1
|
Jones G, Ricard JA, Hendricks P, Simonsson O. Associations between MDMA/ecstasy use and physical health in a U.S. population-based survey sample. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:1129-1135. [PMID: 36189781 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221127318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA/"ecstasy") is an empathogen that can give rise to increased pleasure and empathy and may effectively treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Although prior research has demonstrated associations between ecstasy use and favorable mental health outcomes, the associations between ecstasy and physical health have largely been unexplored. Thus, the goal of this study was to examine the associations between ecstasy use and physical health in a population-based survey sample. METHOD This study utilized data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005-2018), a yearly survey that collects information on substance use and health outcomes in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. We used multinomial, ordered, and logistic regression models to test the associations between lifetime ecstasy use and various markers of physical health (self-reported body mass index, overall health, past year heart condition and/or cancer, past year heart disease, past year hypertension, and past year diabetes), controlling for a range of potential confounders. RESULTS Lifetime ecstasy use was associated with significantly lower risk of self-reported overweightness and obesity (adjusted relative risk ratio range: 0.55-0.88) and lower odds of self-reported past year heart condition and/or cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.67), hypertension (aOR: 0.85), and diabetes (aOR: 0.58). Ecstasy use was also associated with significantly higher odds of better self-reported overall health (aOR: 1.18). CONCLUSION Ecstasy shares protective associations with various physical health markers. Future longitudinal studies and clinical trials are needed to more rigorously test these associations.
Collapse
|
2
|
Hu JR, Jung CJ, Ku SM, Jung DH, Bashir KMI, Ku SK, Choi JS. Anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and antitussive properties of Kyeongok-go in ICR mice. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2021; 59:321-334. [PMID: 33770452 PMCID: PMC8008926 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2021.1892155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Kyeongok-go (KOG) is a traditional mixed herb preparation consisting of Panax ginseng CA Meyer (Araliaceae), Poria cocos Wolf (Polyporaceae), Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertner) Liboschitz ex Steudel (Orobanchaceae), and honey. Various pharmacological effects of KOG are reported, but the efficacy on respiratory diseases has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE The anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and antitussive properties of KOG were examined using animal models of respiratory diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS KOG (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) was orally administered to ICR mice (n = 8) once a day for 11 days. Anti-inflammatory effects of vehicle, xylene, KOG and DEXA (1 mg/kg) were determined by monitoring edoema and redness of treated ears, and measuring the relative and absolute weight of each ear. Expectorant properties of vehicle, KOG and AM (250 mg/kg) were evaluated by observing body surface redness, and the amount of mucous secreted by the trachea. The antitussive potential of vehicle, NH4OH, KOG and TB (50 mg/kg) was evaluated by monitoring changes in the number of coughs (for 6 min). RESULTS KOG (400 mg/kg) treated mice showed 31.29% and 30.72% (p < 0.01) decreases in the relative and absolute weights of each ear relative to xylene control mice, 39.06% increases (p < 0.01) in TLF OD values relative to intact vehicle control mice, and 59.53% decrease (p < 0.01) in coughing compared to NH4OH control mice. Dose-dependent changes were observed in all experimental models. CONCLUSIONS KOG may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of various respiratory diseases, particularly those caused by environmental toxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ryul Hu
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Dae-Hwa Jung
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Khawaja Muhammad Imran Bashir
- German Engineering Research Center for Life Science Technologies in Medicine and Environment, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sae-Kwang Ku
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea
- The Medical Research Center for Herbal Convergence on Liver Disease, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Suk Choi
- Department of in Food Biotechnology, College of Medical and Life Sciences, Silla University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Golchoobian R, Nabavizadeh F, Roghani M, Foroumadi A, Izad M, Bahrami M, Fanaei H. Exogenous Ghrelin Could Not Ameliorate 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced Acute Liver Injury in The Rat: Involved Mechanisms. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH : IJPR 2020; 19:343-354. [PMID: 32922492 PMCID: PMC7462488 DOI: 10.22037/ijpr.2020.1100940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy) is often abused by youth as a recreational drug. MDMA abuse is a growing problem in different parts of the world. An important adverse consequence of the drug consumption is hepatotoxicity of different intensities. However, the underlying mechanism of this toxicity has not been completely understood. Ghrelin is a gut hormone with growth hormone stimulatory effect. It expresses in liver, albeit at a much lower level than in stomach, and exerts a hepatoprotective effect. In this study, we investigated hepatotoxicity effect of MDMA alone and its combination with ghrelin as a hepatoprotective agent. MDMA and MDMA+ ghrelin could transiently increase serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) followed by tissue necrosis. However, they could significantly decrease liver tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-±) in both treatment groups. Unexpectedly, in MDMA treated rats, Bax, Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, Fas, Fas ligand (Fas-L), caspase 8, cytochrome c, caspase 3 gene expression, and DNA fragmentation were nearly unchanged. In addition, apoptosis in MDMA+ ghrelin group was significantly reduced when compared with MDMA treated animals. In all, MDMA could transiently increase serum transaminases and induce tissue necrosis and liver toxicity. Ghrelin, however, could not stop liver enzyme rise and MDMA hepatotoxicity. MDMA hepatotoxicity seems to be mediated via tissue necrosis than apoptotic and inflammatory pathways. Conceivably, ghrelin as an anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic agent may not protect hepatocytes against MDMA liver toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ravieh Golchoobian
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Nabavizadeh
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Roghani
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Foroumadi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Izad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Bahrami
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hafseh Fanaei
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hu JR, Jung CJ, Ku SM, Jung DH, Ku SK, Choi JS. Antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory effects of Adenophorae Radix powder in ICR mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 239:111915. [PMID: 31039428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.111915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Adenophora triphylla var. japonica is frequently used as an oriental medicinal plant in Korea, China, and Japan for its anti-inflammatory, antitussive, and hepatoprotective effects. AIM OF THE STUDY In the present study, the antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory effects of AR powder were investigated using animal models to evaluate their potential to treat respiratory disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS AR powder was administered orally to mice once daily for 11 days, at dose levels of 400, 200, and 100 mg/kg. Theobromine (TB), ambroxol (AM) and dexamethasone (DEXA) were used as standard drugs for antitussive effects, expectorant effects and anti-inflammatory effects, respectively. Evaluations of antitussive effects were based on changes in body weight, the number of cough responses and the histopathology of the lung and trachea. Expectorant effects were based on changes in the body weight, macroscopic observations of body surface redness, the mucous secretion of the trachea and histopathology of lung (secondary bronchus). Anti-inflammatory effects were based on changes in the body weight, macroscopic observations involving redness and edema of the treated ear, absolute and relative ear weights and histopathology of the treated ears. RESULTS Allergic acute inflammation and coughing induced by exposure to NH4OH and symptoms of xylene-induced contact dermatitis were significantly inhibited by treatment with AR powder in a dose-dependent manner. Histological analyses revealed that AR powder decreased the OD values in trachea lavage fluid, reduced body surface redness, thicknesses of intrapulmonary secondary bronchus mucosa, and the number of PAS-positive mucous producing cells. Overall, AR powder administered at 200 mg/kg displayed superior antitussive and expectorant effects as compared to TB (50 mg/kg), and AM (250 mg/kg). At the highest concentration (400 mg/kg) AR powder displayed only moderately improved anti-inflammatory activities as compared to DEXA (1 mg/kg). CONCLUSION The results obtained in this study suggest that AR powder exerts dose-dependent, favorable antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory activities achieved through modulation of the activity of mast cells and respiratory mucous production. Therefore, AR powder may serve as a therapeutic agent in various respiratory disorders, especially those that occur as a result of environmental toxicants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ryul Hu
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38610, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chul-Jong Jung
- Okchundang Inc., 95, Soho-ro, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, 44900, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seong-Min Ku
- Okchundang Inc., 95, Soho-ro, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, 44900, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dae-Hwa Jung
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38610, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sae-Kwang Ku
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38610, Republic of Korea; The Medical Research Center for Herbal Convergence on Liver Disease, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38610, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Suk Choi
- Major in Food Biotechnology, Division of Bioindustry, College of Medical and Life Sciences, Silla University, 140, Baegyang-daero 700beon-gil, Sasang-gu, Busan, 46958, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zager A, Brandão WN, Margatho RO, Peron JP, Tufik S, Andersen ML, Kornum BR, Palermo-Neto J. The wake-promoting drug Modafinil prevents motor impairment in sickness behavior induced by LPS in mice: Role for dopaminergic D1 receptor. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 81:468-476. [PMID: 28499899 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The wake-promoting drug Modafinil has been used for many years for treatment of Narcolepsy and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, due to a dopamine-related psychostimulant action. Recent studies have indicated that Modafinil prevents neuroinflammation in animal models. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Modafinil pretreatment in the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sickness and depressive-like behaviors. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were pretreated with Vehicle or Modafinil (90mg/Kg) and, 30min later, received a single saline or LPS (2mg/Kg) administration, and were submitted to the open field and elevated plus maze test 2h later. After 24h, mice were subjected to tail suspension test, followed by either flow cytometry with whole brain for CD11b+CD45+ cells or qPCR in brain areas for cytokine gene expression. Modafinil treatment prevented the LPS-induced motor impairment, anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors, as well as the increase in brain CD11b+CD45high cells induced by LPS. Our results indicate that Modafinil pretreatment also decreased the IL-1β gene upregulation caused by LPS in brain areas, which is possibly correlated with the preventive behavioral effects. The pharmacological blockage of the dopaminergic D1R by the drug SCH-23390 counteracted the effect of Modafinil on locomotion and anxiety-like behavior, but not on depressive-like behavior and brain immune cells. The dopaminergic D1 receptor signaling is essential to the Modafinil effects on LPS-induced alterations in locomotion and anxiety, but not on depression and brain macrophages. This evidence suggests that Modafinil treatment might be useful to prevent inflammation-related behavioral alterations, possibly due to a neuroimmune mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Zager
- Neuroimmunomodulation Research Group, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Wesley Nogueira Brandão
- Neuroimmune Interactions Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Oliveira Margatho
- Neuroimmunomodulation Research Group, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jean Pierre Peron
- Neuroimmune Interactions Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sergio Tufik
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Monica Levy Andersen
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Birgitte Rahbek Kornum
- Molecular Sleep Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Glostrup Research Institute-Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - João Palermo-Neto
- Neuroimmunomodulation Research Group, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zager A, Brandão WN, Margatho RO, Cruz DSG, Peron JP, Tufik S, Andersen ML, Moresco M, Pizza F, Plazzi G, Kornum BR, Palermo-Neto J. Increased interferon-mediated immunity following in vitro and in vivo Modafinil treatment on peripheral immune cells. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 81:297-305. [PMID: 28919446 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The wake-promoting drug Modafinil has been used for treatment of sleep disorders, such as Narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep apnea, due to its stimulant action. Despite the known effect of Modafinil on brain neurochemistry, particularly on brain dopamine system, recent evidence support an immunomodulatory role for Modafinil treatment in neuroinflammatory models. Here, we aimed to study the effects of in vitro and in vivo Modafinil treatment on activation, proliferation, cell viability, and cytokine production by immune cells in splenocytes culture from mice. The results show that in vitro treatment with Modafinil increased Interferon (IFN)-γ, Interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-17 production and CD25 expression by T cells. In turn, in vivo Modafinil treatment enhanced splenocyte production of IFN-γ, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and increased the number of IFN-γ producing cells. Next, we addressed the translational value of the observed effects by testing PBMCs from Narcolepsy type 1 patients that underwent Modafinil treatment. We reported increased number of IFN-γ producing cells in PBMCs from Narcolepsy type 1 patients following continuous Modafinil treatment, corroborating our animal data. Taken together, our results show, for the first time, a pro-inflammatory action of Modafinil, particularly on IFN-mediated immunity, in mice and in patients with Narcolepsy type 1. The study suggests a novel effect of this drug treatment, which should be taken into consideration when given concomitantly with an ongoing inflammatory or autoimmune process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Zager
- Neuroimmunomodulation Research Group, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil; Molecular Sleep Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Glostrup Research Institute, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark.
| | - Wesley Nogueira Brandão
- Neuroimmune Interactions Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Oliveira Margatho
- Neuroimmunomodulation Research Group, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Sanzio Gimenes Cruz
- Neuroimmunomodulation Research Group, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jean Pierre Peron
- Neuroimmune Interactions Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sergio Tufik
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Monica Levy Andersen
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Monica Moresco
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Pizza
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Institute of the Neurological Sciences IRCCS, ASL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Plazzi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Institute of the Neurological Sciences IRCCS, ASL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Birgitte Rahbek Kornum
- Molecular Sleep Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Glostrup Research Institute, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - João Palermo-Neto
- Neuroimmunomodulation Research Group, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hamasato EK, de Lima APN, de Oliveira APL, dos Santos Franco AL, de Lima WT, Palermo-Neto J. Cohabitation with a sick partner increases allergic lung inflammatory response in mice. Brain Behav Immun 2014; 42:109-17. [PMID: 24929194 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Revised: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The bidirectional relationship between the nervous system and the immune system is relevant for homeostatic organism maintenance. Studies from our laboratory showed that 14days of cohabitation with a sick partner (injected with Ehrlich tumor cells-TAE) produced behavioral, neurochemical, endocrinological and immunological changes. This study analyzes the effects of cohabitation with an Ehrlich tumor-bearing animal on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced lung inflammatory response in mice. Pairs of male mice were divided into three groups: naïve, control and experimental. Animals of the naïve group were kept undisturbed being used for the assessment of basal parameters. One animal of each experimental and control pair of mice was immunized with OVA. On ED(0), these OVA-immunized animals received an OVA booster. At this day (D(0)) the experimental mice that were kept undisturbed were inoculated with 5×10(6) Ehrlich tumor cells; their immunized cage-mates were then referred as to CSP ("companion of sick partner"). The undisturbed mice of each control pair were i.p. treated on D(0) with 0.9% NaCl; their sensitized cage-mates were subsequently referred as CHP ("companion of health partner"). The OVA challenge was performed on CSP and CHP mice on ED(12) and ED(13); blood and tissue collection were performed on ED(14). Fourteen days after cohabitation, in comparison to the CHP mice, the CSP mice displayed the following: (1) an increased number of eosinophils and neutrophils in the BAL, (2) a decreased bone marrow cell count, (3) increased levels of IL-4 and IL-5 and decreased levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ in the BAL supernatant, (5) increased levels of IgG1-OVA, decreased levels of IgG2a-OVA and no changes in OVA-specific IgE in the peripheral blood, (6) increased expression of L-selectin in the BAL granulocytes, (7) decreased tracheal reactivity to methacholine measured in vitro, (8) no changes in plasma corticosterone levels and (9) increased levels of plasmatic noradrenaline. These results suggest that allergic lung inflammatory response exacerbation in CSP mice is a consequence of the psychological stress induced by forced cohabitation with the sick partner. Strong involvement of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) through adrenaline and noradrenaline release and a shift of the Th1/Th2 cytokine profile toward a Th2 response were considered to be the mechanisms underlying the cell recruitment to the animal's airways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Kenji Hamasato
- Neuroimmunomodulation Research Group, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Nascimento de Lima
- Neuroimmunomodulation Research Group, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Ligeiro de Oliveira
- Post Graduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Nove de Julho University, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriana Lino dos Santos Franco
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - João Palermo-Neto
- Neuroimmunomodulation Research Group, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
Illicit stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamine, and their derivatives (e.g., "ecstasy"), continue to exact heavy toll on health care in both developed and developing countries. The US Department of Health and Human Service reported over one million illicit drug-related emergency department visits in 2010, which was higher than any of the six previous years. Both inhaled and intravenous forms of these substances of abuse can result in a variety of acute and chronic injuries to practically every part of the respiratory tract, leading potentially to permanent morbidities as well as fatal consequences--including but not limited to nasal septum perforation, pulmonary hypertension, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, interstitial lung disease, alveolar hemorrhage, reactive airway disease, pulmonary edema, pulmonary granulomatosis, infections, foreign body aspiration, infections, bronchoconstriction, and thermal injuries. Stimulants are all rapidly absorbed substances that can also significantly alter the patient's systemic acid-base balance and central nervous system, thereby leading to further respiratory compromise. Mounting evidence in the past decade has demonstrated that adulterants coinhaled with these substances (e.g., levamisole) and the metabolites of these substances (e.g., cocaethylene) are associated with specific forms of systemic and respiratory complications as well. Recent studies have also demonstrated the effects of stimulants on autoimmune-mediated injuries of the respiratory tract, such as cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions. A persistent challenge to studies involving stimulant-associated respiratory toxidromes is the high prevalence of concomitant usage of various substances by drug abusers, including tobacco smoking. Now more than ever, health care providers must be familiar with the multitude of respiratory toxidromes as well as the diverse pathophysiology related to commonly abused stimulants to provide timely diagnosis and effective treatment.
Collapse
|
9
|
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA – Ecstasy) Decreases Neutrophil Activity Through the Glucocorticoid Pathway and Impairs Host Resistance to Listeria Monocytogenes Infection in Mice. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2014; 9:690-702. [DOI: 10.1007/s11481-014-9562-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
|
10
|
Effects of long-term exposure of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "ecstasy") on neuronal transmitter transport, brain immuno-regulatory systems and progression of experimental periodontitis in rats. Neurochem Int 2014; 72:30-6. [PMID: 24726767 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2014.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Revised: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study was designed to investigate the effects of long-term exposure (4 weeks) to the widely used narcotic drug and putative neurotoxicant 3,4-methylenedioxymetamphetamine (MDMA; "ecstasy") on neuronal transmitter transport and progression of experimental periodontitis in male Wistar rats. The rats were exposed to MDMA (10mg/kg/day i.p.) or saline five days a week for four consecutive weeks. Exposure to MDMA induced a significant reduction in the synaptosomal reuptake of serotonin, while the uptake of dopamine was significantly increased 24h after the last injection of MDMA. In contrast, the synaptosomal uptake of noradrenaline and the vesicular uptake through the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 were not affected. In the experiments of periodontitis development, ligature-induced periodontitis was induced three days prior to MDMA administration. Compared to controls, MDMA-treated rats developed significantly more periodontitis. In conclusion, our results show that long-term exposure to MDMA affects the serotonergic and dopaminergic transport systems in the rat brain and increased the susceptibility to the psychosomatic ailment periodontitis following disturbances of brain immune-regulatory systems. These results are interesting with respect to recent research showing that changes in neurotransmitter signalling may alter the reactivity of brain-controlled immunoregulatory systems controlling pathogenic microorganisms colonizing mucosal surfaces.
Collapse
|
11
|
Hamasato EK, Ligeiro de Oliveira AP, Lino-dos-Santos-Franco A, Ribeiro A, Ferraz de Paula V, Peron JPS, Damazo AS, Tavares-de-Lima W, Palermo-Neto J. Effects of MK-801 and amphetamine treatments on allergic lung inflammatory response in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2013; 16:436-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2013.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Revised: 03/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|