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Pelletier R, Le Daré B, Le Bouëdec D, Bourdais A, Ferron PJ, Morel I, Porée FH, Gicquel T. Identification, synthesis and quantification of eutylone consumption markers in a chemsex context. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:151-158. [PMID: 37833490 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03615-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Eutylone is a cathinone-derived synthetic amphetamine scheduled by the World Health Organization and European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction since 2022 due to its growing consumption. We report here an eutylone intoxication involving a 38-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman in a chemsex context. A bag containing a white crystalline powder labelled as a research product was found in their vehicle. Nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) analyses identified the powder as eutylone and confirmed purity superior to 99%. LC-HRMS data analysis using molecular networking allowed to propose new eutylone metabolites in blood samples in a graphical manner. We described 16 phase I (e.g. hydroxylated or demethylated) and phase II metabolites (glucuroconjugates and sulfoconjugates). The same metabolites were found both in male and female blood samples. Toxicological analyses measured eutylone concentration in blood samples at 1374 ng/mL and 1536 ng/mL for the man and the woman, respectively. A keto-reduced metabolite (m/z 238.144) was synthesized to permit its quantification at 67 ng/mL and 54 ng/mL in male and female blood samples, respectively. Overall, the identification of these metabolites will increase the knowledge of potential drug consumption markers and allow to implement mass spectrometry databases to better monitor future drug abuse or consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Pelletier
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France.
- Rennes University Hospital, Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France.
| | - Brendan Le Daré
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
- Rennes University Hospital, Pharmacy Departement, CHU Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Diane Le Bouëdec
- Rennes University Hospital, Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Alexis Bourdais
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Pierre-Jean Ferron
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Isabelle Morel
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
- Rennes University Hospital, Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - François-Hugues Porée
- ISCR UMR CNRS 6226, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rennes University, 2 Avenue du Pr Léon Bernard, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Thomas Gicquel
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer) UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1317, 35000, Rennes, France
- Rennes University Hospital, Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, CHU Pontchaillou, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France
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Manke HN, Nunn SS, Sulima A, Rice KC, Riley AL. Effects of Serial Polydrug Use on the Rewarding and Aversive Effects of the Novel Synthetic Cathinone Eutylone. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1294. [PMID: 37759895 PMCID: PMC10526358 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As individual synthetic cathinones become scheduled and regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), new ones regularly are produced and distributed. One such compound is eutylone, a novel third-generation synthetic cathinone whose affective properties (and abuse potential) are largely unknown. The following experiments begin to characterize these effects and how they may be impacted by drug history (a factor affecting reward/aversion for other drugs of abuse). METHODS Eutylone was assessed for its ability to induce conditioned taste avoidance (CTA; aversive effect) and conditioned place preference (CPP; rewarding effect) and their relationship (Experiment 1). Following this, the effects of exposure to cocaine or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA] on eutylone's affective properties were investigated (Experiment 2). RESULTS Eutylone produced dose-dependent CTA and CPP (Experiment 1), and these endpoints were unrelated. Pre-exposure to cocaine and MDMA differentially impacted taste avoidance induced by eutylone (MDMA > cocaine) and did not impact eutylone-induced place preference. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that eutylone, like other synthetic cathinones, has co-occurring, independent rewarding and aversive effects that may contribute to its abuse potential and that these effects are differentially impacted by drug history. Although these studies begin the characterization of eutylone, future studies should examine the impact of other factors on eutylone's affective properties and its eventual reinforcing effects (i.e., intravenous self-administration [IVSA]) to predict its use and abuse liability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley N. Manke
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA; (H.N.M.)
| | - Samuel S. Nunn
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA; (H.N.M.)
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA (K.C.R.)
| | - Kenner C. Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA (K.C.R.)
| | - Anthony L. Riley
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA; (H.N.M.)
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3
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Daziani G, Lo Faro AF, Montana V, Goteri G, Pesaresi M, Bambagiotti G, Montanari E, Giorgetti R, Montana A. Synthetic Cathinones and Neurotoxicity Risks: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076230. [PMID: 37047201 PMCID: PMC10093970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the EU Early Warning System (EWS), synthetic cathinones (SCs) are the second largest new psychoactive substances (NPS) class, with 162 synthetic cathinones monitored by the EU EWS. They have a similar structure to cathinone, principally found in Catha Edulis; they have a phenethylamine related structure but also exhibit amphetamine-like stimulant effects. Illegal laboratories regularly develop new substances and place them on the market. For this reason, during the last decade this class of substances has presented a great challenge for public health and forensic toxicologists. Acting on different systems and with various mechanisms of action, the spectrum of side effects caused by the intake of these drugs of abuse is very broad. To date, most studies have focused on the substances’ cardiac effects, and very few on their associated neurotoxicity. Specifically, synthetic cathinones appear to be involved in different neurological events, including increased alertness, mild agitation, severe psychosis, hyperthermia and death. A systematic literature search in PubMed and Scopus databases according to PRISMA guidelines was performed. A total of 515 studies published from 2005 to 2022 (350 articles from PubMed and 165 from Scopus) were initially screened for eligibility. The papers excluded, according to the criteria described in the Method Section (n = 401) and after full text analyses (n = 82), were 483 in total. The remaining 76 were included in the present review, as they met fully the inclusion criteria. The present work provides a comprehensive review on neurotoxic mechanisms of synthetic cathinones highlighting intoxication cases and fatalities in humans, as well as the toxic effects on animals (in particular rats, mice and zebrafish larvae). The reviewed studies showed brain-related adverse effects, including encephalopathy, coma and convulsions, and sympathomimetic and hallucinogenic toxidromes, together with the risk of developing excited/agitated delirium syndrome and serotonin syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Daziani
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Vincenzo Montana
- Dipartimento di Anestesia, Rianimazione e Emergenza-Urgenza, Fondazione IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Gaia Goteri
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Mauro Pesaresi
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Giulia Bambagiotti
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Eva Montanari
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Raffaele Giorgetti
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
| | - Angelo Montana
- Department of Excellence Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60121 Ancona, Italy; (G.D.); (A.F.L.F.); (G.G.); (M.P.); (G.B.); (E.M.); (R.G.)
- Correspondence:
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Kuropka P, Zawadzki M, Szpot P. A narrative review of the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones-Popular alternatives to classical drugs of abuse. Hum Psychopharmacol 2023; 38:e2866. [PMID: 36866677 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the literature on the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was carried out across multiple databases (mainly PubMed, World Wide Web, and Google Scholar) using relevant keywords. RESULTS Cathinones exhibit a broad toxicological profile, mimicking the effects of a wide variety of 'classic drugs' such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methamphetamine and cocaine. Even small structural changes affect their interactions with key proteins. This article reviews existing knowledge of the mechanisms of action of cathinones at the molecular level, and key findings from research on their structure-activity relationship. The cathinones are also classified according to their chemical structure and neuropharmacological profiles. CONCLUSIONS Synthetic cathinones represent one of the most numerous and widespread groups among new psychoactive substances. Initially developed for therapeutic purposes, they quickly started to be used recreationally. With a rapidly increasing number of new agents entering the market, structure-activity relationship studies are valuable for assessing and predicting the addictive potential and toxicity of new and potential future substances. The neuropharmacological properties of synthetic cathinones are still not fully understood. A full elucidation of the role of some key proteins, including organic cation transporters, requires detailed studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcin Zawadzki
- Institute of Toxicology Research, Borowa, Poland.,Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Szpot
- Institute of Toxicology Research, Borowa, Poland.,Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
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5
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Nadal-Gratacós N, Ríos-Rodríguez E, Pubill D, Batllori X, Camarasa J, Escubedo E, Berzosa X, López-Arnau R. Structure-Activity Relationship of N-Ethyl-Hexedrone Analogues: Role of the α-Carbon Side-Chain Length in the Mechanism of Action, Cytotoxicity, and Behavioral Effects in Mice. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:787-799. [PMID: 36734852 PMCID: PMC9936538 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones are β-keto amphetamine derivatives whose appearance has increased dramatically in the past decades. N-Ethyl substituted cathinones have been proven to potently inhibit dopamine (DA) uptake and induce psychostimulant and rewarding effects in mice. However, little is known about the influence of the alpha-carbon side-chain length of N-ethyl cathinones on their pharmacological and toxicological effects. Thus, the aim of this study was to synthesize and investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of five N-ethyl substituted cathinones: N-ethyl-cathinone (NEC), N-ethyl-buphedrone (NEB), N-ethyl-pentedrone, N-ethyl-hexedrone (NEH), and N-ethyl-heptedrone. HEK293 cells expressing the human DA or serotonin transporter (hDAT and hSERT) were used for uptake inhibition and binding assays. PC12 cells were used for the cytotoxicity assays. Swiss CD-1 mice were used to study the in vivo psychostimulant, anxiogenic, and rewarding properties. Our results show that all tested cathinones are able to inhibit DA uptake and are DAT-selective. The potency of DA uptake inhibitors increases with the elongation of the aliphatic side chain from methyl to propyl and decreases when increasing from butyl to pentyl, which correlates with an inverted U-shape psychostimulant response in mice at the medium dose tested. On the other hand, an increase in the α-carbon side-chain length correlates with an increase in the cytotoxic properties in PC12 cells, probably due to better membrane penetration. Moreover, all the cathinones tested have shown higher cytotoxicity than methamphetamine. Finally, our study not only demonstrated the rewarding properties of NEC and NEB but also the anxiety-like behavior induced at high doses by all the cathinones tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Nadal-Gratacós
- Pharmaceutical
Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08017 Barcelona, Spain,Department
of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmacology
Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Edwin Ríos-Rodríguez
- Pharmaceutical
Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Pubill
- Department
of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmacology
Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Batllori
- Pharmaceutical
Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Camarasa
- Department
of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmacology
Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Escubedo
- Department
of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmacology
Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Berzosa
- Pharmaceutical
Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08017 Barcelona, Spain,
| | - Raúl López-Arnau
- Department
of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmacology
Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain,
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6
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Kuropka P, Zawadzki M, Szpot P. A review of synthetic cathinones emerging in recent years (2019-2022). Forensic Toxicol 2023; 41:25-46. [PMID: 36124107 PMCID: PMC9476408 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-022-00639-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Purpose The emergence of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) has been being a continuous and evolving problem for more than a decade. Every year, dozens of new, previously unknown drugs appear on the illegal market, posing a significant threat to the health and lives of their users. Synthetic cathinones are one of the most numerous and widespread groups among NPS. The purpose of this work was to identify and summarize available data on newly emerging cathinones in very recent years. Methods Various online databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, but also databases of government agencies including those involved in early warning systems, were used in search of reports on the identification of newly emerging synthetic cathinones. In addition, threads on various forums created by users of these drugs were searched for reports on the effects of these new substances. Results We have identified 29 synthetic cathinones that have been detected for the first time from early 2019 to mid-2022. We described their structures, known intoxication symptoms, detected concentrations in biological material in poisoning cases, as well as the countries and dates of their first appearance. Due to the lack of studies on the properties of the novel compounds, we compared data on the pharmacological profiles of the better-known synthetic cathinones with available information on the newly emerged ones. Some of these new agents already posed a threat, as the first cases of poisonings, including fatal ones, have been reported. Conclusions Most of the newly developed synthetic cathinones can be seen as analogs and replacements for once-popular compounds that have been declining in popularity as a result of legislative efforts. Although it appears that some of the newly emerging cathinones are not widely used, they may become more popular in the future and could become a significant threat to health and life. Therefore, it is important to continue developing early warning systems and identifying new compounds so that their widespread can be prevented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patryk Kuropka
- Institute of Toxicology Research, 45 Kasztanowa Street, Lower Silesia Province, 55093 Borowa, Poland
| | - Marcin Zawadzki
- grid.4495.c0000 0001 1090 049XDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 4 J. Mikulicza‑Radeckiego Street, 50345 Wroclaw, Poland ,Institute of Toxicology Research, 45 Kasztanowa Street, Lower Silesia Province, 55093 Borowa, Poland
| | - Paweł Szpot
- grid.4495.c0000 0001 1090 049XDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 4 J. Mikulicza‑Radeckiego Street, 50345 Wroclaw, Poland ,Institute of Toxicology Research, 45 Kasztanowa Street, Lower Silesia Province, 55093 Borowa, Poland
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7
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Glatfelter GC, Pham DNK, Walther D, Golen JA, Chadeayne AR, Baumann MH, Manke DR. Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Pharmacological Activity of Novel Quaternary Salts of 4-Substituted Tryptamines. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:24888-24894. [PMID: 35874244 PMCID: PMC9301952 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Aeruginascin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N,N-trimethyltryptammonium) is an analogue of psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) that has been identified in several species of psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Our team previously reported the synthesis, structural characterization, and biological activity of the putative metabolite of aeruginascin (4-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyltryptammonium; 4-HO-TMT) and its potential prodrug (4-acetoxy-N,N,N-trimethyltryptammonium; 4-AcO-TMT). Here, we report the synthesis, structural characterization, and pharmacological activity of several quaternary tryptammonium analogues of 4-HO-TMT and 4-AcO-TMT, namely, 4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-N-ethyltryptammonium (4-HO-DMET), 4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-N-n-propyltryptammonium (4-HO-DMPT), and 4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-N-isopropyltryptammonium (4-HO-DMiPT), as well as their hypothesized prodrugs 4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyl-N-ethyltryptammonium (4-AcO-DMET), 4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyl-N-n-propyltryptammonium (4-AcO-DMPT), and 4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyl-N-isopropyltryptammonium (4-AcO-DMiPT). Compounds were synthesized using established methods, and structures were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Test compounds were screened for in vitro pharmacological activity at a variety of receptors and transporters to determine potential targets of action. None of the compounds exhibited measurable affinity for the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2A), but several analogues had low micromolar affinity (K i) for the serotonin 1D receptor (5-HT1D) and serotonin 2B receptor (5-HT2B), where they appeared to be weak partial agonists with low micromolar potencies. Importantly, 4-HO-DMET, 4-HO-DMPT, and 4-HO-DMiPT displayed sub-micromolar affinity for the serotonin transporter (SERT; 370-890 nM). The same 4-hydroxy analogues had low to sub-micromolar potencies (IC50) for inhibition of 5-HT uptake at SERT in transfected cells (3.3-12.3 μM) and rat brain tissue (0.31-3.5 μM). Overall, our results show that quaternary tryptammonium analogues do not target 5-HT2A sites, suggesting the compounds lack psychedelic-like subjective effects. However, certain 4-hydroxy quaternary tryptammonium analogues may provide novel templates for exploring structure-activity relationships for selective actions at SERT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant C. Glatfelter
- Designer
Drug Research Unit, National Institute on
Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland 21224 United States
| | - Duyen N. K. Pham
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Donna Walther
- Designer
Drug Research Unit, National Institute on
Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland 21224 United States
| | - James A. Golen
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | | | - Michael H. Baumann
- Designer
Drug Research Unit, National Institute on
Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland 21224 United States
| | - David R. Manke
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
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8
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Rudin D, McCorvy JD, Glatfelter GC, Luethi D, Szöllősi D, Ljubišić T, Kavanagh PV, Dowling G, Holy M, Jaentsch K, Walther D, Brandt SD, Stockner T, Baumann MH, Halberstadt AL, Sitte HH. (2-Aminopropyl)benzo[β]thiophenes (APBTs) are novel monoamine transporter ligands that lack stimulant effects but display psychedelic-like activity in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:914-923. [PMID: 34750565 PMCID: PMC8882185 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01221-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Derivatives of (2-aminopropyl)indole (API) and (2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (APB) are new psychoactive substances which produce stimulant effects in vivo. (2-Aminopropyl)benzo[β]thiophene (APBT) is a novel sulfur-based analog of API and APB that has not been pharmacologically characterized. In the current study, we assessed the pharmacological effects of six APBT positional isomers in vitro, and three of these isomers (3-APBT, 5-APBT, and 6-APBT) were subjected to further investigations in vivo. Uptake inhibition and efflux assays in human transporter-transfected HEK293 cells and in rat brain synaptosomes revealed that APBTs inhibit monoamine reuptake and induce transporter-mediated substrate release. Despite being nonselective transporter releasers like MDMA, the APBT compounds failed to produce locomotor stimulation in C57BL/6J mice. Interestingly, 3-APBT, 5-APBT, and 6-APBT were full agonists at 5-HT2 receptor subtypes as determined by calcium mobilization assays and induced the head-twitch response in C57BL/6J mice, suggesting psychedelic-like activity. Compared to their APB counterparts, ABPT compounds demonstrated that replacing the oxygen atom with sulfur results in enhanced releasing potency at the serotonin transporter and more potent and efficacious activity at 5-HT2 receptors, which fundamentally changed the in vitro and in vivo profile of APBT isomers in the present studies. Overall, our data suggest that APBT isomers may exhibit psychedelic and/or entactogenic effects in humans, with minimal psychomotor stimulation. Whether this unique pharmacological profile of APBT isomers translates into potential therapeutic potential, for instance as candidates for drug-assisted psychotherapy, warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Rudin
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - John D McCorvy
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Grant C Glatfelter
- Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dino Luethi
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dániel Szöllősi
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tea Ljubišić
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pierce V Kavanagh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James Hospital, Dublin, 8, Ireland
| | - Geraldine Dowling
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James Hospital, Dublin, 8, Ireland
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Science, Sligo Institute of Technology, Ash Lane, Sligo, Ireland
| | - Marion Holy
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kathrin Jaentsch
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Donna Walther
- Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Simon D Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
- Alexander Shulgin Research Institute, Lafayette, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Stockner
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam L Halberstadt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Center for Addiction Research and Science-AddRess, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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9
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López-Arnau R, Camarasa J, Carbó ML, Nadal-Gratacós N, Puigseslloses P, Espinosa-Velasco M, Urquizu E, Escubedo E, Pubill D. 3,4-Methylenedioxy methamphetamine, synthetic cathinones and psychedelics: From recreational to novel psychotherapeutic drugs. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:990405. [PMID: 36262632 PMCID: PMC9574023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.990405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The utility of classical drugs used to treat psychiatric disorders (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics) is often limited by issues of lack of efficacy, delayed onset of action or side effects. Psychoactive substances have a long history of being used as tools to alter consciousness and as a gateway to approach the unknown and the divinities. These substances were initially obtained from plants and animals and more recently by chemical synthesis, and its consumption evolved toward a more recreational use, leading to drug abuse-related disorders, trafficking, and subsequent banning by the authorities. However, these substances, by modulation of certain neurochemical pathways, have been proven to have a beneficial effect on some psychiatric disorders. This evidence obtained under medically controlled conditions and often associated with psychotherapy, makes these substances an alternative to conventional medicines, to which in many cases the patient does not respond properly. Such disorders include post-traumatic stress disease and treatment-resistant depression, for which classical drugs such as MDMA, ketamine, psilocybin and LSD, among others, have already been clinically tested, reporting successful outcomes. The irruption of new psychoactive substances (NPS), especially during the last decade and despite their recreational and illicit uses, has enlarged the library of substances with potential utility on these disorders. In fact, many of them were synthetized with therapeutic purposes and were withdrawn for concrete reasons (e.g., adverse effects, improper pharmacological profile). In this review we focus on the basis, existing evidence and possible use of synthetic cathinones and psychedelics (specially tryptamines) for the treatment of mental illnesses and the properties that should be found in NPS to obtain new therapeutic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl López-Arnau
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Camarasa
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcel Lí Carbó
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Nadal-Gratacós
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pol Puigseslloses
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Espinosa-Velasco
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Edurne Urquizu
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Escubedo
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Pubill
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
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10
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Khom S, Nguyen JD, Vandewater SA, Grant Y, Roberto M, Taffe MA. Self-Administration of Entactogen Psychostimulants Dysregulates Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and Kappa Opioid Receptor Signaling in the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala of Female Wistar Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:780500. [PMID: 34975428 PMCID: PMC8716434 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.780500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Male rats escalate intravenous self-administration of entactogen psychostimulants, 3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) under extended access conditions, as with typical psychostimulants. Here, we investigated whether female rats escalate self-administration of methylone, 3,4-methylenedioxypentedrone (pentylone), and MDMA and then studied consequences of MDMA and pentylone self-administration on GABAA receptor and kappa opioid receptor (KOR) signaling in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), a brain area critically dysregulated by extended access self-administration of alcohol or cocaine. Adult female Wistar rats were trained to self-administer methylone, pentylone, MDMA (0.5 mg/kg/infusion), or saline-vehicle using a fixed-ratio 1 response contingency in 6-h sessions (long-access: LgA) followed by progressive ratio (PR) dose-response testing. The effects of pentylone-LgA, MDMA-LgA and saline on basal GABAergic transmission (miniature post-synaptic inhibitory currents, mIPSCs) and the modulatory role of KOR at CeA GABAergic synapses were determined in acute brain slices using whole-cell patch-clamp. Methylone-LgA and pentylone-LgA rats similarly escalated their drug intake (both obtained more infusions compared to MDMA-LgA rats), however, pentylone-LgA rats reached higher breakpoints in PR tests. At the cellular level, baseline CeA GABA transmission was markedly elevated in pentylone-LgA and MDMA-LgA rats compared to saline-vehicle. Specifically, pentylone-LgA was associated with increased CeA mIPSC frequency (GABA release) and amplitude (post-synaptic GABAA receptor function), while mIPSC amplitudes (but not frequency) was larger in MDMA-LgA rats compared to saline rats. In addition, pentylone-LgA and MDMA-LgA profoundly disrupted CeA KOR signaling such as both KOR agonism (1 mM U50488) and KOR antagonism (200 nM nor-binaltorphimine) decreased mIPSC frequency suggesting recruitment of non-canonical KOR signaling pathways. This study confirms escalated self-administration of entactogen psychostimulants under LgA conditions in female rats which is accompanied by increased CeA GABAergic inhibition and altered KOR signaling. Collectively, our study suggests that CeA GABA and KOR mechanisms play a critical role in entactogen self-administration like those observed with escalation of alcohol or cocaine self-administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Khom
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jacques D. Nguyen
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Sophia A. Vandewater
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Yanabel Grant
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Michael A. Taffe
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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11
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Nadal-Gratacós N, Alberto-Silva AS, Rodríguez-Soler M, Urquizu E, Espinosa-Velasco M, Jäntsch K, Holy M, Batllori X, Berzosa X, Pubill D, Camarasa J, Sitte HH, Escubedo E, López-Arnau R. Structure-Activity Relationship of Novel Second-Generation Synthetic Cathinones: Mechanism of Action, Locomotion, Reward, and Immediate-Early Genes. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:749429. [PMID: 34764870 PMCID: PMC8576102 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.749429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Several new synthetic cathinones, which mimic the effect of classical psychostimulants such as cocaine or MDMA, have appeared in the global illicit drug market in the last decades. In fact, the illicit drug market is continually evolving by constantly adding small modifications to the common chemical structure of synthetic cathinones. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo structure–activity relationship (SAR) of six novel synthetic cathinones currently popular as recreational drugs, pentedrone, pentylone, N-ethyl-pentedrone (NEPD), N-ethyl-pentylone (NEP), 4-methyl-pentedrone (4-MPD), and 4-methyl-ethylaminopentedrone (4-MeAP), which structurally differ in the absence or presence of different aromatic substituents and in their amino terminal group. Human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells expressing the human isoforms of SERT and DAT were used for the uptake inhibition and release assays. Moreover, Swiss CD-1 mice were used to investigate the psychostimulant effect, rewarding properties (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg, i.p.), and the induction of immediate-early genes (IEGs), such as Arc and c-fos in the dorsal striatum (DS) and ventral striatum (VS) as well as bdnf in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), of the test compounds. Our results demonstrated that all tested synthetic cathinones are potent dopamine (DA) uptake inhibitors, especially the N-ethyl analogs, while the ring-substituted cathinones tested showed higher potency as SERT inhibitors than their no ring-substituted analogs. Moreover, unlike NEP, the remaining test compounds showed clear “hybrid” properties, acting as DAT blockers but SERT substrates. Regarding the locomotion, NEP and NEPD were more efficacious (10 mg/kg) than their N-methyl analogs, which correlates with their higher potency inhibiting the DAT and an overexpression of Arc levels in the DS and VS. Furthermore, all compounds tested induced an increase in c-fos expression in the DS, except for 4-MPD, the least effective compound in inducing hyperlocomotion. Moreover, NEP induced an up-regulation of bdnf in the mPFC that correlates with its 5-HTergic properties. Finally, the present study demonstrated for the first time that NEP, 4-MPD, and 4-MeAP induce reward in mice. Altogether, this study provides valuable information about the mechanism of action and psychostimulant and rewarding properties as well as changes in the expression of IEGs related to addiction induced by novel second-generation synthetic cathinones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Nadal-Gratacós
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Sofia Alberto-Silva
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Míriam Rodríguez-Soler
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Edurne Urquizu
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Espinosa-Velasco
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kathrin Jäntsch
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marion Holy
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Xavier Batllori
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Berzosa
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Group (GQF), IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Pubill
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Camarasa
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Harald H Sitte
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Center for Addiction Research and Science, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elena Escubedo
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raúl López-Arnau
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Section and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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