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Rojek S, Maciów-Głąb M, Romańczuk A, Kula K, Synowiec K, Kłys M. New psychoactive substances - 96 cases of deaths related to their use based on the material originating from forensic toxicological practice. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 364:112204. [PMID: 39236446 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Among the emerging investigative fields, forensic medicine and toxicology lead to analyzing fatalities in medico-legal expert opinion formulating. While discussing the problem, the authors have selected 96 fatal cases from their expert practice including the period from 2010 to 2023, in which deaths were connected with taking new psychoactive substances (NPS's) belonging to various chemical categories, mainly synthetic cathinones (SC), synthetic cannabinoids (SCan) and non-medical synthetic opioids (NSO). In the investigated cases, toxicological analysis revealed 37 NPS's and their 9 metabolites. The cases involved the use of SC's (64 cases - 67 %), Scan's, including their metabolites (10 cases - 10 %) and NSO's, including their metabolites (6 cases - 6 %). The remaining cases involved the simultaneous use of NSO with SC and/or SCan, including their metabolites (8 cases - 8 %), or SC with SCan (5 cases - 5 %). In three cases (3 %), compounds belonging to other groups were taken. In twenty-five cases, more than one NPS was found. Moreover, in twenty-seven cases, ethyl alcohol was also detected at the concentration range of 0.6-3.6 ‰. The concentration of xenobiotics determined in blood represented extensive ranges of concentration. The victims were at the age of 16-58 years of life. The group included eleven women (11 %). Generally, the deaths related to NPS's were predominantly of an accidental character (81 %), while the manner of death in sixteen cases (17 %) was suicide, including hanging (5 cases), jumping from a great height (3 cases), self-injury and exsanguination (1 case), as well as acute drug intoxication (6 cases) and intoxication with central nervous system hypoxia after an hanging (1 case). Among the analyzed cases there were two victims of homicide (2 %), in one of which the perpetrator being under the influence of the mixture of the synthetic opioid U-47700 and synthetic cannabinoid AB-FUBINACA. In twenty-eight cases, medications used in psychiatry were found, which suggested that the victims were struggling with mental problems before death. As it was implied by the available information, more than 36 % of the victims had mental problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Rojek
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 16 St., Kraków 31-531, Poland.
| | - Martyna Maciów-Głąb
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 16 St., Kraków 31-531, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Romańczuk
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 16 St., Kraków 31-531, Poland
| | - Karol Kula
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 16 St., Kraków 31-531, Poland
| | - Kamil Synowiec
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 16 St., Kraków 31-531, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kłys
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 16 St., Kraków 31-531, Poland
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Norman C, Schwelm HM, Semenova O, Reid R, Marland V, Nic Daéid N. Detection of the synthetic cathinone N,N-dimethylpentylone in seized samples from prisons. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 361:112145. [PMID: 38991327 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Drug use is prevalent in prisons with drugs associated with depressant effects found to be more prevalent than stimulants. Synthetic cathinones (SCats; often sold as "bath salts", "ecstasy", "molly", and "monkey dust") are the second largest category of new psychoactive substances (NPS) currently monitored by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and are commonly used as substitutes for regulated stimulants, such as amphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA. N,N-dimethylpentylone (also known as dimethylpentylone, dipentylone, and bk-DMBDP) was detected for the first time in the Scottish prisons in seven powder samples seized between January and July 2023. Samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QToF-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR). Dimethylpentylone was detected alongside other drugs in four samples, including the novel benzodiazepine desalkylgidazepam (bromonordiazepam) and the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) MDMB-INACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Norman
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Hannes Max Schwelm
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Olga Semenova
- Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Robert Reid
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Victoria Marland
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Niamh Nic Daéid
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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Bassi M, Bilel S, Tirri M, Corli G, Di Rosa F, Gregori A, Alkilany AM, Rachid O, Roda E, De Luca F, Papa P, Buscaglia E, Zauli G, Locatelli CA, Marti M. The synthetic cathinones MDPHP and MDPV: Comparison of the acute effects in mice, in silico ADMET profiles and clinical reports. Neurotoxicology 2024; 103:230-255. [PMID: 38955288 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The 3,4-methylenedioxy-alpha-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (MDPHP) is a synthetic cathinone closely related to 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), one of the most common synthetic cathinones present in the "bath salts". MDPHP has recently gained attention due to increasing seizures and involvement in human intoxications which occurred in Europe and Italy in the last years, but currently there is a lack of information about its pharmaco-toxicological effects. With the aim at filling this gap, the present study is endeavoured to (i) evaluate the effects of acute administration of MDPHP (0.01-20 mg/kg; i.p.) on behaviour, cardiorespiratory and cardiovascular parameters in CD-1 male mice, comparing them to those observed after administration of MDPV; (ii) predict the ADMET profile of the two analogues using the Plus ADMET Predictor®; (iii) present clinical data related to MDPHP and MDPV-induced intoxications recorded between 2011 and 2023 by the Pavia Poison Control Centre (PCC) - National Toxicology Information Centre (Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS Pavia, Italy). Our results substantiated that MDPHP and MDPV similarly affect sensorimotor and behavioural responses in mice, importantly increased locomotion and induced aggressive behaviour, and, at higher dosage, increased heart rate and blood pressure. These findings are in line with those observed in humans, revealing severe toxidromes typically characterized by Central Nervous System (CNS) alterations (behavioural/neuropsychiatric symptoms), including psychomotor agitation and aggressiveness, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders (e.g. tachycardia, hypertension, dyspnoea), and other peripheral symptoms (e.g. hyperthermia, acidosis, rhabdomyolysis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Bassi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrine Bilel
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Micaela Tirri
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giorgia Corli
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fabiana Di Rosa
- Department of Scientific Investigation (RIS), Carabinieri, Rome 00191, Italy
| | - Adolfo Gregori
- Department of Scientific Investigation (RIS), Carabinieri, Rome 00191, Italy
| | - Alaaldin M Alkilany
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Qatar
| | - Ousama Rachid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Qatar
| | - Elisa Roda
- Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology, Pavia Poison Centre, National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fabrizio De Luca
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Pietro Papa
- Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology-Clinical Chemistry, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Buscaglia
- Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology, Pavia Poison Centre, National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Zauli
- Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialistic Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlo Alessandro Locatelli
- Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology, Pavia Poison Centre, National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Department of Anti-Drug Policies, Collaborative Center for the Italian National Early Warning System, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Ferrara, Italy.
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Arillotta D, Totti A, Dimitrova A, Croce EB, Di Milia MG, Gambassi F, Gualco B, Pieraccini G, Mannaioni G, Vaiano F. Clinical manifestations and analytical reports for MDPHP acute intoxication cases. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 241:115974. [PMID: 38277706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.115974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
MDPHP is a synthetic cathinone (SC) belonging to α-pyrrolidinophenone derivatives. It is a central nervous system stimulant and may induce hallucinations, paranoia, tachycardia, hypertension, chest pain, and rhabdomyolysis. In literature, a few cases of intoxication have been reported. In the present study, 17 cases of MDPHP intake were described including the analytical findings and clinical manifestations. MDPHP was quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in blood (range 1.26-73.30 ng/mL) and urine (range 19.31-8769.64 ng/mL) samples. In three cases the presence of α-PHP was observed. In one case, MDPHP was the only detected substance. Concomitant use of MDPHP with other substances, particularly psychostimulants, was common and it was difficult to describe the peculiar clinical characteristics of this SC. Most of the symptoms overlapped those expected, some of them were unusual and all of them particularly severe thus inducing the research of NPS in laboratory tests. We demonstrated the presence of psychiatric, neurological, and respiratory symptoms, as well as the possible presence of rhabdomyolysis and cardiotoxicity associated with the use of MDPHP. ED admissions were also more frequent in patients with addiction problems. In some cases, MDPHP intake required intensive supportive care. A multidisciplinary approach, including specialist consultation, is recommended for patients showing challenging features. Moreover, we demonstrated that the adoption of advanced analytical techniques, i.e., liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, is necessary to detect these molecules. Further studies are needed to understand MDPHP intake patterns and associated symptoms. It is essential to raise awareness in addiction treatment centers and among potential users, especially young people, and chemsex addicted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Arillotta
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Arianna Totti
- Toxicology Unit, Poison Control Center, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Alexandra Dimitrova
- FT-LAB Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Emma B Croce
- FT-LAB Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Di Milia
- FT-LAB Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Gambassi
- Toxicology Unit, Poison Control Center, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Barbara Gualco
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Guido Mannaioni
- Toxicology Unit, Poison Control Center, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Vaiano
- FT-LAB Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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Manke HN, Nunn SS, Sulima A, Rice KC, Riley AL. Effects of Serial Polydrug Use on the Rewarding and Aversive Effects of the Novel Synthetic Cathinone Eutylone. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1294. [PMID: 37759895 PMCID: PMC10526358 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As individual synthetic cathinones become scheduled and regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), new ones regularly are produced and distributed. One such compound is eutylone, a novel third-generation synthetic cathinone whose affective properties (and abuse potential) are largely unknown. The following experiments begin to characterize these effects and how they may be impacted by drug history (a factor affecting reward/aversion for other drugs of abuse). METHODS Eutylone was assessed for its ability to induce conditioned taste avoidance (CTA; aversive effect) and conditioned place preference (CPP; rewarding effect) and their relationship (Experiment 1). Following this, the effects of exposure to cocaine or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA] on eutylone's affective properties were investigated (Experiment 2). RESULTS Eutylone produced dose-dependent CTA and CPP (Experiment 1), and these endpoints were unrelated. Pre-exposure to cocaine and MDMA differentially impacted taste avoidance induced by eutylone (MDMA > cocaine) and did not impact eutylone-induced place preference. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that eutylone, like other synthetic cathinones, has co-occurring, independent rewarding and aversive effects that may contribute to its abuse potential and that these effects are differentially impacted by drug history. Although these studies begin the characterization of eutylone, future studies should examine the impact of other factors on eutylone's affective properties and its eventual reinforcing effects (i.e., intravenous self-administration [IVSA]) to predict its use and abuse liability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley N. Manke
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA; (H.N.M.)
| | - Samuel S. Nunn
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA; (H.N.M.)
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA (K.C.R.)
| | - Kenner C. Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA (K.C.R.)
| | - Anthony L. Riley
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA; (H.N.M.)
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Rodrigues CHP, Mariotto LS, Castro JS, Peruquetti PH, Silva-Junior NC, Bruni AT. Acute, chronic, and post-mortem toxicity: a review focused on three different classes of new psychoactive substances. Forensic Toxicol 2023; 41:187-212. [PMID: 36604359 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-022-00657-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE New psychoactive substances (NPS) are not controlled under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 or the 1971 Convention, but they may pose a public health threat. Knowledge of the main properties and toxicological effects of these substances is lacking. According to the current Drugs Law (Law n. 11.343/2006), the Brazilian Surveillance Agency issues directives for forbidden substances in Brazil, and structural classes of synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones, and phenylethylamines are considered illicit drugs. Considering that data on these controlled substances are scattered, the main objective of this work was to collect and organize data to generate relevant information on the toxicological properties of NPS. METHODS We carried out a literature review collecting information on the acute, chronic, and post-mortem toxicity of these classes of NSP. We searched info in five scientific databases considering works from 2017 to 2021 and performed a statistical evaluation of the data. RESULTS Results have shown a general lack of studies in this field given that many NPS have not had their toxicity evaluated. We observed a significant difference in the volume of data concerning acute and chronic/post-mortem toxicity. Moreover, studies on the adverse effects of polydrug use are scarce. CONCLUSIONS More in-depth information about the main threats involving NPS use are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio H P Rodrigues
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
- INCT Forense - Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Lívia S Mariotto
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
- INCT Forense - Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Jade S Castro
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
- INCT Forense - Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Paulo H Peruquetti
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Newton C Silva-Junior
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
- INCT Forense - Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Aline T Bruni
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil.
- INCT Forense - Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil.
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Wille SMR, Bouazzati M, Rubbens J, Di Fazio V, Samyn N. Combined Use of Flubromazepam and Stimulants: Blood and Oral Fluid Concentrations and Impact on Driving Ability. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:e280-e284. [PMID: 36107733 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
"Designer" benzodiazepines (DBZDs) are becoming increasingly available in Europe, with the European Monitoring Centre of Drugs and Drug Addiction currently monitoring ∼30 new benzodiazepines. The following driving under the influence of drug (DUID) case describes the oral fluid (OF) and blood concentrations, as well as the observed effects after the combined use of stimulants and flubromazepam. Both OF, collected via the Intercept i2 collector (Immunalysis, Pomona, CA, USA), and blood (collected in containers with various stabilizers) were screened using a liquid chromatographic (LC) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometric (MS-MS) method. In addition, various LC-MS-MS methods in multi-reaction monitoring mode were applied for confirmation and quantification. The OF and blood samples were taken 2 h 25 min and 9 h 19 min after the accident, respectively. OF contained 789 ng/mL amphetamine, 5,173 ng/mL MDMA, 168 ng/mL benzoylecgonine, 492 ng/mL cocaine, 134 ng/mL 4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC) and traces of flubromazepam (less than limit of quantification (LLOQ); 2 ng/mL). The sodium-fluoride blood samples contained 19 ng/mL amphetamine, 284 ng/mL MDMA, 20 ng/mL MDA, 38 ng/mL benzoylecgonine, 4 ng/mL methylecgonine, 161 ng/mL flubromazepam and traces of 4-MMC (<LLOQ; 2.5 ng/mL). The driver was observed to have an irregular speed driving pattern and could not keep his lane. He demonstrated the following effects after the accident: bloodshot eyes, red face, sweating, fatigue, disorientation in time and space and mental confusion. Even 24 h after the accident, the driver was confused, disoriented, had red spots on his face and could not keep his balance. The effects of flubromazepam combined with several stimulants are demonstrated. Moreover, this case illustrates well the pros and cons of the different biological matrices applied in a DUID context. Differences between the biological matrices are not only observed concerning the ease/practicality of (on-site) collection, but also in the final drug detectability due to the large variations in OF/blood drug concentration ratios and metabolism/elimination rates as a result of the different chemical entities of the compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M R Wille
- Unit Toxicology, National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC), Vilvoordsesteenweg 100, Brussels 1120, Belgium
| | - Malika Bouazzati
- Unit Toxicology, National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC), Vilvoordsesteenweg 100, Brussels 1120, Belgium
| | - Jari Rubbens
- Unit Toxicology, National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC), Vilvoordsesteenweg 100, Brussels 1120, Belgium
| | - Vincent Di Fazio
- Unit Toxicology, National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC), Vilvoordsesteenweg 100, Brussels 1120, Belgium
| | - Nele Samyn
- Unit Toxicology, National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC), Vilvoordsesteenweg 100, Brussels 1120, Belgium
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Manke HN, Nelson KH, Huang S, Bailey JM, Bowman SK, Jones RA, Cerveny SE, Rice KC, Riley AL. Methylone pre-exposure differentially impacts the aversive effects of MDPV and MDMA in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats: Implications for abuse vulnerability. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 220:173470. [PMID: 36206863 PMCID: PMC9667388 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polydrug use is well documented in synthetic cathinone users, although the consequences of such use are not well characterized. In pre-clinical research, a pre-exposure to a drug has been reported to attenuate the aversive effects of other drugs which has implications for their abuse potential. The goal of the present study was to investigate the impact of pre-exposure to the synthetic cathinone methylone on the aversive effects of MDPV and MDMA. METHOD Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 10 mg/kg of methylone every 4th day (for a total of five injections) prior to taste avoidance training with 1.8 mg/kg of MDPV or 1 mg/kg of MDMA. RESULTS MDPV and MDMA induced taste avoidance in males and females (all p's < 0.05). In males, methylone pre-exposure attenuated the avoidance induced by MDPV and MDMA (all p's < 0.05) with the attenuation greater with MDPV. In females, methylone pre-exposure attenuated avoidance induced by MDPV (all p's < 0.05), but it had no effect on those induced by MDMA (all p's > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The effects of exposure to methylone on taste avoidance induced by MDPV and MDMA were drug- (MDPV > MDMA) and sex- (MDMA only in males) dependent. The attenuating effects of methylone pre-exposure on MDPV and MDMA were discussed in terms of their shared neurochemical action. These findings suggest that a history of methylone use may reduce the aversive effects of MDPV and MDMA which may have implications for polydrug use involving the synthetic cathinones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley N Manke
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA.
| | - Katharine H Nelson
- Reichel Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Shihui Huang
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA
| | - Jacob M Bailey
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA
| | - Sara K Bowman
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA
| | - Robert A Jones
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA
| | - Sydney E Cerveny
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anthony L Riley
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA.
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Marusich JA, Gay EA, Stewart DA, Blough BE. Sex differences in inflammatory cytokine levels following synthetic cathinone self-administration in rats. Neurotoxicology 2022; 88:65-78. [PMID: 34742947 PMCID: PMC8748414 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones are used as stimulants of abuse. Many abused drugs, including stimulants, activate nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription leading to increases in NF-κB-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the level of inflammation appears to correlate with length of abuse. The purpose of this study was to measure the profile of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2 and TNF-α in brain and plasma to examine if drug exposure alters inflammatory markers. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to self-administer α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP) (0.1 mg/kg/infusion), 4-methylmethcathinone (4MMC) (0.5 mg/kg/infusion), or saline through autoshaping, and then self-administered for 21 days during 1 h (short access; ShA) or 6 h (long access; LgA) sessions. Separate rats were assigned to a naïve control group. Cytokine levels were examined in amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex, striatum, thalamus, and plasma. Rats acquired synthetic cathinone self-administration, and there were no sex differences in drug intake. Synthetic cathinone self-administration produced sex differences in IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2 and TNF-α levels. There were widespread increases in inflammatory cytokines in the brains of male rats compared to females, particularly for 4MMC, whereas females were more likely to show increased inflammatory cytokines in plasma compared to saline groups than males. Furthermore, these sex differences in cytokine levels were more common after LgA access to synthetic cathinones than ShA. These results suggest that synthetic cathinone use likely produces sex-selective patterns of neuroinflammation during the transition from use to abuse. Consequently, treatment need may differ depending on the progression of synthetic cathinone abuse and based on sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A. Marusich
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Elaine A. Gay
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Delisha A. Stewart
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Nutrition Research Institute, 500 Laureate Way, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA
| | - Bruce E. Blough
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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10
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Mainoli B, Gonçalves N, Ferreira JJ, Mégarbane B. Potential drug-drug interactions in acute poisonings managed in the intensive care unit: Occurrence, risk factors and relationship to patient severity on admission. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2021; 130:337-345. [PMID: 34873835 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Beyond the direct toxicity resulting from each drug in the poisoned patient, additional toxicities may result from drug-drug interactions (DDIs). We aimed to determine the frequency of potential DDIs in the poisoned patient and investigate whether DDIs are associated with severity. We conducted a 1-year cohort study in a toxicological ICU. DDIs were identified using an electronic interaction-checker tool. Among our 354 ICU poisoned patients, 134 (38%) presented at least one potential DDI between acute poisoning drugs and 180 (51%) at least one potential DDI between acute poisoning and long-term treatment drugs. Using multivariate analyses, previous suicide attempt was associated with the presence of potential DDIs between acute poisoning drugs in suicide attempt patients (P = 0.014). Chronic alcoholism (P = 0.005) and tobacco smoking (P = 0.022) were associated with the presence of potential DDIs between acute poisoning and long-term treatment drugs in recreational drug users. Presence of potential DDIs between acute poisoning and long-term treatment drugs was associated with catecholamine infusion (P = 0.022) in suicidal self-exposure patients. Presence of potential pharmacodynamic DDIs between acute poisoning and long-term treatment drugs was associated with aspiration pneumonia onset in recreational drug users (P = 0.03). ICU poisoned patients present a high rate of potential DDIs that may influence the outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Mainoli
- Department of Medical and Toxicological Critical Care, Lariboisière Hospital, APHP, Paris University, INSERM UMRS-1144, Paris, France.,Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,IMM, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nilza Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,IMM, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joaquim J Ferreira
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,IMM, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bruno Mégarbane
- Department of Medical and Toxicological Critical Care, Lariboisière Hospital, APHP, Paris University, INSERM UMRS-1144, Paris, France
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11
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Nelson KH, Manke HN, Bailey JM, Vlachos A, Maradiaga KJ, Huang S, Weiss TD, Rice KC, Riley AL. Ethanol pre-exposure differentially impacts the rewarding and aversive effects of α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP): Implications for drug use and abuse. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 211:173286. [PMID: 34634300 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Exposure to a drug can subsequently impact its own reactivity as well as that of other drugs. Given that users of synthetic cathinones, i.e., "bath salts", typically have extensive and varied drug histories, an understanding of the effects of drug history on the behavioral and physiological consequences of synthetic cathiones may be important to their abuse liability. OBJECTIVES The goal of the current work was to assess the effects of an ethanol pre-exposure on the rewarding and aversive effects of α-PVP. METHODS Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to ethanol prior to combined conditioned taste avoidance/conditioned place preference training in which rats were injected with 1.5, 3 or 5 mg/kg of racemic α-PVP or vehicle. Following a 7-day washout period, rats were then tested for thermoregulatory effects of α-PVP using subcutaneous probes to measure body temperature changes over the course of 8 h. This was followed 10 days later by assessments for α-PVP-induced locomotor activity and stereotypies over a 1-h session. RESULTS α-PVP induced significant dose- and trial-dependent taste avoidance that was significantly attenuated by ethanol history and dose- and time-dependent increases in locomotor activity that were significantly increased by ethanol. α-PVP also induced place preferences and dose- and time-dependent increases in body temperature, but these measures were unaffected by ethanol history. CONCLUSIONS α-PVP's aversive effects (as measured by taste avoidance) were attenuated, while its rewarding effects (as indexed by place preference conditioning) were unaffected, by ethanol pre-exposure. Such a pattern may indicate increased α-PVP abuse liability, as changes in the balance of aversion and reward may impact overall drug effects and likelihood of drug intake. Future self-administration studies will be necessary to explore this possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine H Nelson
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D. C. 20016, USA.
| | - Hayley N Manke
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D. C. 20016, USA
| | - Jacob M Bailey
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D. C. 20016, USA
| | - Anna Vlachos
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D. C. 20016, USA
| | - Karina J Maradiaga
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D. C. 20016, USA
| | - Shihui Huang
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D. C. 20016, USA
| | - Tania D Weiss
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D. C. 20016, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anthony L Riley
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D. C. 20016, USA.
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12
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Zhang HB, Zhao D, Liu YP, Wang LX, Yang B, Yuan TF. Problem-solving deficits in methcathinone use disorder. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:2515-2524. [PMID: 34291307 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05874-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The use of methcathinone (MCAT), a psychostimulant drug that can lead to long-term health risks and executive dysfunction, increased to an alarming rate in recent years. Impairments in low-level executive function have been reported in substance use disorder. However, little empirical evidence is available regarding high-level executive function (e.g., problem solving), which may act as a risk factor for relapse. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to investigate whether the problem-solving ability was altered in abstinent individuals with methcathinone use disorder (MCUD). Here, we tested fifty male MCUD individuals (short-term MCUD group: twenty-nine patients with MCAT use less than 3 years, long-term MCUD group: twenty-one patients with MCAT use longer than 3 years, which were split by medium years of drug use) and twenty-four well-matched healthy controls (HC) in the Tower of Hanoi task (TOH) to assess the impact of task difficulty on drug-related changes in problem-solving performance. We used several measures to characterize problem-solving performance: the number of mistakes made, the completion time of the task, and the thinking time before the first move. RESULTS In the low task difficulty condition, the MCUD group and HC group showed similar levels of mistakes and completion time, while in the high task difficulty condition, the MCUD group reported more mistakes (the mean number of mistakes in each trial: 1.41 ± 1.15 vs 0.79 ± 0.76, P = 0.019, Cohen's d = 0.635) and longer completion time in the task (the mean completion time in each trial: 45.83 ± 20.51 s vs 33.40 ± 15.10 s, P = 0.010, Cohen's d = 0.690) than the HC group. The thinking time before the first move did not differ significantly between groups (P = 0.257). We further found that the long-term (more than 3 years) MCUD group made more mistakes than the short-term MCUD group and HC group, mainly in the highly difficult subtasks. The longer time than HCs was reported in the long-term MCUD group among high task difficulty of subtasks. In addition, there was a positive correlation between years of MCAT use and the number of mistakes made in high task difficulty TOH task (r = 0.326, P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS Chronic methcathinone use was associated with deficits in problem-solving performance, which depended on the degree of task difficulty. The impairment was more evident in the long-term (> 3 years) MCAT group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang-Bin Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Wanping South Road 600, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Wanping South Road 600, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Ping Liu
- China University of Political Science and Law, No. 25, West Tucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Xun Wang
- Changzhi Drug Rehabilitation Center, Changzhi, China
| | - Bo Yang
- China University of Political Science and Law, No. 25, West Tucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
| | - Ti-Fei Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Wanping South Road 600, Xuhui, Shanghai, China. .,Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China. .,Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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13
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Pergolizzi JV, Dahan A, LeQuang JA, Raffa RB. The conundrum of polysubstance overdose. J Clin Pharm Ther 2021; 46:1189-1193. [PMID: 33460173 DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.13362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE Treating an opioid overdose using an opioid receptor antagonist (such as naloxone) makes mechanistic sense and can be effective. Unfortunately, the majority of current drug overdose deaths involve polysubstance use (i.e., an opioid plus a non-opioid). COMMENT Respiratory depression induced by opioids results from excessive opioid molecules binding to opioid receptors. This effect can be reversed by an opioid receptor antagonist. However, the respiratory depression induced by non-opioid drugs is not due to action at opioid receptors; thus, an opioid receptor antagonist is ineffective in many of these cases. For respiratory depression induced by non-opioids, receptor antagonists are either not available (e.g., for propofol overdose) or there may be attendant risks with their use (e.g., seizures with flumazenil). This gives rise to a need for more effective ways to treat polysubstance overdose. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION A new approach to treating opioid-induced respiratory depression due to drug overdose focuses on agents that stimulate respiratory drive rather than competing for opioid receptors. Such an approach is "agnostic" to the cause of the respiratory depression, so might be a potential way to treat polysubstance overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph V Pergolizzi
- NEMA Research Inc., Naples, Florida, USA.,Neumentum Inc., Morristown, New Jersey, USA.,Enalare Therapeutics Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, USA.,Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Dahan
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Robert B Raffa
- Neumentum Inc., Morristown, New Jersey, USA.,Enalare Therapeutics Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, USA.,College of Pharmacy (Adjunct), University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.,Temple University School of Pharmacy (Prof. emer.), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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14
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Tcharkhetian AEG, Bruni AT, Rodrigues CHP. Combining experimental and theoretical approaches to study the structural and spectroscopic properties of Flakka (α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone). RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2021.100254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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15
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Rivero-Echeto MC, Perissinotti PP, González-Inchauspe C, Kargieman L, Bisagno V, Urbano FJ. Simultaneous administration of cocaine and caffeine dysregulates HCN and T-type channels. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:787-810. [PMID: 33241481 PMCID: PMC7688300 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05731-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The abuse of psychostimulants has adverse consequences on the physiology of the central nervous system. In Argentina, and other South American countries, coca paste or "PACO" (cocaine and caffeine are its major components) is massively consumed with deleterious clinical consequences for the health and well-being of the general population. A scant number of studies have addressed the consequences of stimulant combination of cocaine and caffeine on the physiology of the somatosensory thalamocortical (ThCo) system. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to study ion conductances that have important implications regulating sleep-wake states 24-h after an acute or chronic binge-like administration of a cocaine and caffeine mixture following previously analyzed pasta base samples ("PACO"-like binge") using mice. METHODS We randomly injected (i.p.) male C57BL/6JFcen mice with a binge-like psychostimulants regimen during either 1 day (acute) or 1 day on/1 day off during 13 days for a total of 7 binges (chronic). Single-cell patch-clamp recordings of VB neurons were performed in thalamocortical slices 24 h after the last psychostimulant injection. We also recorded EEG/EMG from mice 24 h after being systemically treated with chronic administration of cocaine + caffeine versus saline, vehicle. RESULTS Our results showed notorious changes in the intrinsic properties of the VB nucleus neurons that persist after 24-h of either acute or chronic binge administrations of combined cocaine and caffeine ("PACO"-like binge). Functional dysregulation of HCN (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated) and T-type VGC (voltage-gated calcium) channels was described 24-h after acute/chronic "PACO"-like administrations. Furthermore, intracellular basal [Ca2+] disturbances resulted a key factor that modulated the availability and the activation of T-type channels, altering T-type "window currents." As a result, all these changes ultimately shaped the low-threshold spikes (LTS)-associated Ca2+ transients, regulated the membrane excitability, and altered sleep-wake transitions. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that deleterious consequences of stimulants cocaine and caffeine combination on the thalamocortical physiology as a whole might be related to potential neurotoxic effects of soaring intracellular [Ca2+].
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Affiliation(s)
- María Celeste Rivero-Echeto
- grid.7345.50000 0001 0056 1981CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula P. Perissinotti
- grid.7345.50000 0001 0056 1981CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlota González-Inchauspe
- grid.7345.50000 0001 0056 1981CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucila Kargieman
- grid.7345.50000 0001 0056 1981CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Verónica Bisagno
- grid.7345.50000 0001 0056 1981CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francisco J. Urbano
- grid.7345.50000 0001 0056 1981CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina ,grid.7345.50000 0001 0056 1981Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular “Dr. Héctor Maldonado”, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina ,grid.7345.50000 0001 0056 1981IFIBYNE (UBA-CONICET), Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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16
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Fattore L, Marti M, Mostallino R, Castelli MP. Sex and Gender Differences in the Effects of Novel Psychoactive Substances. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10090606. [PMID: 32899299 PMCID: PMC7564810 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10090606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex and gender deeply affect the subjective effects and pharmaco-toxicological responses to drugs. Men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illicit drugs and to present to emergency departments for serious or fatal intoxications. However, women are just as likely as men to develop substance use disorders, and may be more susceptible to craving and relapse. Clinical and preclinical studies have shown important differences between males and females after administration of “classic” drugs of abuse (e.g., Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), morphine, cocaine). This scenario has become enormously complicated in the last decade with the overbearing appearance of the new psychoactive substances (NPS) that have emerged as alternatives to regulated drugs. To date, more than 900 NPS have been identified, and can be catalogued in different pharmacological categories including synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic stimulants (cathinones and amphetamine-like), hallucinogenic phenethylamines, synthetic opioids (fentanyls and non-fentanyls), new benzodiazepines and dissociative anesthetics (i.e., methoxetamine and phencyclidine-derivatives). This work collects the little knowledge reached so far on the effects of NPS in male and female animal and human subjects, highlighting how much sex and gender differences in the effects of NPS has yet to be studied and understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana Fattore
- Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, National Research Council (CNR), Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
- Department of Anti-Drug Policies, Collaborative Center for the Italian National Early Warning System, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, 00187 Rome, Italy
| | - Rafaela Mostallino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy; (R.M.); (M.P.C.)
| | - Maria Paola Castelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy; (R.M.); (M.P.C.)
- National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
- Center of Excellence “Neurobiology of Addiction”, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
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17
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Synthetic cathinones – From natural plant stimulant to new drug of abuse. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 875:173012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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18
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Tirado-Muñoz J, Lopez-Rodriguez AB, Fonseca F, Farré M, Torrens M, Viveros MP. Effects of cannabis exposure in the prenatal and adolescent periods: Preclinical and clinical studies in both sexes. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 57:100841. [PMID: 32339546 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug among adolescents and young adults, including pregnant women. There is substantial evidence for a significant association between prenatal cannabis exposure and lower birth weight in offspring, and mixed results regarding later behavioural outcomes in the offspring. Adolescent cannabis use, especially heavy use, has been associated with altered executive function, depression, psychosis and use of other drugs later in life. Human studies have limitations due to several confounding factors and have provided scarce information about sex differences. In general, animal studies support behavioural alterations reported in humans and have revealed diverse sex differences and potential underlying mechanisms (altered mesolimbic dopaminergic and hippocampal glutamatergic systems and interference with prefrontal cortex maturation). More studies are needed that analyse sex and gender influences on cannabis-induced effects with great clinical relevance such as psychosis, cannabis use disorder and associated comorbidities, to achieve more personalized and accurate treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Tirado-Muñoz
- Addiction Research Group, IMIM-Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Belen Lopez-Rodriguez
- School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Francina Fonseca
- Addiction Research Group, IMIM-Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addictions, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magi Farré
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germas Trias (HUGTP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Torrens
- Addiction Research Group, IMIM-Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addictions, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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19
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Schifano F, Napoletano F, Arillotta D, Zangani C, Gilgar L, Guirguis A, Corkery JM, Vento A. The clinical challenges of synthetic cathinones. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2020; 86:410-419. [PMID: 31674690 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Within the new psychoactive substances (NPS) scenario, several hundred different molecules, mostly including synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones, have been identified so far. The aims of the paper were to: (i) identify the number of synthetic cathinones mentioned in a range of psychonaut, NPS-related, online sources; and (ii) describe the associated acute/long term clinical scenario and the related treatment/management plan. METHODS After about 18 months of operation and exclusion of false positives/duplicates, some 4204 unique NPS molecules were included in the NPSfinder® crawling/navigating software database. Most popular NPS included: 1265 psychedelic phenethylamines (30.1%; confidence interval [CI] 95%: 28.7-31.5%); 1253 synthetic cannabinoids (29.8%; CI 95%: 28.4-31.2%); 429 synthetic opioids (10.2%; CI 95%: 9.3-10.2%); and 171 synthetic cathinones (4.1%; CI 95% 3.5-4.7%). Conversely, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction databases respectively included 169 and 140 cathinones. Overall, the 3 databases reported some 222 synthetic cathinones, and 41 were uniquely identified by the NPSfinder®. RESULTS In terms of clinical scenarios, synthetic cathinone ingestion is initially associated with stimulant effects; however, psychopathological disturbances, violence, suicidal behaviour, hyperthermia, coma and death have also been described. CONCLUSION The proportion of cathinones commented on by psychonaut fora appeared to be relatively small, and similar to those reported by both the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. This may be associated with a recent significant decline in both cathinone-related consumption and acute medical presentation. Due to their complex behavioural and medical toxicity issues, healthcare professionals should be, however, be educated to recognise the signs and symptoms of NPS, including synthetic cathinone, ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Schifano
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Flavia Napoletano
- East London Foundation Trust (ELFT), Homerton University Hospital, London, UK
| | - Davide Arillotta
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Caroline Zangani
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.,Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Liam Gilgar
- Gabalfa Clinic, Cardiff and Vale NHS Health Board, Cardiff, UK
| | - Amira Guirguis
- Swansea University Medical School; Institute of Life Sciences; Swansea, UK
| | - John Martin Corkery
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Alessandro Vento
- Addictions' Observatory (ODDPSS), Rome, Italy.,Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy.,Department of Mental Health, ASL Roma 2, Rome, Italy
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Marusich JA, Gay EA, Watson SL, Blough BE. Synthetic cathinone self-administration in female rats modulates neurotransmitter levels in addiction-related brain regions. Behav Brain Res 2019; 376:112211. [PMID: 31493431 PMCID: PMC6783379 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones are used for their stimulant-like properties. Stimulant-induced neurochemical changes are thought to occur at different times in different brain regions and neurotransmitter systems. This study sought to examine the behavioral and neurochemical effects of α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP) and mephedrone (4MMC) in female rats. Methods probed the chronology of effects of synthetic cathinone exposure. Female rats were trained to self-administer α-PVP, 4MMC, or saline. Drug exposure ceased after 7 days of autoshaping for half of each drug group; the other half self-administered for another 21 days. Amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, PFC, striatum, and thalamus were extracted, and tissue was analyzed with electrochemical detection and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Responding was minimal during autoshaping; thus, most infusions were delivered noncontingently in the autoshaping phase. Rats acquired self-administration of α-PVP and 4MMC. Synthetic cathinone administration, and duration of exposure produced several effects on neurotransmitters. α-PVP primarily increased serotonin, 5-hydroxy-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), norepinephrine, and glutamate in hypothalamus. In contrast, 4MMC decreased serotonin and 5-HIAA in several brain regions. Longer durations of exposure to both synthetic cathinones increased 5-HIAA, norepinephrine, and glutamate in multiple brain regions compared to the short exposure during autoshaping. Notably, both α-PVP and 4MMC produced minimal changes in dopamine levels, suggesting that the dopaminergic effects of these synthetic cathinones are transient. These alterations in neurotransmitter levels indicate that synthetic cathinone use may produce differential neurochemical changes during the transition from use to abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Marusich
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Elaine A Gay
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Scott L Watson
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Bruce E Blough
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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