1
|
Jang EY, Lee BH, Yun J, Yang CH, Yoon SS. Effects of the Synthetic Cathinone α-Pyrrolidinobutiothiophenone (α-PBT) on Discriminative Stimulus Effects and Intracranial Self-Stimulation Thresholds in Male Rats. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:2420-2431. [PMID: 38838000 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00143] [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] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, the abuse of synthetic cathinones is increasing among young people. α-Pyrrolidinobutiothiophenone (α-PBT), a synthetic cathinone, is a designer drug that is freely traded online with no legal restrictions. Moreover, there is currently no scientific basis for legal regulation. Here, we examined the addictive properties of α-PBT using a drug discrimination (DD) task. We also investigated the role of α-PBT in brain stimulation reward (BSR) using an intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) paradigm in rats. Initially, the rats were trained to discriminate between cocaine and saline. After the discrimination training criteria were met, we determined the dose-effect curves of cocaine and conducted generalization tests with α-PBT and α-pyrrolidinopentiothiophenone (α-PVT) using a cumulative dosing protocol. In a separate set of studies, we examined the dopaminergic mechanisms underlying the function of α-PBT as an interoceptive stimulus (17.8 mg/kg) by intraperitoneally injecting either the dopamine (DA) D1 antagonist SCH23390 (0.06 and 0.12 mg/kg) or the D2 antagonist eticlopride (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) 15 min before DD testing. Brain reward function was measured using an ICSS procedure to examine the effects of α-PBT on ICSS threshold under the frequency-rate procedure. Our results showed that α-PBT functioned as a discriminative cue similar to cocaine in rats. More importantly, SCH23390 abolished the effects of α-PBT as an interoceptive stimulus in a dose-dependent manner in rats trained to press a lever to receive cocaine. Similarly, eticlopride dose-dependently attenuated the effect of α-PBT used as a discriminative cue. Additionally, cumulative α-PBT administration dose-dependently lowered ICSS thresholds compared with those in saline-treated rats. Furthermore, α-PBT-induced potentiation of BSR was abolished by pretreatment with both SCH23390 and eticlopride. Taken together, our results suggest that α-PBT can function as a cocaine-like discriminative cue via the activation of D1 and D2 receptors. α-PBT also appears to influence BSR by reducing the brain reward threshold via changes in D1 and D2 receptors. The present study suggests that α-PBT could have addictive properties through DA D1 and D2 receptors and thus poses a threat to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun Young Jang
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Hyo Lee
- Department of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, 136 Sincheondong-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu 42158, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaesuk Yun
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Osongsaengmyeong 1-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae Ha Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, 136 Sincheondong-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu 42158, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Shoon Yoon
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, 136 Sincheondong-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu 42158, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kuczyńska K, Bartkowska K, Djavadian R, Zwierzyńska E, Wojcieszak J. MDPV (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone) administered to mice during development of the central nervous system produces persistent learning and memory impairments. Pharmacol Rep 2024; 76:519-534. [PMID: 38722542 PMCID: PMC11126454 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-024-00599-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synthetic cathinones (SC) constitute the second most frequently abused class of new psychoactive substances. They serve as an alternative to classic psychostimulatory drugs of abuse, such as methamphetamine, cocaine, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Despite the worldwide prevalence of SC, little is known about their long-term impact on the central nervous system. Here, we examined the effects of repeated exposure of mice during infancy, to 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a SC potently enhancing dopaminergic neurotransmission, on learning and memory in young adult mice. METHODS All experiments were performed on C57BL/6J male and female mice. Animals were injected with MDPV (10 or 20 mg/kg) and BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine, 25 mg/kg) during postnatal days 11-20, which is a crucial period for the development of their hippocampus. At the age of 12 weeks, mice underwent an assessment of various types of memory using a battery of behavioral tests. Afterward, their brains were removed for detection of BrdU-positive cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation with immunohistochemistry, and for measurement of the expression of synaptic proteins, such as synaptophysin and PSD95, in the hippocampus using Western blot. RESULTS Exposure to MDPV resulted in impairment of spatial working memory assessed with Y-maze spontaneous alternation test, and of object recognition memory. However, no deficits in hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory were found using the Morris water maze paradigm. Consistently, hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptogenesis were not interrupted. All observed MDPV effects were sex-independent. CONCLUSIONS MDPV administered repeatedly to mice during infancy causes learning and memory deficits that persist into adulthood but are not related to aberrant hippocampal development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kuczyńska
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lodz, Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151, Łódź, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Bartkowska
- Laboratory of Calcium Binding Proteins, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ruzanna Djavadian
- Laboratory of Calcium Binding Proteins, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Zwierzyńska
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lodz, Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151, Łódź, Poland
| | - Jakub Wojcieszak
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lodz, Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151, Łódź, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Alanazi IM, Alzahrani AR, Alsaad MA, Moqeem AL, Hamdi AM, Taher MM, Watson DG, Helen Grant M. The effect of mephedrone on human neuroblastoma and astrocytoma cells. Saudi Pharm J 2024; 32:102011. [PMID: 38454918 PMCID: PMC10918268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2024.102011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Mephedrone is an illegal drug that is used recreationally. Few studies have been conducted to investigate the mechanisms by which mephedrone is harming cells. In this research, we investigated the effect of mephedrone using toxicology coupled with LC-MS/MS based metabolomics in the two CNS derived cell lines. Methods of assessment such as neutral red (NR) assay, dimethylthiazolyl diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) measurement, and morphology were performed to identify the effect on cell viability and to identify the best concentration to be used in a metabolomics study. A concentration of 100 μM of mephedrone was used in the metabolomic experiment because at this concentration mephedrone had induced several intracellular changes. Although there no clear indicators of cellular damage caused by mephedrone. In astrocytes there was a clear indication that cell membrane function might be impaired by depletion of ether lipids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M. Alanazi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Abidiyah, P.O.Box 13578, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah R. Alzahrani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Abidiyah, P.O.Box 13578, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad A. Alsaad
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Umm AL Qura University, Al-Abidiyah, P.O.Box 13578, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz L. Moqeem
- Home Health Care,Directorate of Health Affairs Jeddah, Ministry of Health, P.O.Box11176, Ryiadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmohsen M. Hamdi
- Home Health Care,Directorate of Health Affairs Jeddah, Ministry of Health, P.O.Box11176, Ryiadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohiuddin M. Taher
- Science and Technology Unit, Deanship of Scientific Research, and Department of Medical Genetics, College of Medicine, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - David G. Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - M. Helen Grant
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NW, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Persson M, Vikingsson S, Kronstrand R, Green H. Characterization of neurotransmitter inhibition for seven cathinones by a proprietary fluorescent dye method. Drug Test Anal 2024; 16:339-347. [PMID: 37489044 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Many new psychoactive substances (NPS) are stimulants, and information about their potency and abuse potential is often lacking. To start addressing this need, a method measuring the inhibition of the dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporters (DAT, SERT, and NET) by stimulant drugs was developed. The use of a proprietary fluorescent dye mixture and three cell lines (CHO-K1, HEK 293, and MDCK), each expressing a single transporter, allowed for a semiautomated, one-pot determination of inhibition in a 384-well format. The method was validated using well characterized stimulants, including cocaine, amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), α-PVP, and fluoxetine and performed similarly to other methods. Seven synthetic cathinones all showed highest potency for DAT inhibition, followed by NET and SERT. The rank potency for DAT inhibition IC50 (nM) was MPHP (4.53) > 4Cl-α-PVP (8.05) > 3F-α-PVP (12.7) > α-PiHP (13.4) > N-ethylpentylone (16.9) > N-ethylhexedrone (44.5) > 4-methylpentedrone (261). All but 4-methylpentedrone were more potent than amphetamine (257) and cocaine (111). The DAT/SERT inhibition ratio for the cathinones was in the range from 5.02 for 4-methylpentedrone to >3730 for α-PiHP, compared to 1.64 for cocaine and >4030 for α-PVP. All seven substances had inhibition profiles similar to those of potent stimulants with high abuse potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Persson
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Svante Vikingsson
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Forensic Science Advancement and Application, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robert Kronstrand
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Henrik Green
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Seaman RW, Lamon K, Whitton N, Latimer B, Sulima A, Rice KC, Murnane KS, Collins GT. Impacts of Self-Administered 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) Alone, and in Combination with Caffeine, on Recognition Memory and Striatal Monoamine Neurochemistry in Male Sprague Dawley Rats: Comparisons with Methamphetamine and Cocaine. Brain Sci 2024; 14:258. [PMID: 38539646 PMCID: PMC10969043 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14030258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent data suggest that 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) has neurotoxic effects; however, the cognitive and neurochemical consequences of MDPV self-administration remain largely unexplored. Furthermore, despite the fact that drug preparations that contain MDPV often also contain caffeine, little is known regarding the toxic effects produced by the co-use of these two stimulants. The current study investigated the degree to which self-administered MDPV or a mixture of MDPV+caffeine can produce deficits in recognition memory and alter neurochemistry relative to prototypical stimulants. Male Sprague Dawley rats were provided 90 min or 12 h access to MDPV, MDPV+caffeine, methamphetamine, cocaine, or saline for 6 weeks. Novel object recognition (NOR) memory was evaluated prior to any drug self-administration history and 3 weeks after the final self-administration session. Rats that had 12 h access to methamphetamine and those that had 90 min or 12 h access to MDPV+caffeine exhibited significant deficits in NOR, whereas no significant deficits were observed in rats that self-administered cocaine or MDPV. Striatal monoamine levels were not systematically affected. These data demonstrate synergism between MDPV and caffeine with regard to producing recognition memory deficits, highlighting the importance of recapitulating the manner in which drugs are used (e.g., in mixtures containing multiple stimulants, binge-like patterns of intake).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert W. Seaman
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Kariann Lamon
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Nicholas Whitton
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Brian Latimer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kenner C. Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kevin S. Murnane
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Gregory T. Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Warner-Schmidt J, Stogniew M, Mandell B, Rowland RS, Schmidt EF, Kelmendi B. Methylone is a rapid-acting neuroplastogen with less off-target activity than MDMA. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1353131. [PMID: 38389788 PMCID: PMC10882719 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1353131] [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: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder that can become chronic and debilitating when left untreated. Available pharmacotherapies are limited, take weeks to show modest benefit and remain ineffective for up to 40% of patients. Methylone is currently in clinical development for the treatment of PTSD. Preclinical studies show rapid, robust and long-lasting antidepressant-like and anxiolytic effects. The mechanism of action underlying these effects is not yet fully understood. This study investigated the downstream gene expression changes and signaling pathways affected by methylone in key brain areas linked to PTSD and MDD. It also sought to determine whether neuroplasticity-related genes were involved. We compared effects of methylone with MDMA to explore similarities and differences in their brain effects because MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has recently shown benefit in clinical trials for PTSD and methylone is a structural analog of MDMA. Methods Monoamine binding, uptake and release studies were performed and a high-throughput-screen evaluated agonist/antagonist activities at 168 GPCRs in vitro. We used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to probe drug-induced gene expression changes in the amygdala and frontal cortex, two brain areas responsible for emotional learning that are affected by PTSD and MDD. Rats were treated with methylone or MDMA (both 10 mg/kg, IP), and their responses were compared with controls. We performed functional enrichment analysis to identify which pathways were regulated by methylone and/or MDMA. We confirmed changes in gene expression using immunohistochemistry. Results Methylone, a monoamine uptake inhibitor and releaser, demonstrated no off-target effects at 168 GPCRs, unlike MDMA, which showed activity at 5HT2A and 5HT2C receptors. RNA-seq results revealed significant regulation of myelin-related genes in the amygdala, confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In the frontal cortex, methylone significantly upregulated genes implicated in neuroplasticity. Conclusion Results suggest that (1) methylone is a rapid-acting neuroplastogen that affects key brain substrates for PTSD and MDD and that (2) methylone appears to exhibit higher specificity and fewer off-target effects than MDMA. Together, these results are consistent with the reported clinical experiences of methylone and MDMA and bolster the potential use of methylone in the treatment of PTSD and, potentially, other neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Eric F Schmidt
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Benjamin Kelmendi
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- US Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD Clinical Neurosciences Division, West Haven, CT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Seaman RW, Lamon K, Whitton N, Latimer B, Sulima A, Rice KC, Murnane KS, Collins GT. Impacts of Self-Administered 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) Alone, and in Combination with Caffeine, on Recognition Memory and Striatal Monoamine Neurochemistry in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats: Comparisons with Methamphetamine and Cocaine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.31.578247. [PMID: 38352595 PMCID: PMC10862826 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.31.578247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Recent data suggest that 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) has neurotoxic effects; however, the cognitive and neurochemical consequences of MDPV self-administration remain largely unexplored. Furthermore, despite the fact that drug preparations that contain MDPV often also contain caffeine, little is known regarding the toxic effects produced by the co-use of these two stimulants. The current study investigated the degree to which self-administered MDPV, or a mixture of MDPV+caffeine can produce deficits in recognition memory and alter neurochemistry relative to prototypical stimulants. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were provided 90-min or 12-h access to MDPV, MDPV+caffeine, methamphetamine, cocaine, or saline for 6 weeks. Novel object recognition (NOR) memory was evaluated prior to any drug self-administration history and 3 weeks after the final self-administration session. Rats that had 12-h access to methamphetamine and those that had 90-min or 12-h access to MDPV+caffeine exhibited significant deficits in NOR, whereas no significant deficits were observed in rats that self-administered cocaine or MDPV. Striatal mono-amine levels were not systematically affected. These data demonstrate synergism between MDPV and caffeine with regard to producing recognition memory deficits and lethality, highlighting the importance of recapitulating the manner in which drugs are used (e.g., in mixtures containing multiple stimulants, binge-like patterns of intake).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Seaman
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Kariann Lamon
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Nicholas Whitton
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Brian Latimer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Kevin S Murnane
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Gregory T Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li Z, Peng HY, Lee CS, Lin TB, Hsieh MC, Lai CY, Wu HF, Chen LC, Chen MC, Chou D. Methylone produces antidepressant-relevant actions and prosocial effects. Neuropharmacology 2024; 242:109787. [PMID: 37913982 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109787] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Methylone (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone) is a rapid-acting entactogen that has been shown to have significant benefits in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder and is well tolerated in phase 1 clinical trials. A recent preclinical study reported that methylone produced robust antidepressant-like actions in naïve rats. However, its antidepressant effects on various stress-related psychopathologies and other neuropsychological actions remain unclear. In the present study, we examined the antidepressant-relevant effects of methylone in learned helplessness (LH) and social defeat stress C57BL/6J male mouse models and further explored its sociability-relevant neuropsychological actions. Our results indicate that methylone produces antidepressant-relevant effects on the helpless phenotype, LH-evoked depressive-like behaviors, and psychosocial stress-induced social avoidance, and induced depressive-like behaviors. In addition, methylone was found to enhance social preference and increase various social behaviors, including social contact, sniffing, allogrooming, and following. Moreover, methylone appeared to elevate empathy-like phenotypes and was also found to increase helping-like behavior. Overall, the present results suggest that methylone plays an antidepressant-like role in various stress-relevant psychopathologies and could be an ideal antidepressant candidate. In addition, novel findings on the elevated tendencies of social preference and empathy-like and helping-like phenotypes reveal that methylone may have potential application in patients with social deficits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlong Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
| | - Hsien-Yu Peng
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Chau-Shoun Lee
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Tzer-Bin Lin
- Institute of New Drug Development, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Chun Hsieh
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Yuan Lai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Han-Fang Wu
- Department of Optometry, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Lih-Chyang Chen
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Mei-Ci Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan.
| | - Dylan Chou
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Angoa-Perez M, Kuhn DM. The pharmacology and neurotoxicology of synthetic cathinones. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2023; 99:61-82. [PMID: 38467489 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The synthetic cathinones are man-made compounds derived from the naturally occurring drug cathinone, which is found in the khat plant. The drugs in this pharmacological class that will be the focus of this chapter include mephedrone, MDPV, methcathinone and methylone. These drugs are colloquially known as "bath salts". This misnomer suggests that these drugs are used for health improvement or that they have legitimate medical uses. The synthetic cathinones are dangerous drugs with powerful pharmacological effects that include high abuse potential, hyperthermia and hyperlocomotion. These drugs also share many of the pharmacological effects of the amphetamine class of drugs including methamphetamine, amphetamine and MDMA and therefore have high potential to cause damage to the central nervous system. The synthetic cathinones are frequently taken in combination with other psychoactive drugs such as alcohol, marijuana and the amphetamine-like stimulants, creating a situation where heightened pharmacological and neurotoxicological effects are likely to occur. Despite the structural features shared by the synthetic cathinones and amphetamine-like stimulants, including their actions at monoamine transporters and receptors, the effects of the synthetic cathinones do not always match those of the amphetamines. In particular, the synthetic cathinones are far less neurotoxic than their amphetamine counterparts, they produce a weaker hyperthermia, and they cause less glial activation. This chapter will briefly review the pharmacology and neurotoxicology of selected synthetic cathinones with the aim of delineating key areas of agreement and disagreement in the literature particularly as it relates to neurotoxicological outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Angoa-Perez
- Research and Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Donald M Kuhn
- Research and Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mayer FP, Niello M, Bulling S, Zhang YW, Li Y, Kudlacek O, Holy M, Kooti F, Sandtner W, Rudnick G, Schmid D, Sitte HH. Mephedrone induces partial release at human dopamine transporters but full release at human serotonin transporters. Neuropharmacology 2023; 240:109704. [PMID: 37703919 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is a cathinone derivative that is recreationally consumed for its energizing and empathogenic effects. The stimulating properties are believed to arise from the ability of mephedrone to interact with the high-affinity transporters for dopamine (DA) (DAT) and norepinephrine (NET), whereas the entactogenic effect presumably relies on its activity at the serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT). Early studies found that mephedrone acts as a releaser at NET, DAT and SERT, and thus promotes efflux of the respective monoamines. Evidence linked drug-induced reverse transport of 5-HT via SERT to prosocial effects, whereas activity at DAT is strongly correlated with abuse liability. Consequently, we sought to evaluate the pharmacology of mephedrone at human (h) DAT and SERT, heterologously expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, in further detail. In line with previous studies, we report that mephedrone evokes carrier-mediated release via hDAT and hSERT. We found this effect to be sensitive to the protein kinase C inhibitor GF109203X. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that mephedrone is actively transported by hDAT and hSERT. However, mephedrone acts as a full substrate of hSERT but as a partial substrate of hDAT. Furthermore, when compared to fully efficacious releasing agents at hDAT and hSERT (i.e. S(+)-amphetamine and para-chloroamphetamine, respectively) mephedrone displays greater efficacy as a releaser at hSERT than at hDAT. In summary, this study provides additional insights into the molecular mechanism of action of mephedrone at hDAT and hSERT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felix P Mayer
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marco Niello
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Bulling
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yuan-Wei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520-8066, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oliver Kudlacek
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marion Holy
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fatemeh Kooti
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Sandtner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gary Rudnick
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520-8066, USA
| | - Diethart Schmid
- Institute for Physiology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria; Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan; Center for Addiction Research and Science - AddRess, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Teixidó E, Riera-Colomer C, Raldúa D, Pubill D, Escubedo E, Barenys M, López-Arnau R. First-Generation Synthetic Cathinones Produce Arrhythmia in Zebrafish Eleutheroembryos: A New Approach Methodology for New Psychoactive Substances Cardiotoxicity Evaluation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13869. [PMID: 37762171 PMCID: PMC10531093 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) entering the illicit drug market, especially synthetic cathinones, as well as the risk of cardiovascular complications, is intensifying the need to quickly assess their cardiotoxic potential. The present study aims to evaluate the cardiovascular toxicity and lethality induced by first-generation synthetic cathinones (mephedrone, methylone, and MDPV) and more classical psychostimulants (cocaine and MDMA) in zebrafish embryos using a new approach methodology (NAM). Zebrafish embryos at 4 dpf were exposed to the test drugs for 24 h to identify drug lethality. Drug-induced effects on ventricular and atrial heart rate after 2 h exposure were evaluated, and video recordings were properly analyzed. All illicit drugs displayed similar 24 h LC50 values. Our results indicate that all drugs are able to induce bradycardia, arrhythmia, and atrial-ventricular block (AV block), signs of QT interval prolongation. However, only MDPV induced a different rhythmicity change depending on the chamber and was the most potent bradycardia and AV block-inducing drug compared to the other tested compounds. In summary, our results strongly suggest that the NAM presented in this study can be used for screening NPS for their cardiotoxic effect and especially for their ability to prolong the QT intervals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabet Teixidó
- GRET and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety, University of Barcelona (INSA-UB), 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
| | - Clara Riera-Colomer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Pharmacology Section, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Demetrio Raldúa
- Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Pubill
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Pharmacology Section, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Escubedo
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Pharmacology Section, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Barenys
- GRET and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety, University of Barcelona (INSA-UB), 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Raul López-Arnau
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Pharmacology Section, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Angoa-Pérez M, Zagorac B, Francescutti DM, Shaffer ZD, Theis KR, Kuhn DM. Cocaine hydrochloride, cocaine methiodide and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) cause distinct alterations in the structure and composition of the gut microbiota. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13754. [PMID: 37612353 PMCID: PMC10447462 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40892-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cocaine is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug of abuse that constitutes an ongoing public health threat. Emerging research is revealing that numerous peripheral effects of this drug may serve as conditioned stimuli for its central reinforcing properties. The gut microbiota is emerging as one of these peripheral sources of input to cocaine reward. The primary objective of the present study was to determine how cocaine HCl and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, both of which powerfully activate central reward pathways, alter the gut microbiota. Cocaine methiodide, a quaternary derivative of cocaine that does not enter the brain, was included to assess peripheral influences on the gut microbiota. Both cocaine congeners caused significant and similar alterations of the gut microbiota after a 10-day course of treatment. Contrary to expectations, the effects of cocaine HCl and MDPV on the gut microbiota were most dissimilar. Functional predictions of metabolic alterations caused by the treatment drugs reaffirmed that the cocaine congeners were similar whereas MDPV was most dissimilar from the other two drugs and controls. It appears that the monoamine transporters in the gut mediate the effects of the treatment drugs. The effects of the cocaine congeners and MDPV on the gut microbiome may form the basis of interoceptive cues that can influence their abuse properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Angoa-Pérez
- Research and Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Branislava Zagorac
- Research and Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Dina M Francescutti
- Research and Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Zachary D Shaffer
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kevin R Theis
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Donald M Kuhn
- Research and Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chojnacki MR, Thorndike EB, Partilla JS, Rice KC, Schindler CW, Baumann MH. Neurochemical and Cardiovascular Effects of 4-Chloro Ring-Substituted Synthetic Cathinones in Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 385:162-170. [PMID: 36669877 PMCID: PMC10201577 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones are a class of new psychoactive substances that display psychomotor stimulant properties, and novel cathinone analogs continue to emerge in illicit drug markets worldwide. The aim of the present study was to characterize the pharmacology of 4-chloro ring-substituted cathinones that are appearing in illicit drug markets compared with the effects of 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone). Synaptosomes were prepared from rat caudate for dopamine transporter (DAT) assays or from whole brain minus caudate and cerebellum for norepinephrine transporter (NET) and serotonin transporter (SERT) assays. Findings from transporter uptake inhibition and release assays showed that mephedrone and 4-chloromethcathinone (4-CMC) function as substrates at DAT, NET, and SERT, with similar potency at all three transporters. In contrast, 4-chloro-α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (4-CαPPP) was an uptake inhibitor at DAT and NET, with similar potency at each site, but had little activity at SERT. 4-Chloroethcathinone (4-CEC) was a low-potency uptake inhibitor at DAT and NET but a substrate at SERT. In rats implanted with telemetry transmitters, mephedrone and 4-CMC increased blood pressure, heart rate, and locomotor activity to a similar extent. 4-CEC and 4-CαPPP were less potent at increasing blood pressure and had modest stimulatory effects on heart rate and activity. 4-CMC also transiently decreased temperature at the highest dose tested. All three 4-chloro ring-substituted cathinones are biologically active, but only 4-CMC has potency comparable to mephedrone. Collectively, our findings suggest that 4-CMC and other 4-chloro cathinones may have abuse potential and adverse effects in humans that are analogous to those associated with mephedrone. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The 4-chloro ring-substituted cathinones all produced significant cardiovascular stimulation, with 4-chloromethcathinone (4-CMC) showing potency similar to mephedrone. All of the drugs are likely to be abused given their effects at the dopamine transporter, particularly 4-CMC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Chojnacki
- Designer Drug Research Unit (M.R.C., J.S.P., C.W.S., M.H.B.) and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Programs, Rockville, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Eric B Thorndike
- Designer Drug Research Unit (M.R.C., J.S.P., C.W.S., M.H.B.) and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Programs, Rockville, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - John S Partilla
- Designer Drug Research Unit (M.R.C., J.S.P., C.W.S., M.H.B.) and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Programs, Rockville, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Designer Drug Research Unit (M.R.C., J.S.P., C.W.S., M.H.B.) and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Programs, Rockville, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Charles W Schindler
- Designer Drug Research Unit (M.R.C., J.S.P., C.W.S., M.H.B.) and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Programs, Rockville, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit (M.R.C., J.S.P., C.W.S., M.H.B.) and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Programs, Rockville, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hall N, Dao N, Hewett C, Oberle S, Minagar A, Lamon K, Ford C, Blough BE, Alexander JS, Murnane KS. Methamphetamine and Designer Stimulants Modulate Tonic Human Cerebrovascular Smooth Muscle Contractility: Relevance to Drug-Induced Neurovascular Stress. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2023; 30:144-154. [PMID: 37092527 PMCID: PMC10123609 DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology30020013] [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: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
To avoid criminal prosecution, clandestine chemists produce designer stimulants that mimic the pharmacological and psychoactive effects of conventional stimulants, such as methamphetamine. Following persistent or high-dose exposure, both acute vasoconstriction and loss of vascular homeostasis are reported dangers of conventional stimulants, and designer stimulants may pose even greater dangers. To compare the effects of a conventional stimulant and two designer stimulants on vascular contraction, this study examined the direct effects of 1,3-benzodioxolylbutanamine (BDB) and N-butylpentylone in comparison to methamphetamine on the function of human brain vascular smooth muscle cells (HBVSMCs). HBVSMCs suspended in collagen gels were exposed to varying concentrations of each drug, and the degree of constriction was assessed over one week. The MTT assay was used to measure the impact of the three drugs on the cellular metabolic activity as a marker of cellular toxicity. The highest concentration tested of either methamphetamine or N-butylpentylone produced a loss of HBVSMC contractility and impaired cellular metabolism. BDB showed a similar pattern of effects, but, uniquely, it also induced vasoconstrictive effects at substantially lower concentrations. Each drug produced direct effects on HBVSMC contraction that may be a mechanism by which the cardiovascular system is damaged following high-dose or persistent exposure, and this could be exacerbated by any sympathomimetic effects of these compounds in whole organisms. BDB appears to impact HBVSMC function in ways distinct from methamphetamine and N-butylpentylone, which may present unique dangers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Hall
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Nhi Dao
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Caddo Parish Magnet High School, Shreveport, LA 71101, USA
| | - Cameron Hewett
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Sara Oberle
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Caddo Parish Magnet High School, Shreveport, LA 71101, USA
| | - Andrew Minagar
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Caddo Parish Magnet High School, Shreveport, LA 71101, USA
| | - Kariann Lamon
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Carey Ford
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Bruce E. Blough
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - J. Steven Alexander
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Kevin S. Murnane
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sprega G, Di Giorgi A, Poyatos L, Papaseit E, Pérez-Mañá C, Tini A, Pichini S, Busardò FP, Lo Faro AF, Farré M. Usefulness of Oral Fluid for Measurement of Methylone and Its Metabolites: Correlation with Plasma Drug Concentrations and the Effect of Oral Fluid pH. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13040468. [PMID: 37110127 PMCID: PMC10143603 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13040468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate methylone and its metabolites concentration in oral fluid following controlled increasing doses, focusing on the effect of oral fluid pH. Samples were obtained from a clinical trial where twelve healthy volunteers participated after ingestion of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg of methylone. Concentration of methylone and its metabolites 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-N-methylcathinone (HMMC) and 3,4-methylenedioxycathinone in oral fluid were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated, and the oral fluid-to-plasma ratio (OF/P) at each time interval was calculated and correlated with the oral fluid pH using data from our previous study in plasma. Methylone was detected at all time intervals after each dose; MDC and HMMC were not detectable after the lowest dose. Oral fluid concentrations of methylone ranged between 88.3-503.8, 85.5-5002.3, 182.8-13,201.8 and 214.6-22,684.6 ng/mL following 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg doses, respectively, peaked between 1.5 and 2.0 h, and were followed by a progressive decrease. Oral fluid pH was demonstrated to be affected by methylone administration. Oral fluid is a valid alternative to plasma for methylone determination for clinical and toxicological studies, allowing for a simple, easy and non-invasive sample collection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Sprega
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Di Giorgi
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Lourdes Poyatos
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Esther Papaseit
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Clara Pérez-Mañá
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Anastasio Tini
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Magí Farré
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kuropka P, Zawadzki M, Szpot P. A narrative review of the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones-Popular alternatives to classical drugs of abuse. Hum Psychopharmacol 2023; 38:e2866. [PMID: 36866677 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the literature on the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was carried out across multiple databases (mainly PubMed, World Wide Web, and Google Scholar) using relevant keywords. RESULTS Cathinones exhibit a broad toxicological profile, mimicking the effects of a wide variety of 'classic drugs' such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methamphetamine and cocaine. Even small structural changes affect their interactions with key proteins. This article reviews existing knowledge of the mechanisms of action of cathinones at the molecular level, and key findings from research on their structure-activity relationship. The cathinones are also classified according to their chemical structure and neuropharmacological profiles. CONCLUSIONS Synthetic cathinones represent one of the most numerous and widespread groups among new psychoactive substances. Initially developed for therapeutic purposes, they quickly started to be used recreationally. With a rapidly increasing number of new agents entering the market, structure-activity relationship studies are valuable for assessing and predicting the addictive potential and toxicity of new and potential future substances. The neuropharmacological properties of synthetic cathinones are still not fully understood. A full elucidation of the role of some key proteins, including organic cation transporters, requires detailed studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcin Zawadzki
- Institute of Toxicology Research, Borowa, Poland.,Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Szpot
- Institute of Toxicology Research, Borowa, Poland.,Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Doyle MR, Peng LN, Cao J, Rice KC, Newman AH, Collins GT. 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone High-Responder Phenotype as a Tool to Evaluate Candidate Medications for Stimulant Use Disorder. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 384:353-362. [PMID: 36627204 PMCID: PMC9976791 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research, there are no medications approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to treat stimulant use disorders. Self-administration procedures are widely used to screen candidate medications for stimulant use disorder, although preclinical reductions in stimulant self-administration have not translated to meaningful reductions in stimulant use in humans. One possible reason for this discordance is that most preclinical studies evaluate candidate medications under conditions that promote predictable, and well-regulated patterns of drug-taking rather than the dysregulated and/or compulsive patterns of drug-taking characteristic of a stimulant use disorder. A subset of rats ("high-responders") that self-administer 3,4-methelyendioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a monoamine uptake inhibitor, develop high levels of dysregulated drug-taking consistent with behaviors related to stimulant use disorders. Because MDPV acts on dopamine, serotonin (5-HT), and sigma receptor systems, the current studies compared the potency and effectiveness of a dopamine D3 receptor partial agonist (VK4-40) or antagonist (VK4-116), a sigma receptor antagonist (BD1063), a dopamine D2/D3/sigma receptor antagonist (haloperidol), and a 5-HT2C receptor agonist (CP-809,101) to reduce MDPV (0.0032-0.1 mg/kg/infusion) self-administration in high- and low-responding rats as well as rats self-administering cocaine (0.032-1 mg/kg/infusion). VK4-40, VK4-116, haloperidol, and CP-809,101 were equipotent and effective at reducing drug-taking in all three groups of rats, including the high-responders; however, VK4-116 and CP-809,101 were less potent at reducing drug-taking in female compared with male rats. Together, these studies suggest that drugs targeting dopamine D3 or 5-HT2C receptors can effectively reduce dysregulated patterns of stimulant use, highlighting their potential utility for treating stimulant use disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: There are no United States Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for stimulant use disorder, perhaps in part because candidate medications are most often evaluated in preclinical models using male subjects with well-regulated drug-taking. In an attempt to better model aberrant drug taking, this study found compounds acting at dopamine D3 or 5-HT2C receptors can attenuate drug-taking in male and female rats that self-administered two different stimulants and exhibited either a high or low substance use disorder-like phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R Doyle
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (M.R.D., L.N.P., G.T.C.); South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas (M.R.D., G.T.C.); Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse - Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland (J.C., A.H.N.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Lindsey N Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (M.R.D., L.N.P., G.T.C.); South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas (M.R.D., G.T.C.); Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse - Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland (J.C., A.H.N.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Jianjing Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (M.R.D., L.N.P., G.T.C.); South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas (M.R.D., G.T.C.); Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse - Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland (J.C., A.H.N.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (M.R.D., L.N.P., G.T.C.); South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas (M.R.D., G.T.C.); Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse - Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland (J.C., A.H.N.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Amy Hauck Newman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (M.R.D., L.N.P., G.T.C.); South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas (M.R.D., G.T.C.); Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse - Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland (J.C., A.H.N.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Gregory T Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (M.R.D., L.N.P., G.T.C.); South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas (M.R.D., G.T.C.); Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse - Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland (J.C., A.H.N.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Júlio S, Ferro RA, Santos S, Alexandre A, Caldeira MJ, Franco J, Barroso M, Gaspar H. Synthesis of emerging cathinones and validation of a SPE GC-MS method for their simultaneous quantification in blood. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:571-589. [PMID: 36494605 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04440-6] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 15 years, synthetic cathinones have emerged as an important class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) worldwide. The proliferation of these psychostimulants and their sought-after effects among recreational drug users pose a serious threat to public health and enormous challenges to forensic laboratories. For forensic institutions, it is essential to be one step ahead of covert laboratories, foreseeing the structural changes possible to introduce in the core skeleton of cathinones while maintaining their stimulating activity. In this manner, it is feasible to equip themselves with standards of possible new cathinones and validated analytical methods for their qualitative and quantitative detection. Therefore, the aim of the work herein described was to synthesize emerging cathinones based on the evolving patterns in the illicit drug market, and to develop an analytical method for their accurate determination in forensic situations. Five so far unreported cathinones [4'-methyl-N-dimethylbuphedrone (4-MDMB), 4'-methyl-N-ethylbuphedrone (4-MNEB), 4'-methyl-N-dimethylpentedrone (4-MDMP), 4'-methyl-N-dimethylhexedrone (4-MDMH), and 4'-methyl-N-diethylbuphedrone (4-MDEB)] and a sixth one, 4'-methyl-N-ethylpentedrone, already reported to EMCDDA and also known as 4-MEAP, were synthesized and fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). An analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of these cathinones in blood, using solid phase extraction (SPE) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed and validated. The results prove that this methodology is selective, linear, precise, and accurate. For all target cathinones, the extraction efficiency was higher than 73%, linearity was observed in the range of 10 (lower limit of quantification, LLOQ) to 800 ng/mL, with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99, and the limits of detection (LODs) were 5 ng/mL for all target cathinones. The stability of these cathinones in blood matrices is dependent on the storage conditions; 4-MNEB is the most stable compound and 4-MDMH is the least stable compound. The low limits obtained allow the detection of the compounds in situations where they are involved, even if present at low concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Júlio
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-535, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel A Ferro
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Santos
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andrea Alexandre
- Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária - Setor de Drogas e Toxicologia, Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-007, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria João Caldeira
- Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária - Setor de Drogas e Toxicologia, Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-007, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Franco
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. - Delegação do Sul, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa, 3, 1169-201, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mário Barroso
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. - Delegação do Sul, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa, 3, 1169-201, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Helena Gaspar
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal. .,MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2520-630, Peniche, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sun Y, Chebolu S, Skegrud S, Kamali S, Darmani NA. Effects of low-doses of methamphetamine on d-fenfluramine-induced head-twitch response (HTR) in mice during ageing and c-fos expression in the prefrontal cortex. BMC Neurosci 2023; 24:2. [PMID: 36631757 PMCID: PMC9835290 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-022-00766-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The head-twitch response (HTR) in mice is considered a behavioral model for hallucinogens and serotonin 5-HT2A receptor function, as well as Tourette syndrome in humans. It is mediated by 5-HT2A receptor agonists such as ( ±)- 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The 5-HT2A antagonist EMD 281014, can prevent both DOI-induced HTR during ageing and c-fos expression in different regions of PFC. Moreover, the nonselective monoamine releaser methamphetamine (MA) suppressed DOI-induced HTR through ageing via concomitant activation of inhibitory 5-HT1A receptors, but enhanced DOI-evoked c-fos expression. d-Fenfluramine is a selective 5-HT releaser and induces HTR in mice, whereas MA does not. Currently, we investigated whether EMD 281014 or MA would alter: (1) d-fenfluramine-induced HTR frequency in 20-, 30- and 60-day old mice, (2) d-fenfluramine-evoked c-fos expression in PFC, and (3) whether blockade of inhibitory serotonergic 5-HT1A- or adrenergic ɑ2-receptors would prevent suppressive effect of MA on d-fenfluramine-induced HTR. RESULTS EMD 281014 (0.001-0.05 mg/kg) or MA (0.1-5 mg/kg) blocked d-fenfluramine-induced HTR dose-dependently during ageing. The 5-HT1A antagonist WAY 100635 countered the inhibitory effect of MA on d-fenfluramine-induced HTR in 30-day old mice, whereas the adrenergic ɑ2 antagonist RS 79948 reversed MA's inhibitory effect in both 20- and 30- day old mice. d-Fenfluramine significantly increased c-fos expressions in PFC regions. MA (1 mg/kg) pretreatment significantly increased d-fenfluramine-evoked c-fos expression in different regions of PFC. EMD 281014 (0.05 mg/kg) failed to prevent d-fenfluramine-induced c-fos expression, but significantly increased it in one PFC region (PrL at - 2.68 mm). CONCLUSION EMD 281014 suppressed d-fenfluramine-induced HTR but failed to prevent d-fenfluramine-evoked c-fos expression which suggest involvement of additional serotonergic receptors in the mediation of evoked c-fos. The suppressive effect of MA on d-fenfluramine-evoked HTR is due to well-recognized functional interactions between stimulatory 5-HT2A- and the inhibitory 5-HT1A- and ɑ2-receptors. MA-evoked increases in c-fos expression in PFC regions are due to the activation of diverse monoaminergic receptors through increased synaptic concentrations of 5-HT, NE and/or DA, which may also account for the additive effect of MA on d-fenfluramine-evoked changes in c-fos expression. Our findings suggest potential drug receptor functional interaction during development when used in combination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yina Sun
- grid.268203.d0000 0004 0455 5679Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766 USA
| | - Seetha Chebolu
- grid.268203.d0000 0004 0455 5679Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766 USA
| | - Stone Skegrud
- grid.268203.d0000 0004 0455 5679Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766 USA
| | - Setareh Kamali
- grid.268203.d0000 0004 0455 5679Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766 USA
| | - Nissar A. Darmani
- grid.268203.d0000 0004 0455 5679Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766 USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Poyatos L, Pérez-Mañá C, Hladun O, Núñez-Montero M, de la Rosa G, Martín S, Barriocanal AM, Carabias L, Kelmendi B, Taoussi O, Busardò FP, Fonseca F, Torrens M, Pichini S, Farré M, Papaseit E. Pharmacological effects of methylone and MDMA in humans. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1122861. [PMID: 36873994 PMCID: PMC9981643 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1122861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylone is one of the most common synthetic cathinones popularized as a substitute for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, midomafetamine) owing to its similar effects among users. Both psychostimulants exhibit similar chemistry (i.e., methylone is a β-keto analog of MDMA) and mechanisms of action. Currently, the pharmacology of methylone remains scarcely explored in humans. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the acute pharmacological effects of methylone and its abuse potential in humans when compared with that of MDMA following oral administration under controlled conditions. Seventeen participants of both sexes (14 males, 3 females) with a previous history of psychostimulant use completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial. Participants received a single oral dose of 200 mg of methylone, 100 mg of MDMA, and a placebo. The variables included physiological effects (blood pressure, heart rate, oral temperature, pupil diameter), subjective effects using visual analog scales (VAS), the short form of the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI), the Evaluation of Subjective Effects of Substances with Abuse Potential questionnaire (VESSPA-SSE), and the Sensitivity to Drug Reinforcement Questionnaire (SDRQ), and psychomotor performance (Maddox wing, psychomotor vigilance task). We observed that methylone could significantly increase blood pressure and heart rate and induce pleasurable effects, such as stimulation, euphoria, wellbeing, enhanced empathy, and altered perception. Methylone exhibited an effect profile similar to MDMA, with a faster overall onset and earlier disappearance of subjective effects. These results suggest that abuse potential of methylone is comparable to that of MDMA in humans. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05488171; Identifier: NCT05488171.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Poyatos
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Clara Pérez-Mañá
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
- *Correspondence: Clara Pérez-Mañá, ; Magí Farré,
| | - Olga Hladun
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Melani Núñez-Montero
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Georgina de la Rosa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Soraya Martín
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Ana Maria Barriocanal
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Lydia Carabias
- Department of Pharmacy, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Benjamin Kelmendi
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Omayema Taoussi
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francina Fonseca
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS), Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Addiction Program, Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Adiccions (INAD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Torrens
- Addiction Program, Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Adiccions (INAD), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Magí Farré
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
- *Correspondence: Clara Pérez-Mañá, ; Magí Farré,
| | - Esther Papaseit
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Paškan M, Rimpelová S, Svobodová Pavlíčková V, Spálovská D, Setnička V, Kuchař M, Kohout M. 4-Isobutylmethcathinone-A Novel Synthetic Cathinone with High In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Strong Receptor Binding Preference of Enantiomers. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15121495. [PMID: 36558946 PMCID: PMC9780888 DOI: 10.3390/ph15121495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
New psychoactive substances and among them synthetic cathinones represent a significant threat to human health globally. However, within such a large pool of substances derived from a natural compound ((S)-cathinone), substances with important pharmaceutical uses can be identified, as already documented by bupropione. Therefore, this work aimed to find a synthetic pathway for a novel synthetic cathinone, namely 4-isobutylmethcathinone, and describe its spectroscopic properties and biological activity in vitro. Since cathinones comprise a chiral center in their structure, a method for chiral separation of the substance was elaborated using high-performance liquid chromatography on an analytical and preparative scale. Preparative enantioseparation on a polysaccharide column provided a sufficient amount of the drug for the chiroptical studies leading to the determination of the absolute configuration of enantiomers as well as for their subsequent in vitro cytotoxicity study. The cytotoxicity induced by 4-isobutylmethcathinone was determined in human cells derived from the urinary bladder (5637), neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y), microglia (HMC-3), and hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2), in which the IC50 values after 72 h reached an 18-65 µM concentration. This is significantly higher cytotoxicity in comparison with other synthetic cathinones. In the receptor binding studies, a significant difference in the agonistic effect on dopamine and adrenergic receptors of individual enantiomers was observed. The lack of binding affinity towards the serotonin receptors then relates 4-isobutylmethcathinone to the family of monoamine drugs, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymathamphetamine (ecstasy, MDMA).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Paškan
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Silvie Rimpelová
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimíra Svobodová Pavlíčková
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dita Spálovská
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Setnička
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kuchař
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kohout
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Poyatos L, Lo Faro AF, Berardinelli D, Sprega G, Malaca S, Pichini S, Huestis MA, Papaseit E, Pérez-Mañá C, Busardò FP, Farré M. Methylone and MDMA Pharmacokinetics Following Controlled Administration in Humans. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314636. [PMID: 36498963 PMCID: PMC9736016 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to define, for the first time, human methylone and HMMC plasma pharmacokinetics following controlled administration of 50-200 mg methylone to 12 male volunteers. A new LC-MS/MS method was validated to quantify methylone, MDMA, and their metabolites in plasma. The study was a randomized, cross-over, double-blinded and placebo-controlled study, with a total of 468 plasma samples collected. First, 10 µL of MDMA-d5, MDA-d5 and methylone-d3 internal standards were added to 100 µL of plasma. Two mL of chloroform and ethyl acetate 9:1 (v/v) were then added, mixed well and centrifuged. The supernatant was fortified with 0.1 mL acidified methanol and evaporated under nitrogen. Samples were reconstituted with a mobile phase and injected into the LC-MS/MS instrument. The method was fully validated according to OSAC guidelines (USA). Methylone plasma concentrations increased in a dose-proportional manner, as demonstrated by the increasing maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve of concentrations (AUC). Methylone Cmax values were reported as 153, 304, 355 and 604 ng/mL, AUC0-24 values were reported as 1042.8, 2441.2, 3524.4 and 5067.9 h·ng/mL and T1/2 values as 5.8, 6.4, 6.9 and 6.4 h following the 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg doses, respectively. Methylone exhibited rapid kinetics with a Tmax of 1.5 h for the 50 mg dose and 2 h approximately after all the other doses. HMMC exhibited faster kinetics compared to methylone, with a Cmax value that was 10-14-fold lower and an AUC0-24 value that was 21-29-fold lower. Methylone pharmacokinetics was linear across 50-200 mg oral doses in humans, unlike the previously described non-linear oral MDMA pharmacokinetics. An LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of methylone, MDMA and their metabolites in human plasma was achieved. Methylone exhibited linear pharmacokinetics in humans with oral doses of 50-200 mg.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Poyatos
- Servei de Farmacologia Clínica, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP, IGTP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Diletta Berardinelli
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Giorgia Sprega
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Sara Malaca
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marilyn A. Huestis
- Institute of Emerging Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Esther Papaseit
- Servei de Farmacologia Clínica, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP, IGTP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Clara Pérez-Mañá
- Servei de Farmacologia Clínica, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP, IGTP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0712206274
| | - Magí Farré
- Servei de Farmacologia Clínica, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP, IGTP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Glatfelter GC, Pottie E, Partilla JS, Sherwood AM, Kaylo K, Pham DNK, Naeem M, Sammeta VR, DeBoer S, Golen JA, Hulley EB, Stove CP, Chadeayne AR, Manke DR, Baumann MH. Structure-Activity Relationships for Psilocybin, Baeocystin, Aeruginascin, and Related Analogues to Produce Pharmacological Effects in Mice. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:1181-1196. [PMID: 36407948 PMCID: PMC9667540 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
4-Phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (psilocybin) is a naturally occurring tertiary amine found in many mushroom species. Psilocybin is a prodrug for 4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (psilocin), which induces psychedelic effects via agonist activity at the serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptor (5-HT2A). Several other 4-position ring-substituted tryptamines are present in psilocybin-containing mushrooms, including the secondary amine 4-phosphoryloxy-N-methyltryptamine (baeocystin) and the quaternary ammonium 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine (aeruginascin), but these compounds are not well studied. Here, we investigated the structure-activity relationships for psilocybin, baeocystin, and aeruginascin, as compared to their 4-acetoxy and 4-hydroxy analogues, using in vitro and in vivo methods. Broad receptor screening using radioligand binding assays in transfected cells revealed that secondary and tertiary tryptamines with either 4-acetoxy or 4-hydroxy substitutions display nanomolar affinity for most human 5-HT receptor subtypes tested, including the 5-HT2A and the serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1A). The same compounds displayed affinity for 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A in mouse brain tissue in vitro and exhibited agonist efficacy in assays examining 5-HT2A-mediated calcium mobilization and β-arrestin 2 recruitment. In mouse experiments, only the tertiary amines psilocin, psilocybin, and 4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (psilacetin) induced head twitch responses (ED50 0.11-0.29 mg/kg) indicative of psychedelic-like activity. Head twitches were blocked by 5-HT2A antagonist pretreatment, supporting 5-HT2A involvement. Both secondary and tertiary amines decreased body temperature and locomotor activity at higher doses, the effects of which were blocked by 5-HT1A antagonist pretreatment. Across all assays, the pharmacological effects of 4-acetoxy and 4-hydroxy compounds were similar, and these compounds were more potent than their 4-phosphoryloxy counterparts. Importantly, psilacetin appears to be a prodrug for psilocin that displays substantial serotonin receptor activities of its own.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grant C. Glatfelter
- Designer
Drug Research Unit, National Institute on
Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - John S. Partilla
- Designer
Drug Research Unit, National Institute on
Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | | | - Kristi Kaylo
- Usona
Institute, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, United States
| | - Duyen N. K. Pham
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Marilyn Naeem
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Vamshikrishna Reddy Sammeta
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Stacie DeBoer
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
| | - James A. Golen
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Elliott B. Hulley
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - David R. Manke
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Michael H. Baumann
- Designer
Drug Research Unit, National Institute on
Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Relative reinforcing effects of dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone: self-administration and behavioral economics analysis in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:2875-2884. [PMID: 35716192 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06173-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Following the emergence of methylone as one of the most popular synthetic cathinones, this group of novel psychoactive substance with names ending in "-lone," such as dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone, appeared on the recreational drug market. The pharmacological mechanisms of dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone are well understood; however, to date, the reinforcing effects of dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone are still unclear. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine the self-administration of dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone relative to methamphetamine (METH) and to quantify their relative reinforcing effectiveness using behavioral economic analysis. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to self-administer METH (0.05 mg/kg) under a fixed-ratio 1 (FR1) schedule. Following the training, dose substitution was used to generate full dose-response curves for METH and the three synthetic cathinones. According to the first doses on the descending limb of the dose-response curves, rats were trained to self-administer METH (0.05 mg/kg), dibutylone (0.1 mg·kg-1·infusion-1), ethylone (0.4 mg·kg-1·infusion-1), or N-ethylpentylone (0.1 mg·kg-1·infusion-1) under an FR1 schedule, and a behavioral economic evaluation of their reinforcing effectiveness was then performed. RESULTS Dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone functioned as reinforcers, and the inverted U-shaped dose-response curves were obtained. The rank order of reinforcing potency in this procedure was METH > N-ethylpentylone ≈ dibutylone > ethylone. In the economic analysis, the comparisons of the essential value (EV) transformed from demand elasticity (α) indicated that the rank order of efficacy as reinforcers was METH (EV = 7.93) ≈ dibutylone (EV = 7.81) > N-ethylpentylone (EV = 5.21) ≈ ethylone (EV = 4.19). CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrated that dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone function as reinforcers and have addictive potential, suggesting that the modification of α-alkyl and N-alkyl side chains may affect their reinforcing efficacy.
Collapse
|
26
|
Musiał J, Czarny J, Gadzała-Kopciuch R. Overview of analytical methods for determining novel psychoactive substances, drugs and their metabolites in biological samples. Crit Rev Toxicol 2022; 52:239-258. [PMID: 36040410 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2022.2091424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a growing in interest in psychoactive substances, particularly those available in e-commerce. These have led to an increase in the number of drug-related poisonings, deaths, and road accidents. Illegal drugs are available on an unprecedented scale and cause previously unknown adverse effects, which creates a challenge for analysts to find rapid methods for identifying these substances and taking appropriate action in the shortest possible time. New psychoactive substances (NPSs) can be lethal at very low concentrations, which give particularly serious cause for concern. These drugs are easily accessible and often regarded (or claimed) to be safe, which encourages many people, in particular young people, to try them. The widespread use of these substances is compounded by the awareness that they are difficult to detect with the existing rapid screening tests. Simple, fast, sensitive, and specific methods for determining the largest possible number of black-market psychoactive substances and their metabolites are therefore essential. Such methods will facilitate treatment and increase the effectiveness of measures aiming to reduce drug addiction. The objective of this review article was to critically compare the most commonly used analytical methods for determining NPS and their metabolites in biological material, with special emphasis on the sample preparation process, and to highlight the possibilities offered by the existing analytical methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jadwiga Musiał
- Institute of Forensic Genetics, Bydgoszcz, Poland.,Department of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
| | - Jakub Czarny
- Institute of Forensic Genetics, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Renata Gadzała-Kopciuch
- Department of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Nadal-Gratacós N, Lleixà E, Gibert-Serramià M, Estrada-Tejedor R, Berzosa X, Batllori X, Pubill D, Camarasa J, Escubedo E, López-Arnau R. Neuropsychopharmacology of Emerging Drugs of Abuse: meta- and para-Halogen-Ring-Substituted α-PVP (“flakka”) Derivatives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042226. [PMID: 35216339 PMCID: PMC8876800 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in the molecular structure of synthetic cathinones has led to an increase in the number of novel emerging drugs in the illicit drug market at an unprecedented rate. Unfortunately, little is known about the neuropsychopharmacology of recently emerged halogen-substituted α-PVP derivatives. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of para- and meta-halogen (F-, Cl-, and Br-) substitutions on the in vitro, in silico, and in vivo effects of α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP) derivatives. HEK293 cells expressing the human dopamine or serotonin transporter (hDAT and hSERT) were used for the uptake inhibition and transporter affinity assays. Molecular docking was used to model the interaction mechanism against DAT. Swiss CD-1 mice were used for the horizontal locomotor activity, open field test, and conditioned place preference paradigm. All compounds demonstrated potent DA uptake inhibition and higher DAT selectivity than cocaine. Meta-substituted cathinones showed higher DAT/SERT ratios than their para- analogs, which correlates with an increased psychostimulant effect in vivo and with different meta- and para-in silico interactions at DAT. Moreover, all compounds induced rewarding and acute anxiogenic effects in mice. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates the role of meta- and para-halogen substitutions in the mechanism of action and provides the first evidence of the rewarding and anxiety-like properties of halogenated α-PVP derivatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Núria Nadal-Gratacós
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (N.N.-G.); (E.L.); (M.G.-S.); (D.P.); (J.C.)
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08017 Barcelona, Spain; (R.E.-T.); (X.B.); (X.B.)
| | - Esther Lleixà
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (N.N.-G.); (E.L.); (M.G.-S.); (D.P.); (J.C.)
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08017 Barcelona, Spain; (R.E.-T.); (X.B.); (X.B.)
| | - Mónica Gibert-Serramià
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (N.N.-G.); (E.L.); (M.G.-S.); (D.P.); (J.C.)
| | - Roger Estrada-Tejedor
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08017 Barcelona, Spain; (R.E.-T.); (X.B.); (X.B.)
| | - Xavier Berzosa
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08017 Barcelona, Spain; (R.E.-T.); (X.B.); (X.B.)
| | - Xavier Batllori
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08017 Barcelona, Spain; (R.E.-T.); (X.B.); (X.B.)
| | - David Pubill
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (N.N.-G.); (E.L.); (M.G.-S.); (D.P.); (J.C.)
| | - Jordi Camarasa
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (N.N.-G.); (E.L.); (M.G.-S.); (D.P.); (J.C.)
| | - Elena Escubedo
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (N.N.-G.); (E.L.); (M.G.-S.); (D.P.); (J.C.)
- Correspondence: (E.E.); (R.L.-A.); Tel.: +34-9-3402-4531 (E.E.)
| | - Raúl López-Arnau
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (N.N.-G.); (E.L.); (M.G.-S.); (D.P.); (J.C.)
- Correspondence: (E.E.); (R.L.-A.); Tel.: +34-9-3402-4531 (E.E.)
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Serefko A, Bielecka-Papierz G, Talarek S, Szopa A, Skałecki P, Szewczyk B, Radziwoń-Zaleska M, Poleszak E. Central Effects of the Designer Drug Mephedrone in Mice—Basic Studies. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12020189. [PMID: 35203952 PMCID: PMC8870446 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mephedrone belongs to the “party drugs” thanks to its psychostimulant effects, similar to the ones observed after amphetamines. Though mephedrone is used worldwide by humans and in laboratory animals, not all properties of this drug have been discovered yet. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to expand the knowledge about mephedrone’s activity in living organisms. A set of behavioral tests (i.e., measurement of the spontaneous locomotor activity, rotarod, chimney, elevated plus maze with its modification, novel object recognition, and pentylenetetrazol seizure tests) were carried out in male albino Swiss mice. Different dose ranges of mephedrone (0.05–5 mg/kg) were administered. We demonstrated that mephedrone at a dose of 5 mg/kg rapidly increased the spontaneous locomotor activity of the tested mice and its repeated administration led to the development of tolerance to these effects. Mephedrone showed the anxiolytic-like potential and improved spatial memory, but it did not affect recognition memory. Moreover, the drug seemed not to have any anticonvulsant or proconvulsant activity. In conclusion, mephedrone induces many central effects. It easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and peaks in the brain quickly after exposure. Our experiment on inducing a hyperlocomotion effect showed that mephedrone‘s effects are transient and lasted for a relatively short time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Serefko
- Laboratory of Preclinical Testing, Chair and Department of Applied and Social Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (G.B.-P.); (E.P.)
| | - Gabriela Bielecka-Papierz
- Chair and Department of Applied and Social Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (G.B.-P.); (E.P.)
| | - Sylwia Talarek
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, 4a Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Szopa
- Laboratory of Preclinical Testing, Chair and Department of Applied and Social Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Piotr Skałecki
- Department of Commodity Science and Processing of Raw Animal Materials, University of Life Sciences, 13 Akademicka Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Bernadeta Szewczyk
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland;
| | | | - Ewa Poleszak
- Laboratory of Preclinical Testing, Chair and Department of Applied and Social Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (G.B.-P.); (E.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Sun Y, Chebolu S, Henry D, Lankireddy S, Darmani NA. An ontogenic study of receptor mechanisms by which acute administration of low-doses of methamphetamine suppresses DOI-induced 5-HT 2A-receptor mediated head-twitch response in mice. BMC Neurosci 2022; 23:2. [PMID: 34983399 PMCID: PMC8725525 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-021-00686-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methamphetamine (MA) is a non-selective monoamine releaser and thus releases serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) from corresponding nerve terminals into synapses. DOI ((±)-2, 5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine) is a direct-acting serotonergic 5-HT2A/C receptor agonist and induces the head-twitch response (HTR) via stimulation of 5-HT2A receptor in mice. While more selective serotonin releasers such as d-fenfluramine evoke the HTR, monoamine reuptake blockers (e.g., cocaine) suppress the DOI-evoked HTR via indirect stimulation of serotonergic 5-HT1A- and adrenergic ɑ2-receptors. Since the induction of HTR by DOI is age-dependent, we investigated whether: (1) during development MA can evoke the HTR by itself, and (2) acute pretreatment with either the selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist EMD 281014 or low-doses of MA can: (i) modulate the DOI-induced HTR in mice across postnatal days 20, 30 and 60, and (ii) alter the DOI-induced c-fos expression in mice prefrontal cortex (PFC). To further explore the possible modulatory effect of MA on DOI-induced HTR, we investigated whether blockade of inhibitory serotonergic 5-HT1A- or adrenergic ɑ2-receptors by corresponding selective antagonists (WAY 100635 or RS 79948, respectively), can prevent the effect of MA on DOI-induced HTR during aging. RESULTS Although neither EMD 281014 nor MA by themselves could evoke the HTR, acute pretreatment with either EMD 281014 (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) or MA (1, 2.5, 5 mg/kg, i.p.), dose-dependently suppressed the DOI-induced HTR across ages. While WAY 100635 significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of MA in 20- and 30-day old mice, RS 79948 failed to significantly counter MA's inhibitory effect. Moreover, DOI significantly increased c-fos expressions in several PFC regions. EMD 281014 prevented the DOI-induced increases in c-fos expression. Despite the inhibitory effect of MA on DOI-induced HTR, MA alone or in combination with DOI, significantly increased c-fos expression in several regions of the PFC. CONCLUSION The suppressive effect of MA on the DOI-evoked HTR appears to be mainly due to functional interactions between the HTR-inducing 5-HT2A receptor and the inhibitory 5-HT1A receptor. The MA-induced increase in c-fos expression in different PFC regions may be due to MA-evoked increases in synaptic concentrations of 5-HT, NE and/or DA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yina Sun
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA
| | - Seetha Chebolu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA
| | - Denise Henry
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA
| | - Sandeep Lankireddy
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA
| | - Nissar A Darmani
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Warner-Schmidt J, Pittenger C, Stogniew M, Mandell B, Olmstead SJ, Kelmendi B. Methylone, a rapid acting entactogen with robust anxiolytic and antidepressant-like activity. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1041277. [PMID: 36704743 PMCID: PMC9873307 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1041277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants represent first-line pharmacological treatment for a variety of neuropsychiatric illnesses, including major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which show high rates of comorbidity. SSRIs have a delayed onset of action. Most patients do not show significant effects until 4-8 weeks of continuous treatment, have impairing side effects and as many as 40% of patients do not respond. Methylone (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone; MDMC, βk-MDMA, M1) is a rapid-acting entactogen that showed significant benefit in a clinical case series of PTSD patients and was well-tolerated in two Phase 1 studies of healthy volunteers. Based on these early observations in humans, in the current study we tested the hypothesis that methylone has antidepressant-like and anxiolytic effects in preclinical tests. METHODS For all studies, 6-8-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats (N = 6-16) were used. We employed the Forced Swim Test (FST), a classic and widely used screen for antidepressants, to explore the effects of methylone and to probe dose-response relationships, durability of effect, and potential interactions with combined SSRI treatment. We compared the effect of methylone with the prototypical SSRI fluoxetine. RESULTS Three doses of fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) given within 24 h before FST testing caused a 50% reduction in immobility compared with controls that lasted less than 24 h. In contrast, a single dose of methylone (5-30 mg/kg) administered 30 min prior to testing produced a rapid, robust, and durable antidepressant-like response in the FST, greater in magnitude than fluoxetine. Immobility was reduced by nearly 95% vs. controls and effects persisted for at least 72 h after a single dose (15 mg/kg). Effects on swimming and climbing behavior in the FST, which reflect serotonergic and noradrenergic activity, respectively, were consistent with studies showing that methylone is less serotoninergic than MDMA. Fluoxetine pretreatment did not change methylone's antidepressant-like effect in the FST, suggesting the possibility that the two may be co-administered. In addition, methylone (5-30 mg/kg) exhibited anxiolytic effects measured as increased time spent in the center of an open field. DISCUSSION Taken together, and consistent with initial clinical findings, our study suggests that methylone may have potential for treating depression and anxiety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Benjamin Kelmendi
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.,Clinical Neurosciences Division, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD, West Haven, CT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
López-Arnau R, Camarasa J, Carbó ML, Nadal-Gratacós N, Puigseslloses P, Espinosa-Velasco M, Urquizu E, Escubedo E, Pubill D. 3,4-Methylenedioxy methamphetamine, synthetic cathinones and psychedelics: From recreational to novel psychotherapeutic drugs. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:990405. [PMID: 36262632 PMCID: PMC9574023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.990405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The utility of classical drugs used to treat psychiatric disorders (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics) is often limited by issues of lack of efficacy, delayed onset of action or side effects. Psychoactive substances have a long history of being used as tools to alter consciousness and as a gateway to approach the unknown and the divinities. These substances were initially obtained from plants and animals and more recently by chemical synthesis, and its consumption evolved toward a more recreational use, leading to drug abuse-related disorders, trafficking, and subsequent banning by the authorities. However, these substances, by modulation of certain neurochemical pathways, have been proven to have a beneficial effect on some psychiatric disorders. This evidence obtained under medically controlled conditions and often associated with psychotherapy, makes these substances an alternative to conventional medicines, to which in many cases the patient does not respond properly. Such disorders include post-traumatic stress disease and treatment-resistant depression, for which classical drugs such as MDMA, ketamine, psilocybin and LSD, among others, have already been clinically tested, reporting successful outcomes. The irruption of new psychoactive substances (NPS), especially during the last decade and despite their recreational and illicit uses, has enlarged the library of substances with potential utility on these disorders. In fact, many of them were synthetized with therapeutic purposes and were withdrawn for concrete reasons (e.g., adverse effects, improper pharmacological profile). In this review we focus on the basis, existing evidence and possible use of synthetic cathinones and psychedelics (specially tryptamines) for the treatment of mental illnesses and the properties that should be found in NPS to obtain new therapeutic compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raúl López-Arnau
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Camarasa
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcel Lí Carbó
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Nadal-Gratacós
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pol Puigseslloses
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Espinosa-Velasco
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Edurne Urquizu
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Escubedo
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Pubill
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Steele TWE, Spires Z, Jones CB, Glennon RA, Dukat M, Eltit JM. Non-conserved residues dictate dopamine transporter selectivity for the potent synthetic cathinone and psychostimulant MDPV. Neuropharmacology 2021; 200:108820. [PMID: 34619165 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108820] [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: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Clandestine chemists are currently exploiting the pyrrolidinophenone scaffold to develop new designer drugs that carry the risk of abuse and overdose. These drugs promote addiction through the rewarding effects of increased dopaminergic neurotransmission. 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and its analogs are illicit psychostimulants of this class that are ∼50-fold more potent than cocaine at inhibiting the human dopamine transporter (hDAT). In contrast, MDPV is a weak inhibitor at both the human serotonin transporter (hSERT) and, as it is shown here, the Drosophila melanogaster DAT (dDAT). We studied three conserved residues between hSERT and dDAT that are unique in hDAT (A117, F318, and P323 in dDAT), and one residue that is different in all three transporters (D121 in dDAT). hDAT residues were replaced in the dDAT sequence at these positions using site-directed mutagenesis and stable cell lines were generated expressing these mutant transporters. The potencies of MDPV and two of its analogs were determined using a Ca2+-mobilization assay. In this assay, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are expressed to sense the membrane electrical depolarization evoked when dopamine is transported through DAT. Each individual mutant slightly improved MDPV's potency, but the combination of all four increased its potency ∼100-fold (2 log units) in inhibiting dDAT activity. Molecular modeling and docking studies were conducted to explore the possible mode of interaction between MDPV and DAT in silico. Two of the studied residues (F318 and P323) are at the entrance of the S1 binding site, whereas the other two (A117 and D121) face the aryl moiety of MDPV when bound to this site. Therefore, these four non-conserved residues can influence MDPV selectivity not only by stabilizing binding, but also by controlling access to its binding site at DAT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler W E Steele
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
| | - Zachary Spires
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
| | - Charles B Jones
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
| | - Richard A Glennon
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
| | - Małgorzata Dukat
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
| | - Jose M Eltit
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Ethanol enhanced MDPV- and cocaine-induced aggressive behavior in mice: Forensic implications. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 229:109125. [PMID: 34763230 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reports concerning the causal link between aggressive behavior and use and abuse of different substances (i.e., alcohol, MDPV) can be found in the literature. Nonetheless, the topic concerning the effects of acute ethanol administration on MDPV and cocaine induced aggressive behavior has yet to be thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate such synergistic effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 360 male mice were employed in the study. Ethanol was diluted with saline solution and administered 10 min before MDPV or cocaine injection via oral gavage needles. Similarly, MDPV and cocaine were dissolved in saline solution and administered by intraperitoneal injection. Different associations of specific drug doses were then tested. To investigate the acute effects of MDPV and cocaine and their interaction with ethanol on aggression in mice, a resident-intruder test was used. RESULTS Ethanol alone was ineffective at dosages of 0.05 g/kg and 0.25 g/kg but increased the aggressiveness of the mice at 0.125 g/kg. Similarly, the injection of both cocaine alone and MDPV alone did not significantly increase the aggressiveness of the mice; conversely, the combination of ethanol and cocaine and ethanol and MDPV enhanced aggression at specific ethanol dosages (0.05 g/kg and 0.125 g/kg). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that acute ethanol administration enhances MDPV- and cocaine-induced aggressive behavior in mice. This aggressive response is particularly enhanced when MDVP and cocaine are coupled with specific ethanol dosages, proving that psychostimulant drugs may act synergistically under certain conditions.
Collapse
|
34
|
Poyatos L, Papaseit E, Olesti E, Pérez-Mañá C, Ventura M, Carbón X, Grifell M, Fonseca F, Torrens M, de la Torre R, Farré M. A Comparison of Acute Pharmacological Effects of Methylone and MDMA Administration in Humans and Oral Fluid Concentrations as Biomarkers of Exposure. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10080788. [PMID: 34440023 PMCID: PMC8389614 DOI: 10.3390/biology10080788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Methylone is a synthetic cathinone that is usually used as a substitute for conventional psychostimulants, such as MDMA. Chemically, methylone is considered the β-keto analogue of MDMA, with which it presumably shares similar pharmacological effects. To date, the available data about the human pharmacology of methylone in humans are very scarce and are mainly derived from user experiences, published in internet forums or intoxication reports. Thus, an observational–naturalistic study was conducted to evaluate the acute pharmacological effects and determine biomarkers of exposure in oral fluid of methylone after oral self-administration in comparison to MDMA. Methylone induced the prototypical psychostimulant and empathogenic effects commonly associated with MDMA, although they were of lower intensity. Oral fluid concentrations of methylone can be considered a suitable biomarker of acute exposure, and oral fluid has been proven to be a useful biological matrix of detection. Abstract Considered the β-keto analogue of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy), 3,4-Methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone) is a synthetic cathinone. Over the years, methylone has been used as a substitute for conventional psychostimulants, such as MDMA. To date, little is known about the human pharmacology of methylone; the only available information has been provided by surveys or published intoxication reports. In the present observational–naturalistic study, we evaluate the acute subjective and physiological effects of methylone after oral self-administration in comparison to MDMA in healthy poly-drug users. Fourteen participants (10 males, 4 females) selected their single oral doses of methylone from 100 to 300 mg (n = 8, mean dose 187.5 mg) or MDMA from 75 to 100 mg (n = 6, mean dose 87.5 mg) based on their experience. Study variables were assessed at 0, 1, 2, and 4 h (h) and included vital signs (non-invasive blood pressure, heart rate, cutaneous temperature) and subjective effects using visual analogue scales (VAS), the 49-item Addiction Research Centre Inventory (ARCI) short form, and the Evaluation of the Subjective Effects of Substances with Abuse Potential (VESSPA-SSE) questionnaire. Additionally, oral fluid concentrations of methylone and MDMA were determined. Acute pharmacological effects produced by methylone followed the prototypical psychostimulant and empathogenic profile associated with MDMA, although they were less intense. Methylone concentrations in oral fluid can be considered a useful biomarker to detect acute exposure in oral fluid. Oral fluid concentrations of MDMA and methylone peaked at 2 h and concentrations of MDMA were in the range of those previously described in controlled studies. Our results demonstrate that the potential abuse liability of methylone is similar to that of MDMA in recreational subjects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Poyatos
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (L.P.); (C.P.-M.); (M.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Esther Papaseit
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (L.P.); (C.P.-M.); (M.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Eulalia Olesti
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (E.O.); (R.d.l.T.)
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (CEXS-UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Pérez-Mañá
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (L.P.); (C.P.-M.); (M.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Mireia Ventura
- Energy Control, Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament, 08041 Barcelona, Spain; (M.V.); (X.C.); (M.G.)
| | - Xoán Carbón
- Energy Control, Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament, 08041 Barcelona, Spain; (M.V.); (X.C.); (M.G.)
| | - Marc Grifell
- Energy Control, Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament, 08041 Barcelona, Spain; (M.V.); (X.C.); (M.G.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain; (F.F.); (M.T.)
- Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Adiccions (INAD), Parc de Salut Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francina Fonseca
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain; (F.F.); (M.T.)
- Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Adiccions (INAD), Parc de Salut Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Torrens
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain; (F.F.); (M.T.)
- Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Adiccions (INAD), Parc de Salut Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael de la Torre
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (E.O.); (R.d.l.T.)
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (CEXS-UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magí Farré
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (L.P.); (C.P.-M.); (M.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Docherty JR, Alsufyani HA. Pharmacology of Drugs Used as Stimulants. J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 61 Suppl 2:S53-S69. [PMID: 34396557 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.1918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Psychostimulant, cardiovascular, and temperature actions of stimulants involve adrenergic (norepinephrine), dopaminergic (dopamine), and serotonergic (serotonin) pathways. Stimulants such as amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), or mephedrone can act on the neuronal membrane monoamine transporters NET, DAT, and SERT and/or the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 to inhibit reuptake of neurotransmitter or cause release by reverse transport. Stimulants may have additional effects involving pre- and postsynaptic/junctional receptors for norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin and other receptors. As a result, stimulants may have a wide range of possible actions. Agents with cocaine or MDMA-like actions can induce serious and potentially fatal adverse events via thermodysregulatory, cardiovascular, or other mechanisms. MDMA-like stimulants may cause hyperthermia that can be life threathening. Recreational users of stimulants should be aware of the dangers of hyperthermia in a rave/club environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hadeel A Alsufyani
- Department of Physiology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Seaman RW, Doyle MR, Sulima A, Rice KC, Collins GT. Discriminative stimulus effects of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and structurally related synthetic cathinones. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:357-367. [PMID: 33587482 PMCID: PMC8266731 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), and other structurally related synthetic cathinones, are popular alternatives to prototypical illicit psychostimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine. These drugs are often referred to as 'bath salts' and function either as cocaine-like inhibitors of monoamine uptake, or amphetamine-like substrates for dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin transporters. These studies used male Sprague-Dawley rats trained to discriminate MDPV from saline to evaluate the substitution profiles of structurally related synthetic cathinones, cocaine, and other direct-acting dopamine and noradrenergic receptor agonists in order to characterize the relative contributions of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin to the discriminative stimulus effects of MDPV. As expected, each of the cathinones and cocaine dose-dependently increased MDPV-appropriate responding, with a rank-order potency that was positively correlated with their potency to inhibit dopamine and norepinephrine, but not serotonin, a relationship that is consistent with the rank order to maintain self-administration. The dopamine D2/3 receptor-preferring agonist quinpirole produced a modest increase in MDPV-appropriate responding, whereas the dopamine D1/5 receptor agonist, SKF 82958, nonselective dopamine receptor agonist, apomorphine, as well as the α-1, and α-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, phenylephrine and clonidine, respectively, failed to increase MDPV-appropriate responding at doses smaller than those that suppressed responding altogether. Although these studies do not support a role for serotonergic or adrenergic systems in mediating/modulating the discriminative stimulus effects of MDPV, convergent evidence is provided to suggest that the discriminative stimulus effects of MDPV are primarily mediated by its capacity to inhibit dopamine uptake, and the subsequent activation of dopamine D2 or D3 receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Seaman
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Research Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Michelle R Doyle
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Research Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA- and NIAAA-Intramural Research Programs, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA- and NIAAA-Intramural Research Programs, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gregory T Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Research Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Soares J, Costa VM, Bastos MDL, Carvalho F, Capela JP. An updated review on synthetic cathinones. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2895-2940. [PMID: 34100120 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03083-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cathinone, the main psychoactive compound found in the plant Catha edulis Forsk. (khat), is a β-keto analogue of amphetamine, sharing not only the phenethylamine structure, but also the amphetamine-like stimulant effects. Synthetic cathinones are derivatives of the naturally occurring cathinone that largely entered the recreational drug market at the end of 2000s. The former "legal status", impressive marketing strategies and their commercial availability, either in the so-called "smartshops" or via the Internet, prompted their large spread, contributing to their increasing popularity in the following years. As their popularity increased, the risks posed for public health became clear, with several reports of intoxications and deaths involving these substances appearing both in the social media and scientific literature. The regulatory measures introduced thereafter to halt these trending drugs of abuse have proved to be of low impact, as a continuous emergence of new non-controlled derivatives keep appearing to replace those prohibited. Users resort to synthetic cathinones due to their psychostimulant properties but are often unaware of the dangers they may incur when using these substances. Therefore, studies aimed at unveiling the pharmacological and toxicological properties of these substances are imperative, as they will provide increased expertise to the clinicians that face this problem on a daily basis. The present work provides a comprehensive review on history and legal status, chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse effects and lethality in humans, as well as on the current knowledge of the neurotoxic mechanisms of synthetic cathinones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Soares
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Vera Marisa Costa
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria de Lourdes Bastos
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Félix Carvalho
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Capela
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- FP-ENAS (Fernando Pessoa Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit), CEBIMED (Biomedical Research Centre), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Rudin D, Liechti ME, Luethi D. Molecular and clinical aspects of potential neurotoxicity induced by new psychoactive stimulants and psychedelics. Exp Neurol 2021; 343:113778. [PMID: 34090893 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
New psychoactive stimulants and psychedelics continue to play an important role on the illicit new psychoactive substance (NPS) market. Designer stimulants and psychedelics both affect monoaminergic systems, although by different mechanisms. Stimulant NPS primarily interact with monoamine transporters, either as inhibitors or as substrates. Psychedelic NPS most potently interact with serotonergic receptors and mediate their mind-altering effects mainly through agonism at serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-2A (5-HT2A) receptors. Rarely, designer stimulants and psychedelics are associated with potentially severe adverse effects. However, due to the high number of emerging NPS, it is not possible to investigate the toxicity of each individual substance in detail. The brain is an organ particularly sensitive to substance-induced toxicity due to its high metabolic activity. In fact, stimulant and psychedelic NPS have been linked to neurological and cognitive impairments. Furthermore, studies using in vitro cell models or rodents indicate a variety of mechanisms that could potentially lead to neurotoxic damage in NPS users. Cytotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress may potentially contribute to neurotoxicity of stimulant NPS in addition to altered neurochemistry. Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor-mediated toxicity, oxidative stress, and activation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathways could contribute to neurotoxicity of some psychedelic NPS. However, it remains unclear how well the current preclinical data of NPS-induced neurotoxicity translate to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Rudin
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dino Luethi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Centazzo N, Chojnacki MR, Elmore JS, Rodriguez R, Acosta T, Suzuki M, Rice KC, Baumann MH, Concheiro M. Brain Concentrations of Methylone and Its Metabolites after Systemic Methylone Administration: Relationship to Pharmacodynamic Effects. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2021; 377:398-406. [PMID: 33785525 PMCID: PMC11058058 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone (methylone) is a new psychoactive substance with stimulant properties and potential for abuse. Despite its popularity, limited studies have examined relationships between brain concentrations of methylone, its metabolites, and pharmacodynamic effects. The goal of the present study was 2-fold: 1) to determine pharmacokinetics of methylone and its major metabolites-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-N-methylcathinone (HMMC), 3,4-dihydroxy-N-methylcathinone (HHMC), and 3,4-methylenedioxycathinone (MDC)-in rat brain and plasma and 2) to relate brain pharmacokinetic parameters to pharmacodynamic effects including locomotor behavior and postmortem neurochemistry. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received subcutaneous methylone (6, 12, or 24 mg/kg) or saline vehicle (n = 16/dose), and subgroups were decapitated after 40 or 120 minutes. Plasma and prefrontal cortex were analyzed for concentrations of methylone and its metabolites by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Frontal cortex and dorsal striatum were analyzed for dopamine, 5-HT, and their metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection. Brain and plasma concentrations of methylone and its metabolites rose with increasing methylone dose, but brain methylone and MDC concentrations were greater than dose-proportional. Brain-to-plasma ratios for methylone and MDC were ≥ 3 (range 3-12), whereas those for HHMC and HMMC were ≤ 0.2 (range 0.01-0.2). Locomotor activity score was positively correlated with brain methylone and MDC, whereas cortical 5-HT was negatively correlated with these analytes at 120 minutes. Our findings show that brain concentrations of methylone and MDC display nonlinear accumulation. Behavioral and neurochemical effects of systemically administered methylone are related to brain concentrations of methylone and MDC but not its hydroxylated metabolites, which do not effectively penetrate into the brain. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Behavioral and neurochemical effects of methylone are related to brain concentrations of methylone and its metabolite MDC but not its hydroxylated metabolites, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-N-methylcathinone and 3,4-dihydroxy-N-methylcathinone, which do not effectively penetrate into the brain. Methylone and MDC display nonlinear accumulation in the brain, which could cause untoward effects on serotonin neurons in vulnerable brain regions, including the frontal cortex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Centazzo
- Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, New York (N.C., R.R., T.A., M.C.); Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland (M.R.C., J.S.E., M.H.B.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, IRP, NIDA, NIH, Rockville, Maryland (M.S., K.C.R.)
| | - Michael R Chojnacki
- Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, New York (N.C., R.R., T.A., M.C.); Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland (M.R.C., J.S.E., M.H.B.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, IRP, NIDA, NIH, Rockville, Maryland (M.S., K.C.R.)
| | - Joshua S Elmore
- Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, New York (N.C., R.R., T.A., M.C.); Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland (M.R.C., J.S.E., M.H.B.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, IRP, NIDA, NIH, Rockville, Maryland (M.S., K.C.R.)
| | - Raider Rodriguez
- Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, New York (N.C., R.R., T.A., M.C.); Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland (M.R.C., J.S.E., M.H.B.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, IRP, NIDA, NIH, Rockville, Maryland (M.S., K.C.R.)
| | - Teeshavi Acosta
- Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, New York (N.C., R.R., T.A., M.C.); Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland (M.R.C., J.S.E., M.H.B.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, IRP, NIDA, NIH, Rockville, Maryland (M.S., K.C.R.)
| | - Masaki Suzuki
- Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, New York (N.C., R.R., T.A., M.C.); Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland (M.R.C., J.S.E., M.H.B.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, IRP, NIDA, NIH, Rockville, Maryland (M.S., K.C.R.)
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, New York (N.C., R.R., T.A., M.C.); Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland (M.R.C., J.S.E., M.H.B.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, IRP, NIDA, NIH, Rockville, Maryland (M.S., K.C.R.)
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, New York (N.C., R.R., T.A., M.C.); Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland (M.R.C., J.S.E., M.H.B.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, IRP, NIDA, NIH, Rockville, Maryland (M.S., K.C.R.)
| | - Marta Concheiro
- Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, New York (N.C., R.R., T.A., M.C.); Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland (M.R.C., J.S.E., M.H.B.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, IRP, NIDA, NIH, Rockville, Maryland (M.S., K.C.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Maier J, Rauter L, Rudin D, Niello M, Holy M, Schmid D, Wilson J, Blough BE, Gannon BM, Murnane KS, Sitte HH. α-PPP and its derivatives are selective partial releasers at the human norepinephrine transporter: A pharmacological characterization of interactions between pyrrolidinopropiophenones and high and low affinity monoamine transporters. Neuropharmacology 2021; 190:108570. [PMID: 33864800 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
While classical cathinones, such as methcathinone, have been shown to be monoamine releasing agents at human monoamine transporters, the subgroup of α-pyrrolidinophenones has thus far solely been characterized as monoamine transporter reuptake inhibitors. Herein, we report data from previously undescribed α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (α-PPP) derivatives and compare them with the pharmacologically well-researched α-PVP (α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone). Radiotracer-based in vitro uptake inhibition assays in HEK293 cells show that the investigated α-PPP derivatives inhibit the human high-affinity transporters of dopamine (hDAT) and norepinephrine (hNET) in the low micromolar range, with α-PVP being ten times more potent. Similar to α-PVP, no relevant pharmacological activity was found at the human serotonin transporter (hSERT). Unexpectedly, radiotracer-based in vitro release assays reveal α-PPP, MDPPP and 3Br-PPP, but not α-PVP, to be partial releasing agents at hNET (EC50 values in the low micromolar range). Furthermore, uptake inhibition assays at low-affinity monoamine transporters, i.e., the human organic cation transporters (hOCT) 1-3 and human plasma membrane monoamine transporter (hPMAT), bring to light that all compounds inhibit hOCT1 and 2 (IC50 values in the low micromolar range) while less potently interacting with hPMAT and hOCT3. In conclusion, this study describes (i) three new hybrid compounds that efficaciously block hDAT while being partial releasers at hNET, and (ii) highlights the interactions of α-PPP-derivatives with low-affinity monoamine transporters, giving impetus to further studies investigating the interaction of drugs of abuse with OCT1-3 and PMAT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian Maier
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Laurin Rauter
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Deborah Rudin
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marco Niello
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marion Holy
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Diethart Schmid
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Physiology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Joseph Wilson
- Research Triangle Institute, Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Bruce E Blough
- Research Triangle Institute, Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Brenda M Gannon
- Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Mercer University Health Sciences Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Department of Pharmacology Toxicology & Neuroscience and Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Kevin S Murnane
- Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Mercer University Health Sciences Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Department of Pharmacology Toxicology & Neuroscience and Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria; AddRess Centre for Addiction Research and Science, Medical University of Vienna, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS). A New Threat for Young Drug Users with Forensic-Toxicological Implications. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11050440. [PMID: 34068903 PMCID: PMC8156937 DOI: 10.3390/life11050440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) represent a severe health risk for drug users. Even though the phenomenon has been growing since the early 2000s, the mechanisms of action of NPS at the receptors and beyond them are still scarcely understood. The aim of the present study was to provide a systematic review of the updated knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the toxicity of synthetic opioids, cannabinoids, cathinones, and stimulants. The study was conducted on the PubMed database. Study eligibility criteria included relevance to the topic, English language, and time of publication (2010–2020). A combined Mesh and free-text protocols search was performed. Study selection was performed on the title/abstract and, in doubtful cases, on the full texts of papers. Of the 580 records identified through PubMed searching and reference checking, 307 were excluded by title/abstract and 78 additional papers were excluded after full-text reading, leaving a total of 155 included papers. Molecular mechanisms of synthetic opioids, synthetic cannabinoids, stimulants, psychedelics, and hallucinogens were reviewed and mostly involved both a receptor-mediated and non-receptor mediated cellular modulation with multiple neurotransmitters interactions. The molecular mechanisms underlying the action of NPS are more complex than expected, with a wide range of overlap among activated receptors and neurotransmitter systems. The peculiar action profile of single compounds does not necessarily reflect that of the structural class to which they belong, accounting for possible unexpected toxic reactions.
Collapse
|
42
|
Oeri HE. Beyond ecstasy: Alternative entactogens to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine with potential applications in psychotherapy. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:512-536. [PMID: 32909493 PMCID: PMC8155739 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120920420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The last two decades have seen a revival of interest in the entactogen 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) as an adjunct to psychotherapy, particularly for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. While clinical results are highly promising, and MDMA is expected to be approved as a treatment in the near future, it is currently the only compound in its class of action that is being actively investigated as a medicine. This lack of alternatives to MDMA may prove detrimental to patients who do not respond well to the particular mechanism of action of MDMA or whose treatment calls for a modification of MDMA's effects. For instance, patients with existing cardiovascular conditions or with a prolonged history of stimulant drug use may not fit into the current model of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, and could benefit from alternative drugs. This review examines the existing literature on a host of entactogenic drugs, which may prove to be useful alternatives in the future, paying particularly close attention to any neurotoxic risks, neuropharmacological mechanism of action and entactogenic commonalities with MDMA. The substances examined derive from the 1,3-benzodioxole, cathinone, benzofuran, aminoindane, indole and amphetamine classes. Several compounds from these classes are identified as potential alternatives to MDMA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hans Emanuel Oeri
- Hans Emanuel Oeri, University of Victoria,
3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Wakeford AGP, Sherwood AM, Prisinzano TE, Bergman J, Kohut SJ, Paronis CA. Discriminative-Stimulus Effects of Synthetic Cathinones in Squirrel Monkeys. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 24:656-665. [PMID: 33909067 PMCID: PMC8378080 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyab017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synthetic cathinones display overlapping behavioral effects with psychostimulants (e.g., methamphetamine [MA]) and/or entactogens (e.g., 3,4-methylenedioxymethaphetamine [MDMA])-presumably reflecting their dopaminergic and/or serotonergic activity. The discriminative stimulus effects of MDMA thought to be mediated by such activity have been well characterized in rodents but have not been fully examined in nonhuman primates. METHODS The present studies were conducted to systematically evaluate the discriminative stimulus effects of 5 abused synthetic cathinones (methylenedioxypyrovalerone [MDPV], α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone [α-PVP], methcathinone [MCAT], mephedrone, and methylone) in adult male squirrel monkeys trained to distinguish intramuscular injections of MA (0.1 mg/kg; n = 4) or MDMA (0.6 mg/kg; n = 4) from vehicle. RESULTS Each training drug produced dose-dependent effects and, at the highest dose, full substitution. MDMA produced predominantly vehicle-like responding in the MA-trained group, whereas the highest dose of MA (0.56 mg/kg) produced partial substitution (approximately 90% appropriate lever responding in one-half of the subjects) in the MDMA-trained group. MDPV, α-PVP, and MCAT produced full substitution in MA-trained subjects, but, at the same or higher doses, only substituted for MDMA in one-half of the subjects, consistent with primarily dopaminergically mediated interoceptive effects. In contrast, mephedrone and methylone fully substituted in MDMA-trained subjects but failed to fully substitute for the training drug in MA-trained subjects, suggesting a primary role for serotonergic actions in their interoceptive effects. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that differences in the interoceptive effects of synthetic cathinones in nonhuman primates reflect differing compositions of monoaminergic actions that also may mediate their subjective effects in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison G P Wakeford
- McLean Hospital, Behavioral Biology Program, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA,Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Correspondence: Alison G. P. Wakeford, PhD, Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA ()
| | - Alexander M Sherwood
- College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA,Usona Institute, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Jack Bergman
- McLean Hospital, Behavioral Biology Program, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA,Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephen J Kohut
- McLean Hospital, Behavioral Biology Program, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA,Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carol A Paronis
- McLean Hospital, Behavioral Biology Program, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA,Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
MDPV "high-responder" rats also self-administer more oxycodone than their "low-responder" counterparts under a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:1183-1192. [PMID: 33484299 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05764-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Oxycodone is one of the most commonly prescribed and most frequently abused opioid analgesics, yet little is known regarding individual vulnerabilities to oxycodone abuse. The synthetic cathinone 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) has been shown to produce a "high-responder" phenotype characterized by increased drug intake and responding during periods of signaled drug unavailability (e.g., during post-infusion timeouts) in ~ 40% of male Sprague-Dawley rats. This phenotype also transfers to other psychostimulants (e.g., cocaine and methamphetamine), but it is unknown whether this phenotype transfers to other (non-stimulant) drugs of abuse. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to (1) reestablish the "high-responder" phenotype in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 11) that acquired self-administration of MDPV (0.032 mg/kg/inf) on a fixed ratio 1 (FR1) schedule of reinforcement and (2) compare full dose-response curves for MDPV and oxycodone self-administration under an FR5 schedule of reinforcement. RESULTS MDPV was ~ 3-fold more potent at maintaining peak levels of behavior and resulted in greater overall drug intake than oxycodone. High levels of timeout responding were noted in a subset of rats that acquired MDPV self-administration ("high-responders", n = 5), and the FR5 dose-response curve for MDPV was shifted upward for these rats relative to their "low-responder" (n = 6) counterparts. "High-responders" also self-administered more infusions of oxycodone under an FR5 schedule of reinforcement than "low-responders"; however, this was not coupled with increased levels of timeout responding. CONCLUSIONS The present data suggest that a subset of individuals with a history of using synthetic cathinones may be particularly vulnerable to the abuse of oxycodone.
Collapse
|
45
|
Jîtcă G, Ősz BE, Tero-Vescan A, Vari CE. Psychoactive Drugs-From Chemical Structure to Oxidative Stress Related to Dopaminergic Neurotransmission. A Review. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:381. [PMID: 33806320 PMCID: PMC8000782 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10030381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, more and more young people want to experience illegal, psychoactive substances, without knowing the risks of exposure. Besides affecting social life, psychoactive substances also have an important effect on consumer health. We summarized and analyzed the published literature data with reference to the mechanism of free radical generation and the link between chemical structure and oxidative stress related to dopaminergic neurotransmission. This review presents data on the physicochemical properties, on the ability to cross the blood brain barrier, the chemical structure activity relationship (SAR), and possible mechanisms by which neuronal injuries occur due to oxidative stress as a result of drug abuse such as "bath salts", amphetamines, or cocaine. The mechanisms of action of ingested compounds or their metabolites involve intermediate steps in which free radicals are generated. The brain is strongly affected by the consumption of such substances, facilitating the induction of neurodegenerative diseases. It can be concluded that neurotoxicity is associated with drug abuse. Dependence and oxidative stress are linked to inhibition of neurogenesis and the onset of neuronal death. Understanding the pathological mechanisms following oxidative attack can be a starting point in the development of new therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Jîtcă
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania; (G.J.); (C.E.V.)
| | - Bianca E. Ősz
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania; (G.J.); (C.E.V.)
| | - Amelia Tero-Vescan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania;
| | - Camil E. Vari
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania; (G.J.); (C.E.V.)
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Pinterova‐Leca N, Horsley RR, Danda H, Žídková M, Lhotková E, Šíchová K, Štefková K, Balíková M, Kuchař M, Páleníček T. Naphyrone (naphthylpyrovalerone): Pharmacokinetics, behavioural effects and thermoregulation in Wistar rats. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12906. [PMID: 32378298 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Naphthylpyrovalerone (naphyrone) is a pyrovalerone cathinone that potently inhibits monoamine transporters and provides stimulatory-entactogenic effects. Little is known about the safety of naphyrone or its effects in vivo, and more research is needed to acquire knowledge about its fundamental effects on physiology and behaviour. Our objective was to investigate naphyrone's pharmacokinetics, acute toxicity, hyperthermic potential and stimulatory and psychotomimetic properties in vivo in male Wistar rats. Pharmacokinetics after 1 mg/kg subcutaneous (sc.) naphyrone were measured over 6 h in serum, the brain, liver and lungs. Rectal temperature (degree Celsius) was measured over 10 h in group-versus individually housed rats after 20 mg/kg sc. In the behavioural experiments, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg of naphyrone was administered 15 or 60 min prior to testing. Stimulation was assessed in the open field, and sensorimotor processing in a prepulse inhibition (PPI) task. Peak concentrations of naphyrone in serum and tissue were reached at 30 min, with a long-lasting elevation in the brain/serum ratio, consistent with observations of lasting hyperlocomotion in the open field and modest increases in body temperature. Administration of 20 mg/kg transiently enhanced PPI. Naphyrone crosses the blood-brain barrier rapidly and is eliminated slowly, and its long-lasting effects correspond to its pharmacokinetics. No specific signs of acute toxicity were observed; therefore, clinical care and harm-reduction guidance should be in line with that available for other stimulants and cathinones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Pinterova‐Leca
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine Charles University in Prague Prague Czech Republic
| | - Rachel R. Horsley
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
| | - Hynek Danda
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine Charles University in Prague Prague Czech Republic
| | - Monika Žídková
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, First Faculty of Medicine Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague Prague Czech Republic
| | - Eva Lhotková
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
| | - Klára Šíchová
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Štefková
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
| | - Marie Balíková
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, First Faculty of Medicine Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague Prague Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kuchař
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague Prague Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Páleníček
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine Charles University in Prague Prague Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
La Maida N, Di Trana A, Giorgetti R, Tagliabracci A, Busardò FP, Huestis MA. A Review of Synthetic Cathinone-Related Fatalities From 2017 to 2020. Ther Drug Monit 2021; 43:52-68. [PMID: 32881779 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000000808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synthetic cathinones (SCs) are designer analogs of the natural active principle of khat. Since their appearance on the black market in 2003, their popularity has increased annually, and they have become the most seized class of new psychoactive substances reported to the UNODC Early Warning Advisory system. The constant introduction of newly synthesized molecules makes this issue difficult to monitor. The authors reviewed the most recent SC-related fatalities worldwide to highlight new trends of consumption, reporting acute pharmacological and toxicological symptoms, scene investigations, analytical methods, and reported SC concentrations in diverse biological matrices. METHODS A literature search was performed using scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Research Gate to identify relevant scientific publications from 2017 to 2020. In addition, a search was conducted through the EU EWS. RESULTS From 2017 to 2020, 31 different SCs were identified in 75 reported fatal intoxications in the literature, alone or in combination with other substances. The most abused SCs were N-ethylpentylone, N-ethylhexedrone, and 4-chloromethcathinone. The EU EWS included less detail on 72 additional SC-related fatalities from 2017 to 2020. CONCLUSIONS New SCs continuously replace older natural and synthetic stimulant drugs, making determining the cause of death difficult. Analytical methods and high-performance mass spectrometry instruments are essential to detect the low concentrations of these potent new SCs. Little data are available on the pharmacology of these new drugs; the evaluation of toxicological antemortem and postmortem findings provides critical data on the drug's pharmacology and toxicology and for the interpretation of new SC cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia La Maida
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy ; and
| | - Annagiulia Di Trana
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy ; and
| | - Raffaele Giorgetti
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy ; and
| | - Adriano Tagliabracci
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy ; and
| | - Francesco P Busardò
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy ; and
| | - Marilyn A Huestis
- Institute of Emerging Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-like discriminative stimulus effects of seven cathinones in rats. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 31:378-384. [PMID: 31895060 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinone derivatives are commonly considered quasi-legal alternatives for stimulant drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, but some derivatives are increasingly being detected in club drug formulations of Ecstasy or 'Molly' as substitutes for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (±-MDMA). Although several studies have evaluated the psychostimulant-like effects of synthetic cathinones, few cathinone compounds have been assessed for MDMA-like activity. In order to determine their likelihood of interchangeability with entactogenic club drugs, the discriminative stimulus effects of methcathinone, 4-fluoromethcathinone, 4-methylmethcathinone, 4-methylethcathinone, 3-fluoromethcathinone, pentedrone, and ethylone were assessed in Sprague-Dawley rats trained to discriminate 1.5 mg/kg racemic methylenedioxymethamphetamine (±-MDMA) from vehicle. Methamphetamine and the cathinones 4-fluoromethcathinone, 4-methylmethcathinone, 4-methylethcathinone, 3-fluoromethcathinone, pentedrone, and ethylone fully substituted for the discriminative stimulus effects of ±-MDMA. In contrast, methcathinone produced a maximum of only 43% ±-MDMA-appropriate responding and higher doses suppressed responding. Most, but not all of the cathinone compounds tested have discriminative stimulus effects similar to those of MDMA as well as psychostimulant-like effects; however, the potency of MDMA versus psychostimulant substitution varies substantially among the compounds, suggesting that a subset of synthetic cathinones are more MDMA-like than psychostimulant-like. These findings further highlight the highly-variable pharmacology of this class of compounds and suggest that those cathinones with MDMA-like effects may also have increased use as club drugs.
Collapse
|
49
|
de Moura FB, Sherwood A, Prisinzano TE, Paronis CA, Bergman J, Kohut SJ. Reinforcing effects of synthetic cathinones in rhesus monkeys: Dose-response and behavioral economic analyses. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 202:173112. [PMID: 33444603 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The abuse of synthetic cathinones ("bath salts") with psychomotor stimulant and/or entactogenic properties emerged as a public health concern when they were introduced as "legal" alternatives to drugs of abuse such as cocaine or MDMA. In this study, experiments were conducted in nonhuman primates to examine how differences in transporter selectivity might impact the reinforcing effects of synthetic cathinones. Rhesus monkeys (N = 5) were trained to respond for intravenous injections under a fixed-ratio (FR) 30, timeout 60-s schedule of reinforcement. The reinforcing effects of selected cathinones (e.g., MDPV, αPVP, MCAT, and methylone) with a range of pharmacological effects at dopamine and serotonin transporters were compared to cocaine and MDMA using dose-response analysis under a simple FR schedule and behavioral economic procedures that generated demand curves for two doses of each drug. Results show that one or more doses of all drugs were readily self-administered in each subject and, excepting MDMA (21 injections/session), peak levels of self-administration were similar across drugs (between 30 and 40 injections/session). Demand elasticity for the peak and the peak + 1/2-log dose of each drug did not significantly differ, and when data for the two doses were averaged for each drug, the following rank-order of reinforcing strength emerged: cocaine > MCAT = MDPV = methylone > αPVP = MDMA. These results indicate that the reinforcing strength of synthetic cathinones are not related to their selectivity in binding dopamine or serotonin transporter sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando B de Moura
- Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill St., Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Thomas E Prisinzano
- College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Carol A Paronis
- Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill St., Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jack Bergman
- Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill St., Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephen J Kohut
- Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill St., Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Wojcieszak J, Kuczyńska K, Zawilska JB. Behavioral Effects of 4-CMC and 4-MeO-PVP in DBA/2J Mice After Acute and Intermittent Administration and Following Withdrawal from Intermittent 14-Day Treatment. Neurotox Res 2021; 39:575-587. [PMID: 33428180 PMCID: PMC8096775 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-021-00329-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones appeared on the market in the 2000s as new psychoactive substances and gained significant prevalence among drug abusers. Cathinones produce psychostimulant and empathogenic effects by enhancing dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and serotoninergic neurotransmission in the brain, and those which potently and selectively enhance dopaminergic transmission are considered to have higher abuse potential. The present study examines the behavioral effects related to psychostimulant properties, abuse potential, and addiction in DBA/2J mice of two cathinones with different profile of action on monoamine system, 4-chloromethcathinone (4-CMC), and 4-methoxy-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (4-MeO-PVP). 4-CMC and 4-MeO-PVP increase spontaneous locomotor activity after acute treatment and produce behavioral sensitization after 7-day intermittent treatment, which is a common feature of drugs of abuse. 4-MeO-PVP, but not 4-CMC, produces conditioned place preference after 4 days, indicating its rewarding properties. Finally, the ability of 4-CMC and 4-MeO-PVP to induce withdrawal symptoms after discontinuation from 14-day treatment was assessed using a battery of tests for behavioral markers of depression in mice: a tail suspension test, a forced swim test, measuring despair, and a sucrose preference test, measuring anhedonia. None of the three tests revealed increased depressive symptoms. Moreover, neither spontaneous locomotor activity nor motor performance on a rotarod was impaired after 14-day treatment with the tested compounds. These results indicate that 14-day treatment of mice with 4-CMC or 4-MeO-PVP does not induce significant withdrawal symptoms after cessation, nor significant impairment of dopaminergic circuitry resulting in motor impairment. The current study shows that 4-CMC and 4-MeO-PVP produce abuse-related behavioral changes in mice, which are more pronounced after more dopamine-selective 4-MeO-PVP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Wojcieszak
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-151, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Kuczyńska
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-151, Lodz, Poland
| | - Jolanta B Zawilska
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-151, Lodz, Poland
| |
Collapse
|