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Eliaerts J, Meert N, Van Durme F, Samyn N, De Wael K, Dardenne P. Practical tool for sampling and fast analysis of large cocaine seizures. Drug Test Anal 2018; 10:1039-1042. [PMID: 29396917 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Large quantities of illicit drugs are frequently seized by law enforcement. In such cases, a representative number of samples needs to be quickly examined prior to destruction. No procedure has yet been set up which rapidly provides information regarding the homogeneity of the samples, the presence of controlled substances, and the degree of purity. This study establishes a protocol for fast analysis of cocaine and its most common cutting agent, levamisole, in large seizures. The protocol is based on a hypergeometric sampling approach combined with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and support vector machines (SVM) algorithms as analysis methods. To demonstrate the practical use of this approach, 5 large cocaine seizures (consisting between 45 and 85 units) were analysed simultaneously with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector (GC-FID), and a portable FTIR spectrometer using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) sampling combined with SVM models. According to the hypergeometric sampling plan of the guidelines of the Drugs Working Group (DWG) of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI), the required number of subsamples ranged between 19 and 23. Considering the identification analyses, the SVM models detected cocaine and levamisole in all subsamples of Cases 1 to 5 (100% correct classification), which was confirmed by GC-MS analysis. Considering the quantification analyses, the SVM models were able to estimate the cocaine and levamisole content in each subsample, compared to GC-FID data. The developed strategy is easy, cost effective, and provides immediate information about both the presence and concentration of cocaine and levamisole. By using this new strategy, the number of confirmation analyses with laborious and expensive chromatographic techniques could be significantly reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Eliaerts
- Department of Toxicology and Drugs, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology, Brussels, Belgium.,AXES Research Group, Chemistry Department, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - N Meert
- Department of Toxicology and Drugs, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology, Brussels, Belgium
| | - F Van Durme
- Department of Toxicology and Drugs, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology, Brussels, Belgium
| | - N Samyn
- Department of Toxicology and Drugs, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology, Brussels, Belgium
| | - K De Wael
- AXES Research Group, Chemistry Department, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - P Dardenne
- Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Gembloux, Belgium
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de Jong M, Florea A, Vries AMD, van Nuijs ALN, Covaci A, Van Durme F, Martins JC, Samyn N, De Wael K. Levamisole: a Common Adulterant in Cocaine Street Samples Hindering Electrochemical Detection of Cocaine. Anal Chem 2018; 90:5290-5297. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mats de Jong
- AXES Research Group, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
- Drugs and Toxicology Department, National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology, Vilvoordsesteenweg 100, 1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anca Florea
- AXES Research Group, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Anne-Mare de Vries
- NMR and Structure Analysis Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Filip Van Durme
- Drugs and Toxicology Department, National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology, Vilvoordsesteenweg 100, 1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - José C. Martins
- NMR and Structure Analysis Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nele Samyn
- Drugs and Toxicology Department, National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology, Vilvoordsesteenweg 100, 1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Wael
- AXES Research Group, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
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Knuth M, Temme O, Daldrup T, Pawlik E. Analysis of cocaine adulterants in human brain in cases of drug-related death. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 285:86-92. [PMID: 29454838 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
For different reasons, street cocaine is often diluted with pharmacologically active substances, the so-called adulterants such as levamisole or hydroxyzine. A controversial debate exists currently on the uptake of adulterants from cocaine preparations and drug-related death. Previous research convincingly argues that serious adverse side effects that affect the central nervous and cardiovascular systems can be a consequence of adulterated cocaine. AIMS Having identified the presence of adulterants in lung tissue and blood, the concentrations of these substances in brain, an important target location, was of interest. This provides an opportunity to assess their role in cases of drug-related deaths. MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed and validated a method for the analysis of cocaine, two cocaine metabolites and six adulterants, which can typically be found in cocaine preparations, and one adulterant metabolite in brain tissue by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)1. Ten brain samples which were tested positive for cocaine were analyzed. The homogenized brain tissue was embedded into drying paper for protein precipitation. During a subsequent solid-phase extraction (SPE), the eluate and one of the wash fractions were collected. After derivatization with N-Methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) in pyridine and isooctane, the extracts were analyzed by GC-MS. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The method was fully validated for cocaine (COC), benzoylecgonine (BZE), ecgonine methyl ester (EME), diltiazem (DIL), hydroxyzine (HYD), and levamisole (LEV) and partly validated for cetirizine (CET), lidocaine (LID), phenacetin (PHE), and procaine (PRO) in brain material. By analyzing post-mortem brain tissue of ten cocaine users, LEV, LID, and HYD as well as PHE were identified in contrast to DIL, PRO, and the HYD metabolite CET. HYD and LEV were found in moderate to high concentrations in some cases. Therefore, it cannot be excluded that they have caused adverse side effects. CONCLUSION Because adulterants can potentially affect the central nervous and cardiac systems, it is likely that they enhance COC toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Knuth
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany.
| | - Oliver Temme
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Daldrup
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Evelyn Pawlik
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
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Vinkovic K, Galic N, Schmid MG. Micro-HPLC–UV analysis of cocaine and its adulterants in illicit cocaine samples seized by Austrian police from 2012 to 2017. J LIQ CHROMATOGR R T 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/10826076.2017.1409237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristinka Vinkovic
- Department for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nives Galic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Martin G. Schmid
- Department for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Ramirez RL, De Jesus Perez V, Zamanian RT. Stimulants and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: An Update. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 17:49-54. [PMID: 31656550 DOI: 10.21693/1933-088x-17.2.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The connection between stimulants and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was first made apparent in the 1960s during an outbreak associated with anorexigen (amphetamine-like appetite suppressants) use. Since then, a total of 16 drugs and toxins have been linked to PAH (ie, drug and toxin-associated PAH [DT-APAH]), including illicit stimulants like methamphetamine. Recently, basic science research and novel genomic studies have started to shed light on possible pathologic and genetic mechanisms implicated in disease development, namely loss of function variants in genes involved in drug detoxification. This review will discuss the history and current state of knowledge regarding stimulants and their association with PAH. It will also discuss clinical management of patients with DT-APAH. Lastly, it will highlight the importance of ongoing research efforts to identify susceptibility factors implicated in DT-APAH and the need for increased pharmacovigilance and awareness to identify new drugs that may be risk factors for PAH. Ultimately, this may be our best strategy to improve clinical outcomes and prevent deadly future outbreaks of DT-APAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon L Ramirez
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Vinicio De Jesus Perez
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Stanford, CA
| | - Roham T Zamanian
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Stanford, CA
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Kudlacek O, Hofmaier T, Luf A, Mayer FP, Stockner T, Nagy C, Holy M, Freissmuth M, Schmid R, Sitte HH. Cocaine adulteration. J Chem Neuroanat 2017; 83-84:75-81. [PMID: 28619473 PMCID: PMC7610562 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine is a naturally occurring and illicitly used psychostimulant drug. Cocaine acts at monoaminergic neurotransmitter transporters to block uptake of the monoamines, dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. The resulting increase of monoamines in the extracellular space underlies the positively reinforcing effects that cocaine users seek. In turn, this increase in monoamines underlies the development of addiction, and can also result in a number of severe side effects. Currently, cocaine is one of the most common illicit drugs available on the European market. However, cocaine is increasingly sold in impure forms. This trend is driven by cocaine dealers seeking to increase their profit margin by mixing ("cutting") cocaine with numerous other compounds ("adulterants"). Importantly, these undeclared compounds put cocaine consumers at risk, because consumers are not aware of the additional potential threats to their health. This review describes adulterants that have been identified in cocaine sold on the street market. Their typical pharmacological profile and possible reasons why these compounds can be used as cutting agents will be discussed. Since a subset of these adulterants has been found to exert effects similar to cocaine itself, we will discuss levamisole, the most frequently used cocaine cutting agent today, and its metabolite aminorex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Kudlacek
- Medical University Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Waehringerstrasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tina Hofmaier
- Medical University Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Waehringerstrasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anton Luf
- Medical University of Vienna, Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Felix P Mayer
- Medical University Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Waehringerstrasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Stockner
- Medical University Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Waehringerstrasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Constanze Nagy
- checkit!-Suchthilfe Wien gGmbH, Gumpendorferstraße8, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marion Holy
- Medical University Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Waehringerstrasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Freissmuth
- Medical University Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Waehringerstrasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rainer Schmid
- Medical University of Vienna, Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Medical University Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Waehringerstrasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Center for Addiction Research and Science - Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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58
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Solomon N, Hayes J. Levamisole: A High Performance Cutting Agent. Acad Forensic Pathol 2017; 7:469-476. [PMID: 31239995 DOI: 10.23907/2017.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Levamisole is an imidazothiazole chemical most frequently used as an antihelminthic agent in cattle. Over the last decade, levamisole has been increasingly encountered as an additive in both powder and crack cocaine. A white powder with a "fish scale" appearance, the chemical is physically similar to powder cocaine. In vivo, levamisole is metabolized to aminorex, a compound with amphetamine-like psychostimulatory properties and a long half-life; a priori, this property allows levamisole to potentiate and prolong the stimulatory effects of cocaine while bulking up the drug to increase profit for the dealer. As use of cocaine cut with levamisole becomes more prevalent, complications directly attributable to the chemical are increasingly being recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Solomon
- St. George's University School of Medicine, Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation
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59
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Martello S, Pieri M, Ialongo C, Pignalosa S, Noce G, Vernich F, Russo C, Mineo F, Bernardini S, Marsella LT. Levamisole in Illicit Trafficking Cocaine Seized: A One-Year Study. J Psychoactive Drugs 2017; 49:408-412. [PMID: 28813206 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2017.1361558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine use is increasing around the world and its purity is frequently altered through dilution, substitution, contamination, and adulteration. Sugars, talc, starch, and carbonates represent the principal diluents of cocaine, while phenacetin, levamisole, caffeine, and lidocaine are its major adulterants in Europe. Levamisole is used because it is an odorless powder, with physical properties similar to cocaine, and it has reasonable cost and availability, being widely used in veterinary medicine. For this study, we analyzed 88 cocaine samples. The seized cocaine analyzed showed an average purity of 55% and the most frequent adulterants identified were: levamisole (31.8%), caffeine (6.8%), lidocaine (2.3%), acetaminophen (2.3%), and phenacetin (1.1%). Our aim is the study of the presence of levamisole, over other adulterants in seized cocaine samples, due to its recognized human toxicity. The chronic use of levamisole-adulterated cocaine represents a serious public health issue because it may be responsible for side-effects such as dermal vasculopathy, leukoencephalopathy, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, pulmonary hemorrhage, multiple emboli, and several other effects. Moreover, aminorex can cause idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, presenting another harmful and mostly lethal side-effect from cocaine cut with levamisole. In conclusion, levamisole determination should be performed in routine toxicological analysis in deaths due to cocaine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Martello
- a Pharmacist, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Legal Medicine, Social Security and Forensic Toxicology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Massimo Pieri
- b Biologist, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Cristiano Ialongo
- c Medical Doctor, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Stefano Pignalosa
- b Biologist, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Gianluca Noce
- d Chemist, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Legal Medicine, Social Security and Forensic Toxicology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Francesca Vernich
- e Biologist, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Legal Medicine, Social Security and Forensic Toxicology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Carmelo Russo
- b Biologist, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Federico Mineo
- f Biotechnologist, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Legal Medicine, Social Security and Forensic Toxicology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Sergio Bernardini
- g Full Professor, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Luigi Tonino Marsella
- h Associate Professor, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Legal Medicine, Social Security and Forensic Toxicology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
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Villar Núñez MDLÁ, Sánchez Morcillo J, Ruíz Martínez MA. Purity and adulteration in cocaine seizures and drug market inspection in Galicia (Spain) across an eight-year period. Drug Test Anal 2017; 10:381-391. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - José Sánchez Morcillo
- Departamento de Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica; Universidad de Granada; Granada Spain
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61
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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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Lucchetti J, Marzo CM, Passoni A, Di Clemente A, Moro F, Bagnati R, Gobbi M, Cervo L. Brain Disposition of cis- para-Methyl-4-Methylaminorex ( cis-4,4'-DMAR) and Its Potential Metabolites after Acute and Chronic Treatment in Rats: Correlation with Central Behavioral Effects. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2017; 361:492-500. [PMID: 28404688 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.117.240788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
para-Methyl-4-methylaminorex (4,4'-DMAR) is a phenethylamine derivative with psychostimulant activity whose abuse has been associated with several deaths and a wide range of adverse effects. We recently validated a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method to measure the compound's concentrations in plasma, and we applied it to describe the pharmacokinetic properties of 4,4'-DMAR after a single dose in rats. In this study, we investigated the brain disposition and metabolism of cis-4,4'-DMAR after intraperitoneal injection as well as its central behavioral effects. Locomotor activity increased after a single injection of 10 mg/kg, peaking at 2 hours and disappearing at 5 hours; in these conditions, brain absorption was very rapid, (tmax = 30-60 minutes) and large (brain-to-plasma ratio = 24); the half-life was approximately 50 minutes. After 14 daily doses, the compound's effect on locomotor activity was greater (approximately 20% compared with the effect after the first dose), but not for pharmacokinetic reasons. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, we also identified four metabolites of cis-4,4'-DMAR in the plasma and brain of treated rats. Semiquantitative analysis indicated low brain permeability and very low brain concentrations, suggesting that these metabolites do not contribute to central behavioral effects; however, the metabolite originating from oxidation of the para-methyl group (M2) persisted in the plasma longer and at higher concentrations than the parent molecule and could be used to evaluate drug intake in human consumers. Finally, we describe the rewarding effect of cis-4,4'-DMAR in the conditioning place preference test, suggesting a high risk of addiction in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Lucchetti
- Departments of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology (J.L., M.G.), Neuroscience (C.M.M., A.D.C., F.M., L.C.), and Environmental Health Science (A.P., R.B.), IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio M Marzo
- Departments of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology (J.L., M.G.), Neuroscience (C.M.M., A.D.C., F.M., L.C.), and Environmental Health Science (A.P., R.B.), IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Passoni
- Departments of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology (J.L., M.G.), Neuroscience (C.M.M., A.D.C., F.M., L.C.), and Environmental Health Science (A.P., R.B.), IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Di Clemente
- Departments of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology (J.L., M.G.), Neuroscience (C.M.M., A.D.C., F.M., L.C.), and Environmental Health Science (A.P., R.B.), IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Moro
- Departments of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology (J.L., M.G.), Neuroscience (C.M.M., A.D.C., F.M., L.C.), and Environmental Health Science (A.P., R.B.), IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Renzo Bagnati
- Departments of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology (J.L., M.G.), Neuroscience (C.M.M., A.D.C., F.M., L.C.), and Environmental Health Science (A.P., R.B.), IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Departments of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology (J.L., M.G.), Neuroscience (C.M.M., A.D.C., F.M., L.C.), and Environmental Health Science (A.P., R.B.), IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Cervo
- Departments of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology (J.L., M.G.), Neuroscience (C.M.M., A.D.C., F.M., L.C.), and Environmental Health Science (A.P., R.B.), IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
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63
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Adverse effects of levamisole in cocaine users: a review and risk assessment. Arch Toxicol 2017; 91:2303-2313. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-017-1947-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Pichini S, Busardò FP, Gregori A, Berretta P, Gentili S, Pacifici R. Purity and adulterant analysis of some recent drug seizures in Italy. Drug Test Anal 2016; 9:485-490. [PMID: 27860443 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The data collected in this study describe an initial attempt to systematically introduce the qualitative and quantitative analysis of adulterants present in seized street drugs in Italy with the aim of improving surveillance and data sharing and for this purpose, the implementation of validated and standardized procedures are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Pichini
- Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology (UoFT), Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Adolfo Gregori
- Sezione di Chimica, Esplosivi ed Infiammabili, R.I.S., Roma
| | - Paolo Berretta
- Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Gentili
- Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Pacifici
- Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
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Seddik A, Geerke DP, Stockner T, Holy M, Kudlacek O, Cozzi NV, Ruoho AE, Sitte HH, Ecker GF. Combined Simulation and Mutation Studies to Elucidate Selectivity of Unsubstituted Amphetamine-like Cathinones at the Dopamine Transporter. Mol Inform 2016; 36. [PMID: 27860344 DOI: 10.1002/minf.201600094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The dopamine and serotonin transporter proteins (DAT, SERT) play a vital role in behavior and mental illness. Although their substrate transport has been studied extensively, the molecular basis of their selectivity is not completely understood yet. In this study, we exploit molecular dynamics simulations combined with mutagenesis studies to shed light on the driving factors for DAT-over-SERT selectivity of a set of cathinones. Results indicate that these compounds can adopt two binding modes of which one is more favorable. In addition, free energy calculations indicated the substrate binding site (S1) as the primary recognition site for these ligands. By simulating DAT with SERT-like mutations, we hypothesize unsubstituted cathinones to bind more favorably to DAT, due to a Val152 offering more space, as compared to the bulkier Ile172 in SERT. This was supported by uptake inhibition measurements, which showed an increase in activity in SERT-I172V.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Seddik
- University of Vienna, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daan P Geerke
- AIMMS Division of Molecular Toxicology, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University, De Boelelaan 1083, 1081, HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas Stockner
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Währingerstrasse 13a, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marion Holy
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Währingerstrasse 13a, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oliver Kudlacek
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Währingerstrasse 13a, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicholas V Cozzi
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Arnold E Ruoho
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Währingerstrasse 13a, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard F Ecker
- University of Vienna, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
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Saroja SR, Aher YD, Kalaba P, Aher NY, Zehl M, Korz V, Subramaniyan S, Miklosi AG, Zanon L, Neuhaus W, Höger H, Langer T, Urban E, Leban J, Lubec G. A novel heterocyclic compound targeting the dopamine transporter improves performance in the radial arm maze and modulates dopamine receptors D1-D3. Behav Brain Res 2016; 312:127-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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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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Mayer FP, Wimmer L, Dillon-Carter O, Partilla JS, Burchardt NV, Mihovilovic MD, Baumann MH, Sitte HH. Phase I metabolites of mephedrone display biological activity as substrates at monoamine transporters. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:2657-68. [PMID: 27391165 PMCID: PMC4978154 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 4-Methyl-N-methylcathinone (mephedrone) is a synthetic stimulant that acts as a substrate-type releaser at transporters for dopamine (DAT), noradrenaline (NET) and 5-HT (SERT). Upon systemic administration, mephedrone is metabolized to several phase I compounds: the N-demethylated metabolite, 4-methylcathinone (nor-mephedrone); the ring-hydroxylated metabolite, 4-hydroxytolylmephedrone (4-OH-mephedrone); and the reduced keto-metabolite, dihydromephedrone. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We used in vitro assays to compare the effects of mephedrone and synthetically prepared metabolites on transporter-mediated uptake and release in HEK293 cells expressing human monoamine transporters and in rat brain synaptosomes. In vivo microdialysis was employed to examine the effects of i.v. metabolite injection (1 and 3 mg·kg(-1) ) on extracellular dopamine and 5-HT levels in rat nucleus accumbens. KEY RESULTS In cells expressing transporters, mephedrone and its metabolites inhibited uptake, although dihydromephedrone was weak overall. In cells and synaptosomes, nor-mephedrone and 4-OH-mephedrone served as transportable substrates, inducing release via monoamine transporters. When administered to rats, mephedrone and nor-mephedrone produced elevations in extracellular dopamine and 5-HT, whereas 4-OH-mephedrone did not. Mephedrone and nor-mephedrone, but not 4-OH-mephedrone, induced locomotor activity. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our results demonstrate that phase I metabolites of mephedrone are transporter substrates (i.e. releasers) at DAT, NET and SERT, but dihydromephedrone is weak in this regard. When administered in vivo, nor-mephedrone increases extracellular dopamine and 5-HT in the brain whereas 4-OH-mephedrone does not, suggesting the latter metabolite does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Future studies should examine the pharmacokinetics of nor-mephedrone to determine its possible contribution to the in vivo effects produced by mephedrone.
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Affiliation(s)
- F P Mayer
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria
| | - L Wimmer
- Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - O Dillon-Carter
- Designer Drug Research Unit (DDRU), Intramural Research Program (IRP), NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J S Partilla
- Designer Drug Research Unit (DDRU), Intramural Research Program (IRP), NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - N V Burchardt
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria
| | - M D Mihovilovic
- Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - M H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit (DDRU), Intramural Research Program (IRP), NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - H H Sitte
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Addiction Research and Science, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Karch SB, Busardò FP, Vaiano F, Portelli F, Zaami S, Bertol E. Levamisole adulterated cocaine and pulmonary vasculitis: Presentation of two lethal cases and brief literature review. Forensic Sci Int 2016; 265:96-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Jamey C, Kintz P, Raul JS. Lévamisole et cocaïne : une association à surveiller. TOXICOLOGIE ANALYTIQUE ET CLINIQUE 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Sandtner W, Stockner T, Hasenhuetl PS, Partilla JS, Seddik A, Zhang YW, Cao J, Holy M, Steinkellner T, Rudnick G, Baumann MH, Ecker GF, Newman AH, Sitte HH. Binding Mode Selection Determines the Action of Ecstasy Homologs at Monoamine Transporters. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 89:165-75. [PMID: 26519222 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.101394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Determining the structural elements that define substrates and inhibitors at the monoamine transporters is critical to elucidating the mechanisms underlying these disparate functions. In this study, we addressed this question directly by generating a series of N-substituted 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine analogs that differ only in the number of methyl substituents on the terminal amine group. Starting with 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N,N-dimethylamphetamine (MDDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N,N,N-trimethylamphetamine (MDTMA) were prepared. We evaluated the functional activities of the compounds at all three monoamine transporters in native brain tissue and cells expressing the transporters. In addition, we used ligand docking to generate models of the respective protein-ligand complexes, which allowed us to relate the experimental findings to available structural information. Our results suggest that the 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine analogs bind at the monoamine transporter orthosteric binding site by adopting one of two mutually exclusive binding modes. 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine adopt a high-affinity binding mode consistent with a transportable substrate, whereas MDDMA and MDTMA adopt a low-affinity binding mode consistent with an inhibitor, in which the ligand orientation is inverted. Importantly, MDDMA can alternate between both binding modes, whereas MDTMA exclusively binds to the low-affinity mode. Our experimental results are consistent with the idea that the initial orientation of bound ligands is critical for subsequent interactions that lead to transporter conformational changes and substrate translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Sandtner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - Thomas Stockner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - Peter S Hasenhuetl
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - John S Partilla
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - Amir Seddik
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - Yuan-Wei Zhang
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - Jianjing Cao
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - Marion Holy
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - Thomas Steinkellner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - Gary Rudnick
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - Gerhard F Ecker
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - Amy Hauck Newman
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology (W.S., T.Sto., P.S.H., M.H., T.Ste., H.H.S.) and Center for Addiction Research and Science (H.H.S.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Designer Drug Research Unit (J.S.P., M.H.B.) and Medicinal Chemistry Section (J.J.C., A.H.N.), Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (A.S., G.F.E.); and Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (Y.-W.Z., G.R.)
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Korpi ER, den Hollander B, Farooq U, Vashchinkina E, Rajkumar R, Nutt DJ, Hyytiä P, Dawe GS. Mechanisms of Action and Persistent Neuroplasticity by Drugs of Abuse. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:872-1004. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.115.010967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Karch SB, Vaiano F, Bertol E. Levamisole, Aminorex, and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Review. RAZAVI INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 2015. [DOI: 10.17795/rijm28277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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75
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Saha K, Partilla JS, Lehner KR, Seddik A, Stockner T, Holy M, Sandtner W, Ecker GF, Sitte HH, Baumann MH. 'Second-generation' mephedrone analogs, 4-MEC and 4-MePPP, differentially affect monoamine transporter function. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:1321-31. [PMID: 25502630 PMCID: PMC4397398 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The nonmedical use of synthetic cathinones is increasing on a global scale. 4-Methyl-N-methylcathinone (mephedrone) is a popular synthetic cathinone that is now illegal in the United States and other countries. Since the legislative ban on mephedrone, a number of 'second-generation' analogs have appeared in the street drug marketplace, including 4-methyl-N-ethylcathinone (4-MEC) and 4'-methyl-α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (4-MePPP). Here we characterized the interactions of 4-MEC and 4-MePPP with transporters for 5-HT (SERT) and dopamine (DAT) using molecular, cellular, and whole-animal methods. In vitro transporter assays revealed that 4-MEC displays unusual 'hybrid' activity as a SERT substrate (ie, 5-HT releaser) and DAT blocker, whereas 4-MePPP is a blocker at both transporters but more potent at DAT. In vivo microdialysis experiments in rat brain demonstrated that 4-MEC (1-3 mg/kg, i.v.) produced large increases in extracellular 5-HT, small increases in dopamine, and minimal motor stimulation. In contrast, 4-MePPP (1-3 mg/kg, i.v.) produced selective increases in dopamine and robust motor stimulation. Consistent with its activity as a SERT substrate, 4-MEC evoked inward current in SERT-expressing Xenopus oocytes, whereas 4-MePPP was inactive in this regard. To examine drug-transporter interactions at the molecular level, we modeled the fit of 4-MEC and 4-MePPP into the binding pockets for DAT and SERT. Subtle distinctions in ligand-transporter binding were found that account for the differential effects of 4-MEC and 4-MePPP at SERT. Collectively, our results provide key information about the pharmacology of newly emerging mephedrone analogs, and give clues to structural requirements that govern drug selectivity at DAT vs SERT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kusumika Saha
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria
| | - John S Partilla
- Designer Drug Research Unit (DDRU), Intramural Research Program (IRP), NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kurt R Lehner
- Designer Drug Research Unit (DDRU), Intramural Research Program (IRP), NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amir Seddik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Stockner
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marion Holy
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Sandtner
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard F Ecker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria,Medical University of Vienna, Center for Addiction Research and Science, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit (DDRU), Intramural Research Program (IRP), NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA,Designer Drug Research Unit, IRP, NIDA, NIH, DHHS, 333 Cassell Drive, Suite 4400, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA, Tel: +1 443 740 2660, Fax: +1 443 740 2241, E-mail:
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Pawlik E, Mahler H, Hartung B, Plässer G, Daldrup T. Drug-related death: Adulterants from cocaine preparations in lung tissue and blood. Forensic Sci Int 2015; 249:294-303. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Recurrent febrile neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in a chronic cocaine user: a case of levamisole induced complications. Case Rep Crit Care 2015; 2015:303098. [PMID: 25874134 PMCID: PMC4385627 DOI: 10.1155/2015/303098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocaine is used by approximately 1.5 million Americans each month and up to 69% of the cocaine seized contains levamisole. The real incidence of cocaine-levamisole induced neutropenia is unclear but probably underestimated. Associated complications include fever, thrombocytopenia, skin-vasculitis disorders, and rarely kidney injury. We present a young male, with chronic active cocaine use presenting with recurrent episodes of febrile neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. He underwent extensive work-up and was treated with many antibiotics and we suspect that his neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were caused by recurrent cocaine-levamisole use.
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Sitte HH, Freissmuth M. Amphetamines, new psychoactive drugs and the monoamine transporter cycle. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2014; 36:41-50. [PMID: 25542076 PMCID: PMC4502921 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2014.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In monoaminergic neurons, the vesicular transporters and the plasma membrane transporters operate in a relay. Amphetamine and its congeners target this relay to elicit their actions: most amphetamines are substrates, which pervert the relay to elicit efflux of monoamines into the synaptic cleft. However, some amphetamines act as transporter inhibitors. Both compound classes elicit profound psychostimulant effects, which render them liable to recreational abuse. Currently, a surge of new psychoactive substances occurs on a global scale. Chemists bypass drug bans by ingenuous structural variations, resulting in a rich pharmacology. A credible transport model must account for their distinct mode of action and link this to subtle differences in activity and undesired, potentially deleterious effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald H Sitte
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Center for Addiction Research and Science (AddRess), Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Michael Freissmuth
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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79
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Eiden C, Diot C, Mathieu O, Mallaret M, Peyrière H. Levamisole-Adulterated Cocaine: What about in European Countries? J Psychoactive Drugs 2014; 46:389-92. [DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2014.959215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Céline Eiden
- Pharmacist, Centre for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependance-Addictovigilance, Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, University Hospital of Montpellier, France
| | - Caroline Diot
- Pharmacist, Centre for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependance-Addictovigilance, Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, University Hospital of Montpellier, France
| | - Olivier Mathieu
- Assistant Professor in Medical Pharmacology, Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, University Hospital of Montpellier, UM1, Montpellier, France
| | - Michel Mallaret
- Head of Pharmacology Department, Centre for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependance-Addictovigilance, Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, University Hospital of Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | - Hélène Peyrière
- Assistant Professor in Clinical Pharmacy, Centre for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependance-Addictovigilance, Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, University Hospital of Montpellier, UM1, Montpellier, France
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80
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McLaughlin G, Morris N, Kavanagh PV, Power JD, Twamley B, O'Brien J, Talbot B, Dowling G, Mahony O, Brandt SD, Patrick J, Archer RP, Partilla JS, Baumann MH. Synthesis, characterization, and monoamine transporter activity of the new psychoactive substance 3',4'-methylenedioxy-4-methylaminorex (MDMAR). Drug Test Anal 2014; 7:555-64. [PMID: 25331619 DOI: 10.1002/dta.1732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The recent occurrence of deaths associated with the psychostimulant cis-4,4'-dimethylaminorex (4,4'-DMAR) in Europe indicated the presence of a newly emerged psychoactive substance on the market. Subsequently, the existence of 3,4-methylenedioxy-4-methylaminorex (MDMAR) has come to the authors' attention and this study describes the synthesis of cis- and trans-MDMAR followed by extensive characterization by chromatographic, spectroscopic, mass spectrometric platforms and crystal structure analysis. MDMAR obtained from an online vendor was subsequently identified as predominantly the cis-isomer (90%). Exposure of the cis-isomer to the mobile phase conditions (acetonitrile/water 1:1 with 0.1% formic acid) employed for high performance liquid chromatography analysis showed an artificially induced conversion to the trans-isomer, which was not observed when characterized by gas chromatography. Monoamine release activities of both MDMAR isomers were compared with the non-selective monoamine releasing agent (+)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) as a standard reference compound. For additional comparison, both cis- and trans-4,4'-DMAR, were assessed under identical conditions. cis-MDMAR, trans-MDMAR, cis-4,4'-DMAR and trans-4,4'-DMAR were more potent than MDMA in their ability to function as efficacious substrate-type releasers at the dopamine (DAT) and norepinephrine (NET) transporters in rat brain tissue. While cis-4,4'-DMAR, cis-MDMAR and trans-MDMAR were fully efficacious releasing agents at the serotonin transporter (SERT), trans-4,4'-DMAR acted as a fully efficacious uptake blocker. Currently, little information is available about the presence of MDMAR on the market but the high potency of ring-substituted methylaminorex analogues at all three monoamine transporters investigated here might be relevant when assessing the potential for serious side-effects after high dose exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin McLaughlin
- Department of Life and Physical Sciences, School of Science, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Noreen Morris
- Department of Life and Physical Sciences, School of Science, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
| | - Pierce V Kavanagh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - John D Power
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland.,Forensic Science Laboratory, Garda HQ, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Brendan Twamley
- TCD Small Molecule X-ray Facility, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - John O'Brien
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Brian Talbot
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Geraldine Dowling
- The State Laboratory, Backweston Laboratory Complex, Young's Cross, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Olivia Mahony
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Simon D Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L33 AF, UK
| | - Julian Patrick
- Scientific Supplies Ltd, Hanover Street, London, W1S 1YH, UK
| | - Roland P Archer
- States Analyst's Laboratory, Longue Rue, St Martin's, GY4 6LD, Guernsey
| | - John S Partilla
- Designer Drug Research Unit of the Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit of the Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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81
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Determination of levamisole and tetramisole in seized cocaine samples by enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography and circular dichroism detection. J Chromatogr A 2014; 1363:150-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2014.07.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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