scholarly journals THC modifies the impact of heroin delivered by vapor inhalation in rats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnold Gutierrez ◽  
Jacques D. Nguyen ◽  
Kevin M. Creehan ◽  
Mehrak Javadi-Paydar ◽  
Yanabel Grant ◽  
...  

AbstractOpioids are effective medications, but they have several key limitations including the development of tolerance, establishment of dependence, diversion for non-medical use and the development of addiction. Therefore, any drugs which act in an additive or synergistic fashion with opioids to address medical applications have the potential to reduce opioid-related harms. This study was conducted to determine if heroin and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) interact in an additive or independent manner to alter nociception, body temperature and spontaneous locomotor activity when inhaled or injected.Groups of male and female rats implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters were exposed to vapor for assessment of effects on temperature and activity. Heroin (50 mg/mL in the propylene glycol; PG) inhalation increased temperature and activity whereas THC (50 mg/mL) inhalation decreased temperature and activity. Effects of combined inhalation were in opposition, and additional experiments found the same outcome for the injection of heroin (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) and THC (10 mg/kg, i.p.) alone and in combination. In contrast, the co-administration of Heroin and THC by either inhalation or injection produced additive effects on thermal nociception assessed with a warm water tail-withdrawal assay in male and female Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats.The conclusion of this study is that additive effects of THC with heroin on a medical endpoint such as analgesia may not generalize to other behavioral or physiological effects, which may be a positive outcome for unwanted side effects.

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A11-A11
Author(s):  
Joel Raymond ◽  
Nicholas Everett ◽  
Anand Gururajan ◽  
Michael Bowen

Abstract Introduction Oxytocin is a versatile hypothalamic neuropeptide involved in diverse neurobehavioural processes. Since oxytocin can elicit anxiolytic and serenic effects, one could hypothesise that oxytocin should prime the brain for sleep and promote hypnogenesis. However, based on the social salience hypothesis—that oxytocin promotes prosocial behaviour and directs attention toward social stimuli—one could also posit that oxytocin should promote wakefulness. At present, little research has comprehensively characterised the effect of oxytocin on sleep-wake behaviour and no explanation to reconcile these two seemingly competing hypotheses has been proposed. Methods This study investigated the effects of oxytocin on sleep-wake outcomes using radiotelemetry-based polysomnography in adult male and female Wistar rats. Oxytocin was administered via the intraperitoneal (IP; 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg) and intranasal (IN; 0.06, 1, 3 mg/kg) routes. Caffeine (IP and IN; 10 mg/kg) was also administered as a wake-promoting positive control. Additionally, pre-treatment with the oxytocin receptor (OTR) antagonist L-368,899 (IP; 5 mg/kg) and vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR) antagonist SR49059 (IP; 1 mg/kg) followed by oxytocin (IP; 1 mg/kg) was conducted to determine which receptor(s) mediated sleep-wake effects of oxytocin. Results In both male and female rats, IP oxytocin produced dose-dependent effects on sleep-wake behaviour. Specifically, oxytocin initially promoted quiescent wakefulness (a restful but conscious state) at the cost of reducing both active wakefulness and sleep. Throughout the 1.5-hour period post-administration, oxytocin delayed REM sleep onset and reduced the proportion of both NREM and REM sleep. Conversely, IN oxytocin did not significantly alter any sleep-wake parameters at any dose tested. Caffeine demonstrated wake-promoting effects under both the IP and IN routes of administration. The involvement of OTR and V1aR binding in oxytocin-induced effects on sleep-wake outcomes will be discussed. Conclusion These findings appear to reconcile the two competing hypotheses: in rats, IP oxytocin appears to promote a state of quiescent wakefulness—one of calm and rest, but also of conscious responsivity to environmental stimuli. IN oxytocin demonstrated little to no effect on sleep-wake behaviour, which is a crucial finding given the escalating use of IN oxytocin as a therapeutic for conditions with comorbid disordered sleep. Support (if any) None.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 412-418
Author(s):  
Mohd Urooj ◽  
◽  
Mohammad Ahmed Khan ◽  
G. Thejaswini ◽  
Munawwar Husain Kazmi ◽  
...  

Jawarish Shahi (JS) is a compound polyherbal Unani pharmacopoeial formulation indicated for Khafqan (Palpitation), Nafkh-e-Shikam (Flatulence) and Waswas (Insanity; false perception and hallucinations). Jawarish Shahi contains herbs like Halela (Terminalia chebula), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Kishneez (Coriandrum sativum), Elaichi Khurd, (Elettaria cardamomum), and Bed Mushk (Salix caprea). The present study was carried out as per OECD 408 guidance to evaluate 90 days repeated oral dose toxicity in male and female Sprague Dawley rats. The study was performed at dose levels 1028 and 2000 mg/kg bw. No adverse effects were reported with respect to body weight, feed intake, behavior and clinical signs indicative of systemic toxicity. The expected growth pattern was observed in body weight and feed intake as compared to control group at both dose levels in male and female rats. There were few significant alterations with respect to hematology, and clinical biochemistry, however the results were within normal range thus considered toxicologically insignificant. The microscopic examination of different organ/tissue showed that no histopathological changes were observed. The findings of the study showed that No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for JS is greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Hyun Park ◽  
Kannampalli Pradeep

The main objective of this investigation was to determine the absorption, distribution, excretion, and pharmacokinetics of the antimalarial drug pyronaridine tetraphosphate (PNDP) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Following oral administration of a single dose (10 mg/Kg) ofC-PNDP, it was observed that the drug was readily absorbed from the small intestine within 1 hour following oral administration and was widely distributed in most of the tissues investigated as determined from the observed radioactivity in the tissues. The peak value of the drug in the blood was reached at around 8 hours postadministration, and radioactivity was detected in most of the tissues from 4 hours onwards.C-PNDP showed a poor permeability across the blood-brain barrier, and the absorption, distribution, and excretion ofC-PNDP were found to be gender-independent as both male and female rats showed a similar pattern of radioactivity. Excretion of the drug was predominantly through the urine with a peak excretion post 24 hours of administration. A small amount of the drug was also excreted in the feces and also in the breath. It was found that theCmax, AUC (0-inf), andTmaxvalues were similar to those observed in the Phase II clinical trials of pyronaridine/artesunate (Pyramax) conducted in Uganda.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259446
Author(s):  
Jocelyn Rivera-Ortiz ◽  
Jessalyn Pla-Tenorio ◽  
Myrella L. Cruz ◽  
Krystal Colon ◽  
Jaileene Perez-Morales ◽  
...  

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) targets viral replication, but early viral protein production by astrocytes may still occur and contribute to the progression of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders and secondary complications seen in patients receiving cART. In prior work with our model, astrocytic HIV-1 Nef expression exhibits neurotoxic effects leading to neurological damage, learning impairment, and immune upregulation that induces inflammation in the lungs and small intestine (SI). In this follow-up study, we focus on the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) as the important branch for peripheral inflammation resulting from astrocytic Nef expression. Male and female Sprague Dawley rats were infused with transfected astrocytes to produce Nef. The rats were divided in four groups: Nef, Nef + propranolol, propranolol and naïve. The beta-adrenergic blocker, propranolol, was administered for 3 consecutive days, starting one day prior to surgery. Two days after the surgery, the rats were sacrificed, and then blood, brain, small intestine (SI), and lung tissues were collected. Levels of IL-1β were higher in both male and female rats, and treatment with propranolol restored IL-1β to basal levels. We observed that Nef expression decreased staining of the tight junction protein claudin-5 in brain tissue while animals co-treated with propranolol restored claudin-5 expression. Lungs and SI of rats in the Nef group showed histological signs of damage including larger Peyer’s Patches, increased tissue thickness, and infiltration of immune cells; these findings were abrogated by propranolol co-treatment. Results suggest that interruption of the beta adrenergic signaling reduces the peripheral organ inflammation caused after Nef expression in astrocytes of the brain.


Author(s):  
Sylvia E West ◽  
Jonathan C Lee ◽  
Tinika N Johns ◽  
Elizabeth A Nunamaker

Due to their unpredictability and variable effects, injectable anesthetic regimens in laboratory rodent species warrant refinement. In our study we sought to evaluate alfaxalone, which has gained recent popularity in veterinary medicine, alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine to evaluate their anesthetic ability in Sprague–Dawley rats when administered intraperitoneally. Three doses of alfaxalone only and 4 dose combinations of alfaxalone-dexmedetomidine were tested in males and female rats. The time to induction, anesthetic duration, pulse rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and time to recovery were recorded by a blind observer. The level of anesthesia induced by the various anesthetic protocols was assessed by using pedal withdrawal reflex to a noxious stimulus and scored according to the response. Dependent on the treatment group, atipamezole or saline was administered intraperitoneally once animals reached 60 min of anesthesia. Regardless of the dose, alfaxalone alone achieved only a sedative level of anesthesia, whereas all alfaxalone-dexmedetomidine combinations led to a surgical level of anesthesia in all animals. Anesthesia regimens using alfaxalone alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine demonstrated sex-associated differences, with female rats maintaining longer durations of sedation or anesthesia than their male counterparts. Both male and female rats displayed decreases in physiologic parameters consistent with the effects of dexmedetomidine. Given the results described herein, we recommend 20 mg/kg alfaxalone for sedation and 30 mg/kg alfaxalone combined with 0.05 mg/kg dexmedetomidine for surgical anesthesia in female rats. Appropriate doses of alfaxalone only and alfaxalone-dexmedetomidine for male rats were not determined in this study and need further evaluation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. A. Chaley ◽  
O. I. Konyaeva ◽  
N. P. Ermakova ◽  
A. A. Nikolina ◽  
V. M. Bukhman ◽  
...  

The paper presents the results of the study of «acute» toxicity and some results of the study of «subchronic» toxicity of Ormustin, a new anticancer drug belonging to nitrosourea class, in small laboratory animals. In the experiments the laboratory animals - hybrid mice (C57Bl/6J×DBA/2)F1 male and female and outbred male and female rats have been used. On the results of study has been obtained the calculated toxic doses of Ormustin at intravenous administration of the drug in mice and rats; has been given the preliminary assessment of the impact of Ormustin on organs and systems of rats at multiple intravenous administration.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Zahra Pezeshki ◽  
Mehdi Nematbakhsh

Background. The prevalence and severity of hypertension, as well as the activity of the systemic and local renin angiotensin systems (RASs), are gender related, with more symptoms in males than in females. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigated sex differences in renal vascular responses to angiotensin II (Ang II) administration with and without Ang II type 1 and Mas receptor (AT1R and MasR) antagonists (losartan and A779) in the 2K1C rat model of renovascular hypertension. Methods. Male and female 2K1C rats were divided into 8 experimental groups (4 of each sex) treated with vehicle, losartan, A779, or A779+losartan. Responses of mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal blood flow (RBF), and renal vascular resistance (RVR) to Ang II were determined. Results. In both sexes, the basal MAP, RBF, and RVR were not significantly different between the four groups during the control period. The Ang II administration decreased RBF and increased RVR in a dose-related manner in both sexes pretreated with vehicle or A779 ( P dose < 0.0001 ), but in vehicle pretreated groups, RBF and RVR responses were different between male and female rats ( P group < 0.05 ). AT1R blockade increased RBF and decreased RVR responses to Ang II, and no difference between the sexes was detected. Coblockades of AT1R and MasR receptors increased RBF response to Ang II significantly in males alone but not in females ( P group = 0.04 ). Conclusion. The impact of Ang II on RBF and RVR responses seems to be gender related with a greater effect on males, and this sex difference abolishes by Mas receptor blockade. However, the paradoxical role of dual losartan and A779 may provide the different receptor interaction in RAS between male and female rats.


Author(s):  
Nyasha C. Mukonowenzou ◽  
Rachael Dangarembizi ◽  
Eliton Chivandi ◽  
Pilani Nkomozepi ◽  
Kennedy H. Erlwanger

Abstract Overconsumption of fructose time dependently induces the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigated whether ursolic acid (UA) intake by new-born rats would protect against fructose-induced NAFLD. One hundred and seven male and female Sprague Dawley rat pups were randomly grouped and gavaged (10 ml/kg body weight) with either 0.5% dimethylsulphoxide (vehicle control), 0.05% UA, 50% fructose mixed with UA (0.05%) or 50% fructose alone, from postnatal day 6 (P6) to P20. Post-weaning (P21–P69), the rats received normal rat chow (NRC) and water to drink. On P70, the rats in each group were continued on water or 20% fructose to drink, as a secondary high fructose diet during adulthood. After 8 weeks, body mass, food and fluid intake, circulating metabolites, visceral adiposity, surrogate markers of liver function and indices of NAFLD were determined. Food intake was reduced as a result of fructose feeding in both male and female rats (p < 0.0001). Fructose consumption in adulthood significantly increased fluid intake and visceral adiposity in female rats (p < 0.05) and had no apparent effects in male rats (p > 0.05). In both sexes of rats, fructose had no significant (p > 0.05) effects on body mass, circulating metabolites, total calorie intake and surrogate markers of hepatic function. Fructose consumption in both early life and adulthood in female rats promoted hepatic lipid accumulation (p < 0.001), hypertrophy, microvesicular and macrovesicular steatosis (p < 0.05). Early-life UA intake significantly (p < 0.001) reduced fructose-induced hepatic lipid accumulation in both male and female rats. Administration of UA during periods of developmental plasticity shows prophylactic potential against dietary fructose-induced NAFLD.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Soniya Xavier ◽  
Jasmine Gili ◽  
Peter McGowan ◽  
Simin Younesi ◽  
Paul F. A. Wright ◽  
...  

Maternal diet is critical for offspring development and long-term health. Here we investigated the effects of a poor maternal diet pre-conception and during pregnancy on metabolic outcomes and the developing hypothalamus in male and female offspring at birth. We hypothesised that offspring born to dams fed a diet high in fat and sugar (HFSD) peri-pregnancy will have disrupted metabolic outcomes. We also determined if these HFSD-related effects could be reversed by a shift to a healthier diet post-conception, in particular to a diet high in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 PUFAs), since ω3 PUFAs are considered essential for normal neurodevelopment. Unexpectedly, our data show that there are minimal negative effects of maternal HFSD on newborn pups. On the other hand, consumption of an ω3-replete diet during pregnancy altered several developmental parameters. As such, pups born to high-ω3-fed dams weighed less for their length, had reduced circulating leptin, and also displayed sex-specific disruption in the expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides. Collectively, our study shows that maternal intake of a diet rich in ω3 PUFAs during pregnancy may be detrimental for some metabolic developmental outcomes in the offspring. These data indicate the importance of a balanced dietary intake in pregnancy and highlight the need for further research into the impact of maternal ω3 intake on offspring development and long-term health.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document