scholarly journals Emergence of novel psychoactive substances among clients of a needle exchange programme in Budapest

2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (35) ◽  
pp. 1383-1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
József Rácz ◽  
Róbert Csák
Keyword(s):  
Warning System ◽  
Needle Exchange ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Blue Point ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Exchange Programme

In this paper the authors summarize experience of a drug service provider with the injecting use of novel psychoactive substances. Among clients of the needle exchange programme of Blue Point Drug Counselling and Outpatient Centre, the authors observed the spread of the novel substances since 2009. The extensive spread of the novel substances caused substantial change in injecting use patterns, thus in the usage of the needle exchange programme. The novel psychoactive substances appeared consecutively, so that this setting gave a unique opportunity to observe and track the emergence of these substances. The authors summarize the characteristics which are important for medical practice (risks, frequent use, severe psychopathological conditions) as well as special risks associated with these substances (substances with unknown composition and effect). They highlight the importance and role of the early warning system, monitoring the online sources of information and testing of samples containing novel psychoactive substances. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(35), 1383–1394.

scholarly journals Evolutionary Considerations on the Emerging Subculture of the E-psychonauts and the Novel Psychoactive Substances: A Comeback to the Shamanism?

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Orsolini ◽  
Paul St John-Smith ◽  
Daniel McQueen ◽  
Duccio Papanti ◽  
John Corkery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Psychoactive Substances

Prospettiva e Valore della matrice Cheratinica nella valutazione dell'utilizzo di Nuove Sostanze Psicoattive nella popolazione che afferisce ai SERD

MISSION ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
Concettina Varango ◽  
Francesca Musarella ◽  
Mara Cella ◽  
Antonella Varango
Keyword(s):  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances

Questo articolo nasce dall'esigenza di informare un più ampio pubblico sul pericolo rappresentato da queste sostanze, far conoscere le NPS (Novel Psychoactive substances) agli operatori del settore (personale di laboratorio, personale delle unità di emergenza/ urgenza, operatori sanitari, ricercatori, ecc.) al fine di agevolare l'analisi di campioni sconosciuti e divulgare i dati scientifici che cominciano ad emergere da studi clinici e preclinici sui loro effetti tossici e farmacologici. Dal 2009 sono comparsi nel gruppo delle N.P.S., i nuovi oppioidi sintetici, molecole estremamente potenti che comportano una seria minaccia per la salute pubblica. Si tratta di prodotti dalla notevole potenza (il fentanyl, per esempio, capostipite di questa famiglia, ha un'azione circa 100 volte maggiore rispetto a quella della morfina) che vengono utilizzati sia per sé sia come adulteranti di partite di sostanze classiche, soprattutto eroina, causando scie di decessi per overdose. 

scholarly journals Human Neuronal Cell Lines as An In Vitro Toxicological Tool for the Evaluation of Novel Psychoactive Substances

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6785
Author(s):  
Valeria Sogos ◽  
Paola Caria ◽  
Clara Porcedda ◽  
Rafaela Mostallino ◽  
Franca Piras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Mechanisms Of Toxicity ◽  
Neuronal Cell Lines

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthetic substances belonging to diverse groups, designed to mimic the effects of scheduled drugs, resulting in altered toxicity and potency. Up to now, information available on the pharmacology and toxicology of these new substances is very limited, posing a considerable challenge for prevention and treatment. The present in vitro study investigated the possible mechanisms of toxicity of two emerging NPS (i) 4′-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinoexanophenone (3,4-MDPHP), a synthetic cathinone, and (ii) 2-chloro-4,5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (2-Cl-4,5-MDMA), a phenethylamine. In addition, to apply our model to the class of synthetic opioids, we evaluated the toxicity of fentanyl, as a reference compound for this group of frequently abused substances. To this aim, the in vitro toxic effects of these three compounds were evaluated in dopaminergic-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Following 24 h of exposure, all compounds induced a loss of viability, and oxidative stress in a concentration-dependent manner. 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA activates apoptotic processes, while 3,4-MDPHP elicits cell death by necrosis. Fentanyl triggers cell death through both mechanisms. Increased expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase 3 activity were observed following 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA and fentanyl, but not 3,4-MDPHP exposure, confirming the different modes of cell death.

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