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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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Seaman RW, Rice KC, Collins GT. Relative reinforcing effects of cocaine and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) under a concurrent access self-administration procedure in rats. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 232:109299. [PMID: 35063839 PMCID: PMC8919706 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidence suggesting that polysubstance use is the norm rather than the exception highlights the need for a better understanding of interactions amongst the abuse-related effects of commonly co-abused drugs. Synthetic cathinones remain one of the most popular families of novel psychoactive substances and are typically used in preparations containing multiple stimulants. Evaluating the reinforcing effects of drugs under both single-operant procedures and procedures in which alternatives are available can provide a more complete characterization of their reinforcing effects and economic interactions. METHODS These studies utilized a drug-versus-drug choice procedure in 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats to evaluate economic interactions between the synthetic cathinone, MDPV, and cocaine in addition to how a history of concurrent access impacts reinstatement behavior. RESULTS When equi-effective doses of MDPV and cocaine were made concurrently available, approximately half of the subjects responded exclusively on the MDPV-reinforced lever whereas the other half responded exclusively on the cocaine-reinforced lever. Allocation of responding was reversed when the cost of the preferred drug increased, or the cost of the non-preferred drug decreased. Drug-paired cues and MDPV, cocaine, and methamphetamine pretreatments reinstated responding on both drug levers, regardless of preference. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that MDPV and cocaine act as economic substitutes and suggest that measures of reinforcing effectiveness determined under a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement can predict drug choice. These data also suggest that environmental stimuli associated with a particular drug might stimulate class-specific drug-seeking, however, further studies are needed to test the generality of this claim.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Seaman
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA; South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA and NIAAA, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gregory T Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA; South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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Thomas AM, Cargile KJ, Lunn JA, Baker LE. Characterization of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone discrimination in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:524-532. [PMID: 34397448 PMCID: PMC8371744 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000647] [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] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), one of several synthetic cathinones, is a popular constituent of illicit 'bath salts'. In preclinical studies utilizing drug discrimination methods with male rodents, MDPV has been characterized as similar to both cocaine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-hydrochloride (MDMA). Whereas few drug discrimination studies have utilized female rats, the current study evaluated the discriminative stimulus effects of MDPV in 12 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats trained to discriminate 0.5 mg/kg MDPV from saline under a fixed ratio 20 schedule of food reinforcement. Stimulus substitution was assessed with MDPV and its enantiomers, other synthetic cathinones [alpha pyrrolidinopentiophenone-hydrochloride(α-PVP), 4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC)], other dopamine agonists (cocaine, [+)-methamphetamine] and serotonin agonists [MDMA, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)] Stimulus antagonism was assessed with the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, Sch 23390 and the D2 receptor antagonist, haloperidol. Cocaine and (+)-methamphetamine engendered full stimulus generalization to MDPV with minimal effects on response rate. LSD produced partial substitution, whereas MDMA and 4-MMC produced complete substitution, and all these serotonergic compounds produced dose-dependent response suppression. (S)-MDPV and α-PVP engendered full substitution with similar potency to the racemate, while (R)-MDPV failed to substitute up to 5 mg/kg. Both Sch 23390 and haloperidol attenuated the discrimination of low MDPV doses and essentially shifted the dose-response curve to the right but failed to block discrimination of the training dose. These findings are generally consistent with previous reports based exclusively on male rodents. Moreover, they confirm the contribution of dopaminergic mechanisms but do not rule out the possible contribution of other neurotransmitter actions to the interoceptive stimulus effects of MDPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
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Seaman RW, Doyle MR, Sulima A, Rice KC, Collins GT. Discriminative stimulus effects of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and structurally related synthetic cathinones. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:357-367. [PMID: 33587482 PMCID: PMC8266731 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), and other structurally related synthetic cathinones, are popular alternatives to prototypical illicit psychostimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine. These drugs are often referred to as 'bath salts' and function either as cocaine-like inhibitors of monoamine uptake, or amphetamine-like substrates for dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin transporters. These studies used male Sprague-Dawley rats trained to discriminate MDPV from saline to evaluate the substitution profiles of structurally related synthetic cathinones, cocaine, and other direct-acting dopamine and noradrenergic receptor agonists in order to characterize the relative contributions of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin to the discriminative stimulus effects of MDPV. As expected, each of the cathinones and cocaine dose-dependently increased MDPV-appropriate responding, with a rank-order potency that was positively correlated with their potency to inhibit dopamine and norepinephrine, but not serotonin, a relationship that is consistent with the rank order to maintain self-administration. The dopamine D2/3 receptor-preferring agonist quinpirole produced a modest increase in MDPV-appropriate responding, whereas the dopamine D1/5 receptor agonist, SKF 82958, nonselective dopamine receptor agonist, apomorphine, as well as the α-1, and α-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, phenylephrine and clonidine, respectively, failed to increase MDPV-appropriate responding at doses smaller than those that suppressed responding altogether. Although these studies do not support a role for serotonergic or adrenergic systems in mediating/modulating the discriminative stimulus effects of MDPV, convergent evidence is provided to suggest that the discriminative stimulus effects of MDPV are primarily mediated by its capacity to inhibit dopamine uptake, and the subsequent activation of dopamine D2 or D3 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Seaman
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Research Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Michelle R Doyle
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Research Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA- and NIAAA-Intramural Research Programs, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA- and NIAAA-Intramural Research Programs, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gregory T Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Research Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas
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Doyle MR, Sulima A, Rice KC, Collins GT. Interactions between reinforcement history and drug-primed reinstatement: Studies with MDPV and mixtures of MDPV and caffeine. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12904. [PMID: 32237282 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Many drugs of abuse are mixed with other psychoactive substances (e.g., caffeine) prior to their sale or use. Synthetic cathinones (e.g., 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone [MDPV]) are commonly mixed with caffeine or other cathinones (e.g., 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone [methylone]), and these "bath salts" mixtures (e.g., MDPV + caffeine) can exhibit supra-additive interactions with regard to their reinforcing and discriminative stimulus properties. However, little is known about relapse-related effects of drug mixtures. In these studies, male Sprague-Dawley rats self-administered 0.032 mg/kg/inf MDPV or a mixture of MDPV + caffeine (0.029 + 0.66 mg/kg/inf, respectively) and then underwent multiple rounds of extinction and reinstatement testing to evaluate the influence of reinforcement history and drug-associated stimuli on the effectiveness of saline (drug-paired stimuli alone), MDPV (0.032-1.0 mg/kg), caffeine (1.0-32 mg/kg), and mixtures of MDPV:caffeine (in 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 ratios, relative to each drug's ED50 ) to reinstate responding. Dose-addition analyses were used to determine the nature of the drug-drug interaction for each mixture. MDPV and caffeine dose-dependently reinstated responding and were equally effective, regardless of reinforcement history. Most fixed ratio mixtures of MDPV + caffeine exhibited supra-additive interactions, reinstating responding to levels greater than was observed with caffeine and/or MDPV alone. Drug-associated stimuli also played a key role in reinstating responding, especially for caffeine. Together, these results demonstrate that the composition of drug mixtures can impact relapse-related effects of drug mixtures, and "bath salts" mixtures (MDPV + caffeine) may be more effective at promoting relapse-related behaviors than the constituents alone. Further research is needed to determine how other polysubstance reinforcement histories can impact relapse-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R. Doyle
- Department of Pharmacology The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
- Research Service South Texas Veterans Health Care System San Antonio Texas USA
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch NIDA and NIAAA Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - Kenner C. Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch NIDA and NIAAA Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - Gregory T. Collins
- Department of Pharmacology The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
- Research Service South Texas Veterans Health Care System San Antonio Texas USA
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Risca HI, Zuarth-Gonzalez JD, Baker LE. Conditioned place preference following concurrent treatment with 3, 4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and methamphetamine in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 198:173032. [PMID: 32888971 PMCID: PMC8667570 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.173032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones gained initial popularity on the illicit drug market as a result of attempts to evade legal restrictions on other commonly abused psychostimulants. A body of published research has determined that the psychopharmacology of the synthetic cathinone 3, 4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is comparable to cocaine and methamphetamine (METH). Few preclinical studies have systematically investigated concurrent use of synthetic cathinones with other psychostimulant drugs. The present study utilized conditioned place preference (CPP), a rodent model of conditioned drug reward, to evaluate the effects of concurrent treatment with MDPV and METH. Male (N = 72) and female (N = 105) Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a two-compartment biased CPP procedure, with one trial per day for eight consecutive days. Subjects were randomly assigned to the following treatment groups: saline, METH (1 mg/kg), MDPV (1, 3.2, 5.6 mg/kg) or a mixture consisting of METH (1 mg/kg) and MDPV (1, 3.2, 5.6 mg/kg). All treatments increased locomotor activity during drug conditioning trials, and most treatments produced higher activity increases in females compared to males. Although the level of CPP established by MDPV and MDPV + METH mixtures varied between males and females, sex differences were not statistically significant. Although none of the MDPV+METH mixtures produced stronger CPP than either substance alone, some mixtures of MDPV and METH produced higher increases in locomotor activity compared to either drug alone. Further studies with higher doses may be warranted to determine if concurrent use of MDPV and METH pose an enhanced risk for abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harmony I Risca
- Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA
| | | | - Lisa E Baker
- Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA.
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The synthetic cathinone 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone increases impulsive action in rats. Behav Pharmacol 2020; 31:309-321. [DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Riley AL, Nelson KH, To P, López-Arnau R, Xu P, Wang D, Wang Y, Shen HW, Kuhn DM, Angoa-Perez M, Anneken JH, Muskiewicz D, Hall FS. Abuse potential and toxicity of the synthetic cathinones (i.e., “Bath salts”). Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 110:150-173. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Berquist MD, Leth-Petersen S, Kristensen JL, Fantegrossi WE. In vivo effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its deuterated form in rodents: Drug discrimination and thermoregulation. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 208:107850. [PMID: 31954950 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent clinical studies support the use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) as an adjunct treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite these promising findings, MDMA administration in controlled settings can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. Previous studies indicate thatO-demethylated metabolites of MDMA contribute to its adverse effects. As such, limiting the conversion of MDMA to reactive metabolites may mitigate some of its adverse effects and potentially improve its safety profile for therapeutic use. METHODS We compared the interoceptive and hyperthermic effects of a deuterium-substituted form of MDMA (d2-MDMA) to MDMA using rodent drug discrimination and biotelemetry procedures, respectively. RESULTS Compared to MDMA, d2-MDMA produced full substitution for a 1.5 mg/kg MDMA training stimulus with equal potency and effectiveness in the drug discrimination experiment. In addition, d2-MDMA produced increases in body temperature that were shorter-lasting and of lower magnitude compared to equivalent doses of MDMA. Last, d2-MDMA and MDMA were equally effective in reversing the hypothermic effects of the selective 5-HT2A/2C antagonist ketanserin. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that deuterium substitution of hydrogen at the methylenedioxy ring moiety does not impact MDMA's interoceptive effects, and compared to MDMA, d2-MDMA has less potential for producing hyperthermic effects and likely has similar pharmacodynamic properties. Given that d2-MDMA produces less adverse effects than MDMA, but retains similar desirable effects that are thought to relate to the effective treatment of PTSD, additional investigations into its effects on cardiovascular functioning and pharmacokinetic properties are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Berquist
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham #611, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Sebastian Leth-Petersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 København Ø, Denmark
| | - Jesper Langgaard Kristensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 København Ø, Denmark
| | - William E Fantegrossi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham #611, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
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Repeated administration of synthetic cathinone 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone persistently increases impulsive choice in rats. Behav Pharmacol 2019; 30:555-565. [DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Risca HI, Baker LE. Contribution of monoaminergic mechanisms to the discriminative stimulus effects of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:963-971. [PMID: 30554256 PMCID: PMC6571067 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5145-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a popular synthetic cathinone reported to have a high abuse potential. Recent preclinical research indicates the psychopharmacology of MDPV is comparable to cocaine. Despite a recent influx of research on the psychopharmacology of MDPV, few studies have employed preclinical drug discrimination methods to discern the neurochemical mechanisms involved in its interoceptive stimulus effects. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate a variety of monoaminergic agents for substitution, potentiation, or antagonism in rats trained to discriminate MDPV. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to discriminate 0.5 (experiment 1) or 1 mg/kg MDPV (experiment 2) from saline under an FR 20 schedule of food reinforcement. In experiment 1, MDMA, MDA, and their respective optical isomers (0.75-3 mg/kg), cocaine (2.5-20 mg/kg), GBR 12909 (5-40 mg/kg), and desipramine (3.2-10 mg/kg) were assessed for substitution. GBR 12909 (40 mg/kg) and desipramine (3.2 mg/kg) were subsequently assessed for potentiation of the MDPV cue. In experiment 2, stimulus antagonism tests were conducted with dopamine antagonists (Sch 23390, haloperidol) and serotonin antagonists (pirenperone, MDL100907, WAY 100635). RESULTS The MDMA and MDA enantiomers produced divergent results, with virtually no substitution by (-)-MDMA or (-)-MDA, partial substitution with (+)-MDA, and full substitution with (+)-MDMA, as well as full substitution by the racemates, (±)-MDMA and (±)-MDA. Consistent with previous findings, cocaine fully substituted for MDPV. Although no dose of GBR 12909 or desipramine substituted for MDPV, these reuptake inhibitors enhanced the discriminative stimulus effects of lower MDPV doses. Both D1 (Sch 23390) and D2 (haloperidol) DA antagonists attenuated 1 mg/kg MDPV discrimination, whereas none of the 5-HT antagonists assessed altered MDPV discrimination. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate MDPV's interoceptive stimulus effects are mediated predominantly by dopaminergic actions, although serotonergic and/or noradrenergic modulation of these effects cannot be ruled out. Further investigations into the neurochemical actions involved in the discriminative stimulus effects of MDPV may serve to inform medication discovery and development for the treatment of MDPV abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harmony I Risca
- Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA
| | - Lisa E Baker
- Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA.
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Gannon BM, Sulima A, Rice KC, Collins GT. Inhibition of Cocaine and 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) Self-Administration by Lorcaserin Is Mediated by 5-HT2C Receptors in Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2017; 364:359-366. [PMID: 29217539 PMCID: PMC5787931 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.117.246082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Lorcaserin is a serotonin (5-HT)2C receptor-preferring agonist approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat obesity. Lorcaserin decreases cocaine self-administration in rats and monkeys. Although this effect is partially inhibited by a 5-HT2C receptor antagonist (SB242084), lorcaserin also has effects at 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptors, and the relative contribution of these receptors to its anti-cocaine effects has not been investigated. The goals of this study were to determine 1) the potency and effectiveness of lorcaserin to decrease self-administration of cocaine and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a common “bath salts” constituent; and 2) the receptor(s) mediating the effects of lorcaserin on cocaine and MDPV self-administration. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6) were trained to self-administer MDPV under a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement and maintained under this schedule with daily access to 0.32 mg/kg per infusion of cocaine or 0.032 mg/kg per infusion of MDPV. Dose-response curves for the effects of lorcaserin on cocaine and MDPV self-administration were generated by administering lorcaserin (0.1–5.6 mg/kg) 25 minutes before the start of the session. To assess the effects of 5-HT2C (SB242084, 0.1 mg/kg), 5-HT2A (MDL100907, 0.1 mg/kg), and 5-HT1A (WAY100635, 0.178 mg/kg) receptor antagonists, they were administered 15 minutes before lorcaserin. Lorcaserin decreased cocaine and MDPV self-administration with equal potency. Antagonism of 5-HT2C (but not 5-HT1A or 5-HT2A) receptors blocked the effects of lorcaserin on cocaine and MDPV self-administration. Taken together, these data provide additional support for further development of 5-HT2C receptor agonists, such as lorcaserin, for the treatment of stimulant abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda M Gannon
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (B.M.G., G.T.C.); South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas (G.T.C.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (A.S., K.C.R.)
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (B.M.G., G.T.C.); South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas (G.T.C.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (A.S., K.C.R.)
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (B.M.G., G.T.C.); South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas (G.T.C.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (A.S., K.C.R.)
| | - Gregory T Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (B.M.G., G.T.C.); South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas (G.T.C.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (A.S., K.C.R.)
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