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Journal of the American Heart... Aug 2022Background Methamphetamine misuse affects 27 million people worldwide and is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, risk factors for CVD among users...
Background Methamphetamine misuse affects 27 million people worldwide and is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, risk factors for CVD among users have not been well studied. Methods and Results We studied hospitalized patients in California, captured by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database, between 2005 and 2011. We studied the association between methamphetamine use and CVD (pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction). Among 20 249 026 persons in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, 66 199 used methamphetamines (median follow-up 4.58 years). Those who used were more likely younger (33 years versus 45 years), male (63.3% versus 44.4%), smoked, misused alcohol, and had depression and anxiety compared with nonusers. Methamphetamine use was associated with the development of heart failure (hazard ratio [HR], 1.53 [95% CI, 1.45-1.62]) and pulmonary hypertension (HR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.26-1.60]). Among users, male sex (HR, 1.73 [95% CI, 1.37-2.18]) was associated with myocardial infarction. Chronic kidney disease (HR, 2.38 [95% CI, 1.74-3.25]) and hypertension (HR, 2.26 [95% CI, 2.03-2.51]) were strong risk factors for CVD among users. When compared with nonuse, methamphetamine use was associated with a 32% significant increase in CVD, alcohol abuse with a 28% increase, and cocaine use with a 47% increase in CVD. Conclusions Methamphetamine use has a similar magnitude of risk of CVD compared with alcohol and cocaine. Prevention and treatment could be focused on those with chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and mental health disorders.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Cocaine; Heart Failure; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Male; Methamphetamine; Myocardial Infarction; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35912709
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.121.023663 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical and... Aug 2022The use of small amounts of sample presents advantages in chromatographic analyses that have made this a current trend following the development of increasingly...
The use of small amounts of sample presents advantages in chromatographic analyses that have made this a current trend following the development of increasingly sensitive analytical techniques. Biological sample preparation methods, especially for rigid or semi-rigid matrices, are also under constant development, focusing on a more efficient extraction and in obtaining cleaner residues for analysis. In this context, the aim of this study was to present a validated a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for the quantification of famprofazone and its metabolites, methamphetamine and amphetamine in liver, using enzymatic cell dispersion promoted by collagenase, followed by protein precipitation and solid phase extraction (SPE) for sample extraction, concentration and clean-up. Potentially relevant variables for enzymatic cell dispersion concerning efficiency, such as enzyme concentration, temperature, buffering, agitation, and mechanical effect of stainless-steel spheres were assessed. Recovery evaluations were performed during the optimization of each step to ensure minimal loss of analytes. Linearity, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ), stability, carryover, matrix effect, precision and bias were evaluated using fortified blank samples. An authentic sample was obtained from a controlled daily oral administration of 200 mg famprofazone to pigs for five days. The procedure was optimized for 500 mg of liver tissue, obtaining 99.9 ± 9.3% of digested collagen and 90.2 ± 1.7% of dispersed cells, without the tissue losses that usually ensue during crushing or grinding processes. Precision (CV%) was ≤ 10% and bias was ≤ 13% for all analytes. The LOQ was 5 ng/g for all analytes. The mean famprofazone concentration was 9.3 ± 0.53 ng/g, and mean metabolite concentrations were 16.7 ± 1.67 and 24.3 ± 1.36 ng/g for amphetamine and methamphetamine, respectively.
Topics: Amphetamine; Animals; Chromatography, Liquid; Liver; Methamphetamine; Pyrazolones; Solid Phase Extraction; Swine; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 35598557
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114821 -
Drug Testing and Analysis Mar 2022The National Measurement Institute's Methylamphetamine Profiling Program has evolved over the last 15 years to address analytical challenges faced with changes in... (Review)
Review
The National Measurement Institute's Methylamphetamine Profiling Program has evolved over the last 15 years to address analytical challenges faced with changes in illicit methylamphetamine production. The program involves organic and inorganic analysis of methylamphetamine to determine the precursors and synthetic route used in manufacture. This paper discusses changes in the methylamphetamine chemical profile for samples received at this laboratory during January 2011 to December 2020. In particular, changes observed in the methylamphetamine purity, potency, synthetic route, precursor and precursor synthetic origin are discussed. Over 13,180 samples were analysed during this period consisting of samples seized on the streets and the Australian border. This paper shows correlations between methylamphetamine seizures at the Australian border with international clandestine laboratory and precursor seizures trends. As the illicit drug landscape changes so too must our approach to chemical profiling if we are to confidently determine the synthetic origin of methylamphetamine.
Topics: Australia; Commerce; Illicit Drugs; Methamphetamine
PubMed: 34156767
DOI: 10.1002/dta.3117 -
European Review For Medical and... Oct 2015Synthetic cathinones are an emerging class of designer drugs abused of due to their psychostimulant and hallucinogenic effects, similar to those of cocaine,... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Synthetic cathinones are an emerging class of designer drugs abused of due to their psychostimulant and hallucinogenic effects, similar to those of cocaine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), amphetamines and methamphetamines. Mephedrone is a cathinone analogue (4-methyl aromatic analogue of methcathinone) that was reported to be implicated in several fatalities in the media across Europe, but only a few have actually resulted in mephedrone cited as the cause of death. In this paper, we aim to systematically review analytically confirmed cases of mephedrone-related fatalities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Relevant scientific articles were identified from Medline, Cochrane Central, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, EMBASE and Google Scholar, through May 2015 using the following keywords: "Mephedrone", "fatal intoxication," "fatalities", "acute intoxication" and "death".
RESULTS
In total, 10 citations met the criteria for inclusion, representing 18 fatal cases with analytically confirmed mephedrone in biological sample/s of the deceased. The death was attributed to mephedrone intoxication in 9 cases (range of post-mortem blood mephedrone concentration: 1.33-22 mg/L), whereas multiple drug toxicity, involving mephedrone was cited as cause of death in 6 cases (range of post-mortem blood mephedrone concentration: 0.04-1.3 mg/L).
CONCLUSIONS
Data suggest that the abuse of mephedrone remains to be a public health issue. Mephedrone appears to have a rather narrow therapeutic window that makes its use dangerous. Dosages which supposedly fall within recreational use limits could also lead to death when combined with other drugs in certain circumstances. Forensic Toxicology laboratories must assess their testing procedures to ensure they can achieve both an appropriate screening regime and targeted quantitative analysis for the detection of mephedrone in various biological matrices.
Topics: Alkaloids; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Death; Designer Drugs; Humans; Methamphetamine; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 26502870
DOI: No ID Found -
The Science of the Total Environment Dec 2017Wastewater analysis is a promising approach to monitor illicit drug abuse of a community. However, drug use estimation via wastewater analysis may be biased by sources...
Wastewater analysis is a promising approach to monitor illicit drug abuse of a community. However, drug use estimation via wastewater analysis may be biased by sources other than abuse. This is especially true for methamphetamine and amphetamine as their presence in wastewater may come from many sources, such as direct disposal or excretion following administration of prescription drugs. Here we traced methamphetamine and amphetamine sources via concentration and enantiomeric profiling of the two compounds from black market to receiving waters. Methamphetamine in wastewater was found to predominantly arise from abuse, proving the feasibility of using wastewater analysis for estimating its consumption in China. Amphetamine abuse was previously considered negligible in East and Southeast Asia. However, we found that amphetamine was abused considerably (up to 90.7mg/1000inh/day) in a significant number (>20%) of major cities in China. Combined concentration and enantiomeric profiling also revealed direct disposal into receiving waters of methamphetamine manufactured by different processes. These findings have important implications for monitoring of and law enforcement against methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse and related crimes in China and abroad.
Topics: Amphetamine; China; Cities; Illicit Drugs; Methamphetamine; Wastewater
PubMed: 28551534
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.045 -
Annals of Clinical Psychiatry :... Aug 2023Catatonia due to a general medical condition may result from a variety of causes, including substance intoxication and withdrawal. Stimulants are occasionally associated...
BACKGROUND
Catatonia due to a general medical condition may result from a variety of causes, including substance intoxication and withdrawal. Stimulants are occasionally associated with catatonia, though there has been little investigation of methamphetamine's relationship to catatonia. Here we present 5 cases of catatonia associated with methamphetamine use and a systematic review of the associated literature from 1943 to 2020.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review of the literature and present 5 cases of catatonia evaluated using the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale and KANNER catatonia rating scale.
RESULTS
Methamphetamine use was associated with catatonia in a small number of cases in the literature. However, some of these reports included other possible etiologies. The patients in our case series met DSM-5 criteria for catatonia due to a general medical condition, with all reporting recent methamphetamine use and testing positive for amphetamines on urine drug screen.
CONCLUSIONS
Given the ongoing rise in methamphetamine use in the United States, it is important that clinicians understand that methamphetamine use can be associated with catatonia. Patients with methamphetamine-associated catatonia may respond favorably to lorazepam and require shorter hospital stays than other catatonic patients. Lastly, methamphetamine-associated catatonia highlights how alteration in dopamine function and projections may be a critical neural mechanism underlying catatonia in general.
Topics: Humans; Catatonia; Methamphetamine; Lorazepam; Research; Central Nervous System Stimulants
PubMed: 37459499
DOI: 10.12788/acp.0116 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Dec 2023Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by binge drug taking episodes, intervals of abstinence, and relapses to drug use even... (Review)
Review
Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by binge drug taking episodes, intervals of abstinence, and relapses to drug use even during treatment. MUD has been modeled in rodents and investigators are attempting to identify its molecular bases. Preclinical experiments have shown that different schedules of methamphetamine self-administration can cause diverse transcriptional changes in the dorsal striatum of Sprague-Dawley rats. In the present review, we present data on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in the rat striatum following methamphetamine intake. These include genes involved in transcription regulation, potassium channel function, and neuroinflammation. We then use the striatal data to discuss the potential significance of the molecular changes induced by methamphetamine by reviewing concordant or discordant data from the literature. This review identified potential molecular targets for pharmacological interventions. Nevertheless, there is a need for more research on methamphetamine-induced transcriptional consequences in various brain regions. These data should provide a more detailed neuroanatomical map of methamphetamine-induced changes and should better inform therapeutic interventions against MUD.
Topics: Animals; Methamphetamine; Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Rats; Disease Models, Animal; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Epigenesis, Genetic; Recurrence; Brain
PubMed: 38707245
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105440 -
European Heart Journal Dec 2022Atrial fibrillation (AF) is now regarded as a preventable disease, requiring a search for modifiable risk factors. With legalization of cannabis and more lenient laws...
AIMS
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is now regarded as a preventable disease, requiring a search for modifiable risk factors. With legalization of cannabis and more lenient laws regarding the use of other illicit substances, investigation into the potential effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, opiate, and cannabis exposure on incident AF is needed.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Using Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development databases, a longitudinal analysis was performed of adult Californians ≥18 years of age who received care in an emergency department, outpatient surgery facility, or hospital from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2015. Associations between healthcare coding for the use of each substance and a new AF diagnosis were assessed. Among 23,561,884 patients, 98 271 used methamphetamine, 48 701 used cocaine, 10 032 used opiates, and 132 834 used cannabis. Of the total population, 998 747 patients (4.2%) developed incident AF during the study period. After adjusting for potential confounders and mediators, use of methamphetamines, cocaine, opiates, and cannabis was each associated with increased incidence of AF: hazard ratios 1.86 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.81-1.92], 1.61 (95% CI 1.55-1.68), 1.74 (95% CI 1.62-1.87), and 1.35 (95% CI 1.30-1.40), respectively. Negative control analyses in the same cohort failed to reveal similarly consistent positive relationships.
CONCLUSION
Methamphetamine, cocaine, opiate, and cannabis uses were each associated with increased risk of developing incident AF. Efforts to mitigate the use of these substances may represent a novel approach to AF prevention.
Topics: Adult; United States; Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Cannabis; Methamphetamine; Opiate Alkaloids; Cocaine; Incidence; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36257330
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac558 -
Archives of Toxicology Jul 2017
Topics: Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Animals; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Cognition; Humans; Methamphetamine; Translational Research, Biomedical
PubMed: 28444486
DOI: 10.1007/s00204-017-1972-3 -
Journal of Neurovirology Feb 2022Macrophages are key elements of the innate immune system. Their HIV-1 infection is a complex process that involves multiple interacting factors and various steps and is...
Macrophages are key elements of the innate immune system. Their HIV-1 infection is a complex process that involves multiple interacting factors and various steps and is further altered by exposure of infected cells to methamphetamine (Meth), a common drug of abuse in people living with HIV. This is reflected by dynamic changes in the intracellular and secreted proteomes of these cells. Quantification of these changes poses a challenge for experimental design and associated analytics. In this study, we measured the effect of Meth on expression of intracellular and secreted galectins-1, -3, and -9 in HIV-1 infected human monocyte-derived macrophages (hMDM) using SWATH-MS, which was further followed by MRM targeted mass spectrometry validation. Cells were exposed to Meth either prior to or after infection. Our results are the first to perform comprehensive quantifications of galectins in primary hMDM cells during HIV-1 infection and Meth exposure a building foundation for future studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular pathology of hMDM resulting from viral infection and a drug of abuse-Meth.
Topics: HIV Infections; HIV Seropositivity; HIV-1; Humans; Macrophages; Methamphetamine
PubMed: 35175539
DOI: 10.1007/s13365-021-01025-4