Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
: 20 | 50 | 100
1 - 20 de 3.050
1.
J Agric Food Chem ; 72(12): 6189-6202, 2024 Mar 27.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38501577

The hexapeptide YPVEPF with strong sleep-enhancing effects could be detected in rat brain after a single oral administration as we previously proved. In this study, the mechanism and molecular effects of YPVEPF in the targeted stress-induced anxiety mice were first investigated, and its key active structure was further explored. The results showed that YPVEPF could significantly prolong sleep duration and improve the anxiety indexes, including prolonging the time spent in the open arms and in the center. Meanwhile, YPVEPF showed strong sleep-enhancing effects by significantly increasing the level of the GABA/Glu ratio, 5-HT, and dopamine in brain and serum and regulating the anabolism of multiple targets, but the effects could be blocked by bicuculline and WAY100135. Moreover, the molecular simulation results showed that YPVEPF could stably bind to the vital GABAA and 5-HT1A receptors due to the vital structure of Tyr-Pro-Xaa-Xaa-Pro-, and the electrostatic and van der Waals energy played dominant roles in stabilizing the conformation. Therefore, YPVEPF displayed sleep-enhancing and anxiolytic effects by regulating the GABA-Glu metabolic pathway and serotoninergic system depending on distinctive self-folding structures with Tyr and two Pro repeats.


Anti-Anxiety Agents , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives , Rats , Mice , Animals , Caseins/metabolism , Receptors, GABA-A/metabolism , Serotonin , Anti-Anxiety Agents/pharmacology , Anxiety
2.
Sci Total Environ ; 919: 170473, 2024 Apr 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38286292

Users of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are at risk, due to limited information about the toxicity and unpredictable effects of these compounds. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been used as a tool to provide insight into NPS use at the population level. To understand the preferences and trends of NPS use in Australia, this study involved liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis of wastewater collected from Australian states and territories from February 2022 to February 2023. In total, 59 different NPS were included across two complementary analytical methods and covered up to 57 wastewater catchments over the study. The NPS detected in wastewater were 25-B-NBOMe, buphedrone, 1-benzylpiperazine (BZP), 3-chloromethcathinone, N,N-dimethylpentylone (N,N-DMP), N-ethylheptedrone, N-ethylpentylone, eutylone, 4F-phenibut, 2-fluoro deschloroketamine, hydroxetamine, mephedrone, methoxetamine, methylone, mitragynine, pentylone, phenibut, para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) and valeryl fentanyl. The detection frequency for these NPS ranged from 3 % to 100 % of the sites analysed. A noticeable decreasing trend in eutylone detection frequency and mass loads was observed whilst simultaneously N,N-DMP and pentylone increased over the study period. The emergence of some NPS in wastewater pre-dates other sources of monitoring and provides further evidence that WBE can be used as an additional early warning system for alerting potential NPS use.


Amphetamines , Illicit Drugs , Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives , Australia , Wastewater , Illicit Drugs/analysis , Psychotropic Drugs/analysis
3.
J Forensic Sci ; 69(2): 725-729, 2024 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38146811

An analytical strategy for identification by an LC-MS/MS multitarget screening method and a suitable LC-MS/MS based quantification were developed for the psychotropic drug phenibut. The samples analyzed were collected during traffic control and were associated with driving under the influence of drugs. A positive sample for phenibut was identified in a single case of driving under the influence. The quantification revealed a drug concentration of 1.9 µg/mL. An interaction with blood alcohol (BAC = 0.10%) was discussed as the explanation of the way of driving and deficit manifestations observed (swaying, nystagmus, quivering of the eyelid, and reddened eyes). According to the available information, the quantified phenibut concentration could be explained by an intake of four tablets (self-reported) during the day containing 250 mg of the drug. Chromatography was performed with a Luna 5 µm C18 (2) 100 A, 150 mm × 2 mm analytical column, and a buffer system consisted of 10 mM ammonium acetate and 0.1% acetic acid (v/v) included in mobile phases marked as A (H2 O/methanol = 95/5, v/v) and B (H2 O/methanol = 3/97, v/v). An effective limit of detection (LOD = 0.002 µg/mL) could be achieved for the multitarget screening method. The quantification of phenibut was performed on a second LC-MS/MS system with LOD/LOQ values of 0.22/0.40 µg/mL. Since phenibut quantification data are rare, the presented information can be used with caution for evaluation of positive cases in the future.


Methanol , Tandem Mass Spectrometry , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives , Humans , Chromatography, Liquid/methods , Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods
4.
Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol ; 132(4): 355-358, 2023 Apr.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36668678

Picamilon is an analogue of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is marketed as a nootropic claiming to enhance cognition. There is a lack of in silico, in vitro and in vivo data on the safety of picamilon. Therefore, to ascertain potential physiological effects of picamilon, it was screened against 50 safety-related biological targets (receptors, ion channels, enzymes and transporters) by in silico and in vitro methods. Using two in silico tools, picamilon was not predicted to bind to the targets. Similarly, picamilon exhibited weak or no binding to the targets when measured in vitro at 10 µM. Overall, this data shows that picamilon, although structurally similar to other GABA analogues, has a different biological target binding profile. Picamilon's lack of binding to the 50 targets fills important data gaps among GABA analogues, a group of structurally related substances found in drugs and other consumer products.


Nootropic Agents , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/pharmacology , Receptors, GABA-A/metabolism
5.
Yakugaku Zasshi ; 142(9): 1015-1020, 2022.
Article Ja | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36047213

We previously designed the formulation containing minoxidil (MXD) nanoparticles (MXD-NPs), and found that the MXD-NPs can mainly deliver MXD into hair bulbs via hair follicles pathway, and that the therapeutic efficiency for hair growth is higher in comparison with the formulation containing dissolved MXD. In this study, we investigated whether the skin environmental changes by the treatment of steam towel, ethanol, l-menthol and commercially available (CA) carpronium affect the drug behavior in the MXD-NPs-applied mice. The steam towel, ethanol, l-menthol and CA-carpronium were pre-treated 3 min before MXD-NPs application, and the MXD content in the hair bulge, bulb, skin tissue and blood of mice were measured 4 h after MXD-NPs application. No significant difference of MXD levels in the blood was observed by the pre-treatment of steam towel, ethanol, l-menthol and CA-carpronium. On the other hand, the pre-treatment of steam towel and l-menthol enhanced the MXD levels in hair bulge and/or bulb. Although, the MXD levels in hair bulge and bulb were not changed by the pre-treatment of ethanol, the MXD levels in skin tissue was higher than that of saline-pre-treated group (control). The MXD levels in hair bulge, bulb and skin tissue of mice pre-treated with CA-carpronium were remarkably higher in comparison with control. In conclusion, we showed that the changes in skin environment by the steam towel, ethanol, l-menthol and CA-carpronium affected the absorption of MXD-NPs, and these increased MXD levels in the hair bulb and blood by the combination may enhance the therapeutic efficiency without side effects.


Minoxidil , Nanoparticles , Animals , Ethanol , Menthol , Mice , Minoxidil/pharmacology , Steam , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives
6.
Article Ru | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36168693

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of Picamilon Ginkgo and ginkgo biloba in patients with cognitive impairment in vascular diseases of the brain (chronic cerebral ischemia). MATERIAL AND METHODS: An open multicenter randomized comparative study involved 278 patients over 45 years of age with a diagnosis of chronic cerebral ischemia and cognitive impairment. 139 of them received Picamilon Ginkgo and 139 received monotherapy with ginkgo biloba extract for 90 days. Dynamics were compared on the MoCA, MMSE, Hamilton scale for assessing depression and the quality of life of EQ-5D, and the subjective effectiveness of therapy by patients and doctors was evaluated. RESULTS: Combination therapy resulted in significantly greater regression of cognitive impairment compared to monotherapy. At the end of the study, the differences between the groups were significant both on the MMSE scale (p=0.007) and on the MoCA scale (p=00003). At the same time, significant differences between the groups in the magnitude of cognitive improvement on the MoCA scale were noted already from the 30th day of treatment. Combination therapy also contributed to a more significant improvement in the patient's quality of life: dynamics on the EQ-5D scale significantly (p<0.05) differed in the groups, also starting from the 30th day of therapy. There were no significant differences in the dynamics of the Hamilton scale for assessing depression between the compared groups. Both Picamilon Ginkgo and monotherapy with ginkgo biloba extract were safe and were not accompanied by significant adverse events. CONCLUSION: The combination of standardized ginkgo biloba extract with Picamilon has an advantage over monotherapy with ginkgo biloba extract in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia, as it contributes to a more significant regression of cognitive impairment and improvement of quality of life.


Brain Ischemia , Neuroprotective Agents , Brain Ischemia/complications , Brain Ischemia/drug therapy , Ginkgo biloba , Humans , Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Quality of Life , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives
9.
WMJ ; 121(1): E1-E4, 2022 Apr.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35442585

INTRODUCTION: Phenibut is a psychoactive drug with GABAB agonism. It remains unregulated and easily attainable in the United States, where it has become a novel drug of abuse. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 34-year-old man who used phenibut consistently for 3 years. After 6 months of use, he developed signs of dependence and failed outpatient detoxification. While taking high doses, he experienced parasomnia-like symptoms and periods of dysexecutive function. After abrupt cessation, he developed severe withdrawal symptoms, was hospitalized, and required intubation. His condition improved after 1 week of treatment. After recovery and discharge, he remains stable utilizing an extended taper of acamprosate and baclofen. DISCUSSION: Phenibut is not detected on urine drug screen and withdrawal symptoms are nonspecific. Optimal treatment of withdrawal remains unknown. Baclofen and phenobarbital have been successful for treatment of dependence. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of phenibut abuse and the potential for dependence and withdrawal.


Baclofen , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome , Adult , Baclofen/therapeutic use , Humans , Male , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/drug therapy , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/therapeutic use
10.
J Addict Med ; 16(5): 602-605, 2022.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35120058

BACKGROUND: Phenibut is a non-Food and Drug Administration-approved gamma-aminobutyric acid analog marketed in the United States as an anxiolytic, cognitive enhancer, and alcohol withdrawal treatment through online supplement vendors. In this case report, we describe a woman's self-directed detoxification with phenibut used to manage withdrawal symptoms from fentanyl and benzodiazepines in March 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. CASE: A 38-year-old woman with severe opioid, benzodiazepine, gabapentin, stimulant use disorders developed altered mental status after oral phenibut ingestion intended to help self-manage opioid and benzodiazepine withdrawal. She chose self-directed detoxification as she feared COVID-19 exposure in detoxification facilities. Her altered mental status drove her to jump out a third-story window causing multiple spinal fractures. After a long hospitalization, she self-directed her discharge home due to concerns about COVID-19. Her premature discharge disrupted opioid and benzodiazepine use disorder treatment plans. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the risks of phenibut use for selfdirected detoxification. With COVID-19 related changes in the drug supply, people may be more likely to use online pharmaceuticals, therefore, substance use assessments should inquire about the online acquisition of new psychoactive drugs. Public health messaging regarding the risks of infectious disease transmission in addiction care settings is needed to guide addiction treatment choices among people who use substances.


COVID-19 , Self Medication , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid , Adult , Analgesics, Opioid/adverse effects , Benzodiazepines/adverse effects , COVID-19/epidemiology , Female , Fentanyl/adverse effects , Humans , Pandemics , Self Medication/adverse effects , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/drug therapy , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/epidemiology , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/toxicity
11.
Clin J Pain ; 38(4): 250-256, 2022 02 07.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35132024

OBJECTIVES: Total joint arthroplasties are among the most common elective procedures performed in the United States, and they are associated with postoperative pain. Gabapentin enacarbil is a prodrug with an extended-release formulation that has been proposed for multimodal postoperative analgesia, but the drug's efficacy for major arthroplasties remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 60 adult patients scheduled for primary knee or hip arthroplasty expected to remain hospitalized for at least 3 days. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to placebo or gabapentin enacarbil 600 mg twice daily starting the day before surgery continuing for 3 days thereafter.The primary outcome was analyzed using a joint hypothesis framework of pain (0 to 10 verbal response scores) and cumulative opioid consumption (mg of morphine equivalent) within the first 72 hours. Secondary outcomes were nausea and vomiting, pain persisting 90 days after surgery, duration of hospitalization, and early postoperative health status using quality of recovery score (QoR-15). RESULTS: Twenty-eight patient in gabapentin enacarbil group and 32 in placebo group were analyzed. Since pain scores did not differ significantly (difference of means: -0.2 in pain scores; 95% confidence interval: -1.1, 0.7), nor did opioid consumption, conditions for joint hypothesis testing were not met. Moreover, there were no significant differences between groups for secondary outcomes. DISCUSSION: We did not identify statistically significant or clinically meaningful differences in our primary and secondary outcomes related to perioperative use of gabapentin enacarbil in patients having primary hip or knee arthroplasties.


Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip , Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee , Adult , Analgesics , Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/adverse effects , Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects , Carbamates , Double-Blind Method , Humans , Morphine/therapeutic use , Pain Measurement , Pain, Postoperative/drug therapy , Pain, Postoperative/etiology , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives
12.
Ther Drug Monit ; 44(3): 448-454, 2022 06 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34726199

BACKGROUND: The absorption and bioavailability of oral gabapentin are associated with a high degree of interindividual variability. Gabapentin enacarbil, a prodrug of gabapentin, is well absorbed and provides sustained, dose-proportional exposure to gabapentin. The aim of this analysis was to describe the interindividual variability in the bioavailability of gabapentin after gabapentin enacarbil administration in healthy subjects. METHODS: Gabapentin pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters after an oral dose of gabapentin enacarbil 1200 mg (2 600-mg tablets) were compared across 6 phase I studies in healthy adults (n = 12 per study). The distribution of bioavailability values was assessed in all studies. RESULTS: The mean PK parameters of gabapentin were consistent across the trials: maximum concentration range: 6.4-7.9 µg/mL, time to maximum concentration range: 5.2-8.2 hours, area under the plasma-concentration curve extrapolated from time 0 to infinity or at steady state range: 70.8-109.4 µg·h/mL, and bioavailability range: 64.8%-82.9%. Overall, the mean bioavailability was 74.1% (SD, 14.1; coefficient of variation, 19.1%). Individual bioavailability across all studies ranged from 42% to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Gabapentin PK after gabapentin enacarbil administration was consistent across studies, with low interindividual variability in bioavailability. Gabapentin enacarbil may provide more consistent and predictable exposure to gabapentin than oral gabapentin formulations.


Carbamates , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid , Administration, Oral , Adult , Area Under Curve , Biological Availability , Cross-Over Studies , Gabapentin , Humans , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives
13.
Clin Toxicol (Phila) ; 60(4): 486-488, 2022 Apr.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34550038

INTRODUCTION: Phenibut is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal and other conditions in Russia. The drug, however, has abuse potential and may cause lethargy, delirium, psychosis and coma. In the United States (US), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has never approved the use of phenibut as a prescription medication, but the drug is available over-the-counter in dietary supplements. More than 80 cases of coma and death have been associated with phenibut consumption and withdrawal, and the FDA recently warned that the drug is not permitted in over-the-counter supplements. We designed our study to determine the presence and quantity of phenibut in over-the-counter supplements before and after the FDA warnings. METHODS: Phenibut products were included if they (a) listed phenibut or a synonym as an ingredient on the label, (b) were labeled as a dietary supplement, and (c) were available for sale both before and after the FDA warning. Supplements were analyzed by liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry; quantification was performed by isotope dilution method. RESULTS: Four brands of dietary supplements labeled as containing phenibut met the inclusion criteria. Prior to the FDA warnings, two of the four brands contained phenibut, at dosages of 484 mg and 487 mg per serving. After the FDA warning, all four products contained phenibut, ranging in dosages from 21 mg to 1,164 mg per serving. Phenibut was first detected only after the FDA warnings in two brands, and the quantity of phenibut increased in three of four products after the FDA warnings. Quantities detected per dose were as much as 450% greater than a typical 250 mg pharmaceutical tablet manufactured in Russia. CONCLUSION: Following FDA issuing an advisory that phenibut is not permitted in dietary supplements, the quantity of phenibut increased in 3 of 4 brands of over-the-counter phenibut supplements.


Alcoholism , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome , Dietary Supplements/adverse effects , Dietary Supplements/analysis , Humans , United States , United States Food and Drug Administration , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives
14.
Biomed Khim ; 67(5): 402-410, 2021 Sep.
Article Ru | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34730553

The closed enriched cross maze test was employed as a new experimental model of the attention deficit disorder (ADD) for evaluation of the behavioral and neurochemical effects of the nootropic drug pantogam (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and atomoxetine hydrochloride (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) administered subchronically to CD-1 outbred mice. Two subpopulations of rodents differed spontaneously in attention to enriched compartments (ED-Low and ED-High), were estimated on the basis of time spent by the mice in the empty or enriched compartments. The ED-Low and ED-High mice insignificantly differed in parameters associated with anxiety, exploratory efficacy and motor activity. Subchronic administration of both drugs in selected doses produced corrective effect on animal behavior seen as a selective increase in the ED-ratio values in the ED-Low subpopulation. Differences in the distribution of dopamine D2 and GABAB receptors (Bmax) between placebo-treated ED-Low and ED-High mice were found in the prefrontal cortex using the radioligand binding method. The neuroreceptor effects of atomoxetine were seen in prefrontal cortex of ED-Low mice as decrease in the Bmax values of D2 receptors by 14%. Pantogam in the prefrontal cortex of ED-Low subpopulation showed a decrease in the Bmax values of D2 receptors by 22% and an increase for GABAB receptors by 44%. Therefore, subchronic administration of pantogam had a positive corrective effect on the behavior parameters and the density of the studied receptor subtypes in animals with severe attention deficit.


Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity , Animals , Atomoxetine Hydrochloride/pharmacology , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/drug therapy , Dopamine , Mice , Pantothenic Acid/analogs & derivatives , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives
15.
ACS Chem Biol ; 16(11): 2401-2414, 2021 11 19.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34582681

The pantothenate analogue hopantenate (HoPan) is widely used as a modulator of coenzyme A (CoA) levels in cell biology and disease models─especially for pantothenate kinase associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), a genetic disease rooted in impaired CoA metabolism. This use of HoPan was based on reports that it inhibits pantothenate kinase (PanK), the first enzyme of CoA biosynthesis. Using a combination of in vitro enzyme kinetic studies, crystal structure analysis, and experiments in a typical PKAN cell biology model, we demonstrate that instead of inhibiting PanK, HoPan relies on it for metabolic activation. Once phosphorylated, HoPan inhibits the next enzyme in the CoA pathway─phosphopantothenoylcysteine synthetase (PPCS)─through formation of a nonproductive substrate complex. Moreover, the obtained structure of the human PPCS in complex with the inhibitor and activating nucleotide analogue provides new insights into the catalytic mechanism of PPCS enzymes─including the elusive binding mode for cysteine─and reveals the functional implications of mutations in the human PPCS that have been linked to severe dilated cardiomyopathy. Taken together, this study demonstrates that the molecular mechanism of action of HoPan is more complex than previously thought, suggesting that the results of studies in which it is used as a tool compound must be interpreted with care. Moreover, our findings provide a clear framework for evaluating the various factors that contribute to the potency of CoA-directed inhibitors, one that will prove useful in the future rational development of potential therapies of both human genetic and infectious diseases.


Coenzyme A/metabolism , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Pantothenic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Peptide Synthases/antagonists & inhibitors , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives , Amino Acid Sequence , Amino Acid Substitution , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Crystallization , Drosophila melanogaster , Kinetics , Molecular Conformation , Pantothenic Acid/pharmacology , Peptide Synthases/metabolism , Substrate Specificity , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/pharmacology
16.
Oxid Med Cell Longev ; 2021: 7493190, 2021.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34367467

Long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are known to induce cardiometabolic benefits, but the metabolic pathways of their biosynthesis ensuring sufficient bioavailability require further investigation. Here, we show that a pharmacological decrease in overall fatty acid utilization promotes an increase in the levels of PUFAs and attenuates cardiometabolic disturbances in a Zucker rat metabolic syndrome model. Metabolome analysis showed that inhibition of fatty acid utilization by methyl-GBB increased the concentration of PUFAs but not the total fatty acid levels in plasma. Insulin sensitivity was improved, and the plasma insulin concentration was decreased. Overall, pharmacological modulation of fatty acid handling preserved cardiac glucose and pyruvate oxidation, protected mitochondrial functionality by decreasing long-chain acylcarnitine levels, and decreased myocardial infarct size twofold. Our work shows that partial pharmacological inhibition of fatty acid oxidation is a novel approach to selectively increase the levels of PUFAs and modulate lipid handling to prevent cardiometabolic disturbances.


Docosahexaenoic Acids/metabolism , Eicosapentaenoic Acid/metabolism , Insulin Resistance , Lipid Metabolism/drug effects , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control , Quaternary Ammonium Compounds/pharmacology , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives , Animals , Male , Metabolome , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/etiology , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/pathology , Rats , Rats, Zucker , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/pharmacology
17.
J Clin Pharmacol ; 61 Suppl 2: S114-S128, 2021 08.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34396551

There are many nonopioid central nervous system depressant substances that share a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor-related mechanism of action. These sedatives-hypnotics can be indicated to treat anxiety, seizures, depression, and insomnia but are also used as substances of abuse and used to facilitate sexual assault. Barbiturates, methaqualone, and glutethimide were among the first type A GABA receptor-mediated sedative-hypnotics. Their clinical use was limited for most indications by serious adverse events and strong abuse potential but continue to be used illicitly around the world. The benzodiazepines supplanted barbiturates for most indications because they were less likely to cause severe adverse events in monotherapy. Flunitrazepam is a newer benzodiazepine that is preferentially used recreationally and to facilitate sexual assault. Flunitrazepam has greater potency and higher affinity for the type A GABA receptor than most benzodiazepines. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid is sought illicitly for its hypnotic, euphoric and anabolic effects as well as to facilitate sexual assault. When any of these GABAergic drugs are used in high doses or with other sedative hypnotic agents, respiratory depression, coma, and death have occurred. Chronic use of these GABAergic drugs can lead to significant withdrawal syndromes. Phenibut and selank are poorly studied Russian drugs with GABAergic mechanisms that are inexplicably sold to US consumers as dietary supplements. Poison control center calls regarding phenibut have increased substantially over the past 5 years. Desired euphoriant effects account for the recreational and illicit use of many GABA-modulating agents. However, illicit use can lead to significant toxicities related to abuse, dependence, and subsequent withdrawal syndromes. Significant evaluation of developing agents with GABA properties should be conducted to determine abuse potential before public access ensues.


Hypnotics and Sedatives/pharmacology , Receptors, GABA/drug effects , Substance-Related Disorders/physiopathology , Drug Overdose/physiopathology , Flunitrazepam/pharmacology , Humans , Oligopeptides/pharmacology , Receptors, GABA/metabolism , Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate/drug effects , Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate/metabolism , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/physiopathology , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/pharmacology
18.
Sleep Med ; 85: 138-146, 2021 09.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34329897

OBJECTIVE: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder that is characterized by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations mainly in the legs. Two placebo-controlled studies (Phase II/III and post-marketing) in Japanese patients with RLS failed to demonstrate the efficacy of gabapentin enacarbil (GE) 600 mg in the change from baseline in International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS) score at the end of the treatment period. The high response to placebo is thought to be a possible reason why the post-marketing study failed. The objectives of these post hoc analyses were to determine potential predictive factors associated with improvement in IRLS score with GE treatment and to identify subgroups with higher placebo responses. METHODS: We combined data from the two Japanese studies and analyzed change from baseline in IRLS score in the pooled population and subgroups defined by several patient characteristics. Moreover, we calculated the variable importance of each factor and performed predictive enrichment analysis to identify an enrichable subpopulation with greater improvement by GE treatment. RESULTS: The post hoc analyses suggested that higher baseline IRLS score (≥21) and higher body mass index (≥25 kg/m2) were associated with higher placebo responses. On the other hand, positive family history of RLS, prior use of dopaminergic receptor agonists, and higher baseline ferritin level (≥50 ng/mL) were associated with higher responses to GE. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that patients with typical idiopathic RLS characteristics, including positive family history and no low ferritin level, would be expected to derive the greatest benefits from GE treatment.


Restless Legs Syndrome , Carbamates/therapeutic use , Double-Blind Method , Humans , Japan , Restless Legs Syndrome/drug therapy , Treatment Outcome , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives
19.
Am J Emerg Med ; 50: 811.e1-811.e2, 2021 12.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34030906

A cholinergic crisiss is a state characterized by excess acetylcholine owing to the ingestion of cholinesterase inhibitors or cholinergic agonists. We report the first case of a cholinergic crisis after the ingestion of a carpronium chloride solution, a topical solution used to treat alopecia, seborrhea sicca, and vitiligo. An 81-year-old woman with no prior medical history was transported to our emergency department because the patient had disturbance of consciousness after ingesting three bottles of FUROZIN® solution (90 mL, 4500 mg as carpronium chloride). A family member who found the patient called for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, who contacted the patient ten minutes after ingestion. The patient's Glasgow Coma Scale score was 12 (E4V3M5), and vital signs were as follows: blood pressure, 80/40 mmHg; heart rate, 40 beats/min. The patient vomited repeatedly in the ambulance. On arrival to the ED, the patient's systolic blood pressure and heart rate temporarily decreased to 80 mmHg and 40 beats/min, respectively. Seventy-eight minutes after ingestion, gastric lavage was performed. The patient's symptoms, which included excess salivation, sweating, and hot flush, improved 24 h after ingestion, and the patient's vital signs stabilized without atropine or vasopressors. On the second day of admission, the patient was examined by a psychiatrist and discharged without suicidal ideation. Carpronium chloride has a chemical structure similar to that of acetylcholine; therefore, it exhibits both cholinergic and local vasodilatory activities. There is limited information on the pharmacokinetics of ingested carpronium chloride; therefore, physicians should be made aware that ingesting a carpronium chloride solution may cause a cholinergic crisis.


Cholinesterase Inhibitors/poisoning , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/analogs & derivatives , Aged, 80 and over , Consciousness Disorders/chemically induced , Eating , Female , Flushing/chemically induced , Humans , Salivation/drug effects , Suicide, Attempted , Sweating/drug effects , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/poisoning
...