ABSTRACT
Epidemiological evidence suggests that the legalization of cannabis may reduce opioid-related harms. Preclinical evidence of neuropharmacological interactions of endogenous cannabinoid and opioid systems prompts further investigation of cannabinoids as potential therapeutics for the non-medical use of opioids. In these studies female rats, previously trained to self-administer oxycodone (0.15 mg/kg/infusion) intravenously in 6 h sessions, were allowed to self-administer oxycodone after exposure to cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by vapor inhalation and THC by injection (5.0-20 mg/kg, i.p.). Self-administration was characterized under Progressive Ratio (PR) and Fixed Ratio (FR) 1 schedules of reinforcement in 3 h sessions. THC decreased IVSA of oxycodone in a FR procedure but increased reward seeking in a PR procedure. CBD decreased the IVSA of oxycodone in the FR but not the PR procedure. The results are consistent with an anti-reward effect of CBD but suggest THC acts to increase the reinforcing efficacy of oxycodone in this procedure.
ABSTRACT
Cyanoacrylate glues are easily applied to wounds with good cosmetic results. However, they tend to be brittle and can induce local tissue toxicity. A series of cyanoacrylate monomers with a flexible ether linkage and varying side-chain lengths was synthesized and characterized for potential use as tissue adhesives. The effect of side-chain length on synthesis yield, physical and mechanical properties, formaldehyde generation, cytotoxicity in vitro and biocompatibility in vivo were examined. The incorporation of etheric oxygen allowed the production of flexible monomers with good adhesive strength. Monomers with longer side-chains were found to have less toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. Polymerized hexoxyethyl cyanoacrylate was more elastic than its commercially available and widely used alkyl analog 2-octyl cyanoacrylate, without compromising biocompatibility.