentrations of parent drug and not its metabolites. 3,4-Catechol-PV is a potent uptake blocker at DAT in vitro but has little activity after administration in vivo. 4-OH-3-MeO-PV is the main MDPV metabolite but is weak at DAT and NET. MDPV analogs, such as α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP), display similar ability to inhibit DAT and increase extracellular dopamine concentrations. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that MDPV and its analogs represent a unique class of transporter inhibitors with a high propensity for abuse and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit of the Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Mohammad O Bukhari
- Designer Drug Research Unit of the Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kurt R Lehner
- Designer Drug Research Unit of the Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sebastien Anizan
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section of the Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section of the Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marta Concheiro
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section of the Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marilyn A Huestis
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section of the Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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87
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Liu C, Jia W, Li T, Hua Z, Qian Z. Identification and analytical characterization of nine synthetic cathinone derivatives N-ethylhexedrone, 4-Cl-pentedrone, 4-Cl-α-EAPP, propylone, N-ethylnorpentylone, 6-MeO-bk-MDMA, α-PiHP, 4-Cl-α-PHP, and 4-F-α-PHP. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:1162-1171. [PMID: 27863142 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories are continuously confronted by analytical challenges when dealing with the new psychoactive substances (NPS) phenomenon. In this study, the analytical characterization of nine synthetic cathinones is described: 2-(ethylamino)-1-phenylhexan-1-one (N-ethylhexedrone 1), 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)pentan-1-one (4-Cl-pentedrone 2), 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(ethylamino)pentan-1-one (4-Cl-α-EAPP 3), 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-propylaminopropan-1-one (propylone 4), 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-ethylaminopentan-1-one (N-ethylnorpentylone 5), 1-(6-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-methylaminopropan-1-one (6-MeO-bk-MDMA 6), 4-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-1-one (α-PiHP 7), 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)hexan-1-one (4-Cl-α-PHP 8), and 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)hexan-1-one (4-F-α-PHP 9). The identification was based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The mass-spectral fragmentations of these compounds following collision-induced dissociation (CID) and electron ionization (EI) were studied to assist forensic laboratories in identifying these compounds or other substances with similar structure in their case work. To our knowledge, no analytical data about the compounds 1-4, 7, and 8 have appeared until now, making this the first report on these compounds. The GC-MS data of 5, 6 and 9 has been reported, but this study added the LC-MS, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and NMR data for additional characterization. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuimei Liu
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Jia
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Li
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
| | - Zhendong Hua
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenhua Qian
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
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88
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Kinyua J, Negreira N, Miserez B, Causanilles A, Emke E, Gremeaux L, de Voogt P, Ramsey J, Covaci A, van Nuijs ALN. Qualitative screening of new psychoactive substances in pooled urine samples from Belgium and United Kingdom. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 573:1527-1535. [PMID: 27575425 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.08.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about new psychoactive substances (NPS) are increasing due to the rising frequency of serious intoxications. Analysis of biological fluids (urine) is necessary to get reliable information about the use of these substances. However, it is a challenging task due to the lack of analytical standards and the dynamic character of the NPS market. In the present work, a qualitative screening of NPS was carried out in 23 pooled urine samples collected from a city center in the UK and festivals in the UK and Belgium. The analytical method was based on data-independent acquisition mode using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. An in-house library was used with >1500 entries corresponding to NPS, classical drugs and metabolites. All samples contained 53 and 28 compounds of interest from the UK and Belgium respectively. Of the different compounds detected, about 70% were confirmed using retention time and product ions while the remaining compounds were identified using elucidated fragmentation pathways. The highest numbers of NPS identified in both countries were from the cathinone and phenylethylamine families, with a higher number being detected in samples from the festival in the UK. Moreover, several cathinone metabolites in human urine were detected and identified. The screening method proved useful to detect a large number of compounds and determine the use of NPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliet Kinyua
- Toxicological Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Campus Drie Eiken, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Noelia Negreira
- Toxicological Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Campus Drie Eiken, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bram Miserez
- TICTAC Communications Ltd., St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW170RE, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Causanilles
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Chemical Water Quality and Health, P.O. Box 1072, 3430 BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Emke
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Chemical Water Quality and Health, P.O. Box 1072, 3430 BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Lies Gremeaux
- Programme Drugs, Operational Direction of Public health and Surveillance, Scientific Institute for Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pim de Voogt
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Chemical Water Quality and Health, P.O. Box 1072, 3430 BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands; Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94248, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John Ramsey
- TICTAC Communications Ltd., St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW170RE, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Campus Drie Eiken, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alexander L N van Nuijs
- Toxicological Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Campus Drie Eiken, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
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89
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Michely JA, Brandt SD, Meyer MR, Maurer HH. Biotransformation and detectability of the new psychoactive substances N,N-diallyltryptamine (DALT) derivatives 5-fluoro-DALT, 7-methyl-DALT, and 5,6-methylenedioxy-DALT in urine using GC-MS, LC-MSn, and LC-HR-MS/MS. Anal Bioanal Chem 2016; 409:1681-1695. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-016-0117-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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90
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Shevyrin V, Melkozerov V, Endres GW, Shafran Y, Morzherin Y. On a New Cannabinoid Classification System: A Sight on the Illegal Market of Novel Psychoactive Substances. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1089/can.2016.0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Shevyrin
- Institute of Chemistry and Technology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir Melkozerov
- Expert and Criminalistic Center, Main Agency of the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation, Sverdlovsk Region Branch, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | | | - Yuri Shafran
- Institute of Chemistry and Technology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Yuri Morzherin
- Institute of Chemistry and Technology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
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91
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Kimergård A, Breindahl T, Hindersson P, Deluca P. Tampering of opioid analgesics: a serious challenge for public health? Addiction 2016; 111:1701-2. [PMID: 27273814 DOI: 10.1111/add.13436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kimergård
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Torben Breindahl
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, North Denmark Regional Hospital (Aalborg University), Hjørring, Denmark
| | - Peter Hindersson
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, North Denmark Regional Hospital (Aalborg University), Hjørring, Denmark
| | - Paolo Deluca
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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92
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Lucchetti J, Marzo CM, Di Clemente A, Cervo L, Gobbi M. A validated, sensitive HPLC-MS/MS method for quantification ofcis-para-methyl-4-methylaminorex (cis-4,4'-DMAR) in rat and human plasma: application to pharmacokinetic studies in rats. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:870-879. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Lucchetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology; IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri; Milano Italy
| | - Claudio M. Marzo
- Department of Neuroscience; IRCCS -Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri; Milano Italy
| | - Angelo Di Clemente
- Department of Neuroscience; IRCCS -Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri; Milano Italy
| | - Luigi Cervo
- Department of Neuroscience; IRCCS -Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri; Milano Italy
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology; IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri; Milano Italy
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93
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Banister SD, Longworth M, Kevin R, Sachdev S, Santiago M, Stuart J, Mack JBC, Glass M, McGregor IS, Connor M, Kassiou M. Pharmacology of Valinate and tert-Leucinate Synthetic Cannabinoids 5F-AMBICA, 5F-AMB, 5F-ADB, AMB-FUBINACA, MDMB-FUBINACA, MDMB-CHMICA, and Their Analogues. ACS Chem Neurosci 2016; 7:1241-54. [PMID: 27421060 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Indole and indazole synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) featuring l-valinate or l-tert-leucinate pendant group have recently emerged as prevalent recreational drugs, and their use has been associated with serious adverse health effects. Due to the limited pharmacological data available for these compounds, 5F-AMBICA, 5F-AMB, 5F-ADB, AMB-FUBINACA, MDMB-FUBINACA, MDMB-CHMICA, and their analogues were synthesized and assessed for cannabimimetic activity in vitro and in vivo. All SCs acted as potent, highly efficacious agonists at CB1 (EC50 = 0.45-36 nM) and CB2 (EC50 = 4.6-128 nM) receptors in a fluorometric assay of membrane potential, with a general preference for CB1 activation. The cannabimimetic properties of two prevalent compounds with confirmed toxicity in humans, 5F-AMB and MDMB-FUBINACA, were demonstrated in vivo using biotelemetry in rats. Bradycardia and hypothermia were induced by 5F-AMB and MDMB-FUBINACA doses of 0.1-1 mg/kg (and 3 mg/kg for 5F-AMB), with MDMB-FUBINACA showing the most dramatic hypothermic response recorded in our laboratory for any SC (>3 °C at 0.3 mg/kg). Reversal of hypothermia by pretreatment with a CB1, but not CB2, antagonist was demonstrated for 5F-AMB and MDMB-FUBINACA, consistent with CB1-mediated effects in vivo. The in vitro and in vivo data indicate that these SCs act as highly efficacious CB receptor agonists with greater potency than Δ(9)-THC and earlier generations of SCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D. Banister
- Department
of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | | | | | - Shivani Sachdev
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Marina Santiago
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Jordyn Stuart
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - James B. C. Mack
- Department
of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94304, United States
| | - Michelle Glass
- School
of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | | | - Mark Connor
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
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94
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Brandt SD, Kavanagh PV, Westphal F, Stratford A, Elliott SP, Hoang K, Wallach J, Halberstadt AL. Return of the lysergamides. Part I: Analytical and behavioural characterization of 1-propionyl-d-lysergic acid diethylamide (1P-LSD). Drug Test Anal 2016; 8:891-902. [PMID: 26456305 PMCID: PMC4829483 DOI: 10.1002/dta.1884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2015] [Revised: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
1-Propionyl-d-lysergic acid diethylamide hemitartrate (1P-LSD) has become available as a 'research chemical' in the form of blotters and powdered material. This non-controlled derivative of d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has previously not been described in the published literature despite being closely related to 1-acetyl-LSD (ALD-52), which was developed in the 1950s. This study describes the characterization of 1P-LSD in comparison with LSD using various chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. An important feature common to LSD and other serotonergic hallucinogens is that they produce 5-HT2A -receptor activation and induce the head-twitch response (HTR) in rats and mice. In order to assess whether 1P-LSD displays LSD-like properties and activates the 5-HT2A receptor, male C57BL/6 J mice were injected with vehicle (saline) or 1P-LSD (0.025-0.8 mg/kg, IP) and HTR assessed for 30 min using magnetometer coil recordings. It was found that 1P-LSD produced a dose-dependent increase in HTR counts, and that it had ~38% (ED50 = 349.6 nmol/kg) of the potency of LSD (ED50 = 132.8 nmol/kg). Furthermore, HTR was abolished when 1P-LSD administration followed pretreatment with the selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist M100907 (0.1 mg/kg, SC), which was consistent with the concept that the behavioural response was mediated by activation of the 5-HT2A receptor. These results indicate that 1P-LSD produces LSD-like effects in mice, consistent with its classification as a serotonergic hallucinogen. Nevertheless, the extent to which 1P-LSD might show psychoactive effects in humans similar to LSD remains to be investigated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon D. Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Pierce V. Kavanagh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Folker Westphal
- State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Schleswig-Holstein, Section Narcotics/Toxicology, Mühlenweg 166, D-24116 Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Simon P. Elliott
- ROAR Forensics, Malvern Hills Science Park, Geraldine Road, WR14 3SZ, UK
| | - Khoa Hoang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jason Wallach
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Adam L. Halberstadt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA
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95
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Kang H, Park P, Bortolotto ZA, Brandt SD, Colestock T, Wallach J, Collingridge GL, Lodge D. Ephenidine: A new psychoactive agent with ketamine-like NMDA receptor antagonist properties. Neuropharmacology 2016; 112:144-149. [PMID: 27520396 PMCID: PMC5084681 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
To avoid legislation based on chemical structure, research chemicals, frequently used for recreational purposes, are continually being synthesized. N-Ethyl-1,2-diphenylethanamine (ephenidine) is a diarylethylamine that has recently become popular with recreational users searching for dissociative hallucinogenic effects. In the present study, the pharmacological basis of its neural actions has been investigated, initially by assessing its profile in central nervous system receptor binding assays and subsequently in targeted electrophysiological studies. Ephenidine was a potent inhibitor of 3H-MK-801 binding (Ki: 66 nM), implying that it acts at the PCP site of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. It also showed modest activity at dopamine (379 nM) and noradrenaline (841 nM) transporters and at sigma 1 (629 nM) and sigma 2 (722 nM) binding sites. In experiments of extracellular recording of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) from area CA1 of rat hippocampal slices, ephenidine, 1 and 10 μM, respectively, produced a 25% and a near maximal inhibition of the NMDA receptor mediated fEPSP after 4 h superfusion. By contrast, ephenidine (50 μM) did not affect the AMPA receptor mediated fEPSPs. In whole cell patch clamp recordings, from hippocampal pyramidal cells, ephenidine (10 μM) blocked NMDA receptor-mediated EPSCs in a highly voltage-dependent manner. Additionally, ephenidine, 10 μM, blocked the induction of long term potentiation (LTP) in CA1 induced by theta burst stimulation. The present data show that the new psychoactive substance, ephenidine, is a selective NMDA receptor antagonist with a voltage-dependent profile similar to ketamine. Such properties help explain the dissociative, cognitive and hallucinogenic effects in man. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘Ionotropic glutamate receptors’. New ‘legal high’, the dissociative ephenidine, displaces MK-801 binding. Ephenidine, like ketamine, blocks NMDA receptor mediated synaptic potentials and plasticity. Ephenidine, like ketamine, blocks the NMDA receptor in a highly voltage-dependent manner. Ephenidine blocks long-term potentiation, LTP. NMDA receptor antagonism likely underlies the psychoactive effects of ephenidine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Kang
- Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Clinical Sciences, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS1 3NY, UK
| | - Pojeong Park
- Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS1 3NY, UK
| | - Zuner A Bortolotto
- Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS1 3NY, UK
| | - Simon D Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Tristan Colestock
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jason Wallach
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Graham L Collingridge
- Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS1 3NY, UK; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S1A8, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - David Lodge
- Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS1 3NY, UK.
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96
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Segawa H, T. Iwata Y, Yamamuro T, Kuwayama K, Tsujikawa K, Kanamori T, Inoue H. Differentiation of ring-substituted regioisomers of amphetamine and methamphetamine by supercritical fluid chromatography. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:389-398. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Segawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa; Chiba 277-0882 Japan
| | - Yuko T. Iwata
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa; Chiba 277-0882 Japan
| | - Tadashi Yamamuro
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa; Chiba 277-0882 Japan
| | - Kenji Kuwayama
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa; Chiba 277-0882 Japan
| | - Kenji Tsujikawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa; Chiba 277-0882 Japan
| | - Tatsuyuki Kanamori
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa; Chiba 277-0882 Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Inoue
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa; Chiba 277-0882 Japan
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97
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Montesano C, Vannutelli G, Massa M, Simeoni MC, Gregori A, Ripani L, Compagnone D, Curini R, Sergi M. Multi-class analysis of new psychoactive substances and metabolites in hair by pressurized liquid extraction coupled to HPLC-HRMS. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:798-807. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Montesano
- Department of Chemistry; Sapienza University of Rome; 00185 Rome Italy
| | | | - Maristella Massa
- Department of Chemistry; Sapienza University of Rome; 00185 Rome Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Simeoni
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; 64023 Mosciano Sant'Angelo TE Italy
| | - Adolfo Gregori
- Department of Scientific Investigation (RIS); Carabinieri; 00191 Rome Italy
| | - Luigi Ripani
- Department of Scientific Investigation (RIS); Carabinieri; 00191 Rome Italy
| | - Dario Compagnone
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; 64023 Mosciano Sant'Angelo TE Italy
| | - Roberta Curini
- Department of Chemistry; Sapienza University of Rome; 00185 Rome Italy
| | - Manuel Sergi
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; 64023 Mosciano Sant'Angelo TE Italy
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98
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Qian Z, Jia W, Li T, Hua Z, Liu C. Identification of five pyrrolidinyl substituted cathinones and the collision-induced dissociation of electrospray-generated pyrrolidinyl substituted cathinones. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:778-787. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Qian
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; Beijing China
| | - Wei Jia
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; Beijing China
| | - Tao Li
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; Beijing China
| | - Zhendong Hua
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; Beijing China
| | - Cuimei Liu
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; Beijing China
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99
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Qian Z, Jia W, Li T, Liu C, Hua Z. Identification and analytical characterization of four synthetic cathinone derivatives iso-4-BMC, β-TH-naphyrone, mexedrone, and 4-MDMC. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:274-281. [PMID: 27352812 DOI: 10.1002/dta.1983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) have gained much popularity on the global market over the last number of years. The synthetic cathinone family is one of the most prominent groups and this paper reports on the analytical properties of four synthetic cathinone derivatives: (1) 1-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(methylamino)propan-2-one (iso-4-BMC or iso-brephedrone), (2) 2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)pentan-1-one (β-TH-naphyrone), (3) 3-methoxy-2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (mexedrone), and (4) 2-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (4-MDMC). These identifications were based on liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. To our knowledge, no chemical or pharmacological data about compounds 1-3 have appeared until now, making this the first report on these compounds. The Raman and GC-MS data of 4 have been reported, but this study added the LC-MS and NMR data for additional characterization. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Qian
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Jia
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Li
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
| | - Cuimei Liu
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
| | - Zhendong Hua
- National Narcotics Laboratory, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
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100
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Qian Z, Jia W, Li T, Hua Z, Liu C. Identification and analytical characterization of four synthetic cannabinoids ADB-BICA, NNL-1, NNL-2, and PPA(N)-2201. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:51-60. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Qian
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; Beijing China
| | - Wei Jia
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; Beijing China
| | - Tao Li
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; Beijing China
| | - Zhendong Hua
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; Beijing China
| | - Cuimei Liu
- National Narcotics Laboratory; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; Beijing China
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