Recent progress in the neurotoxicology of natural drugs associated with dependence or addiction, their endogenous agonists and receptors.
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Nicotine in tobacco, tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) in marijuana and morphine in opium are well known as drugs associated with dependence or addiction. Endogenous active substances that mimic the effects of the natural drugs and their respective receptors have been found in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Such active substances and receptors include acetylcholine (ACh) and the nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) for nicotine, anandamide and CB1 for delta 9-THC, and endomorphins (1 and 2) and the mu (OP3) opioid receptor for morphine, respectively. Considerable progress has been made in studies on neurotoxicity, in terms of the habituation, dependence and withdrawal phenomena associated with these drugs and with respect to correlations with endogenous active substances and their receptors. In this article we shall review recent findings related to the neurotoxicity of tobacco, marijuana and opium, and their toxic ingredients, nicotine, delta 9-THC and morphine in relation to their respective endogenous agents and receptors in the CNS. (+info)
Use of illicit drugs among high-school students in Jamaica.
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Reported are the results of a survey to assess the prevalence of illicit drug use among high-school students in Jamaica. A total of 2417 high-school students in 26 schools were covered: 1063 boys and 1354 girls of whom 1317 were grade-10 students (mean age 15.7 years) and 1100 were grade-11 students (mean age 16.8 years). Of the students, 1072 and 1345 were from rural and urban schools, respectively, while 1126 and 1291 were children of parents who were professionals and nonprofessionals, respectively. The following drugs were used by the students: marijuana (10.2%), cocaine (2.2%), heroin (1.5%) and opium (1.2%). Illicit drug use among males, urban students and children of professionals was higher than that among females, rural students and children of nonprofessionals, respectively. (+info)
Isolation and structure of an untriakontapeptide with opiate activity from camel pituitary glands.
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The isolation of an untriakontapeptide from camel pituitary extracts has been described. Its structure has been determined and shown to be identical to the sequence of carboxyl-terminal 31 amino acids of ovine beta-lipotropin. The peptide possesses very low lipotropic activity but significant opiate activity. (+info)
A four year survey of neonatal narcotic withdrawal: evaluation and treatment.
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BACKGROUND: Narcotic abuse has steadily become more prevalent in Israel and may result in an increasing number of children exposed prenatally to narcotics, with a consequent increase in the number of infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with infants born to narcotic-addicted women between the years 1995 and 1998 at the Soroka University Medical Center. METHODS: The medical records of 24 newborns and their drug-addicted mothers admitted to our Medical Center for parturition were analyzed retrospectively. A diagnosis of NAS was established on the basis of the clinical presentation and anamnesis. The Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System was used to assess drug withdrawal. Urine toxicological analysis for narcotics was done only for the year 1998. RESULTS: Of the 24 newborn infants exposed prenatally to narcotics 23 (96%) developed NAS, and 78% (18 of the 23) had a Finnegan score of 8 or more. These 18 infants were treated pharmacologically (tincture of opium and/or phenobarbital) until the score was reduced to less than 8, after which they received supportive treatment. In one child who became lethargic after the first dose of tincture of opium, the medication was stopped and supportive treatment alone was given. Four of the five neonates with scores of 7 and less were given supportive treatment. One of five infants who had a low Finnegan score at birth nevertheless received pharmacological therapy to prevent further deterioration of his physical state since he was born with severe dyspnea. Ten of the 24 children (42%) were followed for lengths of time ranging from 6 to 22 months after discharge, all of whom showed normal development. CONCLUSIONS: About three-quarters of newborns exhibiting withdrawal syndrome required pharmacological therapy. Previous information on maternal drug abuse is a crucial criterion for early detection and treatment. (+info)
Molecular characterization of the salutaridinol 7-O-acetyltransferase involved in morphine biosynthesis in opium poppy Papaver somniferum.
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Salutaridinol 7-O-acetyltransferase (EC ) catalyzes the conversion of the phenanthrene alkaloid salutaridinol to salutaridinol-7-O-acetate, the immediate precursor of thebaine along the morphine biosynthetic pathway. We have isolated a cDNA clone that corresponds to the internal amino acid sequences of the native enzyme purified from a cell suspension culture of opium poppy Papaver somniferum. The recombinant enzyme acetylated the 7-hydroxyl moiety of salutaridinol in the presence of acetyl-CoA. The apparent K(m) value for salutaridinol was determined to be 9 microm and 54 microm for acetyl-CoA. The gene transcript was detected in extracts from Papaver orientale and Papaver bracteatum in addition to P. somniferum. Genomic DNA gel blot analysis indicated that there is likely a single copy of this gene in the P. somniferum genome. The amino acid sequence of salutaridinol 7-O-acetyltransferase is most similar (37% identity) to that of deacetylvindoline acetyltransferase of Catharanthus roseus. Salutaridinol 7-O-acetyltransferase is the second enzyme specific to morphine biosynthesis for which we have isolated a cDNA. Taken together with the other cDNAs cloned encoding norcoclaurine 6-O-methyltransferase, (S)-N-methylcoclaurine 3'-hydroxylase, the cytochrome P-450 reductase, and codeinone reductase, significant progress has been made toward accumulating genes of this pathway to enable the end goal of a biotechnological production of morphinan alkaloids. (+info)
Co-existence of HIV-1 subtypes B' and E infections among Thai injecting drug users.
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Subtypes B' and E are the two major subtypes of HIV-1 among injecting drug users (IDU) in Thailand. However, there are not many reports on subtype distribution during the early epidemic. Random blood specimens collected during 1994-2000 from 3,286 IDU at the Thanyarak Hospital were tested for HIV antibody and subtyped by using peptide binding enzyme immunoassay. The prevalence rate of HIV infection was 36.8%. All HIV-seropositive IDU were ascertained for "year of first HIV seropositivity" from their medical records. Of 1,512 HIV-seropositive samples, 1,408 (93.1%) were typeable. During 1987-1988, the proportion of subtype B' was as high as 80% but decreased rapidly to 27.6% during 1999-2000. At the same time, the proportions of subtype E increased correspondingly (Chi-square test for the trend, p < 0.05). The relatively high proportion of subtype E among IDU since an early stage of the epidemic suggests early co-existence of both subtypes and needs further investigation. (+info)
Dietary factors and esophageal cancer in the Caspian Littoral of Iran.
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A study was undertaken to attempt to relate the distribution of exogenous factors to the varying incidences of esophageal cancer in the Caspian Littoral of Iran. For the study, 38 villages were chosen by random sampling in 14 regions defined by their esophageal cancer incidence and environmental characteristics. Information was obtained on the dietary, social, and cultural features of each village. In addition, an extensive 5-day study of 6 randomly selected households in each of the 38 villages was conducted. The study consisted of measured dietary intake, a historical food consumption questionnaire, and clinical examinations of adult occupants. Preliminary results show no single factor responsible for the etiology of esophageal cancer. However, there were some major dietary differences between the regions of different esophageal cancer risk. Bread was the chief staple food in high-incidence areas; rice, in low-incidence areas. In high-incidence areas, there was a low intake of vitamins A and C, riboflavin, animal protein, and fresh vegetables and fruit, but a greater consumption of sheeps and goat's milk. Analyses of food samples for aflatoxins, polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons, and nitrosamines showed low levels of these carcinogens in areas of high and low incidences. The use of tobacco and alcohol was not found to be of significance. (+info)
Safety of early pain relief for acute abdominal pain.
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OBJECTIVES: (a) to determine the efficacy of papaveretum in treating pain when administered early to patients presenting with acute abdominal pain and (b) to assess its effect on subsequent diagnosis and management. DESIGN: Prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study. SETTING: Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry. SUBJECTS: 100 consecutive patients with clinically significant abdominal pain who were admitted as emergencies to a surgical firm. INTERVENTIONS: Intramuscular injection of up to 20 mg papaveretum or an equivalent volume of saline. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain and tenderness scores, assessment of patient comfort, accuracy of diagnosis, and management decisions. RESULTS: Median pain and tenderness scores were lower after papaveretum (pain score 8.3 in control group and 3.1 in treatment group, p < 0.0001; tenderness score 8.1 in control group and 5.1 in treatment group, p < 0.0001). Forty eight patients were deemed to be comfortable after papaveretum compared with nine after saline. Incorrect diagnoses and management decisions applied to two patients after papaveretum compared with nine patients after saline. CONCLUSION: Early administration of opiate analgesia to patients with acute abdominal pain can greatly reduce their pain. This does not interfere with diagnosis, which may even be facilitated despite a reduction in the severity of physical signs. These patients should not be denied effective treatment. (+info)