Toxicokinetics of MDMA and Its Metabolite MDA in Rats.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the toxicokinetic differences of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) and its metabolite 4,5-methylene dioxy amphetamine (MDA) in rats after single and continuous administration of MDMA, providing reference data for the forensic identification of MDMA. METHODS: A total of 24 rats in the single administration group were randomly divided into 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg experimental groups and the control group, with 6 rats in each group. The experimental group was given intraperitoneal injection of MDMA, and the control group was given intraperitoneal injection of the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group. The amount of 0.5 mL blood was collected from the medial canthus 5 min, 30 min, 1 h, 1.5 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 10 h, 12 h after administration. In the continuous administration group, 24 rats were randomly divided into the experimental group (18 rats) and the control group (6 rats). The experimental group was given MDMA 7 d by continuous intraperitoneal injection in increments of 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 mg/kg per day, respectively, while the control group was given the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group by intraperitoneal injection. On the eighth day, the experimental rats were randomly divided into 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg dose groups, with 6 rats in each group. MDMA was injected intraperitoneally, and the control group was injected intraperitoneally with the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group. On the eighth day, 0.5 mL of blood was taken from the medial canthus 5 min, 30 min, 1 h, 1.5 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 10 h, 12 h after administration. Liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect MDMA and MDA levels, and statistical software was employed for data analysis. RESULTS: In the single-administration group, peak concentrations of MDMA and MDA were reached at 5 min and 1 h after administration, respectively, with the largest detection time limit of 12 h. In the continuous administration group, peak concentrations were reached at 30 min and 1.5 h after administration, respectively, with the largest detection time limit of 10 h. Nonlinear fitting equations for the concentration ratio of MDMA and MDA in plasma and administration time in the single-administration group and continuous administration group were as follows: T=10.362C-1.183, R2=0.974 6; T=7.397 3C-0.694, R2=0.961 5 (T: injection time; C: concentration ratio of MDMA to MDA in plasma). CONCLUSIONS: The toxicokinetic data of MDMA and its metabolite MDA in rats, obtained through single and continuous administration, including peak concentration, peak time, detection time limit, and the relationship between concentration ratio and administration time, provide a theoretical and data foundation for relevant forensic identification.

Toxicokinetics of MDMA and Its Metabolite MDA in Rats / 法医学杂志

Objective To investigate the toxicokinetic differences of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine(MDMA)and its metabolite 4,5-methylene dioxy amphetamine(MDA)in rats af-ter single and continuous administration of MDMA,providing reference data for the forensic identifica-tion of MDMA.Methods A total of 24 rats in the single administration group were randomly divided into 5,10 and 20 mg/kg experimental groups and the control group,with 6 rats in each group.The ex-perimental group was given intraperitoneal injection of MDMA,and the control group was given intraperi-toneal injection of the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group.The amount of 0.5 mL blood was collected from the medial canthus 5 min,30 min,1 h,1.5 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,8 h,10 h,12 h after administration.In the continuous administration group,24 rats were randomly divided into the experi-mental group(18 rats)and the control group(6 rats).The experimental group was given MDMA 7 d by continuous intraperitoneal injection in increments of 5,7,9,11,13,15,17 mg/kg per day,respectively,while the control group was given the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group by in-traperitoneal injection.On the eighth day,the experimental rats were randomly divided into 5,10 and 20 mg/kg dose groups,with 6 rats in each group.MDMA was injected intraperitoneally,and the con-trol group was injected intraperitoneally with the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group.On the eighth day,0.5 mL of blood was taken from the medial canthus 5 min,30 min,1 h,1.5 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,8 h,10 h,12 h after administration.Liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect MDMA and MDA levels,and statistical software was employed for data analysis.Results In the single-administration group,peak concentrations of MDMA and MDA were reached at 5 min and 1 h after administration,respectively,with the largest detection time limit of 12 h.In the continuous administration group,peak concentrations were reached at 30 min and 1.5 h af-ter administration,respectively,with the largest detection time limit of 10 h.Nonlinear fitting equations for the concentration ratio of MDMA and MDA in plasma and administration time in the single-administration group and continuous administration group were as follows:T=10.362C-1.183,R2=0.974 6;T=7.397 3C-0.694,R2=0.961 5(T:injection time;C:concentration ratio of MDMA to MDA in plasma).Conclusions The toxicokinetic data of MDMA and its metabolite MDA in rats,obtained through single and continuous administration,including peak concentration,peak time,detection time limit,and the relationship between concentration ratio and administration time,provide a theoretical and data foundation for relevant forensic identification.

Neurochemical binding profiles of novel indole and benzofuran MDMA analogues.

3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in numerous clinical trials. In the present study, we have characterized the neurochemical binding profiles of three MDMA-benzofuran analogues (1-(benzofuran-5-yl)-propan-2-amine, 5-APB; 1-(benzofuran-6-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine, 6-MAPB; 1-(benzofuran-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine, 5-MAPB) and one MDMA-indole analogue (1-(1H-indol-5-yl)-2-methylamino-propan-1-ol, 5-IT). These compounds were screened as potential second-generation anti-PTSD drugs, against a battery of human and non-human receptors, transporters, and enzymes, and their potencies as 5-HT2 receptor agonist and monoamine uptake inhibitors determined. All MDMA analogues displayed high binding affinities for 5-HT2a,b,c and NEα2 receptors, as well as significant 5-HT, DA, and NE uptake inhibition. 5-APB revealed significant agonist activity at the 5-HT2a,b,c receptors, while 6-MAPB, 5-MAPB, and 5-IT exhibited significant agonist activity at the 5-HT2c receptor. There was a lack of correlation between the results of functional uptake and the monoamine transporter binding assay. MDMA analogues emerged as potent and selective monoamine oxidase A inhibitors. Based on 6-MAPB favorable pharmacological profile, it was further subjected to IC50 determination for monoamine transporters. Overall, all MDMA analogues displayed higher monoamine receptor/transporter binding affinities and agonist activity at the 5-HT2a,c receptors as compared to MDMA.

Clinical Pharmacology of the Synthetic Cathinone Mephedrone.

4-Methyl-N-methylcathinone (mephedrone) is a popular new psychoactive substance (NPS) that is structurally related to the parent compound cathinone, the ß-keto analogue of amphetamine. Mephedrone appeared on the street drug market as a substitute for 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) and was subsequently banned due to the potential health risks associated with its use. Nevertheless, mephedrone continues to be widely consumed among specific populations, with unique patterns of misuse. To date, most information about the biological effects of mephedrone comes from user experiences, epidemiological data, clinical cases, toxicological findings, and animal studies, whilst there are very few data regarding its human pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. This chapter reviews the available published data on patterns of mephedrone use, its acute and chronic effects, and its pharmacokinetic properties. More human research is needed to elucidate the safety, toxicity, and addiction potential of mephedrone and related NPS.

Altered energy production, lowered antioxidant potential, and inflammatory processes mediate CNS damage associated with abuse of the psychostimulants MDMA and methamphetamine.

Central nervous system (CNS) damage associated with psychostimulant dependence may be an ongoing, degenerative process with adverse effects on neuropsychiatric function. However, the molecular mechanisms regarding how altered energy regulation affects immune response in the context of substance use disorders are not fully understood. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the effects of psychostimulant [particularly 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine] exposure on brain energy regulation, immune response, and neuropsychiatric function. Importantly, the neuropsychiatric impairments (e.g., cognitive deficits, depression, and anxiety) that persist following abstinence are associated with poorer treatment outcomes - increased relapse rates, lower treatment retention rates, and reduced daily functioning. Qualifying the molecular changes within the CNS according to the exposure and use patterns of specifically abused substances should inform the development of new therapeutic approaches for addiction treatment.

Pharmacological effects of two anti-methamphetamine monoclonal antibodies. Supporting data for lead candidate selection for clinical development.

This lead candidate selection study compared two anti-(+)-methamphetamine (METH) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to determine their ability to reduce METH-induced locomotor effects and redistribute METH and (+)-amphetamine (AMP) in a preclinical overdose model. Both mAbs have high affinity for METH, but mAb4G9 has moderate and mAb7F9 has low affinity for AMP. In the placebo-controlled behavioral experiment, the effects of each mAb on the locomotor response to a single 1 mg/kg intravenous (IV) METH dose were determined in rats. The doses of mAb binding sites were administered such that they equaled 1, 0.56, 0.32, and 0.1 times the molar equivalent (mol-eq) of METH in the body 30 min after the METH dose. METH disposition was determined in separate animals that similarly received either a 1 or 0.32 mol-eq dose of mAb binding sites 30 min after a 1 mg/kg METH dose. Total METH-induced distance traveled was significantly reduced in rats that received the highest three doses of each mAb compared with saline. The duration of METH effects was also significantly reduced by mAb7F9 at the highest dose. The disposition of METH was altered dose-dependently by both mAbs as shown in reductions of volume of distribution and total clearance, and increases in elimination half-life. These data indicate that both mAbs are effective at reducing METH-induced behavior and favorably altering METH disposition. Both were therefore suitable for further preclinical testing as potential human medications for treating METH use; however, due to results reported here and in later studies, mAb7F9 was selected for clinical development.

Inhibition and impulsivity: behavioral and neural basis of response control.

In many circumstances alternative courses of action and thoughts have to be inhibited to allow the emergence of goal-directed behavior. However, this has not been the accepted view in the past and only recently has inhibition earned its own place in the neurosciences as a fundamental cognitive function. In this review we first introduce the concept of inhibition from early psychological speculations based on philosophical theories of the human mind. The broad construct of inhibition is then reduced to its most readily observable component which necessarily is its behavioral manifestation. The study of 'response inhibition' has the advantage of dealing with a relatively simple and straightforward process, the overriding of a planned or already initiated action. Deficient inhibitory processes profoundly affect everyday life, causing impulsive conduct which is generally detrimental for the individual. Impulsivity has been consistently linked to several types of addiction, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, mania and other psychiatric conditions. Our discussion of the behavioral assessment of impulsivity will focus on objective laboratory tasks of response inhibition that have been implemented in parallel for humans and other species with relatively few qualitative differences. The translational potential of these measures has greatly improved our knowledge of the neurobiological basis of behavioral inhibition and impulsivity. We will then review the current models of behavioral inhibition along with their expression via underlying brain regions, including those involved in the activation of the brain's emergency 'brake' operation, those engaged in more controlled and sustained inhibitory processes and other ancillary executive functions.

Forced degradation and impurity profiling: recent trends in analytical perspectives.

This review describes an epigrammatic impression of the recent trends in analytical perspectives of degradation and impurities profiling of pharmaceuticals including active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) as well as drug products during 2008-2012. These recent trends in forced degradation and impurity profiling were discussed on the head of year of publication; columns, matrix (API and dosage forms) and type of elution in chromatography (isocratic and gradient); therapeutic categories of the drug which were used for analysis. It focuses distinctly on comprehensive update of various analytical methods including hyphenated techniques for the identification and quantification of thresholds of impurities and degradants in different pharmaceutical matrices.