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Pintori N, Serra MP, Carai A, Lobina C, Isola R, Noli R, Piras G, Spano E, Baumann MH, Quartu M, De Luca MA. Evidence for enduring cardiac and multiorgan toxicity after repeated exposure to the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 in male rats. Toxicology 2024; 507:153878. [PMID: 38972446 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
The use of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) represents a public health concern. Besides abuse liability and cognitive impairments, SCRAs consumption is associated with serious medical consequences in humans, including cardiotoxicity. The precise mechanisms underlying cardiac or other toxicities induced by SCRAs are not well understood. Here, we used in silico, in vivo, and ex vivo approaches to investigate the toxicological consequences induced by exposure to the SCRA JWH-018. Along with in silico predictive toxicological screening of 36 SCRAs by MC4PC software, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were repeatedly exposed to JWH-018 (0.25 mg/kg ip) for 14 consecutive days, with body temperature and cardiovascular parameters measured over the course of treatment. At 1 and 7 days after JWH-018 discontinuation, multiorgan tissue pathologies and heart mitochondria bioenergetics were assessed. The in silico findings predicted risk of cardiac adverse effects specifically for JWH-018 and other aminoalkylindole SCRAs (i.e., electrocardiogram abnormality and QT prolongation). The results from rats revealed that repeated, but not single, JWH-018 exposure induced hypothermia and cardiovascular stimulation (e.g., increased blood pressure and heart rate) which persisted throughout treatment. Post-mortem findings demonstrated cardiac lesions (i.e., vacuolization, waving, edema) 1 day after JWH-018 discontinuation, which may contribute to lung, kidney, and liver tissue degeneration observed 7 days later. Importantly, repeated JWH-018 exposure induced mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes, i.e., defective lipid OXPHOS, which may represent one mechanism of JWH-018-induced toxicity. Our results demonstrate that repeated administration of even a relatively low dose of JWH-018 is sufficient to affect cardiovascular function and induce enduring toxicological consequences, pointing to risks associated with SCRA consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Pintori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy.
| | - Maria Pina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Antonio Carai
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Carla Lobina
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Raffaella Isola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Roberta Noli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Gessica Piras
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Enrica Spano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Marina Quartu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta De Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy.
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Mohammad SA, Mousa REA, Gebril SM, Masoud KMM, Radwan RA. Toxic effects of AB-CHMINACA on liver and kidney and detection of its blood level in adult male mice. Forensic Toxicol 2024; 42:7-17. [PMID: 37573525 PMCID: PMC10808145 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-023-00670-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AB-CHMINACA is a cannabimimetic indazole derivative. In 2013, it was reported in different countries as a substance of abuse. PURPOSE This study evaluated the subacute toxic effects of AB-CHMINACA on the liver and kidneys and measured its blood level in adult male mice. METHODS The histological and biochemical subacute toxic effects on the liver and kidneys were assessed after four weeks of daily intraperitoneal injections of one of the following doses: 0.3 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg as the highest dose in adult male albino mice. In addition, the blood concentration level of AB-CHMINACA was determined by GC-MS-MS. RESULTS The histological effects showed congestion, hemorrhage, degeneration, and cellular infiltration of the liver and kidney tissues. Considering the control groups as a reference, biochemical results indicated a significant increase in the serum AST only in the highest dose group, while the ALT and creatinine levels did not significantly change. The mean values of AB-CHMINACA blood levels were 3.05 ± 1.16, 15.08 ± 4.30, and 54.43 ± 8.70 ng/mL for the three treated groups, respectively, one hour after the last dose of intraperitoneal injection. The calibration curves were linear in the 2.5-500 ng/mL concentration range. The intra-assay precision and accuracy of the method were less than 7.0% (RSD) and ± 9.2% (Bias). CONCLUSION This research supports the available case reports on AB-CHMINACA toxicity that it has low lethality; still, the chronic administration causes evident liver and kidney histotoxic effects even at low doses with unnoticeable clinical effects in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheir Ali Mohammad
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Rasha Elhaddad Ali Mousa
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt.
| | | | - Khaled Masoud Mohamed Masoud
- Department of Forensic Sciences, College of Criminal Justice, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rania Ahmad Radwan
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
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Kumar S, Alkhibery RNK, Bakdash A, Abdelhady MSM. Determination of in vitro human whole blood-to-plasma ratio of THJ-018 utilizing gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry. Indian J Pharmacol 2021; 53:13-18. [PMID: 33975994 PMCID: PMC8216121 DOI: 10.4103/ijp.ijp_668_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study was aimed to determine in vitro human whole blood-to-plasma ratio (KWB/P) of THJ-018 by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). MATERIALS AND METHODS The samples (human blood) were sprayed with THJ-018 and an internal standard and extracted using solid-phase extraction. THJ-018 was determined in the final extracts by GC/MS. RESULTS The value for KWB/P was 1.56 (1.38-1.81), and red blood cell partitioning was 1.01 (1.01-1.02). The distribution of THJ-018 between whole blood and plasma was observed to be affected by temperature. CONCLUSION The data analysis supports the proposition that the ratio of the plasma to whole blood concentrations (1.56) is a suitable parameter characterizing THJ-018 distribution in whole blood. For toxicological analysis, it would be best to refrain from converting any drug concentration measured in whole blood to that anticipated in plasma or serum; however, toxic and therapeutic concentrations should be determined for the individual specimens collected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachil Kumar
- Department of Forensic Sciences, College of Criminal Justice, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Remal Nahar Khleel Alkhibery
- Department of Forensic Sciences, College of Criminal Justice, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulsallam Bakdash
- Department of Forensic Sciences, College of Criminal Justice, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Sultan Mohamed Abdelhady
- Riyadh Poisons Control & Medical Forensic Chemistry Center, Kaab Ibn Al Harith, Ar Rawdah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Egyptian Drug Authority, National Organizations for Drug Control and Research (NODCAR), Giza, Egypt
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