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Chen S, Zhou W, Lai M. Synthetic Cathinones: Epidemiology, Toxicity, Potential for Abuse, and Current Public Health Perspective. Brain Sci 2024; 14:334. [PMID: 38671986 PMCID: PMC11048581 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones, derived from cathinone found in the plant Catha edulis, represent the second largest and most frequently seized group of new psychoactive substances. They are considered as β-keto analogs of amphetamine, sharing pharmacological effects with amphetamine and cocaine. This review describes the neurotoxic properties of synthetic cathinones, encompassing their capacity to induce neuroinflammation, dysregulate neurotransmitter systems, and alter monoamine transporters and receptors. Additionally, it discusses the rewarding and abuse potential of synthetic cathinones drawing from findings obtained through various preclinical animal models, contextualized with other classical psychostimulants. The review also offers an overview of current abuse trends of synthetic cathinones on the illicit drug market, specifying the aspects covered, and underscores the risks they pose to public health. Finally, the review discusses public health initiatives and efforts to reduce the hazards of synthetic cathinones, including harm reduction methods, education, and current clinical management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315201, China; (S.C.); (W.Z.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Wenhua Zhou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315201, China; (S.C.); (W.Z.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Miaojun Lai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315201, China; (S.C.); (W.Z.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, China
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Lai M, Fu D, Li X, Zhuang D, Wang M, Xu Z, Liu H, Shen H, Xu P, Zhou W. N-Isopropylbenzylamine-induced conditioned place preference, sensitization behaviour and self-administration in rodents. Addict Biol 2024; 29:e13370. [PMID: 38353028 PMCID: PMC10898833 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
N-Isopropylbenzylamine (N-ipb), a chain isomer of methamphetamine (METH) with similar physical properties, has been used as a substitute for METH in seized drug samples. However, the abuse potential of N-ipb remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the abuse potential of N-ipb in comparison to METH, by using conditioned place preference (CPP), locomotor sensitization and intravenous self-administration tests. The results showed that N-ipb at a dose of 3 mg·kg-1 significantly induced CPP in mice, which was comparable to the effect of METH at 1 mg·kg-1 . Either acute or repeated N-ipb injections (1 or 3 mg·kg-1 ) failed to raise the locomotor activity. However, acute treatment with 10 mg·kg-1 N-ipb elevated the locomotor activity compared with saline, while chronic injection of 10 mg·kg-1 N-ipb induced a delayed and attenuated sensitization compared with 1 mg·kg-1 METH. Rats could acquire N-ipb self-administration at a dose of 1 mg·kg-1 ·infusion-1 , and a typical inverted U-shaped dose-response curve was obtained for N-ipb. The mean dose of N-ipb that maintained the maximum response was greater than that of METH, indicating that N-ipb is less potent for reinforcement than METH. In the economic behavioural analysis, comparison of essential values derived from the demand elasticity revealed that N-ipb is less efficacy as a reinforcer than METH. The present data demonstrate that N-ipb functions as a reinforcer and has a potential for abuse. However, the potency of psychomotor stimulation and the reinforcing effectiveness of N-ipb are lower than those of METH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaojun Lai
- Department of PsychiatryAffiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
- Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang ProvinceNingboChina
| | - Dan Fu
- Department of PsychiatryAffiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
- Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang ProvinceNingboChina
| | - Xiangyu Li
- Office of China National Narcotics Control CommissionChina Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics ControlBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic CenterMinistry of Public SecurityBeijingChina
| | - Dingding Zhuang
- Department of PsychiatryAffiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
- Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang ProvinceNingboChina
| | - Majie Wang
- Department of PsychiatryAffiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
- Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang ProvinceNingboChina
| | - Zeming Xu
- Department of PsychiatryAffiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
- Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang ProvinceNingboChina
| | - Huifen Liu
- Department of PsychiatryAffiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
- Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang ProvinceNingboChina
| | - Haowei Shen
- Faculty of Physiology & Pharmacology, School of MedicineNingbo UniversityNingboChina
| | - Peng Xu
- Office of China National Narcotics Control CommissionChina Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics ControlBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic CenterMinistry of Public SecurityBeijingChina
| | - Wenhua Zhou
- Department of PsychiatryAffiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo UniversityNingboChina
- Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang ProvinceNingboChina
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Unterwald EM, Rawls SM. Bath Salts to Therapies: Can Separation of Adverse and Therapeutic Effects of Substituted Cathinones Lead to a Medication for Psychostimulant Use Disorder? J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 385:159-161. [PMID: 37197988 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M Unterwald
- Department of Neural Sciences and Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Scott M Rawls
- Department of Neural Sciences and Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Chojnacki MR, Thorndike EB, Partilla JS, Rice KC, Schindler CW, Baumann MH. Neurochemical and Cardiovascular Effects of 4-Chloro Ring-Substituted Synthetic Cathinones in Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 385:162-170. [PMID: 36669877 PMCID: PMC10201577 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones are a class of new psychoactive substances that display psychomotor stimulant properties, and novel cathinone analogs continue to emerge in illicit drug markets worldwide. The aim of the present study was to characterize the pharmacology of 4-chloro ring-substituted cathinones that are appearing in illicit drug markets compared with the effects of 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone). Synaptosomes were prepared from rat caudate for dopamine transporter (DAT) assays or from whole brain minus caudate and cerebellum for norepinephrine transporter (NET) and serotonin transporter (SERT) assays. Findings from transporter uptake inhibition and release assays showed that mephedrone and 4-chloromethcathinone (4-CMC) function as substrates at DAT, NET, and SERT, with similar potency at all three transporters. In contrast, 4-chloro-α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (4-CαPPP) was an uptake inhibitor at DAT and NET, with similar potency at each site, but had little activity at SERT. 4-Chloroethcathinone (4-CEC) was a low-potency uptake inhibitor at DAT and NET but a substrate at SERT. In rats implanted with telemetry transmitters, mephedrone and 4-CMC increased blood pressure, heart rate, and locomotor activity to a similar extent. 4-CEC and 4-CαPPP were less potent at increasing blood pressure and had modest stimulatory effects on heart rate and activity. 4-CMC also transiently decreased temperature at the highest dose tested. All three 4-chloro ring-substituted cathinones are biologically active, but only 4-CMC has potency comparable to mephedrone. Collectively, our findings suggest that 4-CMC and other 4-chloro cathinones may have abuse potential and adverse effects in humans that are analogous to those associated with mephedrone. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The 4-chloro ring-substituted cathinones all produced significant cardiovascular stimulation, with 4-chloromethcathinone (4-CMC) showing potency similar to mephedrone. All of the drugs are likely to be abused given their effects at the dopamine transporter, particularly 4-CMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Chojnacki
- Designer Drug Research Unit (M.R.C., J.S.P., C.W.S., M.H.B.) and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Programs, Rockville, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Eric B Thorndike
- Designer Drug Research Unit (M.R.C., J.S.P., C.W.S., M.H.B.) and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Programs, Rockville, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - John S Partilla
- Designer Drug Research Unit (M.R.C., J.S.P., C.W.S., M.H.B.) and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Programs, Rockville, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Designer Drug Research Unit (M.R.C., J.S.P., C.W.S., M.H.B.) and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Programs, Rockville, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Charles W Schindler
- Designer Drug Research Unit (M.R.C., J.S.P., C.W.S., M.H.B.) and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Programs, Rockville, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit (M.R.C., J.S.P., C.W.S., M.H.B.) and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intramural Research Programs, Rockville, Maryland (K.C.R.)
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Shetty RA, Hoch AC, Sumien N, Forster MJ, Gatch MB. Comparison of locomotor stimulant and drug discrimination effects of four synthetic cathinones to commonly abused psychostimulants. J Psychopharmacol 2023; 37:520-528. [PMID: 36738095 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221142566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The underground market is constantly flooded with newer synthetic as alternatives to the older cathinones. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has identified four cathinone compounds of particular concern: 3,4-methylenedioxy-alpha-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (3,4-MD-α-PHP), 4-chloro-α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (4-Cl-α-PPP), alpha-pyrrolidinoisohexiophenone (α-PiHP) and 4-chloro-pentedrone (4-Cl-pentedrone). AIMS The current study aimed to evaluate the behavioral pharmacology of four synthetic cathinones. METHODS 3,4-MD-α-PHP, 4-Cl-α-PPP, α-PiHP, and 4-CPD were tested for locomotor activity in mice and in a drug discrimination assay with rats trained to discriminate either methamphetamine or cocaine. RESULTS Locomotor stimulant effects of 3,4-MD-α-PHP ((effective dose) ED50 = 1.98 mg/kg), α-PiHP (ED50 = 2.46 mg/kg), and 4-Cl-α-PPP (ED50 = 7.18 mg/kg) were observed within 10 min following injection and lasted from 2 to 3.5 h. The stimulant action of 4-CPD (ED50 = 17.24 mg/kg) was delayed, occurring 40-70 min following injection. The maximal motor stimulant actions of 3,4-MD-α-PHP and α-PiHP 1 were equivalent to that of cocaine and methamphetamine, whereas 4-CPD (50% of cocaine) and 4-Cl-α-PPP (73% of cocaine) were less efficacious. All of the test compounds fully substituted for the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine, 3,4-MD-α-PHP (ED50 = 2.28 mg/kg), α-PiHP (ED50 = 3.84 mg/kg), and 4-Cl-α-PPP (ED50 = 15.56 mg/kg). Only 3,4-MD-α-PHP (ED50 = 1.65 mg/kg), α-PiHP (ED50 = 1.87 mg/kg), and 4-Cl-α-PPP (ED50 = 9.79 mg/kg) fully substituted for the discriminative stimulus effects of methamphetamine. 4-Cl-pentedrone caused 55-70% methamphetamine-appropriate responding at doses that also suppressed responding and produced convulsions. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that 3,4-MD-α-PHP, α-PiHP, and 4-Cl-α-PPP have a potential for abuse similar to that of methamphetamine and cocaine. In contrast, 4-Cl-pentedrone may not be popular for recreational use due to its convulsant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu A Shetty
- Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Adam C Hoch
- Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Nathalie Sumien
- Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Michael J Forster
- Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Michael B Gatch
- Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
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Zhou Y, Hong Q, Xu W, Chen W, Xie X, Zhuang D, Lai M, Fu D, Xu Z, Wang M, Zhou W, Liu H. Differential expression profiling of tRNA-Derived small RNAs and their potential roles in methamphetamine self-administered rats. Front Genet 2023; 14:1088498. [PMID: 36845381 PMCID: PMC9945332 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1088498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are a novel class of short, non-coding RNAs that are closely associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated their critical functional roles as regulatory factors in gene expression regulation, protein translation regulation, regulation of various cellular activities, immune mediation, and response to stress. However, the underlying mechanisms by which tRFs & tiRNAs affect methamphetamine-induced pathophysiological processes are largely unknown. In this study, we used a combination of small RNA sequencing, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT‒PCR), bioinformatics, and luciferase reporter assays to screen the expression profiles and identify the functional roles of tRFs and tiRNAs in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of methamphetamine self-administration rat models. A total of 461 tRFs & tiRNAs were identified in the NAc of rats after 14 days of methamphetamine self-administration training. Of those, 132 tRFs & tiRNAs were significantly differentially expressed: 59 were significantly upregulated, whereas 73 were significantly downregulated in the rats with methamphetamine self-administration. Decreased expression levels of tiRNA-1-34-Lys-CTT-1 and tRF-1-32-Gly-GCC-2-M2, as well as increased expression levels of tRF-1-16-Ala-TGC-4 in the METH group compared with the saline control were validated by using RT‒PCR. Then, bioinformatic analysis was performed to analyse the possible biological functions of tRFs & tiRNAs in methamphetamine-induced pathogenesis. Furthermore, tRF-1-32-Gly-GCC-2-M2 was identified to target BDNF using the luciferase reporter assay. An altered tsRNA expression pattern was proven, and tRF-1-32-Gly-GCC-2-M2 was shown to be involved in methamphetamine-induced pathophysiologic processes by targeting BDNF. The current study provides new insights for future investigations to explore the mechanisms and therapeutic methods for methamphetamine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhou
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qingxiao Hong
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenjin Xu
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weisheng Chen
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaohu Xie
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dingding Zhuang
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Miaojun Lai
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dan Fu
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zemin Xu
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Majie Wang
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenhua Zhou
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,*Correspondence: Wenhua Zhou, ; Huifen Liu,
| | - Huifen Liu
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Key Laboratory of Addiction Research of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,*Correspondence: Wenhua Zhou, ; Huifen Liu,
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Relative reinforcing effects of dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone: self-administration and behavioral economics analysis in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:2875-2884. [PMID: 35716192 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06173-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Following the emergence of methylone as one of the most popular synthetic cathinones, this group of novel psychoactive substance with names ending in "-lone," such as dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone, appeared on the recreational drug market. The pharmacological mechanisms of dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone are well understood; however, to date, the reinforcing effects of dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone are still unclear. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine the self-administration of dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone relative to methamphetamine (METH) and to quantify their relative reinforcing effectiveness using behavioral economic analysis. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to self-administer METH (0.05 mg/kg) under a fixed-ratio 1 (FR1) schedule. Following the training, dose substitution was used to generate full dose-response curves for METH and the three synthetic cathinones. According to the first doses on the descending limb of the dose-response curves, rats were trained to self-administer METH (0.05 mg/kg), dibutylone (0.1 mg·kg-1·infusion-1), ethylone (0.4 mg·kg-1·infusion-1), or N-ethylpentylone (0.1 mg·kg-1·infusion-1) under an FR1 schedule, and a behavioral economic evaluation of their reinforcing effectiveness was then performed. RESULTS Dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone functioned as reinforcers, and the inverted U-shaped dose-response curves were obtained. The rank order of reinforcing potency in this procedure was METH > N-ethylpentylone ≈ dibutylone > ethylone. In the economic analysis, the comparisons of the essential value (EV) transformed from demand elasticity (α) indicated that the rank order of efficacy as reinforcers was METH (EV = 7.93) ≈ dibutylone (EV = 7.81) > N-ethylpentylone (EV = 5.21) ≈ ethylone (EV = 4.19). CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrated that dibutylone, ethylone, and N-ethylpentylone function as reinforcers and have addictive potential, suggesting that the modification of α-alkyl and N-alkyl side chains may affect their reinforcing efficacy.
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Li F, Du H, Wu B, Wei J, Qiao Y, Lai M, Zhou W, Shen H, Wang Y, Xu P, Di B. 2-Fluorodeschloroketamine has similar abuse potential as ketamine. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13171. [PMID: 35470563 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
2-Fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK) as a substitute for ketamine has emerged among drug abusers in recent years. However, 2-FDCK has not been controlled or regulated in many countries, which may be partly related to the lack of evidence on its abuse potential. In this study, we evaluated the abuse potential of 2-FDCK via the tests of the conditioned place preference (CPP), locomotor sensitization, drug self-administration and drug discrimination using ketamine as a reference. 2-FDCK induced significant CPP at a minimum dose of 3 mg/kg in mice, an effect comparable with that of ketamine (3 mg/kg). Acute injections of 2-FDCK or ketamine at 30 mg/kg enhanced locomotor activity. Repeated treatments with this dose of 2-FDCK and ketamine induced locomotor sensitization after withdrawal. 2-FDCK readily induced self-administration with 0.5 mg/kg/infusion, the same dose for ketamine, and induced the highest seeking response at 1 mg/kg. Drug discrimination test showed that 2-FDCK dose-dependently substitute for ketamine with comparable ED50 to ketamine in substitution testing. Taken together, these results strongly suggested that 2-FDCK has an abuse potential comparable with ketamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- School of Pharmacy China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing China
- Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control Beijing China
| | - Han Du
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, School of Medicine Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Bo Wu
- School of Pharmacy China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing China
- Drug Laboratory of Narcotic Control Division Nanjing Public Security Bureau Nanjing China
| | - Jiayun Wei
- School of Pharmacy China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing China
- Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control Beijing China
| | - Yanling Qiao
- School of Pharmacy China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing China
- Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control Beijing China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center Ministry of Public Security Beijing China
| | - Miaojun Lai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, School of Medicine Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Wenhua Zhou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, School of Medicine Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Haowei Shen
- Faculty of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Youmei Wang
- School of Pharmacy China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing China
- Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control Beijing China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center Ministry of Public Security Beijing China
| | - Peng Xu
- School of Pharmacy China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing China
- Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control Beijing China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center Ministry of Public Security Beijing China
| | - Bin Di
- School of Pharmacy China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing China
- Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control Beijing China
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