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Jeon KO, Kim OH, Seo SY, Yun J, Jang CG, Lim RN, Kim TW, Yang CH, Yoon SS, Jang EY. The psychomotor, reinforcing, and discriminative stimulus effects of synthetic cathinone mexedrone in male mice and rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 969:176466. [PMID: 38431243 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176466] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The chronic use of the novel synthetic cathinone mexedrone, like other psychoactive drugs, can be considered addictive, with a high potential for abuse and the ability to cause psychological dependence in certain users. However, little is known about the neurobehavioral effects of mexedrone in association with its potential for abuse. We investigated the abuse potential for mexedrone abuse through multiple behavioral tests. In addition, serotonin transporter (SERT) levels were measured in the synaptosome of the dorsal striatum, and serotonin (5-HT) levels were measured in the dorsal striatum of acute mexedreone (50 mg/kg)-treated mice. To clarify the neuropharmacological mechanisms underlying the locomotor response of mexedrone, the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist M100907 (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg) was administered prior to the acute injection of mexedrone in the locomotor activity experiment in mice. Mexedrone (10-50 mg/kg) produced a significant place preference in mice and mexedrone (0.1-0.5 mg/kg/infusion) maintained self-administration behavior in rats in a dose-dependent manner. In the drug discrimination experiment, mexedrone (5.6-32 mg/kg) was fully substituted for the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine in rats. Mexedrone increased locomotor activity, and these effects were reversed by pretreatment with M100907. Acute mexedrone significantly increased c-Fos expression in the dorsal striatum and decreased SERT levels in the synaptosome of the dorsal striatum of mice, resulting in an elevation of 5-HT levels. Taken together, our results provide the possibility that mexedrone has abuse potential, which might be mediated, at least in part, by the activation of the serotonergic system in the dorsal striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Oh Jeon
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Oc-Hee Kim
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Yeon Seo
- Korean Medicine (KM) Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaesuk Yun
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, 194-31 Osongsaengmyeong 1-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Ri-Na Lim
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Wan Kim
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, 34114, 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.
| | - Eun Young Jang
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea.
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2
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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.
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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.
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3
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Alwindi M, Bizanti A. Vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) regional expression and roles in pathological conditions. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22413. [PMID: 38034713 PMCID: PMC10687066 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Vesicular monoamine transporters (VMATs) are key regulators of neurotransmitter release responsible for controlling numerous physiological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions. They represent important therapeutic targets for numerous pathological conditions. There are two isoforms of VMAT transporter proteins that function as secondary active transporters into the vesicle for storage and release via exocytosis: VMAT1 (SLC18A1) and VMAT2 (SLC18A2) which differ in their function, quantity, and regional expression. VMAT2 has gained considerable interest as a therapeutic target and diagnostic marker. Inhibitors of VMAT2 have been used as an effective therapy for a range of pathological conditions. Additionally, the functionality and phenotypic classification of classical and nonclassical catecholaminergic neurons are identified by the presence of VMAT2 in catecholaminergic neurons. Dysregulation of VMAT2 is also implicated in many neuropsychiatric diseases. Despite the complex role of VMAT2, many aspects of its function remain unclear. Therefore, our aim is to expand our knowledge of the role of VMAT with a special focus on VMAT2 in different systems and cellular pathways which may potentially facilitate development of novel, more specific therapeutic targets. The current review provides a summary demonstrating the mechanism of action of VMAT, its functional role, and its contribution to disease progression and utilization as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Alwindi
- St George's University Hospital, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom
| | - Ariege Bizanti
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
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Kalaba P, Pacher K, Neill PJ, Dragacevic V, Zehl M, Wackerlig J, Kirchhofer M, Sartori SB, Gstach H, Kouhnavardi S, Fabisikova A, Pillwein M, Monje-Quiroga F, Ebner K, Prado-Roller A, Singewald N, Urban E, Langer T, Pifl C, Lubec J, Leban JJ, Lubec G. Chirality Matters: Fine-Tuning of Novel Monoamine Reuptake Inhibitors Selectivity through Manipulation of Stereochemistry. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1415. [PMID: 37759815 PMCID: PMC10527105 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091415] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The high structural similarity, especially in transmembrane regions, of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin transporters, as well as the lack of all crystal structures of human isoforms, make the specific targeting of individual transporters rather challenging. Ligand design itself is also rather limited, as many chemists, fully aware of the synthetic and analytical challenges, tend to modify lead compounds in a way that reduces the number of chiral centers and hence limits the potential chemical space of synthetic ligands. We have previously shown that increasing molecular complexity by introducing additional chiral centers ultimately leads to more selective and potent dopamine reuptake inhibitors. Herein, we significantly extend our structure-activity relationship of dopamine transporter-selective ligands and further demonstrate how stereoisomers of defined absolute configuration may fine-tune and direct the activity towards distinct targets. From the pool of active compounds, using the examples of stereoisomers 7h and 8h, we further showcase how in vitro activity significantly differs in in vivo drug efficacy experiments, calling for proper validation of individual stereoisomers in animal studies. Furthermore, by generating a large library of compounds with defined absolute configurations, we lay the groundwork for computational chemists to further optimize and rationally design specific monoamine transporter reuptake inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Kalaba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (P.K.); (K.P.); (P.J.N.); (V.D.); (J.W.); (M.K.); (H.G.); (S.K.); (M.P.); (E.U.); (T.L.)
| | - Katharina Pacher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (P.K.); (K.P.); (P.J.N.); (V.D.); (J.W.); (M.K.); (H.G.); (S.K.); (M.P.); (E.U.); (T.L.)
| | - Philip John Neill
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (P.K.); (K.P.); (P.J.N.); (V.D.); (J.W.); (M.K.); (H.G.); (S.K.); (M.P.); (E.U.); (T.L.)
| | - Vladimir Dragacevic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (P.K.); (K.P.); (P.J.N.); (V.D.); (J.W.); (M.K.); (H.G.); (S.K.); (M.P.); (E.U.); (T.L.)
| | - Martin Zehl
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.Z.); (A.F.)
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Wackerlig
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (P.K.); (K.P.); (P.J.N.); (V.D.); (J.W.); (M.K.); (H.G.); (S.K.); (M.P.); (E.U.); (T.L.)
| | - Michael Kirchhofer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (P.K.); (K.P.); (P.J.N.); (V.D.); (J.W.); (M.K.); (H.G.); (S.K.); (M.P.); (E.U.); (T.L.)
| | - Simone B. Sartori
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.B.S.); (K.E.); (N.S.)
| | - Hubert Gstach
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (P.K.); (K.P.); (P.J.N.); (V.D.); (J.W.); (M.K.); (H.G.); (S.K.); (M.P.); (E.U.); (T.L.)
| | - Shima Kouhnavardi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (P.K.); (K.P.); (P.J.N.); (V.D.); (J.W.); (M.K.); (H.G.); (S.K.); (M.P.); (E.U.); (T.L.)
| | - Anna Fabisikova
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.Z.); (A.F.)
| | - Matthias Pillwein
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (P.K.); (K.P.); (P.J.N.); (V.D.); (J.W.); (M.K.); (H.G.); (S.K.); (M.P.); (E.U.); (T.L.)
| | - Francisco Monje-Quiroga
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Karl Ebner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.B.S.); (K.E.); (N.S.)
| | - Alexander Prado-Roller
- X-ray Structure Analysis Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Nicolas Singewald
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.B.S.); (K.E.); (N.S.)
| | - Ernst Urban
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (P.K.); (K.P.); (P.J.N.); (V.D.); (J.W.); (M.K.); (H.G.); (S.K.); (M.P.); (E.U.); (T.L.)
| | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (P.K.); (K.P.); (P.J.N.); (V.D.); (J.W.); (M.K.); (H.G.); (S.K.); (M.P.); (E.U.); (T.L.)
| | - Christian Pifl
- Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Jana Lubec
- Programme for Proteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (J.L.); (J.J.L.)
| | - Johann Jakob Leban
- Programme for Proteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (J.L.); (J.J.L.)
| | - Gert Lubec
- Programme for Proteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (J.L.); (J.J.L.)
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5
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Eisenhofer G, Pamporaki C, Lenders JWM. Biochemical Assessment of Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma. Endocr Rev 2023; 44:862-909. [PMID: 36996131 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) require prompt consideration and efficient diagnosis and treatment to minimize associated morbidity and mortality. Once considered, appropriate biochemical testing is key to diagnosis. Advances in understanding catecholamine metabolism have clarified why measurements of the O-methylated catecholamine metabolites rather than the catecholamines themselves are important for effective diagnosis. These metabolites, normetanephrine and metanephrine, produced respectively from norepinephrine and epinephrine, can be measured in plasma or urine, with choice according to available methods or presentation of patients. For patients with signs and symptoms of catecholamine excess, either test will invariably establish the diagnosis, whereas the plasma test provides higher sensitivity than urinary metanephrines for patients screened due to an incidentaloma or genetic predisposition, particularly for small tumors or in patients with an asymptomatic presentation. Additional measurements of plasma methoxytyramine can be important for some tumors, such as paragangliomas, and for surveillance of patients at risk of metastatic disease. Avoidance of false-positive test results is best achieved by plasma measurements with appropriate reference intervals and preanalytical precautions, including sampling blood in the fully supine position. Follow-up of positive results, including optimization of preanalytics for repeat tests or whether to proceed directly to anatomic imaging or confirmatory clonidine tests, depends on the test results, which can also suggest likely size, adrenal vs extra-adrenal location, underlying biology, or even metastatic involvement of a suspected tumor. Modern biochemical testing now makes diagnosis of PPGL relatively simple. Integration of artificial intelligence into the process should make it possible to fine-tune these advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme Eisenhofer
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Christina Pamporaki
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jacques W M Lenders
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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6
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Wronikowska-Denysiuk O, Michalak A, Pankowska A, Kurach Ł, Kozioł P, Łazorczyk A, Kochalska K, Targowska-Duda K, Boguszewska-Czubara A, Budzyńska B. Relationship between GABA-Ergic System and the Expression of Mephedrone-Induced Reward in Rats-Behavioral, Chromatographic and In Vivo Imaging Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9958. [PMID: 37373105 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129958] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mephedrone is a psychoactive drug that increases dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline levels in the central nervous system via interaction with transporters or monoamines. The aim of the presented study was to assess the role of the GABA-ergic system in the expression of mephedrone-induced reward. For this purpose, we conducted (a) a behavioral evaluation of the impact of baclofen (a GABAB receptors agonist) and GS39783 (a positive allosteric modulator of GABAB receptors) on the expression of mephedrone-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats, (b) an ex vivo chromatographic determination of the GABA level in the hippocampi of rats subchronically treated with mephedrone and (c) an in vivo evaluation of GABA hippocampal concentration in rats subchronically administered with mephedrone using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The results show that GS39783 (but not baclofen) blocked the expression of CPP induced by (20 mg/kg of) mephedrone. The behavioral effect was consistent with chromatographic analysis, which showed that mephedrone (5 and 20 mg/kg) led to a decrease in GABA hippocampal concentration. Altogether, the presented study provides a new insight into the involvement of the GABA-ergic system in the rewarding effects of mephedrone, implying that those effects are at least partially mediated through GABAB receptors, which suggests their potential role as new targets for the pharmacological management of mephedrone use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Wronikowska-Denysiuk
- Independent Laboratory of Behavioral Studies, Chair of Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Michalak
- Independent Laboratory of Behavioral Studies, Chair of Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Pankowska
- Department of Radiography, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 16 Street, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Łukasz Kurach
- Independent Laboratory of Behavioral Studies, Chair of Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Paulina Kozioł
- Department of Radiography, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 16 Street, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Artur Łazorczyk
- Department of Radiography, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 16 Street, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kochalska
- Department of Radiography, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 16 Street, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Targowska-Duda
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Boguszewska-Czubara
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Barbara Budzyńska
- Independent Laboratory of Behavioral Studies, Chair of Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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7
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Mayer FP, Niello M, Cintulova D, Sideromenos S, Maier J, Li Y, Bulling S, Kudlacek O, Schicker K, Iwamoto H, Deng F, Wan J, Holy M, Katamish R, Sandtner W, Li Y, Pollak DD, Blakely RD, Mihovilovic MD, Baumann MH, Sitte HH. Serotonin-releasing agents with reduced off-target effects. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:722-732. [PMID: 36352123 PMCID: PMC9645344 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01843-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Increasing extracellular levels of serotonin (5-HT) in the brain ameliorates symptoms of depression and anxiety-related disorders, e.g., social phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Recent evidence from preclinical and clinical studies established the therapeutic potential of drugs inducing the release of 5-HT via the 5-HT-transporter. Nevertheless, current 5-HT releasing compounds under clinical investigation carry the risk for abuse and deleterious side effects. Here, we demonstrate that S-enantiomers of certain ring-substituted cathinones show preference for the release of 5-HT ex vivo and in vivo, and exert 5-HT-associated effects in preclinical behavioral models. Importantly, the lead cathinone compounds (1) do not induce substantial dopamine release and (2) display reduced off-target activity at vesicular monoamine transporters and 5-HT2B-receptors, indicative of low abuse-liability and low potential for adverse events. Taken together, our findings identify these agents as lead compounds that may prove useful for the treatment of disorders where elevation of 5-HT has proven beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix P. Mayer
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria ,grid.255951.fDepartment of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA
| | - Marco Niello
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Cintulova
- grid.5329.d0000 0001 2348 4034Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Spyridon Sideromenos
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julian Maier
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Yang Li
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Present Address: Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Simon Bulling
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Oliver Kudlacek
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Klaus Schicker
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hideki Iwamoto
- grid.255951.fStiles-Nicholson Brain Institute and Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA
| | - Fei Deng
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319IDG McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Jinxia Wan
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319IDG McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Marion Holy
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rania Katamish
- grid.255951.fDepartment of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA
| | - Walter Sandtner
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Yulong Li
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319IDG McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Daniela D. Pollak
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Randy D. Blakely
- grid.255951.fDepartment of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA ,grid.255951.fStiles-Nicholson Brain Institute and Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458 USA
| | - Marko D. Mihovilovic
- grid.5329.d0000 0001 2348 4034Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael H. Baumann
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224 USA
| | - Harald H. Sitte
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria ,grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492AddRess, Center for Addiction Research and Science, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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8
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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.
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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.)
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9
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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.
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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
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10
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Reinstatement of synaptic plasticity in the aging brain through specific dopamine transporter inhibition. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7076-7090. [PMID: 34244620 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01214-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aging-related neurological deficits negatively impact mental health, productivity, and social interactions leading to a pronounced socioeconomic burden. Since declining brain dopamine signaling during aging is associated with the onset of neurological impairments, we produced a selective dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitor to restore endogenous dopamine levels and improve cognitive function. We describe the synthesis and pharmacological profile of (S,S)-CE-158, a highly specific DAT inhibitor, which increases dopamine levels in brain regions associated with cognition. We find both a potentiation of neurotransmission and coincident restoration of dendritic spines in the dorsal hippocampus, indicative of reinstatement of dopamine-induced synaptic plasticity in aging rodents. Treatment with (S,S)-CE-158 significantly improved behavioral flexibility in scopolamine-compromised animals and increased the number of spontaneously active prefrontal cortical neurons, both in young and aging rodents. In addition, (S,S)-CE-158 restored learning and memory recall in aging rats comparable to their young performance in a hippocampus-dependent hole board test. In sum, we present a well-tolerated, highly selective DAT inhibitor that normalizes the age-related decline in cognitive function at a synaptic level through increased dopamine signaling.
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11
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da Silva SR, Kalaba P, Fabišiková A, Zehl M, Dragačević V, Dos Anjos LR, Neill PJ, Wieder M, Prado-Roller A, Gajic N, Palaretti V, da Silva GVJ, Pifl C, Lubec G, Gonzalez ERP. Synthesis and dopamine receptor binding of dihydrexidine and SKF 38393 catecholamine-based analogues. Amino Acids 2021; 54:85-98. [PMID: 34842969 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-03106-4] [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: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that regulates numerous essential functions, including cognition and voluntary movement. As such, it serves as an important scaffold for synthesis of novel analogues as part of drug development effort to obtain drugs for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease. To that end, similarity search of the ZINC database based on two known dopamine-1 receptor (D1R) agonists, dihydrexidine (DHX) and SKF 38393, respectively, was used to predict novel chemical entities with potential binding to D1R. Three compounds that showed the highest similarity index were selected for synthesis and bioactivity profiling. All main synthesis products as well as the isolated intermediates, were properly characterized. The physico-chemical analyses were performed using HRESIMS, GC/MS, LC/MS with UV-Vis detection, and FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Binding to D1 and D2 receptors and inhibition of dopamine reuptake via dopamine transporter were measured for the synthesized analogues of DHX and SKF 38393.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzane Rosa da Silva
- Laboratory of Fine Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of São Paulo State University, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, 19060-900, Brazil
| | - Predrag Kalaba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Fabišiková
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Zehl
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vladimir Dragačević
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luana Ribeiro Dos Anjos
- Laboratory of Fine Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of São Paulo State University, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, 19060-900, Brazil
| | - Philip John Neill
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcus Wieder
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Prado-Roller
- Centre for X-Ray Structure Analysis at Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 40-42, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Natalie Gajic
- Centre for X-Ray Structure Analysis at Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 40-42, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vinicius Palaretti
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Gil Valdo Jose da Silva
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Christian Pifl
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Centre for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gert Lubec
- Department of Neuroproteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Eduardo R Perez Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Fine Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of São Paulo State University, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, 19060-900, Brazil.
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12
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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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hadeel A Alsufyani
- Department of Physiology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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13
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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.
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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.
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14
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Docherty JR, Alsufyani HA. Cardiovascular and temperature adverse actions of stimulants. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:2551-2568. [PMID: 33786822 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The vast majority of illicit stimulants act at monoaminergic systems, causing both psychostimulant and adverse effects. Stimulants can interact as substrates or antagonists at the nerve terminal monoamine transporter that mediates the reuptake of monoamines across the nerve synaptic membrane and at the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT-2) that mediates storage of monoamines in vesicles. Stimulants can act directly at presynaptic or postsynaptic receptors for monoamines or have indirect monoamine-mimetic actions due to the release of monoamines. Cocaine and other stimulants can acutely increase the risk of sudden cardiac death. Stimulants, particularly MDMA, in hot conditions, such as that occurring at a "rave," have caused fatalities from the consequences of hyperthermia, often compounding cardiac adverse actions. This review examines the pharmacology of the cardiovascular and temperature adverse actions of stimulants.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Docherty
- Department of Physiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hadeel A Alsufyani
- Department of Physiology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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15
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Vulnerability factors for mephedrone-induced conditioned place preference in rats-the impact of sex differences, social-conditioning and stress. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:2947-2961. [PMID: 34268586 PMCID: PMC8455394 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05910-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Mephedrone is a frequently overused drug of abuse that belongs to the group of novel psychoactive substances. Although its mechanism of action, as well as toxic and psychoactive effects, has been widely studied, the role of different factors that could contribute to the increased vulnerability to mephedrone abuse is still poorly understood. OBJECTIVES The aim of the presented study was to assess the impact of several factors (sex differences, social-conditioning, and chronic mild unpredictable stress - CMUS) on the liability to mephedrone-induced reward in Wistar rats. METHODS The rewarding effects of mephedrone in male and female rats were assessed using the conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure. Furthermore, the impact of social factor and stress was evaluated in male rats using social-CPP and CMUS-dependent CPP, respectively. RESULTS Mephedrone induced classic-CPP in female (10 mg/kg), as well as in male (10 and 20 mg/kg) rats. However, the impact of mephedrone treatment during social-CPP was highly dose-dependent as the rewarding effects of low dose of mephedrone (5 mg/kg; non-active in classic-CPP) were potentiated when administered during social-conditioning. Interestingly, social-conditioning with a higher dose of 20 mg/kg (that induced classic-CPP) was able to reverse these effects. Finally, CMUS potentiated rewarding effects of a low dose of mephedrone (5 mg/kg) and increased the level of corticosterone in rats' prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, the presented results give new insight into possible factors underlying the vulnerability to mephedrone abuse and can serve as a basis for further studies assessing mechanisms underlying observed effects.
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16
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Ilic M, Holy M, Jaentsch K, Liechti ME, Lubec G, Baumann MH, Sitte HH, Luethi D. Cell-Based Radiotracer Binding and Uptake Inhibition Assays: A Comparison of In Vitro Methods to Assess the Potency of Drugs That Target Monoamine Transporters. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:673. [PMID: 32508638 PMCID: PMC7248194 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
High-affinity monoamine transporters are targets for prescribed medications and stimulant drugs of abuse. Therefore, assessing monoamine transporter activity for candidate medications and newly-emerging drugs of abuse provides essential information for industry, academia, and public health. Radiotracer binding and uptake inhibition are the gold standard assays for determining drug–transporter interaction profiles. The combined results from such assays yield a unique biochemical fingerprint for each compound. Over time, different assay methods have been developed to assess transporter activity, and the comparability of data across various assay platforms remains largely unclear. Here, we compare the effects of six well-established stimulants in two different cell-based uptake inhibition assays, one method using adherent cells and the other using suspended cells. Furthermore, we compare the data from transfected cell lines derived from different laboratories and data reported from rat synaptosomes. For transporter inhibitors, IC50 values obtained by the two experimental methods were comparable, but using different transfected cell lines yielded disparate results. For transporter substrates, differences between the two cell lines were less pronounced but the drugs displayed different inhibition potencies when evaluated by the two methods. Our study illustrates the inherent limitations when comparing transporter inhibition data from different laboratories and stresses the importance of including appropriate control experiments with reference compounds when investigating new drugs of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Ilic
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Neuroproteomics, Paracelsus Private Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Marion Holy
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kathrin Jaentsch
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gert Lubec
- Neuroproteomics, Paracelsus Private Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dino Luethi
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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17
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Riley AL, Nelson KH, To P, López-Arnau R, Xu P, Wang D, Wang Y, Shen HW, Kuhn DM, Angoa-Perez M, Anneken JH, Muskiewicz D, Hall FS. Abuse potential and toxicity of the synthetic cathinones (i.e., “Bath salts”). Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 110:150-173. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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18
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Mead J, Parrott A. Mephedrone and MDMA: A comparative review. Brain Res 2020; 1735:146740. [PMID: 32087112 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Mephedrone and MDMA are both constituents of party drugs, with mephedrone being relatively new compared to MDMA. This review compares current knowledge regarding the patterns of usage and neuropsychobiological effects of both mephedrone and MDMA. Both drugs share common psychoactive effects, the duration of which is significantly shorter with mephedrone use, attributing towards a pattern of binge use among users. Both drugs have also been associated with adverse health, psychiatric, and neurocognitive problems. Whilst there is extensive research into the psychobiological problems induced by MDMA, the evidence for mephedrone is comparatively limited. The adverse effect profile of mephedrone appears to be less severe than that of MDMA. Users often believe it to be safer, although both drugs have been associated with overdoses. The neurotoxic potential of mephedrone appears to be low, whereas MDMA can cause long-term damage to the serotonergic system, although this needs further investigation. The abuse liability of mephedrone is significantly greater than that of MDMA, raising concerns regarding the impact of lifetime usage on users. Given that mephedrone is relatively new, the effects of long-term exposure are yet to be documented. Future research focused on lifetime users may highlight more severe neuropsychobiological effects from the drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Mead
- Department of Psychology, School of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrew Parrott
- Department of Psychology, School of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
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Kalaba P, Ilić M, Aher NY, Dragačević V, Wieder M, Zehl M, Wackerlig J, Beyl S, Sartori SB, Ebner K, Roller A, Lukic N, Beryozkina T, Gonzalez ERP, Neill P, Khan JA, Bakulev V, Leban JJ, Hering S, Pifl C, Singewald N, Lubec J, Urban E, Sitte HH, Langer T, Lubec G. Structure-Activity Relationships of Novel Thiazole-Based Modafinil Analogues Acting at Monoamine Transporters. J Med Chem 2019; 63:391-417. [PMID: 31841637 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitors, such as modafinil, are used for the treatment of sleeping disorders and investigated as potential therapeutics against cocaine addiction and for cognitive enhancement. Our continuous effort to find modafinil analogues with higher inhibitory activity on and selectivity toward the dopamine transporter (DAT) has previously led to the promising thiazole-containing derivatives CE-103, CE-111, CE-123, and CE-125. Here, we describe the synthesis and activity of a series of compounds based on these scaffolds, which resulted in several new selective DAT inhibitors and gave valuable insights into the structure-activity relationships. Introduction of the second chiral center and subsequent chiral separations provided all four stereoisomers, whereby the S-configuration on both generally exerted the highest activity and selectivity on DAT. The representative compound of this series was further characterized by in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies that have demonstrated both safety and efficacy profile of this compound class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Kalaba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Marija Ilić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Nilima Y Aher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Vladimir Dragačević
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Marcus Wieder
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Martin Zehl
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry , University of Vienna , Währinger Straße 38 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Judith Wackerlig
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Stanislav Beyl
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Simone B Sartori
- Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy , Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck , 6020 Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Karl Ebner
- Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy , Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck , 6020 Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Alexander Roller
- X-ray Structure Analysis Centre, Faculty of Chemistry , University of Vienna , Währinger Straße 38 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Natalie Lukic
- X-ray Structure Analysis Centre, Faculty of Chemistry , University of Vienna , Währinger Straße 38 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Tetyana Beryozkina
- Ural Federal University Named after the First President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin , 19 Mira st. , Yekaterinburg 620002 , Russia
| | - Eduardo Rene Perez Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Fine Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology , University of Sao Paulo State , Roberto Simonsen 305 , CEP 19060-900 , Presidente Prudente , SP , Brazil
| | - Philip Neill
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Jawad Akbar Khan
- Institute of Pharmacology, Centre of Physiology and Pharmacology , Medical University of Vienna , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Vasiliy Bakulev
- Ural Federal University Named after the First President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin , 19 Mira st. , Yekaterinburg 620002 , Russia
| | - Johann Jakob Leban
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Steffen Hering
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Christian Pifl
- Centre for Brain Research , Medical University of Vienna , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Nicolas Singewald
- Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy , Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck , 6020 Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Jana Lubec
- Neuroscience Laboratory , Paracelsus Medical University , A-5020 Salzburg , Austria
| | - Ernst Urban
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Institute of Pharmacology, Centre of Physiology and Pharmacology , Medical University of Vienna , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences , University of Vienna , Althanstraße 14 , 1090 Vienna , Austria
| | - Gert Lubec
- Neuroscience Laboratory , Paracelsus Medical University , A-5020 Salzburg , Austria
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Stereochemistry of phase-1 metabolites of mephedrone determines their effectiveness as releasers at the serotonin transporter. Neuropharmacology 2019; 148:199-209. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Dissociation between hypothermia and neurotoxicity caused by mephedrone and methcathinone in TPH2 knockout mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:1097-1106. [PMID: 30074064 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4991-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Mephedrone is a commonly abused constituent of "bath salts" and has many pharmacological effects in common with methamphetamine. Despite their structural similarity, mephedrone differs significantly from methamphetamine in its effects on core body temperature and dopamine nerve endings. The reasons for these differences remain unclear. OBJECTIVES Mephedrone elicits a transient hypothermia which may provide intrinsic neuroprotection against methamphetamine-like toxicity to dopamine nerve endings. Furthermore, evidence in the literature suggests that this hypothermia is mediated by serotonin. By utilizing transgenic mice devoid of brain serotonin, we determined the contribution of this neurotransmitter to changes in core body temperature as well as its possible role in protecting against neurotoxicity. The effects of methcathinone and 4-methyl-methamphetamine, two structural analogs of mephedrone and methamphetamine, were also evaluated in these mice. RESULTS The hypothermia induced by mephedrone and methcathinone in wild-type mice was not observed in mice lacking brain serotonin. Despite preventing drug-induced hypothermia, the lack of serotonin did not alter the neurotoxic profiles of the test drugs. CONCLUSIONS Serotonin is a key mediator of pharmacological hypothermia induced by mephedrone and methcathinone, but these body temperature effects do not contribute to dopamine nerve ending damage observed in mice following treatment with mephedrone, methcathinone or 4-methyl-methamphetamine. Thus, the key component of methamphetamine neurotoxicity lacking in mephedrone remains to be elucidated.
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“Polytox” synthetic cathinone abuse: A potential role for organic cation transporter 3 in combined cathinone-induced efflux. Neurochem Int 2019; 123:7-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Foroughi K, Khaksari M, Shayannia A. Molecular Docking Studies of Methamphetamine and Amphetamine- Related Derivatives as an Inhibitor against Dopamine Receptor. Curr Comput Aided Drug Des 2018; 16:122-133. [PMID: 30514192 DOI: 10.2174/1573409915666181204144411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The catecholamines such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine are neurotransmitters that regulate different physiological functions of the central nervous system. Some evidence suggests that the degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra contributes to Parkinson's Disease (PD), which is a neurodegenerative disorder and it is responsible for the major symptoms of PD. It is suggested that replenishment of striatal dopamine through the oral administration of the dopamine precursor, levodopa, can compensate for the lack of endogenously produced dopamine. Some studies have shown competitive inhibition of dopamine receptor such as methamphetamine, and other amphetamine-related derivatives, which block dopamine receptor activity to uptake dopamine. METHODS In this study, 3D structures of amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, methylphenidate, cathinone, MDMA, and mephedrone were obtained from the PubChem database, which has reported some evidence about their inhibitory effect with dopamine receptor. Then, these structures were provided for molecular docking analysis by Autodock Vina software. Eventually, the binding energies between docked dopamine receptor and them were calculated and their interactions were prognosticated. RESULTS Our results indicated that all chemicals can interact with dopamine receptor molecule in the active site of dopamine and the minimum binding energies belong to Cocaine and Methylphenidate with -7.9 Kcal/mol and -7.2 Kcal/mol, respectively. CONCLUSION It might be concluded that amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, methylphenidate, cathinone, MDMA, and mephedrone could act as potential inhibitors of DA receptor for dopamine uptake, which could cause degenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kobra Foroughi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Mehdi Khaksari
- Addiction Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Asghar Shayannia
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
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Abstract
Aminorex (5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-amine) and 4-methylaminorex (4-methyl-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-amine) are psychostimulants that have long been listed in Schedules IV and I of the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971. However, a range of psychoactive analogues exist that are not internationally controlled and therefore often classified as new psychoactive substances (NPS). Aminorex analogues encompass failed pharmaceuticals that reemerged as drugs of abuse, and newly synthesized substances that were solely designed for recreational use by clandestine chemists. NPS, sometimes also referred to as "designer drugs" in alignment with a phenomenon arising in the early 1980s, serve as alternatives to controlled drugs. Aminorex and its derivatives interact with monoaminergic neurotransmission by interfering with the function of monoamine transporters. Hence, these compounds share pharmacological and neurochemical similarities with amphetamines and cocaine. The consumption of aminorex, 4-methylaminorex and 4,4'-dimethylaminorex (4-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-amine) has been associated with adverse events including death, bestowing an inglorious fame on aminorex-derived drugs. In this Review, a historical background is presented, as well as an account of the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of aminorex and various analogues. Light is shed on their misuse as drug adulterants of well-established drugs on the market. This Review not only provides a detailed overview of an abused substance-class, but also emphasizes the darkest aspect of the NPS market, i.e., deleterious side effects that arise from the ingestion of certain NPS, as knowledge of the pharmacology, the potency, or the identity of the active ingredients remains obscure to NPS users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Maier
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Felix P. Mayer
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon D. Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Harald H. Sitte
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
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Maier J, Mayer FP, Luethi D, Holy M, Jäntsch K, Reither H, Hirtler L, Hoener MC, Liechti ME, Pifl C, Brandt SD, Sitte HH. The psychostimulant (±)-cis-4,4'-dimethylaminorex (4,4'-DMAR) interacts with human plasmalemmal and vesicular monoamine transporters. Neuropharmacology 2018; 138:282-291. [PMID: 29908239 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
(±)-cis-4,4'-Dimethylaminorex (4,4'-DMAR) is a new psychoactive substance (NPS) that has been associated with 31 fatalities and other adverse events in Europe between June 2013 and February 2014. We used in vitro uptake inhibition and transporter release assays to determine the effects of 4,4'-DMAR on human high-affinity transporters for dopamine (DAT), norepinephrine (NET) and serotonin (SERT). In addition, we assessed its binding affinities to monoamine receptors and transporters. Furthermore, we investigated the interaction of 4,4'-DMAR with the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in rat phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells and synaptic vesicles prepared from human striatum. 4,4'-DMAR inhibited uptake mediated by human DAT, NET or SERT, respectively in the low micromolar range (IC50 values < 2 μM). Release assays identified 4,4'-DMAR as a substrate type releaser, capable of inducing transporter-mediated reverse transport via DAT, NET and SERT. Furthermore, 4,4'-DMAR inhibited both the rat and human isoforms of VMAT2 at a potency similar to 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA). This study identified 4,4'-DMAR as a potent non-selective monoamine releasing agent. In contrast to the known effects of aminorex and 4-methylaminorex, 4,4'-DMAR exerts profound effects on human SERT. The latter finding is consistent with the idea that fatalities associated with its abuse may be linked to monoaminergic toxicity including serotonin syndrome. The activity at VMAT2 suggests that chronic abuse of 4,4'-DMAR may result in long-term neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Maier
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Felix P Mayer
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dino Luethi
- University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, Hebelstraße 20, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marion Holy
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kathrin Jäntsch
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Reither
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Brain Research, Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lena Hirtler
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Währingerstraße 13, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marius C Hoener
- F. Hoffmann - La Roche Ltd., pRED, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Neuroscience Research, Department of Neurosymptomatic Domains, Grenzacherstraße 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, Hebelstraße 20, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Pifl
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Brain Research, Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon D Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Währingerstraße 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Center for Addiction Research and Science, Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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26
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Kintz P. Evidence of 2 Populations of Mephedrone Abusers by Hair Testing. Application to 4 Forensic Expertises. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 15:658-662. [PMID: 27784226 PMCID: PMC5771043 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666161026152107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background New psychoactive substances are conquering the drug scene. Among these substances, cathinone derivatives have been observed since late in the years 2000. At that time, there was evidence of increasing use of the synthetic cathinone mephedrone, particularly amongst clubbers. Although the emergent drugs have an aura of safety, there is an increasing amount of experiences on their secondary effects. Mephedrone is known to induce psychosis. Method Given the potential negative effects of mephedrone, the laboratory was asked to test for the drug in hair, a cumulative matrix that can document single, occasional or repetitive abuse of xenobiotics. Mephedrone was tested in hair by GC/MS, using a standard procedure developed for stimulants such as amphetamine or ecstasy. Results In the head hair of 24 positive abusers, mephedrone was identified in the range 0.1 to 87 ng/mg, clearly determining 2 populations, one with co-administration of ecstasy and a second without ecstasy. In the first population, mephedrone concentrations were 0.1 to 5 ng/mg; in the second population, mephedrone concentrations were 3 to 87 ng/mg. These findings should help in the understanding the addiction of subjects. In 4 separate forensic cases, mephedrone was identified in hair of abusers, including a rape case (0.54 ng/mg), a fatal car crash (0.38 ng/mg), a fatal drowning (1.21 ng/mg), and a fatal overdose (6.99 ng/mg). Conclusion Hair testing for new psychoactive substances appears as a good complement to standard urine analyses. This study confirms the increasing diffusion of new drugs among the forensic population of abusers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Kintz
- The Institut de Medecine legale 11 rue Humann 67000 Strasbourg. France
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Pantano F, Tittarelli R, Mannocchi G, Pacifici R, di Luca A, Busardò FP, Marinelli E. Neurotoxicity Induced by Mephedrone: An up-to-date Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 15:738-749. [PMID: 27908258 PMCID: PMC5771050 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666161130130718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mephedrone is a β-ketoamphetamine belonging to the family of synthetic cathinones, an emerging class of designer drugs known for their hallucinogenic and psychostimulant properties as well as for their abuse potential. The aim of this review was to examine the emerging scientific literature on the possible mephedrone-induced neurotoxicity, yet not well defined due to the limited number of experimental studies, mainly carried on animal models. Relevant scientific articles were identified from international literature databases (Medline, Scopus, etc.) using the keywords: “Mephedrone”, “4-MMC,” “neurotoxicity,” “neuropharmacology”, “patents”, “monoamine transporters” and “neurochemical effects”. Of the 498 sources initially found, only 36 papers were suitable for the review. Neurotoxic effect of mephedrone on 5-HT and DA systems remains controversial. Although some studies in animal models reported no damage to DA nerve endings in the striatum and no significant changes in brain monoamine levels, some others suggested a rapid reduction in 5-HT and DA transporter function. Persistent serotonergic deficits were observed after binge like treatment in a warm environment and in both serotonergic and dopaminergic nerve endings at high ambient temperature. Oxidative stress cytotoxicity and an increase in frontal cortex lipid peroxidation were also reported. In vitro cytotoxic properties were also observed, suggesting that mephedrone may act as a reductant agent and can also determine changes in mitochondrial respiration. However, due to the differences in the design of the experiments, including temperature and animal model used, the results are difficult to compare. Further studies on toxicology and pharmacology of mephedrone are therefore necessary to establish an appropriate treatment for substance abuse and eventual consequences for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flaminia Pantano
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology (UoFT), Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome. Italy
| | - Roberta Tittarelli
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology (UoFT), Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome. Italy
| | - Giulio Mannocchi
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology (UoFT), Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome. Italy
| | - Roberta Pacifici
- Drug Abuse and Doping Unit, Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome. Italy
| | - Alessandro di Luca
- Drug Abuse and Doping Unit, Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome. Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology (UoFT), Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy. Italy
| | - Enrico Marinelli
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology (UoFT), Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome. Italy
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Šíchová K, Pinterová N, Židková M, Horsley RR, Lhotková E, Štefková K, Vejmola Č, Uttl L, Balíková M, Kuchař M, Páleníček T. Mephedrone (4-Methylmethcathinone): Acute Behavioral Effects, Hyperthermic, and Pharmacokinetic Profile in Rats. Front Psychiatry 2018; 8:306. [PMID: 29375408 PMCID: PMC5767720 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mephedrone (MEPH) is a synthetic cathinone derivative with effects that mimic MDMA and/or cocaine. Our study in male Wistar rats provides detailed investigations of MEPH's and its primary metabolite nor-mephedrone's (nor-MEPH) pharmacokinetics and bio-distribution to four different substrates (serum, brain, lungs, and liver), as well as comparative analysis of their effects on locomotion [open field test (OFT)] and sensorimotor gating [prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle reaction (PPI ASR)]. Furthermore, in order to mimic the crowded condition where MEPH is typically taken (e.g., clubs), the acute effect of MEPH on thermoregulation in singly- and group-housed rats was evaluated. Pharmacokinetics of MEPH and nor-MEPH after MEPH (5 mg/kg, sc.) were analyzed over 8 h using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. MEPH (2.5, 5, or 20 mg/kg, sc.) and nor-MEPH (5 mg/kg, sc.) were administered 5 or 40 min before the behavioral testing in the OFT and PPI ASR; locomotion and its spatial distribution, ASR, habituation and PPI itself were quantified. The effect of MEPH on rectal temperature was measured after 5 and 20 mg/kg, sc. Both MEPH and nor-MEPH were detected in all substrates, with the highest levels detected in lungs. Mean brain: serum ratios were 1:1.19 (MEPH) and 1:1.91 (nor-MEPH), maximum concentrations were observed at 30 min; at 2 and 4 h after administration, nor-MEPH concentrations were higher compared to the parent drug. While neither of the drugs disrupted PPI, both increased locomotion and affected its spatial distribution. The effects of MEPH were dose dependent, rapid, and short-lasting, and the intensity of locomotor stimulant effects was comparable between MEPH and nor-MEPH. Despite the disappearance of behavioral effects within 40 min after administration, MEPH induced rectal temperature elevations that persisted for 3 h even in singly housed rats. To conclude, we observed a robust, short-lasting, and most likely synergistic stimulatory effect of both drugs which corresponded to brain pharmacokinetics. The dissociation between the duration of behavioral and hyperthermic effects is indicative of the possible contribution of nor-MEPH or other biologically active metabolites. This temporal dissociation may be related to the risk of prolonged somatic toxicity when stimulatory effects are no longer present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klára Šíchová
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Pinterová
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Židková
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, First 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
| | - Eva Lhotková
- 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
| | - Čestmír Vejmola
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Uttl
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Balíková
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University 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 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
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29
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Abstract
Synthetic cathinones are derivatives of the naturally occurring compound cathinone, the main psychoactive ingredient in the khat plant Catha edulis. Cathinone is the β-keto analog of amphetamine, and all synthetic cathinones display a β-keto moiety in their structure. Several synthetic cathinones are widely prescribed medications (e.g., bupropion, Wellbutrin®), while others are problematic drugs of abuse (e.g., 4-methylmethcathinone, mephedrone). Similar to amphetamines, synthetic cathinones are psychomotor stimulants that exert their effects by impairing the normal function of plasma membrane transporters for dopamine (DAT), norepinephrine (NET), and 5-HT (SERT). Ring-substituted cathinones like mephedrone are transporter substrates that evoke neurotransmitter release by reversing the normal direction of transporter flux (i.e., releasers), whereas pyrrolidine-containing cathinones like 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) are potent transporter inhibitors that block neurotransmitter uptake (i.e., blockers). Regardless of molecular mechanism, all synthetic cathinones increase extracellular monoamine concentrations in the brain, thereby enhancing cell-to-cell monoamine signaling. Here, we briefly review the mechanisms of action, structure-activity relationships, and in vivo pharmacology of synthetic cathinones. Overall, the findings show that certain synthetic cathinones are powerful drugs of abuse that could pose significant risk to users.
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30
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Hondebrink L, Zwartsen A, Westerink RHS. Effect fingerprinting of new psychoactive substances (NPS): What can we learn from in vitro data? Pharmacol Ther 2017; 182:193-224. [PMID: 29097307 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is increasing and currently >600 NPS have been reported. However, limited information on neuropharmacological and toxicological effects of NPS is available, hampering risk characterization. We reviewed the literature on the in vitro neuronal modes of action to obtain effect fingerprints of different classes of illicit drugs and NPS. The most frequently reported NPS were selected for review: cathinones (MDPV, α-PVP, mephedrone, 4-MEC, pentedrone, methylone), cannabinoids (JWH-018), (hallucinogenic) phenethylamines (4-fluoroamphetamine, benzofurans (5-APB, 6-APB), 2C-B, NBOMes (25B-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, 25I-NBOMe)), arylcyclohexylamines (methoxetamine) and piperazine derivatives (mCPP, TFMPP, BZP). Our effect fingerprints highlight the main modes of action for the different NPS studied, including inhibition and/or reversal of monoamine reuptake transporters (cathinones and non-hallucinogenic phenethylamines), activation of 5-HT2receptors (hallucinogenic phenethylamines and piperazines), activation of cannabinoid receptors (cannabinoids) and inhibition of NDMA receptors (arylcyclohexylamines). Importantly, we identified additional targets by relating reported effect concentrations to the estimated human brain concentrations during recreational use. These additional targets include dopamine receptors, α- and β-adrenergic receptors, GABAAreceptors and acetylcholine receptors, which may all contribute to the observed clinical symptoms following exposure. Additional data is needed as the number of NPS continues to increase. Also, the effect fingerprints we have obtained are still incomplete and suffer from a large variation in the reported effects and effect sizes. Dedicated in vitro screening batteries will aid in complementing specific effect fingerprints of NPS. These fingerprints can be implemented in the risk assessments of NPS that are necessary for eventual control measures to reduce Public Health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hondebrink
- Dutch Poisons Information Center (DPIC), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Zwartsen
- Dutch Poisons Information Center (DPIC), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Neurotoxicology Research Group, Division Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.177, NL-3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Remco H S Westerink
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Division Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.177, NL-3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Luethi D, Kolaczynska KE, Docci L, Krähenbühl S, Hoener MC, Liechti ME. Pharmacological profile of mephedrone analogs and related new psychoactive substances. Neuropharmacology 2017; 134:4-12. [PMID: 28755886 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mephedrone is a synthetic cathinone and one of the most popular recreationally used new psychoactive substances. The aim of the present study was to characterize the in vitro pharmacology of novel analogs of mephedrone and related newly emerged designer stimulants. METHODS We determined norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin transporter inhibition potencies and monoamine release in transporter-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells. We also assessed monoamine receptor and transporter binding affinities. RESULTS Mephedrone analogs potently inhibited the norepinephrine transporter and, with the exception of 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC), inhibited the serotonin transporter more potently than the dopamine transporter. Similar to classic amphetamines, mephedrone analogs were substrate-type monoamine releasers. 5-(2-Aminopropyl)indole (5-IT) was a highly potent monoamine transporter inhibitor and a releaser of dopamine and serotonin. 4-Methylamphetamine (4-MA) mediated efflux of all three monoamines and inhibited the serotonin transporter more potently than the dopamine transporter, unlike amphetamine. N-methyl-2-aminoindane (N-methyl-2-AI) was a selective norepinephrine transporter inhibitor and norepinephrine releaser, whereas 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindane (MMAI) was a selective serotonin transporter inhibitor and serotonin releaser. All of the drugs interacted with monoamine receptors. CONCLUSION The predominant actions on serotonin vs. dopamine transporters suggest that dimethylmethcathinones, 4-MA, and MMAI cause entactogenic effects similar to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, whereas 3-MMC, 5-IT, and N-methyl-2-AI have more stimulant-type properties like amphetamine. Because of pharmacological and structural similarity to mephedrone, similar health risks can be expected for these analogs. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Designer Drugs and Legal Highs.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Dino Luethi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karolina E Kolaczynska
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luca Docci
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Krähenbühl
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marius C Hoener
- Neuroscience Research, pRED, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Abstract
The present review briefly explores the neurotoxic properties of methcathinone, mephedrone, methylone, and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), four synthetic cathinones most commonly found in "bath salts." Cathinones are β-keto analogs of the commonly abused amphetamines and display pharmacological effects resembling cocaine and amphetamines, but despite their commonalities in chemical structures, synthetic cathinones possess distinct neuropharmacological profiles and produce unique effects. Among the similarities of synthetic cathinones with their non-keto analogs are their targeting of monoamine systems, the release of neurotransmitters, and their stimulant properties. Most of the literature on synthetic cathinones has focused on describing their properties as psychostimulants, their behavioral effects on locomotion, memory, and potential for abuse, whereas descriptions of their neurotoxic properties are not abundant. The biochemical gauges of neurotoxicity induced by non-keto analogs are well studied in humans and experimental animals and include their ability to induce neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, temperature alterations as well as dysregulation of neurotransmitter systems and induce changes in monoamine transporters and receptors. These neurotoxicity gauges will serve as parameters to discuss the effects of the four previously mentioned synthetic cathinones alone or in combination with either another cathinone or with some of their non-keto analogs. Bath salts are not a defined combination of drugs and may consist of one synthetic cathinone compound or combinations of more cathinones. Furthermore, this review also presents some of the mechanisms that are thought to underlie this toxicity. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the synthetic cathinones-induced neurotoxicity should contribute to generate modern therapeutic approaches to prevent or attenuate the adverse consequences of use of these drugs in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Angoa-Pérez
- Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - John H Anneken
- Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Donald M Kuhn
- Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
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Mayer FP, Luf A, Nagy C, Holy M, Schmid R, Freissmuth M, Sitte HH. Application of a Combined Approach to Identify New Psychoactive Street Drugs and Decipher Their Mechanisms at Monoamine Transporters. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2017; 32:333-350. [PMID: 28025810 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2016_63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Psychoactive compounds can cause acute and long-term health problems and lead to addiction. In addition to well-studied and legally controlled compounds like cocaine, new psychoactive substances (NPS) are appearing in street drug markets as replacement strategies and legal alternatives. NPS are effectively marketed as "designer drugs" or "research chemicals" without any knowledge of their underlying pharmacological mode of action and their potential toxicological effects and obviously devoid of any registration process. As of 2016, the knowledge of structure-activity relationships for most NPS is scarce, and predicting detailed pharmacological activity of newly emerging drugs is a challenging task. Therefore, it is important to combine different approaches and employ biological test systems that are superior to mere chemical analysis in recognizing novel and potentially harmful street drugs. In this chapter, we provide a detailed description of techniques to decipher the molecular mechanism of action of NPS that target the high-affinity transporters for dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. In addition, this chapter provides insights into a combined approach to identify and characterize new psychoactive street drugs of unknown content in a collaboration with the Austrian prevention project "checkit!."
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix P Mayer
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anton Luf
- Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 10-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Constanze Nagy
- checkit! - Suchthilfe Wien GmbH, Gumpendorfer Gürtel 8, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marion Holy
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rainer Schmid
- Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 10-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Freissmuth
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Center for Addiction Research and Science - Medical University Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Miner NB, O'Callaghan JP, Phillips TJ, Janowsky A. The combined effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and selected substituted methcathinones on measures of neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2017; 61:74-81. [PMID: 28212938 PMCID: PMC5453829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The rise in popularity of substituted methcathinones (aka "bath salts") has increased the focus on their neurotoxic effects. Two commonly abused methcathinones, 3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone, MDMC) and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), are often concomitantly ingested with the illicit drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). To examine potential neurotoxic effects of these drug combinations, C57BL/6J mice were administered 4 i.p. injection of the drugs, at 2h intervals, either singularly: MDMA 15 or 30mg/kg, methylone 20mg/kg, MDPV 1mg/kg; or in combination: methylone/MDMA 20/15mg/kg, MDPV/MDMA 1/15mg/kg. Drug effects on thermoregulation were characterized and striatal tissue analyzed after 2 or 7days for dopamine (DA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels, as well as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. Two days following drug administration, DA and TH were decreased only in the MDMA 30mg/kg group, whereas GFAP expression was dose-dependently increased by MDMA alone. While the combination of the methcathinones with the lower MDMA dose did not affect DA or TH levels, both blocked the MDMA-induced increase in GFAP expression. Seven days following drug administration, there were no significant differences in DA, TH, or GFAP for any treatment group, indicating that changes in DA, TH, and GFAP were transient. Five of the six drug groups exhibited acute hypothermia followed by gradually increasing temperatures. Animals treated with MDPV did not exhibit these biphasic temperature changes, and resembled the saline group. These results indicate that specific effects of both methylone and MDPV on DA depletion or astrocyte activation in the striatum are not additive with effects of MDMA, but block astrogliosis caused by MDMA alone. Additionally, MDPV modulates thermoregulation through a different mechanism than methylone or MDMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas B Miner
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - James P O'Callaghan
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Tamara J Phillips
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Aaron Janowsky
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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35
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Watterson LR, Olive MF. Reinforcing Effects of Cathinone NPS in the Intravenous Drug Self-Administration Paradigm. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2017; 32:133-143. [PMID: 27431398 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2016_33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Since the mid- to late 2000s, there has been a dramatic rise in the use and abuse of synthetic derivatives of cathinone, a stimulant alkaloid found in the African shrub Catha edulis. Cathinone novel psychoactive substances (NPS), also referred to as synthetic cathinones or "bath salt"-type drugs, have gained popularity among drug users due to their potency, low cost, ease of procurement, and diverse array of evolving chemical structures. While the ability of cathinone NPS to produce psychotomimetic effects, multiple organ system toxicity, and death in humans is well documented, there has been limited scientific investigation into the reinforcing effects and abuse liability of these drugs. In this chapter, we will summarize the existing literature on the reinforcing effects of cathinone NPS in rodents using the intravenous self-administration (IVSA) paradigm. We will also compare the ability of cathinone NPS to serve as reinforcers to that of classical psychostimulants such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The chapter will conclude with a summary and indications for future avenues of research on cathinone NPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas R Watterson
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, 871104, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - M Foster Olive
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, 871104, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA.
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Mayer FP, Wimmer L, Dillon-Carter O, Partilla JS, Burchardt NV, Mihovilovic MD, Baumann MH, Sitte HH. Phase I metabolites of mephedrone display biological activity as substrates at monoamine transporters. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:2657-68. [PMID: 27391165 PMCID: PMC4978154 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 4-Methyl-N-methylcathinone (mephedrone) is a synthetic stimulant that acts as a substrate-type releaser at transporters for dopamine (DAT), noradrenaline (NET) and 5-HT (SERT). Upon systemic administration, mephedrone is metabolized to several phase I compounds: the N-demethylated metabolite, 4-methylcathinone (nor-mephedrone); the ring-hydroxylated metabolite, 4-hydroxytolylmephedrone (4-OH-mephedrone); and the reduced keto-metabolite, dihydromephedrone. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We used in vitro assays to compare the effects of mephedrone and synthetically prepared metabolites on transporter-mediated uptake and release in HEK293 cells expressing human monoamine transporters and in rat brain synaptosomes. In vivo microdialysis was employed to examine the effects of i.v. metabolite injection (1 and 3 mg·kg(-1) ) on extracellular dopamine and 5-HT levels in rat nucleus accumbens. KEY RESULTS In cells expressing transporters, mephedrone and its metabolites inhibited uptake, although dihydromephedrone was weak overall. In cells and synaptosomes, nor-mephedrone and 4-OH-mephedrone served as transportable substrates, inducing release via monoamine transporters. When administered to rats, mephedrone and nor-mephedrone produced elevations in extracellular dopamine and 5-HT, whereas 4-OH-mephedrone did not. Mephedrone and nor-mephedrone, but not 4-OH-mephedrone, induced locomotor activity. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our results demonstrate that phase I metabolites of mephedrone are transporter substrates (i.e. releasers) at DAT, NET and SERT, but dihydromephedrone is weak in this regard. When administered in vivo, nor-mephedrone increases extracellular dopamine and 5-HT in the brain whereas 4-OH-mephedrone does not, suggesting the latter metabolite does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Future studies should examine the pharmacokinetics of nor-mephedrone to determine its possible contribution to the in vivo effects produced by mephedrone.
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Affiliation(s)
- F P Mayer
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria
| | - L Wimmer
- Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - O Dillon-Carter
- Designer Drug Research Unit (DDRU), Intramural Research Program (IRP), NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J S Partilla
- Designer Drug Research Unit (DDRU), Intramural Research Program (IRP), NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - N V Burchardt
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria
| | - M D Mihovilovic
- Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - M H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit (DDRU), Intramural Research Program (IRP), NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - H H Sitte
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Addiction Research and Science, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Gołembiowska K, Jurczak A, Kamińska K, Noworyta-Sokołowska K, Górska A. Effect of Some Psychoactive Drugs Used as 'Legal Highs' on Brain Neurotransmitters. Neurotox Res 2016; 29:394-407. [PMID: 26501352 PMCID: PMC4786600 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-015-9569-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Revised: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
New psychoactive "designer drugs" are synthetic compounds developed to provide similar effects to illicit drugs of abuse, but not subjected to legal control. The rapidly changing legal status of novel psychoactive drugs triggers the development of new compounds, analogs of well-known amphetamine or mescaline. New designer drugs used as substitutes in ecstasy pills are the least investigated and can cause life-threatening effects on users. The aim of our research was to examine the effects of acute administration of 4-methoxyamphetamine (PMA, 5 and 10 mg/kg), 4-methoxy-N-methylamphetamine (PMMA, 5 and 10 mg/kg), and mephedrone (MEPH, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) on extracellular and tissue level of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and their metabolites in rat brain, by microdialysis method in freely moving animals and HPLC. Similarly to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 5 and 10 mg/kg) PMA, PMMA and MEPH enhanced the release of DA and 5-HT in rat striatum, nucleus accumbens, and frontal cortex. DA tissue content was increased by MEPH and PMMA in striatum, by MEPH, PMA, and PMMA in nucleus accumbens, and by PMA in frontal cortex. Instead, cortical DA level was decreased by MEPH and PMMA. MEPH did not influence 5-HT tissue level in striatum and nucleus accumbens, but decreased its level in frontal cortex. PMMA increased 5-HT content in striatum, while PMA enhanced it in nucleus accumbens and frontal cortex. Observed changes in brain monoamines and their metabolites by new psychoactive drugs suggest that these drugs may be capable of development of dependence. Further experiments are needed to fully investigate the neurotoxic and abuse potential of those drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Gołembiowska
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Alexandra Jurczak
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kamińska
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Karolina Noworyta-Sokołowska
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Anna Górska
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
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