Markers of cardiac oxidative stress and altered morphology after intraperitoneal cocaine injection in a rat model.

This study was designed to assess the parameters of myocardial oxidative stress and related cardiac morphological changes following intraperitoneal cocaine exposure in rats. The cardiac levels of reduced glutathione(GSH), oxidised glutathione(GSSG), ascorbic acid (AA), and the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured, as well as the variations of activity in the enzyme systems involved in cell antioxidant defence, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). After chronic cocaine administration for 30 days GSH was significantly depleted in the heart from 30 min (P < 0.001) to 24 h (P < 0.001) after exposure, and GSSG was increased for a similar time (P < 0.05 at 30 min and P < 0.01 at 24 h). SOD increased during the first hour (P < 0.001), GR and GSH-Px both increased from 30 min to 24 h, and these increases were statistically significant (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 at 30 min and P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 at 24 h, respectively). The AA levels increased after 1 h (P < 0.01), remaining significantly so for 24 h (P < 0.001) and MDA increased from 30 min to 24 h, all values being highly significant (P < 0.001). The body weight was significantly (P < 0.001) reduced in both cocaine groups (40 mg/kg x 30 days and 40 mg/kg x 10 days + 60 mg/kg x 20 days). The heart weight (P < 0.01) and its percentage of the body weight (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in these two groups than in the controls. Similarly, in the noradrenaline 4 mg/ kg x 30 days group, the body weight was significantly (P < 0.001) reduced and the heart weight (P < 0.01) and its percentage of body weight (P < 0.001) were significantly higher than in the controls. In comparing the cocaine and noradrenaline experiments, the frequency and extent of cardiac lesions obtained with 40 mg/kg x 10 days + 60 mg/kg x 20 days of cocaine were similar to those with 8 mg/kg of noradrenaline at 24 h. In this experimental model, cocaine administration compromised the antioxidant defence system of the heart associated with a significant increase of heart weight and the percentage of body weight.

Packed column chromatography, high-resolution gas-chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography in comparison for the analysis of cannabis constituents.

The identification and the quantitative estimation of cannabis constituents is important for forensic purposes. High resolution gas-chromatography gives better results than gas-liquid chromatography with packed columns, as it shows a better resolution and higher number of constituents. Different quantitative values were found with the two chromatographic procedures. High-pressure liquid chromatography revealed the presence of cannabinoid acids in fresh cut influorescences of cannabis plants. The ratio acid/neutral cannabinoid may be useful in supplying information about the age of the cannabis preparations.