Drug addiction co-morbidity with alcohol: Neurobiological insights

Recent molecularly imprinted polymers applications in bioanalysis

Molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) as extraordinary compounds with unique features have presented a wide range of applications and benefits to researchers. In particular when used as a sorbent in sample preparation methods for the analysis of biological samples and complex matrices. Its application in the extraction of medicinal species has attracted much attention and a growing interest. This review focus on articles and research that deals with the application of MIPs in the analysis of components such as biomarkers, drugs, hormones, blockers and inhibitors, especially in biological matrices. The studies based on MIP applications in bioanalysis and the deployment of MIPs in high-throughput settings and optimization of extraction methods are presented. A review of more than 200 articles and research works clearly shows that the superiority of MIP techniques lies in high accuracy, reproducibility, sensitivity, speed and cost effectiveness which make them suitable for clinical usage. Furthermore, this review present MIP-based extraction techniques and MIP-biosensors which are categorized on their classes based on common properties of target components. Extraction methods, studied sample matrices, target analytes, analytical techniques and their results for each study are described. Investigations indicate satisfactory results using MIP-based bioanalysis. According to the increasing number of studies on method development over the last decade, the use of MIPs in bioanalysis is growing and will further expand the scope of MIP applications for less studied samples and analytes.

The diversity of the intestinal microbiota in patients with alcohol use disorder and its relationship to alcohol consumption and cognition

INTRODUCTION

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has evolved into a severe social and medical issue. However, the exact environmental factors triggering AUD pathophysiology remain unknown. A growing body of research has shown that environmental elements can affect the brain via the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

METHODS

We employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology to investigate the composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota in 32 AUD males and 35 healthy controls (HCs), as well as its relationship on cognitive function.

RESULTS

Our findings showed that the alpha diversity indices in AUDs were much lower than HCs. The abundances of Faecalibacterium, Gemmiger, Lachnospiracea_incertae_sedis, Megamonas, and Escherichia were significantly different between AUD and HC groups and could be used as a basis for judging whether excessive drinking. The abundances of Faecalibacterium, Gemmiger, Escherichia, and Fusobacterium can be used to judge the cognitive function of the population.

CONCLUSION

These data suggested that the gut dysbiosis in AUD patients, and some specific microbiota were considered to be related to alcohol intake and cognitive function. This study provides important information for further study of the pathogenesis of AUD from the perspective of intestinal microbiota.

Effects of a Peripherally Restricted Hybrid Inhibitor of CB1 Receptors and iNOS on Alcohol Drinking Behavior and Alcohol-Induced Endotoxemia

Alcohol consumption is associated with gut dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability, endotoxemia, and a cascade that leads to persistent systemic inflammation, alcoholic liver disease, and other ailments. Craving for alcohol and its consequences depends, among other things, on the endocannabinoid system. We have analyzed the relative role of central vs. peripheral cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1R) using a "two-bottle" as well as a "drinking in the dark" paradigm in mice. The globally acting CB1R antagonist rimonabant and the non-brain penetrant CB1R antagonist JD5037 inhibited voluntary alcohol intake upon systemic but not upon intracerebroventricular administration in doses that elicited anxiogenic-like behavior and blocked CB1R-induced hypothermia and catalepsy. The peripherally restricted hybrid CB1R antagonist/iNOS inhibitor S-MRI-1867 was also effective in reducing alcohol consumption after oral gavage, while its R enantiomer (CB1R inactive/iNOS inhibitor) was not. The two MRI-1867 enantiomers were equally effective in inhibiting an alcohol-induced increase in portal blood endotoxin concentration that was caused by increased gut permeability. We conclude that (i) activation of peripheral CB1R plays a dominant role in promoting alcohol intake and (ii) the iNOS inhibitory function of MRI-1867 helps in mitigating the alcohol-induced increase in endotoxemia.