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Noruzi M, Behmadi H, Sabzevari O, Foroumadi A, Ghahremani MH, Pourahmad J, Hassani S, Baeeri M, Gholami M, Ghahremanian A, Seyfi S, Taghizadeh G, Sharifzadeh M. Liraglutide alleviated alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) induced cognitive deficits in rats by modifying brain mitochondrial impairment. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 978:176776. [PMID: 38936451 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176776] [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: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The use of NPS compounds is increasing, and impairment in spatial learning and memory is a growing concern. Alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) consumption, as a commonly used NPS, can impair spatial learning and memory via the brain mitochondrial dysfunction mechanism. Liraglutide isone of the most well-known Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists that is used as an anti-diabetic and anti-obesity drug. According to current research, Liraglutide likely ameliorates cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative conditions and substance use disorders. Hence, the purpose of this study is examining the effect of Liraglutide on α-PVP-induced spatial learning and memory problems due to brain mitochondrial dysfunction. Wistar rats (8 in each group) received α-PVP (20 mg/kg/d for 10 consecutive days, intraperitoneally (I.P.)). Then, Liraglutide was administered at 47 and 94 μg/kg/d, I.P., for 4 weeks following the α-PVP administration. The Morris Water Maze (MWM) task evaluated spatial learning and memory 24 h after Liraglutide treatment. Bedside, brain mitochondrial activity parameters, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cytochrome c release, mitochondrial outer membrane damage and swelling, and brain ADP/ATP ratio, were studied. Our results showed that Liraglutide ameliorated α-PVP-induced spatial learning and memory impairments through alleviating brain mitochondrial dysfunction (which is indicated by increasing ROS formation, collapsed MMP, mitochondrial outer membrane damage, cytochrome c release, mitochondrial swelling, and increased brain ADP/ATP ratio). This study could be used as a starting point for future studies about the possible role of Liraglutide in ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction leading to substance use disorder- induced cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Noruzi
- School of Pharmacy, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Homayoon Behmadi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Sabzevari
- Department of Toxicology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Toxicology & Poisoning Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Foroumadi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Ghahremani
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jalal Pourahmad
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shokoufeh Hassani
- Toxicology and Diseases Group (TDG), Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Baeeri
- Toxicology and Diseases Group (TDG), Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Gholami
- Department of Toxicology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Toxicology & Poisoning Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Ghahremanian
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Drug and Poision Information Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheila Seyfi
- Drug Design and Development Research Center, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghorban Taghizadeh
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Sharifzadeh
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Nguyen VT, Harris AC, Eltit JM. Structural and functional perspectives on interactions between synthetic cathinones and monoamine transporters. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2023; 99:83-124. [PMID: 38467490 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinone derivatives comprise a family of psychoactive compounds structurally related to amphetamine. Over the last decade, clandestine chemists have synthesized a consistent stream of innovative cathinone derivatives to outpace governmental regulatory restrictions. Many of these unregulated substances are produced and distributed as designer drugs. Two of the principal chemical scaffolds exploited to expand the synthetic cathinone family are methcathinone and α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (or α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone, α-PVP). These compounds' main physiological targets are monoamine transporters, where they promote addiction by potentiating dopaminergic neurotransmission. This chapter describes techniques used to study the pharmacodynamic properties of cathinones at monoamine transporters in vitro. Biochemical techniques described include uptake inhibition and release assays in rat brain synaptosomes and in mammalian expression systems. Electrophysiological techniques include current measurements using the voltage clamp technique. We describe a Ca2+ mobilization assay wherein voltage-gated Ca2+ channels function as reporters to study the action of synthetic cathinones at monoamine transporters. We discuss results from systematic structure-activity relationship studies on simple and complex cathinones at monoamine transporters with an emphasis on identifying structural moieties that modulate potency and selectivity at these transporters. Moreover, different profiles of selectivity at monoamine transporters directly predict compounds associated with behavioral and subjective effects within animals and humans. In conclusion, clarification of the structural aspects of compounds which modulate potency and selectivity at monoamine transporters is critical to identify and predict potential addictive drugs. This knowledge may allow prompt allocation of resources toward drugs that represent the greatest threats after drugs are identified by forensic laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vy T Nguyen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Alan C Harris
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Jose M Eltit
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.
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Wang J, Shao B, Ge H, Li Y, Qi H, Xiao L. Visible-Light-Induced Regioselective Radical Oxo-Amination of Alkenes with O 2 as the Oxygen Source. Org Lett 2023; 25:5333-5338. [PMID: 37439641 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c01910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
An efficient and novel visible-light-induced oxo-amination of terminal alkenes for the construction of α-amino ketones with easily accessible and green O2 as the oxygen source has been developed. The transformation possesses the advantages of operational simplicity, a broad substrate scope, high atom economy, and mild reaction conditions. The mechanistic studies reveal that an energy transfer process probably occurs in the initial stage, and the reaction proceeds via β-scission of the alkoxyl radical species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayang Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313002, P. R. China
| | - Baoer Shao
- YuYao People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, YuYao, Zhejiang 315400, P. R. China
| | - Haixia Ge
- School of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313002, P. R. China
| | - Yongjin Li
- School of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313002, P. R. China
| | - Huan Qi
- School of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313002, P. R. China
| | - Li Xiao
- School of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313002, P. R. China
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Noruzi M, Behmadi H, Khankahdani ZH, Sabzevari O, Foroumadi A, Ghahremani MH, Pourahmad J, Hassani S, Gholami M, Moghimi S, Ghazimoradi MM, Taghizadeh G, Sharifzadeh M. Alpha pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) administration impairs spatial learning and memory in rats through brain mitochondrial dysfunction. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 467:116497. [PMID: 37003365 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) consumption has increased in recent years, thus NPS-induced cognitive decline is a current source of concern. Alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP), as a member of NPS, is consumed throughout regions like Washington, D.C., Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an essential role in NPS-induced cognitive impairment. Meanwhile, no investigations have been conducted regarding the α-PVP impact on spatial learning/memory and associated mechanisms. Consequently, our study investigated the α-PVP effect on spatial learning/memory and brain mitochondrial function. Wistar rats received different α-PVP doses (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 10 sequential days; 24 h after the last dose, spatial learning/memory was evaluated by the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Furthermore, brain mitochondrial protein yield and function variables (Mitochondrial swelling, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, lipid peroxidation, Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP), Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, brain ADP/ATP proportion, cytochrome c release, Mitochondrial Outer Membrane (MOM) damage) were examined. α-PVP higher dose (20 mg/kg) significantly impaired spatial learning/memory, mitochondrial protein yield, and brain mitochondrial function (caused reduced SDH activity, increased mitochondrial swelling, elevated ROS generation, increased lipid peroxidation, collapsed MMP, increased cytochrome c release, and brain ADP/ATP proportion, and MOM damage). Moreover, the lower dose of α-PVP (5 mg/kg) did not alter spatial learning/memory and brain mitochondrial function. These findings provide the first evidence regarding impaired spatial learning and memory following repeated administration of α-PVP and the possible role of brain mitochondrial dysfunction in these cognitive impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Noruzi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homayoon Behmadi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Omid Sabzevari
- Department of Toxicology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Toxicology & Poisoning Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Foroumadi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Ghahremani
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jalal Pourahmad
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shokoufeh Hassani
- Toxicology and Diseases Group (TDG), Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Iran
| | - Mahdi Gholami
- Department of Toxicology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy; Toxicology and Poisoning Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Setareh Moghimi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ghorban Taghizadeh
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Sharifzadeh
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, and The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Kuropka P, Zawadzki M, Szpot P. A review of synthetic cathinones emerging in recent years (2019-2022). Forensic Toxicol 2023; 41:25-46. [PMID: 36124107 PMCID: PMC9476408 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-022-00639-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Purpose The emergence of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) has been being a continuous and evolving problem for more than a decade. Every year, dozens of new, previously unknown drugs appear on the illegal market, posing a significant threat to the health and lives of their users. Synthetic cathinones are one of the most numerous and widespread groups among NPS. The purpose of this work was to identify and summarize available data on newly emerging cathinones in very recent years. Methods Various online databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, but also databases of government agencies including those involved in early warning systems, were used in search of reports on the identification of newly emerging synthetic cathinones. In addition, threads on various forums created by users of these drugs were searched for reports on the effects of these new substances. Results We have identified 29 synthetic cathinones that have been detected for the first time from early 2019 to mid-2022. We described their structures, known intoxication symptoms, detected concentrations in biological material in poisoning cases, as well as the countries and dates of their first appearance. Due to the lack of studies on the properties of the novel compounds, we compared data on the pharmacological profiles of the better-known synthetic cathinones with available information on the newly emerged ones. Some of these new agents already posed a threat, as the first cases of poisonings, including fatal ones, have been reported. Conclusions Most of the newly developed synthetic cathinones can be seen as analogs and replacements for once-popular compounds that have been declining in popularity as a result of legislative efforts. Although it appears that some of the newly emerging cathinones are not widely used, they may become more popular in the future and could become a significant threat to health and life. Therefore, it is important to continue developing early warning systems and identifying new compounds so that their widespread can be prevented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patryk Kuropka
- Institute of Toxicology Research, 45 Kasztanowa Street, Lower Silesia Province, 55093 Borowa, Poland
| | - Marcin Zawadzki
- grid.4495.c0000 0001 1090 049XDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 4 J. Mikulicza‑Radeckiego Street, 50345 Wroclaw, Poland ,Institute of Toxicology Research, 45 Kasztanowa Street, Lower Silesia Province, 55093 Borowa, Poland
| | - Paweł Szpot
- grid.4495.c0000 0001 1090 049XDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 4 J. Mikulicza‑Radeckiego Street, 50345 Wroclaw, Poland ,Institute of Toxicology Research, 45 Kasztanowa Street, Lower Silesia Province, 55093 Borowa, Poland
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Zhao H, Hu B, Xu L, Walsh PJ. Palladium-catalyzed benzylic C(sp 3)-H carbonylative arylation of azaarylmethyl amines with aryl bromides. Chem Sci 2021; 12:10862-10870. [PMID: 34476065 PMCID: PMC8372623 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc02078a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A highly selective palladium-catalyzed carbonylative arylation of weakly acidic benzylic C(sp3)-H bonds of azaarylmethylamines with aryl bromides under 1 atm of CO gas has been achieved. This work represents the first examples of use of such weakly acidic pronucleophiles in this class of transformations. In the presence of a NIXANTPHOS-based palladium catalyst, this one-pot cascade process allows a range of azaarylmethylamines containing pyridyl, quinolinyl and pyrimidyl moieties and acyclic and cyclic amines to undergo efficient reactions with aryl bromides and CO to provide α-amino aryl-azaarylmethyl ketones in moderate to high yields with a broad substrate scope and good tolerance of functional groups. This reaction proceeds via in situ reversible deprotonation of the benzylic C-H bonds to give the active carbanions, thereby avoiding prefunctionalized organometallic reagents and generation of additional waste. Importantly, the operational simplicity, scalability and diversity of the products highlight the potential applicability of this protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoqiang Zhao
- Roy and Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Penn/Merck Laboratory for High-Throughput Experimentation, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania 231 South 34th Street Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104-6323 USA
- Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China Beijing 100872 China
| | - Bowen Hu
- Roy and Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Penn/Merck Laboratory for High-Throughput Experimentation, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania 231 South 34th Street Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104-6323 USA
| | - Lijin Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China Beijing 100872 China
| | - Patrick J Walsh
- Roy and Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Penn/Merck Laboratory for High-Throughput Experimentation, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania 231 South 34th Street Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104-6323 USA
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Flakka: New Dangerous Synthetic Cathinone on the Drug Scene. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218185. [PMID: 33142953 PMCID: PMC7663692 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
New psychoactive substances are being used as drugs and appear to be quite popular nowadays. Thanks to their specific properties, these drugs create inimitable experiences for intoxicated people. Synthetic cathinones are the most common compounds in these new drugs. Among them, α-pyrrolidopentadione (α-PVP), or “Flakka” (street name), is one of the most famous cathinone-designed drugs. Similar to other synthetic cathinone drugs, α-PVP can effectively inhibit norepinephrine and dopamine transmitters. The adverse reactions of α-PVP mainly include mania, tachycardia, and hallucinations. An increasing number of people are being admitted to emergency wards due to the consequences of their use. This work mainly summarizes the history, synthesis, pharmacology, toxicology, structure–activity relationship, metabolism, clinical process and health risks, poisoning and death, forensic toxicology, and legal status of α-PVP. We hope this review will help bring more attention to the exploration of this substance in order to raise awareness of its negative impacts on humans.
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Tackie-Yarboi E, Wisner A, Horton A, Chau TQT, Reigle J, Funk AJ, McCullumsmith RE, Hall FS, Williams FE, Schiefer IT. Combining Neurobehavioral Analysis and In Vivo Photoaffinity Labeling to Understand Protein Targets of Methamphetamine in Casper Zebrafish. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:2761-2773. [PMID: 32786314 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoaffinity labeling (PAL) remains one of the most widely utilized methods of determining protein targets of drugs. Although useful, the scope of this technique has been limited to in vitro applications because of the inability of UV light to penetrate whole organisms. Herein, pigment-free Casper zebrafish were employed to allow in vivo PAL. A methamphetamine-related phenethylamine PAL probe, designated here as 2, demonstrated dose-dependent effects on behavior similar to methamphetamine and permitted concentration-dependent labeling of protein binding partners. Click chemistry was used to analyze binding partners via fluoroimaging. Conjugation to a biotin permitted streptavidin pull-down and proteomic analysis to define direct binding partners of the methamphetamine probe. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the probe was chiefly bound to proteins involved in phagocytosis and mitochondrial function. Future applications of this experimental paradigm combining examination of drug-protein binding interactions alongside neurobehavioral readouts via in vivo PAL will significantly enhance our understanding of drug targets, mechanism(s) of action, and toxicity/lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethel Tackie-Yarboi
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Alexander Wisner
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Austin Horton
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Tue Q. T. Chau
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - James Reigle
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, United States
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, United States
| | - Adam J. Funk
- Department of Neurosciences, College of Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Robert E. McCullumsmith
- Department of Neurosciences, College of Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
- Neurosciences Institute, Promedica, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Frank S. Hall
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Frederick E. Williams
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Isaac T. Schiefer
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
- Center for Drug Design and Development, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
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Jones NS, Comparin JH. Interpol review of controlled substances 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2020; 2:608-669. [PMID: 33385148 PMCID: PMC7770462 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in controlled substances from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S. Jones
- RTI International, Applied Justice Research Division, Center for Forensic Sciences, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 22709-2194, USA
| | - Jeffrey H. Comparin
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, USA
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10
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Hattori N, Kaizaki-Mitsumoto A, Hataoka K, Numazawa S. Simultaneous profiling of organic and inorganic impurities in α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP). J Toxicol Sci 2019; 44:849-857. [PMID: 31813904 DOI: 10.2131/jts.44.849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Abuse of recreational drugs (i.e., synthetic chemicals with the structure or expected neurotropic effects, or both, similar to those of controlled substances) is a serious and continuous social harm. Designer drugs are often manufactured or synthesized in small-scale clandestine laboratories with impure starting materials, poor handling skills and inferior storage conditions. Therefore, in addition to the objective compound, diverse impurities may be present, for example, from the starting material, intermediates, catalytic metals formed during chemical synthesis, and materials from the environment. Impurity profiling of drug seizures is a useful scientific tool to obtain information on the clandestine manufacturers and drug trafficking networks. 1-Phenyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-pentanone (α-PVP), a novel psychoactive substance of the cathinone type that is banned in many countries, is still supplied and distributed within the illicit drug market. By using GC-MS and ICP-MS, we identified and estimated the relative contents of organic and inorganic impurities in the bulk powder of 15 batches of α-PVP. We then conducted multivariate data analyses to reveal characteristic patterns of the profiles. Hierarchical cluster analysis of both the organic and inorganic impurities revealed two groups that showed similar impurity profiles, which suggested that the batches in these groups were synthesized in similar routes under similar synthetic environments. The initial groups revealed by the organic impurities were further divided when combined with the data from the inorganic impurities. The present study, therefore, demonstrated the effectiveness of integrated analyses of organic and inorganic impurities for the accurate clustering of designer drugs, to provide precise information to drug investigation authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsumi Hattori
- Division of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Showa University School of Pharmacy
| | - Asuka Kaizaki-Mitsumoto
- Division of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Showa University School of Pharmacy
| | - Kyoko Hataoka
- Division of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Showa University School of Pharmacy
| | - Satoshi Numazawa
- Division of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Showa University School of Pharmacy
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11
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Souders CL, Davis RH, Qing H, Liang X, Febo M, Martyniuk CJ. The psychoactive cathinone derivative pyrovalerone alters locomotor activity and decreases dopamine receptor expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Brain Behav 2019; 9:e01420. [PMID: 31625691 PMCID: PMC6851804 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pyrovalerone (4-methyl-β-keto-prolintane) is a synthetic cathinone (beta-keto-amphetamine) derivative. Cathinones are a concern as drugs of abuse, as related street drugs such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone have garnered significant attention. The primary mechanism of action of cathinones is to inhibit reuptake transporters (dopamine and norepinephrine) in reward centers of the central nervous system. METHODS We measured bioenergetic, behavioral, and molecular responses to pyrovalerone (nM-µM) in zebrafish to evaluate its potential for neurotoxicity and neurological impairment. RESULTS Pyrovalerone did not induce any mortality in zebrafish larvae over a 3- and 24-hr period; however, seizures were prevalent at the highest dose tested (100 µM). Oxidative phosphorylation was not affected in the embryos, and there was no change in superoxide dismutase 1 expression. Following a 3-hr treatment to pyrovalerone (1-100 µM), larval zebrafish (6d) showed a dose-dependent decrease (70%-90%) in total distance moved in a visual motor response (VMR) test. We interrogated potential mechanisms related to the hypoactivity, focusing on the expression of dopamine-related transcripts as cathinones can modulate the dopamine system. Pyrovalerone decreased the expression levels of dopamine receptor D1 (~60%) in larval zebrafish but did not affect the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine active transporter, or any other dopamine receptor subunit examined, suggesting that pyrovalerone may regulate the expression of dopamine receptors in a specific manner. DISCUSSION Further studies using zebrafish are expected to reveal new insight into molecular mechanisms and behavioral responses to cathinone derivates, and zebrafish may be a useful model for understanding the relationship between the dopamine system and bath salts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Laurence Souders
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Robert H Davis
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hua Qing
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control & Waste Resource Reuse, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xuefang Liang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control & Waste Resource Reuse, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Marcelo Febo
- Department of Psychiatry, Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christopher J Martyniuk
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Kolesnikova TO, Khatsko SL, Eltsov OS, Shevyrin VA, Kalueff AV. When fish take a bath: Psychopharmacological characterization of the effects of a synthetic cathinone bath salt ‘flakka’ on adult zebrafish. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2019; 73:15-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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