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Salinsky LM, Merritt CR, Zamora JC, Giacomini JL, Anastasio NC, Cunningham KA. μ-opioid receptor agonists and psychedelics: pharmacological opportunities and challenges. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1239159. [PMID: 37886127 PMCID: PMC10598667 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1239159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid misuse and opioid-involved overdose deaths are a massive public health problem involving the intertwined misuse of prescription opioids for pain management with the emergence of extremely potent fentanyl derivatives, sold as standalone products or adulterants in counterfeit prescription opioids or heroin. The incidence of repeated opioid overdose events indicates a problematic use pattern consistent with the development of the medical condition of opioid use disorder (OUD). Prescription and illicit opioids reduce pain perception by activating µ-opioid receptors (MOR) localized to the central nervous system (CNS). Dysregulation of meso-corticolimbic circuitry that subserves reward and adaptive behaviors is fundamentally involved in the progressive behavioral changes that promote and are consequent to OUD. Although opioid-induced analgesia and the rewarding effects of abused opioids are primarily mediated through MOR activation, serotonin (5-HT) is an important contributor to the pharmacology of opioid abused drugs (including heroin and prescription opioids) and OUD. There is a recent resurgence of interest into psychedelic compounds that act primarily through the 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT 2A R) as a new frontier in combatting such diseases (e.g., depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders). Emerging data suggest that the MOR and 5-HT2AR crosstalk at the cellular level and within key nodes of OUD circuitry, highlighting a major opportunity for novel pharmacological intervention for OUD. There is an important gap in the preclinical profiling of psychedelic 5-HT2AR agonists in OUD models. Further, as these molecules carry risks, additional analyses of the profiles of non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2AR agonists and/or 5-HT2AR positive allosteric modulators may provide a new pathway for 5-HT2AR therapeutics. In this review, we discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with utilizing 5-HT2AR agonists as therapeutics for OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Noelle C. Anastasio
- Center for Addiction Sciences and Therapeutics and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, John Sealy School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Kathryn A. Cunningham
- Center for Addiction Sciences and Therapeutics and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, John Sealy School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
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2
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Krogsbaek M, Larsen NY, Landau AM, Sanchez C, Nyengaard JR. Changes in hypothalamic mu-opioid receptor expression following acute olanzapine treatment in female rats: Implications for feeding behavior. J Chem Neuroanat 2023; 132:102324. [PMID: 37557929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2023.102324] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Advances have been made in recent years in using opioid receptor antagonists as an adjunct therapy to psychotropic medication to reduce debilitating weight gain and metabolic adverse effects associated with in particular second generation antipsychotics. However, it is unknown whether second generation antipsychotics produce a change in opioid receptor expression in the brain. The present study investigated early changes in opioid receptor expression in the female rat hypothalamus, a master controller of hunger and metabolic regulation, after acute treatment with olanzapine, a commonly used second generation antipsychotic. Using quantitative spatial in situ hybridization and receptor autoradiography, expression levels of the three opioid receptors; kappa, mu and delta, were determined at mRNA and protein level, respectively, in the five hypothalamic areas: paraventricular nucleus, arcuate nucleus, ventromedial nucleus, dorsomedial nucleus and lateral hypothalamus. After 48 h of olanzapine treatment at clinically relevant plasma concentration weight gain and food intake changes, and increased plasma glucose were observed in female rats. Olanzapine treatment also led to a significant increase in mu opioid receptor availability in the arcuate nucleus, which contains both satiety and hunger controlling neurons. No other areas showed any opioid receptor expressional changes with olanzapine treatment on neither at mRNA nor protein level. Technical difficulties made it impossible to analyze mRNA levels in the lateral hypothalamus and overall binding of delta opioid receptors. Thus, the present study provided insights in to how olanzapine at clinically relevant plasma levels already at an early stage modulated the opioid system in the hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiken Krogsbaek
- Core Centre for Molecular Morphology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Nick Yao Larsen
- Core Centre for Molecular Morphology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne M Landau
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Connie Sanchez
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; Alkermes Inc., Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Jens Randel Nyengaard
- Core Centre for Molecular Morphology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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3
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Maguire DR. Effects of 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Methylamphetamine (DOM) and 2-Piperazin-1-yl-Quinoline (Quipazine) on Fentanyl Versus Food Choice in Rhesus Monkeys. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 384:155-162. [PMID: 36272734 PMCID: PMC9827501 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been increasing interest in the potential therapeutic effects of drugs with agonist properties at serotonin 2A subtype (5-HT2A) receptors (e.g., psychedelics), including treatment of substance use disorders. Studying interactions between 5-HT2A receptor agonists and other drugs is important for understanding potential therapeutic effects as well as adverse interactions. Direct-acting 5-HT2A receptor agonists such as 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM) and 2-piperazin-1-yl-quinoline (quipazine) enhance some (e.g., antinociceptive) effects of opioids; however, it is unclear whether they alter the abuse-related effects of opioids. This study examined whether DOM and quipazine alter the reinforcing effects of fentanyl in rhesus monkeys (n = 6) responding under a food versus drug choice procedure. Responding on one lever delivered sucrose pellets and responding on the other lever delivered intravenous (i.v.) infusions. In one set of experiments, fentanyl (0.1-3.2 µg/kg/infusion) versus food choice sessions were preceded by noncontingent i.v. pretreatments with DOM (0032-0.32 mg/kg), quipazine (0.32-1.0 mg/kg), naltrexone (0.032 mg/kg), or heroin (0.1 mg/kg). In another set of experiments, fentanyl was available during choice sessions in combination with DOM (0.32-100 µg/kg/infusion) or quipazine (3.2-320 µg/kg/infusion) in varying dose ratios. Naltrexone decreased and heroin increased fentanyl choice, demonstrating sensitivity of responding to pharmacological manipulation. However, whether given as a pretreatment or made available in combination with fentanyl as a mixture, neither DOM nor quipazine significantly altered fentanyl choice. These results suggest that 5-HT2A receptor agonists do not enhance the reinforcing effects of opioids and, thus, will not likely enhance abuse potential. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Serotonin 2A subtype receptor agonists enhance some (e.g., antinociceptive) effects of opioids, suggesting they could be combined with opioids in some therapeutic contexts such as treating pain. However, it is unclear whether they also enhance adverse effects of opioids, including abuse. Results of this study indicate that serotonin 2A subtype receptor agonists do not reliably enhance opioid self-administration and, thus, are unlikely to enhance the abuse potential of opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Maguire
- Department of Pharmacology and Addiction Research, Treatment & Training Center of Excellence, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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4
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Wilkerson JL, Felix JS, Restrepo LF, Ansari MI, Coop A, McMahon LR. The Effects of Morphine, Baclofen, and Buspirone Alone and in Combination on Schedule-Controlled Responding and Hot Plate Antinociception in Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 370:380-389. [PMID: 31235534 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.255844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Better therapeutic options are needed for pain. Baclofen, buspirone, and morphine are characterized as having analgesic properties. However, little is known about potential interactions between analgesic effects of these drugs when combined. Furthermore, it is not known if the magnitude of these potential interactions will be similar for all drug effects. Thus, we tested the effects of these drugs alone and in combination for their capacity to produce thermal antinociception and to decrease food-maintained responding. Four male and four female Sprague-Dawley rats responded for food under a fixed-ratio 10 schedule; afterward they were immediately placed on a 52°C hot plate. Morphine, baclofen, and buspirone were examined alone and in 1:1 combinations, based upon ED50 values. Morphine and baclofen effects were evaluated with the opioid antagonist naltrexone and the GABAB antagonist (3-Aminopropyl)(diethoxymethyl)phosphinic acid (CGP35348), respectively. Morphine, baclofen, and buspirone dose dependently decreased operant responding, with the calculated ED50 values being 7.09, 3.42, and 0.57 mg/kg, respectively. The respective antinociception ED50 values were 16.15, 8.75, and 2.20 mg/kg. Analysis of 1:1 combinations showed the effects of morphine plus baclofen to decrease schedule-controlled responding and to produce thermal antinociception were synergistic. Effects of morphine plus buspirone and baclofen plus buspirone to decrease schedule-controlled responding were additive. Effects of the two combinations to produce thermal antinociception were synergistic. Naltrexone and CGP35348 antagonized the effects of morphine and baclofen, respectively. Synergistic antinociceptive effects, in conjunction with additive effects on food-maintained responding, highlight the therapeutic utility of opioid and non-opioid drug combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.L.W., J.S.F., L.F.R., L.R.M.) and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland (M.I.A., A.C.)
| | - Jasmine S Felix
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.L.W., J.S.F., L.F.R., L.R.M.) and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland (M.I.A., A.C.)
| | - Luis F Restrepo
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.L.W., J.S.F., L.F.R., L.R.M.) and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland (M.I.A., A.C.)
| | - Mohd Imran Ansari
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.L.W., J.S.F., L.F.R., L.R.M.) and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland (M.I.A., A.C.)
| | - Andrew Coop
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.L.W., J.S.F., L.F.R., L.R.M.) and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland (M.I.A., A.C.)
| | - Lance R McMahon
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (J.L.W., J.S.F., L.F.R., L.R.M.) and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland (M.I.A., A.C.)
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5
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Olson ME, Eubanks LM, Janda KD. Chemical Interventions for the Opioid Crisis: Key Advances and Remaining Challenges. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:1798-1806. [PMID: 30532973 PMCID: PMC10681095 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b09756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The present United States opioid crisis requires urgent and innovative scientific intervention. This perspective highlights a role for the chemical sciences by expounding upon three key research areas identified as priorities by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Specifically, important advances in chemical interventions for overdose reversal, strategies for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, including immunopharmacotherapies, and next-generation alternatives for pain management will be discussed. Ultimately, progress made will be presented in light of remaining challenges for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret E. Olson
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, and WIRM Institute for Research and Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Lisa M. Eubanks
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, and WIRM Institute for Research and Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Kim D. Janda
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, and WIRM Institute for Research and Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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6
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Kohut SJ, Bergman J. Lorcaserin decreases the reinforcing effects of heroin, but not food, in rhesus monkeys. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 840:28-32. [PMID: 30268662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical studies indicate that lorcaserin (Belviq®), an FDA-approved serotonin 2 C receptor agonist, may be a promising medication for the treatment of stimulant addiction. However, few studies have investigated its effects on self-administration of drugs of abuse from other pharmacological classes, including opioids. Here, adult male rhesus macaques (N = 3) responded under a fixed ratio 30 schedule of food (1-g banana-flavored pellets) and IV heroin delivery. Following stable self-administration of a range of heroin doses (0.32-32 μg/kg/inj, IV), the effects of acute pretreatment with lorcaserin (0.32-1.0 mg/kg, IM) on heroin- and food-maintained responding was determined. The ability of repeated treatment with lorcaserin (1.0 mg/kg) to produce sustained decreases in heroin and/or food intake and reinforcing strength were then analyzed using behavioral economic demand procedures. Results show that self-administration of intravenous heroin was dose-dependent, with peak responding maintained, on average, by the unit dose of 3.2 μg/kg/inj. Lorcaserin pretreatment produced a dose-dependent flattening of the dose-response function for heroin self-administration in each subject. On the other hand, lorcaserin did not decrease food-maintained responding. Repeated lorcaserin treatment reduced heroin intake by selectively decreasing its reinforcing strength, as evidenced by a leftward shift in the demand curves for heroin and the absence of comparable changes in the reinforcing strength of food. These results indicate that serotonin 2 C receptor agonists, such as lorcaserin, have behaviorally selective effects on IV self-administration behavior, and deserve further consideration as candidates for the management of opioid use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Kohut
- Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, McLean Hospital and Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, United States.
| | - Jack Bergman
- Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, McLean Hospital and Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, United States
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7
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Barakat A, Hamdy MM, Elbadr MM. Uses of fluoxetine in nociceptive pain management: A literature overview. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 829:12-25. [PMID: 29608897 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Fluoxetine is one of the top ten prescribed antidepressants. Other therapeutic applications were approved for fluoxetine including, anxiety disorders, bulimia nervosa, and premature ejaculation. However, the role of fluoxetine in nociceptive pain management is still unclear. In this review, we discuss an overview of five possible roles of fluoxetine in pain management: intrinsic antinociceptive effect, enhancement of acute opioid analgesia, attenuation of tolerance development to opioid analgesia, attenuation of dependence development and abstinence syndrome, and attenuation of opioid induced hyperalgesia. Conflicting data were reported about fluoxetine intrinsic anti-nociceptive effect in preclinical and clinical studies except for inflammatory pain. Similar controversy was described in preclinical and clinical studies which explored the possible enhancement of opioid analgesia by fluoxetine co-administration. However, fluoxetine was found to have a promising effect on opioid tolerance and dependence in animal and human studies. Regarding opioid induced hyperalgesia, no studies examined fluoxetine effects in this regard. Our literature review revealed that, the most likely beneficial use of fluoxetine in nociceptive pain management is for alleviation of inflammatory pain and attenuation of opioid tolerance and dependence. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and corticosteroids carry many adverse effects and toxicities. Effective alleviation of opioid tolerance and dependence represents a huge health burden and growing unmet medical need. Moreover, most agents used to attenuate these phenomena are either experimental or poorly tolerable drugs which limit their transitional value. Fluoxetine offers an effective, safe, and tolerable alternative for management of both inflammatory pain and opioid tolerance and dependence presently available to clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Barakat
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt.
| | - Mostafa M Hamdy
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M Elbadr
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
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8
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Neelakantan H, Holliday ED, Fox RG, Stutz SJ, Comer SD, Haney M, Anastasio NC, Moeller FG, Cunningham KA. Lorcaserin Suppresses Oxycodone Self-Administration and Relapse Vulnerability in Rats. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:1065-1073. [PMID: 28107783 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a major public health problem. High relapse rates and poor treatment retention continue to pose major challenges in OUD treatment. Of the abused opioids, oxycodone is well described to maintain self-administration and evoke the durable conditioned responses ("cue reactivity") that result from pairing of opioid-related stimuli (e.g., paraphernalia) with repeated abuse. Serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission, particularly through the 5-HT2C receptor (5-HT2CR), regulates psychostimulant reward and cue reactivity, and in the present experiments, we investigated the hypothesis that the selective 5-HT2CR agonist lorcaserin, which is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of obesity, will suppress oxycodone self-administration and oxycodone-associated cue reactivity in rats. We found that lorcaserin inhibited oxycodone intake, an effect blocked by the selective 5-HT2CR antagonist SB242084. Lorcaserin also decreased responding for the discrete cue complex ("cue reactivity") previously associated with delivery of oxycodone (i.e., stimulus lights, infusion pump sounds) in both abstinence and extinction-reinstatement models. The selected dose range of lorcaserin (0.25-1 mg/kg) does not overtly alter spontaneous behaviors nor operant responding on inactive levers in the present study. Taken together, the ability of lorcaserin to reduce the oxycodone self-administration and decrease cue reactivity associated with relapse highlights the therapeutic potential for lorcaserin in the treatment of OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshini Neelakantan
- Center
for Addiction Research and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Erica D. Holliday
- Center
for Addiction Research and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Robert G. Fox
- Center
for Addiction Research and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Sonja J. Stutz
- Center
for Addiction Research and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Sandra D. Comer
- New
York State Psychiatric Institute Division on Substance Use Disorders, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Margaret Haney
- New
York State Psychiatric Institute Division on Substance Use Disorders, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Noelle C. Anastasio
- Center
for Addiction Research and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - F. Gerard Moeller
- Institute
for Drug and Alcohol Studies and Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
| | - Kathryn A. Cunningham
- Center
for Addiction Research and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
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9
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Pisano VD, Putnam NP, Kramer HM, Franciotti KJ, Halpern JH, Holden SC. The association of psychedelic use and opioid use disorders among illicit users in the United States. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:606-613. [PMID: 28196428 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117691453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preliminary studies show psychedelic compounds administered with psychotherapy are potentially effective and durable substance misuse interventions. However, little is known about the association between psychedelic use and substance misuse in the general population. This study investigated the association between psychedelic use and past year opioid use disorders within illicit opioid users. METHODS While controlling for socio-demographic covariates and the use of other substances, the relationship between classic psychedelic use and past year opioid use disorders was analyzed within 44,000 illicit opioid users who completed the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2008 to 2013. RESULTS Among respondents with a history of illicit opioid use, psychedelic drug use is associated with 27% reduced risk of past year opioid dependence (weighted risk ratio = 0.73 (0.60-0.89) p = 0.002) and 40% reduced risk of past year opioid abuse (weighted risk ratio = 0.60 (0.41-0.86) p = 0.006). Other than marijuana use, which was associated with 55% reduced risk of past year opioid abuse (weighted risk ratio = 0.45 (0.30-0.66) p < 0.001), no other illicit drug was associated with reduced risk of past year opioid dependence or abuse. CONCLUSION Experience with psychedelic drugs is associated with decreased risk of opioid abuse and dependence. Conversely, other illicit drug use history is largely associated with increased risk of opioid abuse and dependence. These findings suggest that psychedelics are associated with positive psychological characteristics and are consistent with prior reports suggesting efficacy in treatment of substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent D Pisano
- 1 Laboratory for Integrative Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, USA.,2 Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York, USA
| | | | - Hannah M Kramer
- 4 Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies, Santa Cruz, USA
| | | | - John H Halpern
- 6 The Boston Center for Addiction Treatment, A Recovery Center of America Company, Danvers, USA.,7 Harvard Medical School, Laboratory for Integrative Psychiatry, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital, Belmont, USA
| | - Selma C Holden
- 8 University of New England, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, USA.,9 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, USA
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10
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Oketch-Rabah HA, Roe AL, Gurley BJ, Griffiths JC, Giancaspro GI. The Importance of Quality Specifications in Safety Assessments of Amino Acids: The Cases of l-Tryptophan and l-Citrulline. J Nutr 2016; 146:2643S-2651S. [PMID: 27934657 DOI: 10.3945/jn.115.227280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing consumption of amino acids from a wide variety of sources, including dietary supplements, natural health products, medical foods, infant formulas, athletic and work-out products, herbal medicines, and other national and international categories of nutritional and functional food products, increases the exposure to amino acids to amounts far beyond those normally obtained from the diet, thereby necessitating appropriate and robust safety assessments of these ingredients. Safety assessments of amino acids, similar to all food constituents, largely rely on the establishment of an upper limit [Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)] considered to be a guide for avoiding high intake, above which adverse or toxic effects might occur. However, reliable ULs have been difficult or impossible to define for amino acids because of inadequate toxicity studies in animals and scarce or missing clinical data, as well as a paucity or absence of adverse event reporting data. This review examines 2 amino acids that have been associated with in-market adverse events to show how quality specifications might have helped prevent the adverse clinical outcomes. We further highlight the importance of various factors that should be incorporated into an overall safety assessment of these and other amino acids. In addition to the traditional reliance on the established UL, well-defined quality specifications, review of synthesis and production strategies, potential interactions with drugs, contraindications with certain disease states, and cautionary use within certain age groups should all be taken into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy L Roe
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Bill J Gurley
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR; and
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11
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Maguire DR, France CP. Interactions between cannabinoid receptor agonists and mu opioid receptor agonists in rhesus monkeys discriminating fentanyl. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 784:199-206. [PMID: 27184925 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor agonists such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC) enhance some (antinociceptive) but not other (positive reinforcing) effects of mu opioid receptor agonists, suggesting that cannabinoids might be combined with opioids to treat pain without increasing, and possibly decreasing, abuse. The degree to which cannabinoids enhance antinociceptive effects of opioids varies across drugs insofar as Δ(9)-THC and the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist CP55940 increase the potency of some mu opioid receptor agonists (e.g., fentanyl) more than others (e.g., nalbuphine). It is not known whether interactions between cannabinoids and opioids vary similarly for other (abuse-related) effects. This study examined whether Δ(9)-THC and CP55940 differentially impact the discriminative stimulus effects of fentanyl and nalbuphine in monkeys (n=4) discriminating 0.01mg/kg of fentanyl (s.c.) from saline. Fentanyl (0.00178-0.0178mg/kg) and nalbuphine (0.01-0.32mg/kg) dose-dependently increased drug-lever responding. Neither Δ(9)-THC (0.032-1.0mg/kg) nor CP55940 (0.0032-0.032mg/kg) enhanced the discriminative stimulus effects of fentanyl or nalbuphine; however, doses of Δ(9)-THC and CP55940 that shifted the nalbuphine dose-effect curve markedly to the right and/or down were less effective or ineffective in shifting the fentanyl dose-effect curve. The mu opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (0.032mg/kg) attenuated the discriminative stimulus effects of fentanyl and nalbuphine similarly. These data indicate that the discriminative stimulus effects of nalbuphine are more sensitive to attenuation by cannabinoids than those of fentanyl. That the discriminative stimulus effects of some opioids are more susceptible to modification by drugs from other classes has implications for developing maximally effective therapeutic drug mixtures with reduced abuse liability.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Maguire
- Department of Pharmacology, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7764, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Charles P France
- Department of Pharmacology, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7764, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Psychiatry, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7764, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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The discriminative stimulus effects of mecamylamine in nicotine-treated and untreated rhesus monkeys. Behav Pharmacol 2015; 25:296-305. [PMID: 24978703 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The extent to which chronic nicotine treatment can alter the effects of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist mecamylamine, and whether those effects can be attenuated by nicotine have not been clearly established in the literature. Here, the discriminative stimulus effects of mecamylamine were compared between one group of rhesus monkeys receiving a continuous infusion of nicotine base (5.6 mg/kg/day subcutaneously) and another group of monkeys not receiving nicotine treatment. Both groups responded under a fixed ratio 5 schedule of stimulus-shock termination. Stimulus control was obtained at doses of 1.78 mg/kg mecamylamine in monkeys receiving continuous nicotine and 5.6 mg/kg mecamylamine in monkeys not receiving continuous nicotine treatment. Nicotine did not attenuate the discriminative stimulus effects of mecamylamine in either group. Discontinuation of continuous nicotine produced responding on the mecamylamine lever within 24 h in some but not all monkeys. This may indicate a qualitative difference in the discriminative stimulus effects of mecamylamine between groups, perhaps reflecting antagonism of nicotine and nicotine withdrawal in monkeys receiving continuous nicotine. The failure of nicotine to reverse the effects of mecamylamine is consistent with a noncompetitive interaction at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and indicates that mecamylamine-induced withdrawal cannot be readily modified by nicotine.
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The role of serotonin in drug use and addiction. Behav Brain Res 2014; 277:146-92. [PMID: 24769172 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Revised: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The use of psychoactive drugs is a wide spread behaviour in human societies. The systematic use of a drug requires the establishment of different drug use-associated behaviours which need to be learned and controlled. However, controlled drug use may develop into compulsive drug use and addiction, a major psychiatric disorder with severe consequences for the individual and society. Here we review the role of the serotonergic (5-HT) system in the establishment of drug use-associated behaviours on the one hand and the transition and maintenance of addiction on the other hand for the drugs: cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), morphine/heroin, cannabis, alcohol, and nicotine. Results show a crucial, but distinct involvement of the 5-HT system in both processes with considerable overlap between psychostimulant and opioidergic drugs and alcohol. A new functional model suggests specific adaptations in the 5-HT system, which coincide with the establishment of controlled drug use-associated behaviours. These serotonergic adaptations render the nervous system susceptible to the transition to compulsive drug use behaviours and often overlap with genetic risk factors for addiction. Altogether we suggest a new trajectory by which serotonergic neuroadaptations induced by first drug exposure pave the way for the establishment of addiction.
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Li JX, Shah AP, Patel SK, Rice KC, France CP. Modification of the behavioral effects of morphine in rats by serotonin 5-HT₁A and 5-HT₂A receptor agonists: antinociception, drug discrimination, and locomotor activity. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 225:791-801. [PMID: 22993050 PMCID: PMC3549012 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2870-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Indirect-acting serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonists can enhance the antinociceptive effects of morphine; however, the specific 5-HT receptor subtype(s) mediating this enhancement is not established. OBJECTIVE This study examined interactions between morphine and both 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptor agonists in rats using measures of antinociception (radiant heat tail flick and warm water tail withdrawal), drug discrimination (3.2 mg/kg morphine versus saline), and locomotion. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 7-8 per group) were used to examine the effects of morphine alone and in combination with DOM (5-HT(2A) agonist) and 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT(1A) agonist). RESULTS DOM did not modify antinociceptive or discriminative stimulus effects while modestly attenuating locomotor-stimulating effects of morphine; the effect of DOM (0.32 mg/kg) on morphine-induced locomotion was prevented by the 5-HT(2A) receptor-selective antagonist MDL 100907. In contrast, 8-OH-DPAT (0.032-0.32 mg/kg) fully attenuated the antinociceptive effects (both procedures), did not modify the discriminative stimulus effects, and enhanced (0.32 mg/kg) the locomotor-stimulating effects of morphine. These effects of 8-OH-DPAT were prevented by the 5-HT(1A) receptor-selective antagonist WAY100635. CONCLUSION Agonists acting at 5-HT(1A) or 5-HT(2A) receptors do not modify all effects of mu opioid receptor agonists in a similar manner. Moreover, interactions between 5-HT and opioid receptor agonists vary significantly between rats and nonhuman primates, underscoring the value of comparing drug interactions across a broad range of conditions and in multiple species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Xu Li
- Corresponding author: Charles P France, Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900,
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Maguire DR, Li JX, Koek W, France CP. Effects of 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOM) and quipazine on heroin self-administration in rhesus monkeys. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 225:173-85. [PMID: 22836370 PMCID: PMC3725280 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2803-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The serotonin (5-HT) system is involved in pain modulation, and 5-HT receptor agonists can enhance antinociceptive effects of mu opioid receptor agonists. Less is known about the actions of 5-HT receptor agonists on other effects of opioids. OBJECTIVE This study examined the effects of non-contingent and contingent administration of the 5-HT(2A) receptor agonists DOM and quipazine on i.v. heroin self-administration in rhesus monkeys. RESULTS Heroin (0.0001-0.1 mg/kg/infusion) generated an inverted U-shaped dose-response function. Non-contingent administration of DOM (0.1-0.32 mg/kg) flattened the dose-response function in three monkeys and eliminated heroin self-administration in a fourth monkey. Contingent DOM (0.0032-0.032 mg/kg/infusion) alone did not maintain responding above that maintained by saline, and, when added to self-administered heroin, monkeys responded less than for the same unit doses of heroin alone. Non-contingent (0.32-3.2 mg/kg) and contingent (0.0032-0.56 mg/kg/infusion) administration of quipazine flattened the dose-response function in two monkeys, increasing responding maintained by small unit doses of heroin and saline, but failed to enhance responding for heroin in two other monkeys. CONCLUSION This study shows that DOM does not enhance, and might attenuate, the positive reinforcing effects of the mu opioid receptor agonist heroin. Quipazine increased responding for saline and small doses of heroin; those effects were modest and observed in only two subjects. Taken together, these data suggest that 5-HT(2A) receptor agonists do not significantly enhance the reinforcing effectiveness of mu opioid receptor agonists and support the view that administering 5-HT drugs in combination with opioids to treat pain might not enhance abuse liability.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Maguire
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-fourth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2011 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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An XF, Zhang Y, Winter JC, Li JX. Effects of imidazoline I2 receptor agonists and morphine on schedule-controlled responding in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2012; 101:354-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Revised: 01/24/2012] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Morphine-induced antinociception in the rat: supra-additive interactions with imidazoline I₂ receptor ligands. Eur J Pharmacol 2011; 669:59-65. [PMID: 21867697 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2011] [Revised: 07/04/2011] [Accepted: 07/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Pain remains a significant clinical challenge and currently available analgesics are not adequate to meet clinical needs. Emerging evidence suggests the role of imidazoline I(2) receptors in pain modulation primarily from studies of the non-selective imidazoline receptor ligand, agmatine. However, little is known of the generality of the effect to selective I(2) receptor ligands. This study examined the antinociceptive effects of two selective I(2) receptor ligands 2-BFI and BU224 (>2000-fold selectivity for I(2) receptors over α(2) adrenoceptors) in a hypertonic (5%) saline-induced writhing test and analyzed their interaction with morphine using a dose-addition analysis. Morphine, 2-BFI and BU224 but not agmatine produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect. Both composite additive curve analyses and isobolographical plots revealed a supra-additive interaction between morphine and 2-BFI or BU224, whereas the interaction between 2-BFI and BU224 was additive. The antinociceptive effect of 2-BFI and BU224 was attenuated by the I(2) receptor antagonist/α(2) adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan but not by the selective α(2) adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine, suggesting an I(2) receptor-mediated mechanism. Agmatine enhanced the antinociceptive effect of morphine, 2-BFI and BU224 and the enhancement was prevented by yohimbine, suggesting that the effect was mediated by α(2) adrenoceptors. Taken together, these data represent the first report that selective I(2) receptor ligands have substantial antinociceptive activity and produce antinociceptive synergy with opioids in a rat model of acute pain. These data suggest that drugs acting on imidazoline I(2) receptors may be useful either alone or in combination with opioids for the treatment of pain.
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