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Drevin G, Gaulier JM, Hakim F, Gish A, Férec S, Renard L, Malbranque S, Briet M, Abbara C. Synthetic cathinones in drug-facilitated sexual assault: A case report involving the novel generation substituted cathinone N-ethylpentedrone and a review of the literature. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 359:112030. [PMID: 38657324 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112030] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) is not uncommon. Indeed, the effects associated with the use of this substance may lead to disinhibition. Several synthetic cathinones, such as mephedrone or methylone, also possess marked entactogenic properties. This manuscript aims to (i) report a DFSA case involving a novel cathinone derivative, namely N-ethyl-pentedrone (NEPD) and (ii) review previously reported DFSA cases involving synthetic cathinones. Using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), NEPD was detected in both plasma and urine collected from a 36-year-old male who had been victim of DFSA. Furthermore, an exhaustive, non-period-specific English-language literature search was performed using several different electronic databases to identify DFSA cases involving synthetic cathinones. Overall, five synthetic cathinones have been associated with DFSA:methylenedioxypyrovalerone, 4-methylethcathinone, α -pyrrolidinopentiophenone, mephedrone, α -pyrrolidinohexiophenone, and methylone, which appears to be the most frequently reported. Methylone is the β-keto analog of MDMA, with which it shares substantial pharmacological similarities. Indeed, the pharmacological effects of methylone are similar to those associated with MDMA. By contrast, little is known regarding NEPD's pharmacological effects in humans. Based on subjective reports, NEPD can produce both positive and negative effects in human. Unlike what is reported in the case of methylone or mephedrone, only a small minority of NEPD users report slightly entactogenics effects. Such properties theoretically make NEPD more suitable for use in a chemsex context than in DFSA context; even though, the boundary between these two specific forms of sexualized drug use can sometimes appear tenuous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Drevin
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie et Pharmacovigilance, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire d'Angers, Angers, France.
| | - Jean-Michel Gaulier
- CHU Lille, Unité Fonctionnelle de Toxicologie, Lille 59000, France; Univ. Lille, URL 4483, IMPECS, IMPact de l'Environnement Chimique sur la Santé humaine, Lille, France
| | - Florian Hakim
- CHU Lille, Unité Fonctionnelle de Toxicologie, Lille 59000, France; Univ. Lille, URL 4483, IMPECS, IMPact de l'Environnement Chimique sur la Santé humaine, Lille, France
| | - Alexandr Gish
- CHU Lille, Unité Fonctionnelle de Toxicologie, Lille 59000, France; Univ. Lille, URL 4483, IMPECS, IMPact de l'Environnement Chimique sur la Santé humaine, Lille, France
| | - Séverine Férec
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie et Pharmacovigilance, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Laura Renard
- Institut de Médecine légale, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Stéphane Malbranque
- Institut de Médecine légale, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Marie Briet
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie et Pharmacovigilance, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire d'Angers, Angers, France; Université d'Angers, Angers, France; Laboratoire MitoVasc, Team Carme, SFR ICAT, UMR CNRS 6015 INSERM 1083, Angers, France
| | - Chadi Abbara
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie et Pharmacovigilance, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire d'Angers, Angers, France
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Seaman RW, Galindo DG, Stinson BT, Sulima A, Rice KC, Javors MA, Ginsburg BC, Collins GT. Cardiovascular and Locomotor Effects of Binary Mixtures of Common "Bath Salts" Constituents: Studies with Methylone, MDPV, and Caffeine in Rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.31.578069. [PMID: 38352520 PMCID: PMC10862873 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.31.578069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Background and Purpose The use of "Bath Salts" drug preparations has been associated with high rates of toxicity and death. Preparations often contain mixtures of drugs including multiple synthetic cathinones or synthetic cathinones and caffeine; however, little is known about whether interactions among "Bath Salts" constituents contribute to the adverse effects often reported in users. Experimental Approach This study used adult male Sprague-Dawley rats to characterize the cardiovascular effects, locomotor effects, and pharmacokinetics of methylone, MDPV, and caffeine, administered alone and as binary mixtures. Dose-addition analyses were used to determine the effect levels predicted for a strictly additive interaction for each dose pair. Key Results Methylone, MDPV, and caffeine increased heart rate and locomotion, with methylone producing the largest increase in heart rate, MDPV producing the largest increase in locomotor activity, and caffeine being the least effective in stimulating heart rate and locomotor activity. MDPV and caffeine increased mean arterial pressure, with caffeine being more effective than MDPV. The nature of the interactions between methylone and MDPV tended toward sub-additivity for all endpoints, whereas interactions between MDPV or methylone and caffeine tended to be additive or sub-additive for cardiovascular endpoints, and additive or supra-additive for increases in locomotion. No pharmacokinetic interactions were observed between individual constituents, but methylone displayed non-linear pharmacokinetics at the largest dose evaluated. Conclusion and Implications These findings demonstrate that the composition of "Bath Salts" preparations can impact both cardiovascular and locomotor effects and suggest that such interactions among constituent drugs could contribute to the "Bath Salts" toxidrome reported by human users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Seaman
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - David G Galindo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Benjamin T Stinson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA and NIAAA, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, NIDA and NIAAA, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Martin A Javors
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Brett C Ginsburg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Gregory T Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
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3
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Lo Faro AF, Sprega G, Berardinelli D, Tini A, Poyatos L, Pichini S, Farrè M, Farkas T, Busardò FP, Giunashvili L, Chankvetadze B. Development of enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantitative determination of methylone and some of its metabolites in oral fluid. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2023; 1228:123824. [PMID: 37487291 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2023.123824] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
In the present study an enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the first time for quantitative determination of the recreational drug of abuse methylone and its major metabolites in oral fluid. The simultaneous chemo- and enantioseparation of methylone and its major metabolites was performed on a polysaccharide-based chiral column based on amylose tris(5-chloro-3-methylphenylcarbamate) as chiral selector (Lux i-Amylose-3) with methanol containing 0.4 % (v/v) aqueous ammonium hydroxide as mobile phase. The time required for enantioselective analysis of methylone and its 2 major metabolites was 15 min. This method was fully validated following the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science guidelines. This method was applied for the enantioselective determination of methylone and its metabolites in oral fluid and enantioselectivity in metabolism and pharmacokinetic of the parent compound and metabolites was observed. While the first enantiomer of methylone was found at higher concentration, both metabolites shown greater concentration for the second enantiomer. The results revealed that MET undergoes an enantioselective biotransformation to its metabolites HMMC and MDC, with S-(-)-MET more rapidly metabolized and eliminated from the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Giorgia Sprega
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Diletta Berardinelli
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Anastasio Tini
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Lourdes Poyatos
- Servei de Farmacologia Clínica, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP, IGTP)- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Unitat Docent HUGTiP, Badalona, Spain
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Magì Farrè
- Servei de Farmacologia Clínica, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP, IGTP)- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Unitat Docent HUGTiP, Badalona, Spain
| | - Tivadar Farkas
- Phenomenex Inc., 411 Madrid Ave., Torrance, 90501 CA, USA
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Lasha Giunashvili
- Tbilisi State University, Institute of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, 0179 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Bezhan Chankvetadze
- Tbilisi State University, Institute of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, 0179 Tbilisi, Georgia
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Daziani G, Lo Faro AF, Montana V, Goteri G, Pesaresi M, Bambagiotti G, Montanari E, Giorgetti R, Montana A. Synthetic Cathinones and Neurotoxicity Risks: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076230. [PMID: 37047201 PMCID: PMC10093970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the EU Early Warning System (EWS), synthetic cathinones (SCs) are the second largest new psychoactive substances (NPS) class, with 162 synthetic cathinones monitored by the EU EWS. They have a similar structure to cathinone, principally found in Catha Edulis; they have a phenethylamine related structure but also exhibit amphetamine-like stimulant effects. Illegal laboratories regularly develop new substances and place them on the market. For this reason, during the last decade this class of substances has presented a great challenge for public health and forensic toxicologists. Acting on different systems and with various mechanisms of action, the spectrum of side effects caused by the intake of these drugs of abuse is very broad. To date, most studies have focused on the substances’ cardiac effects, and very few on their associated neurotoxicity. Specifically, synthetic cathinones appear to be involved in different neurological events, including increased alertness, mild agitation, severe psychosis, hyperthermia and death. A systematic literature search in PubMed and Scopus databases according to PRISMA guidelines was performed. A total of 515 studies published from 2005 to 2022 (350 articles from PubMed and 165 from Scopus) were initially screened for eligibility. The papers excluded, according to the criteria described in the Method Section (n = 401) and after full text analyses (n = 82), were 483 in total. The remaining 76 were included in the present review, as they met fully the inclusion criteria. The present work provides a comprehensive review on neurotoxic mechanisms of synthetic cathinones highlighting intoxication cases and fatalities in humans, as well as the toxic effects on animals (in particular rats, mice and zebrafish larvae). The reviewed studies showed brain-related adverse effects, including encephalopathy, coma and convulsions, and sympathomimetic and hallucinogenic toxidromes, together with the risk of developing excited/agitated delirium syndrome and serotonin syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Daziani
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Vincenzo Montana
- Dipartimento di Anestesia, Rianimazione e Emergenza-Urgenza, Fondazione IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Gaia Goteri
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Mauro Pesaresi
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Giulia Bambagiotti
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Eva Montanari
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Raffaele Giorgetti
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Angelo Montana
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
- Correspondence:
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5
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Sprega G, Di Giorgi A, Poyatos L, Papaseit E, Pérez-Mañá C, Tini A, Pichini S, Busardò FP, Lo Faro AF, Farré M. Usefulness of Oral Fluid for Measurement of Methylone and Its Metabolites: Correlation with Plasma Drug Concentrations and the Effect of Oral Fluid pH. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13040468. [PMID: 37110127 PMCID: PMC10143603 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13040468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate methylone and its metabolites concentration in oral fluid following controlled increasing doses, focusing on the effect of oral fluid pH. Samples were obtained from a clinical trial where twelve healthy volunteers participated after ingestion of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg of methylone. Concentration of methylone and its metabolites 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-N-methylcathinone (HMMC) and 3,4-methylenedioxycathinone in oral fluid were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated, and the oral fluid-to-plasma ratio (OF/P) at each time interval was calculated and correlated with the oral fluid pH using data from our previous study in plasma. Methylone was detected at all time intervals after each dose; MDC and HMMC were not detectable after the lowest dose. Oral fluid concentrations of methylone ranged between 88.3-503.8, 85.5-5002.3, 182.8-13,201.8 and 214.6-22,684.6 ng/mL following 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg doses, respectively, peaked between 1.5 and 2.0 h, and were followed by a progressive decrease. Oral fluid pH was demonstrated to be affected by methylone administration. Oral fluid is a valid alternative to plasma for methylone determination for clinical and toxicological studies, allowing for a simple, easy and non-invasive sample collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Sprega
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Di Giorgi
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Lourdes Poyatos
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Esther Papaseit
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Clara Pérez-Mañá
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Anastasio Tini
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Magí Farré
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
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6
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Poyatos L, Pérez-Mañá C, Hladun O, Núñez-Montero M, de la Rosa G, Martín S, Barriocanal AM, Carabias L, Kelmendi B, Taoussi O, Busardò FP, Fonseca F, Torrens M, Pichini S, Farré M, Papaseit E. Pharmacological effects of methylone and MDMA in humans. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1122861. [PMID: 36873994 PMCID: PMC9981643 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1122861] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylone is one of the most common synthetic cathinones popularized as a substitute for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, midomafetamine) owing to its similar effects among users. Both psychostimulants exhibit similar chemistry (i.e., methylone is a β-keto analog of MDMA) and mechanisms of action. Currently, the pharmacology of methylone remains scarcely explored in humans. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the acute pharmacological effects of methylone and its abuse potential in humans when compared with that of MDMA following oral administration under controlled conditions. Seventeen participants of both sexes (14 males, 3 females) with a previous history of psychostimulant use completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial. Participants received a single oral dose of 200 mg of methylone, 100 mg of MDMA, and a placebo. The variables included physiological effects (blood pressure, heart rate, oral temperature, pupil diameter), subjective effects using visual analog scales (VAS), the short form of the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI), the Evaluation of Subjective Effects of Substances with Abuse Potential questionnaire (VESSPA-SSE), and the Sensitivity to Drug Reinforcement Questionnaire (SDRQ), and psychomotor performance (Maddox wing, psychomotor vigilance task). We observed that methylone could significantly increase blood pressure and heart rate and induce pleasurable effects, such as stimulation, euphoria, wellbeing, enhanced empathy, and altered perception. Methylone exhibited an effect profile similar to MDMA, with a faster overall onset and earlier disappearance of subjective effects. These results suggest that abuse potential of methylone is comparable to that of MDMA in humans. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05488171; Identifier: NCT05488171.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Poyatos
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Clara Pérez-Mañá
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
- *Correspondence: Clara Pérez-Mañá, ; Magí Farré,
| | - Olga Hladun
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Melani Núñez-Montero
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Georgina de la Rosa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Soraya Martín
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Ana Maria Barriocanal
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Lydia Carabias
- Department of Pharmacy, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Benjamin Kelmendi
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Omayema Taoussi
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francina Fonseca
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS), Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Addiction Program, Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Adiccions (INAD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Torrens
- Addiction Program, Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Adiccions (INAD), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Magí Farré
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
- *Correspondence: Clara Pérez-Mañá, ; Magí Farré,
| | - Esther Papaseit
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
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7
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Poyatos L, Lo Faro AF, Berardinelli D, Sprega G, Malaca S, Pichini S, Huestis MA, Papaseit E, Pérez-Mañá C, Busardò FP, Farré M. Methylone and MDMA Pharmacokinetics Following Controlled Administration in Humans. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314636. [PMID: 36498963 PMCID: PMC9736016 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to define, for the first time, human methylone and HMMC plasma pharmacokinetics following controlled administration of 50-200 mg methylone to 12 male volunteers. A new LC-MS/MS method was validated to quantify methylone, MDMA, and their metabolites in plasma. The study was a randomized, cross-over, double-blinded and placebo-controlled study, with a total of 468 plasma samples collected. First, 10 µL of MDMA-d5, MDA-d5 and methylone-d3 internal standards were added to 100 µL of plasma. Two mL of chloroform and ethyl acetate 9:1 (v/v) were then added, mixed well and centrifuged. The supernatant was fortified with 0.1 mL acidified methanol and evaporated under nitrogen. Samples were reconstituted with a mobile phase and injected into the LC-MS/MS instrument. The method was fully validated according to OSAC guidelines (USA). Methylone plasma concentrations increased in a dose-proportional manner, as demonstrated by the increasing maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve of concentrations (AUC). Methylone Cmax values were reported as 153, 304, 355 and 604 ng/mL, AUC0-24 values were reported as 1042.8, 2441.2, 3524.4 and 5067.9 h·ng/mL and T1/2 values as 5.8, 6.4, 6.9 and 6.4 h following the 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg doses, respectively. Methylone exhibited rapid kinetics with a Tmax of 1.5 h for the 50 mg dose and 2 h approximately after all the other doses. HMMC exhibited faster kinetics compared to methylone, with a Cmax value that was 10-14-fold lower and an AUC0-24 value that was 21-29-fold lower. Methylone pharmacokinetics was linear across 50-200 mg oral doses in humans, unlike the previously described non-linear oral MDMA pharmacokinetics. An LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of methylone, MDMA and their metabolites in human plasma was achieved. Methylone exhibited linear pharmacokinetics in humans with oral doses of 50-200 mg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Poyatos
- Servei de Farmacologia Clínica, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP, IGTP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Diletta Berardinelli
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Giorgia Sprega
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Sara Malaca
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marilyn A. Huestis
- Institute of Emerging Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Esther Papaseit
- Servei de Farmacologia Clínica, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP, IGTP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Clara Pérez-Mañá
- Servei de Farmacologia Clínica, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP, IGTP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0712206274
| | - Magí Farré
- Servei de Farmacologia Clínica, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP, IGTP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain
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Poyatos L, Papaseit E, Olesti E, Pérez-Mañá C, Ventura M, Carbón X, Grifell M, Fonseca F, Torrens M, de la Torre R, Farré M. A Comparison of Acute Pharmacological Effects of Methylone and MDMA Administration in Humans and Oral Fluid Concentrations as Biomarkers of Exposure. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10080788. [PMID: 34440023 PMCID: PMC8389614 DOI: 10.3390/biology10080788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Methylone is a synthetic cathinone that is usually used as a substitute for conventional psychostimulants, such as MDMA. Chemically, methylone is considered the β-keto analogue of MDMA, with which it presumably shares similar pharmacological effects. To date, the available data about the human pharmacology of methylone in humans are very scarce and are mainly derived from user experiences, published in internet forums or intoxication reports. Thus, an observational–naturalistic study was conducted to evaluate the acute pharmacological effects and determine biomarkers of exposure in oral fluid of methylone after oral self-administration in comparison to MDMA. Methylone induced the prototypical psychostimulant and empathogenic effects commonly associated with MDMA, although they were of lower intensity. Oral fluid concentrations of methylone can be considered a suitable biomarker of acute exposure, and oral fluid has been proven to be a useful biological matrix of detection. Abstract Considered the β-keto analogue of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy), 3,4-Methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone) is a synthetic cathinone. Over the years, methylone has been used as a substitute for conventional psychostimulants, such as MDMA. To date, little is known about the human pharmacology of methylone; the only available information has been provided by surveys or published intoxication reports. In the present observational–naturalistic study, we evaluate the acute subjective and physiological effects of methylone after oral self-administration in comparison to MDMA in healthy poly-drug users. Fourteen participants (10 males, 4 females) selected their single oral doses of methylone from 100 to 300 mg (n = 8, mean dose 187.5 mg) or MDMA from 75 to 100 mg (n = 6, mean dose 87.5 mg) based on their experience. Study variables were assessed at 0, 1, 2, and 4 h (h) and included vital signs (non-invasive blood pressure, heart rate, cutaneous temperature) and subjective effects using visual analogue scales (VAS), the 49-item Addiction Research Centre Inventory (ARCI) short form, and the Evaluation of the Subjective Effects of Substances with Abuse Potential (VESSPA-SSE) questionnaire. Additionally, oral fluid concentrations of methylone and MDMA were determined. Acute pharmacological effects produced by methylone followed the prototypical psychostimulant and empathogenic profile associated with MDMA, although they were less intense. Methylone concentrations in oral fluid can be considered a useful biomarker to detect acute exposure in oral fluid. Oral fluid concentrations of MDMA and methylone peaked at 2 h and concentrations of MDMA were in the range of those previously described in controlled studies. Our results demonstrate that the potential abuse liability of methylone is similar to that of MDMA in recreational subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Poyatos
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (L.P.); (C.P.-M.); (M.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Esther Papaseit
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (L.P.); (C.P.-M.); (M.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Eulalia Olesti
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (E.O.); (R.d.l.T.)
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (CEXS-UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Pérez-Mañá
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (L.P.); (C.P.-M.); (M.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Mireia Ventura
- Energy Control, Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament, 08041 Barcelona, Spain; (M.V.); (X.C.); (M.G.)
| | - Xoán Carbón
- Energy Control, Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament, 08041 Barcelona, Spain; (M.V.); (X.C.); (M.G.)
| | - Marc Grifell
- Energy Control, Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament, 08041 Barcelona, Spain; (M.V.); (X.C.); (M.G.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain; (F.F.); (M.T.)
- Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Adiccions (INAD), Parc de Salut Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francina Fonseca
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain; (F.F.); (M.T.)
- Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Adiccions (INAD), Parc de Salut Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Torrens
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain; (F.F.); (M.T.)
- Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Adiccions (INAD), Parc de Salut Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael de la Torre
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (E.O.); (R.d.l.T.)
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (CEXS-UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magí Farré
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol and Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (L.P.); (C.P.-M.); (M.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
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