1
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Arita H, Tanaka R, Kikukawa S, Tomizawa T, Sakata H, Funada M, Tomiyama K, Hashimoto M, Tasaka T, Tabata H, Nakamura K, Makino K, Oshitari T, Natsugari H, Takahashi H. Fentanyl-Type Antagonist of the μ-Opioid Receptor: Important Role of Axial Chirality in the Active Conformation. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38869493 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, synthetic opioids have emerged as a predominant cause of drug-overdose-related fatalities, causing the "opioid crisis." To design safer therapeutic agents, we accidentally discovered μ-opioid receptor (MOR) antagonists based on fentanyl with a relatively uncomplicated chemical composition that potentiates structural modifications. Here, we showed the development of novel atropisomeric fentanyl analogues that exhibit more potent antagonistic activity against MOR than naloxone, a morphinan MOR antagonist. Derivatives displaying stable axial chirality were synthesized based on the amide structure of fentanyl. The aS- and aR-enantiomers exerted antagonistic and agonistic effects on the MOR, respectively, and each atropisomer interacted with the MOR by assuming a distinct binding mode through molecular docking. These findings suggest that introducing atropisomerism into fentanyl may serve as a key feature in the molecular design of future MOR antagonists to help mitigate the opioid crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironobu Arita
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda-shi, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Ryoko Tanaka
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda-shi, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Shuntaro Kikukawa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda-shi, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Tomizawa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda-shi, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Haruka Sakata
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda-shi, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Masahiko Funada
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shonan University of Medical Sciences, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 224-0806, Japan
| | - Kenichi Tomiyama
- Section of Addictive Drug Research, Department of Drug Dependence Research, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo 187-8533, Japan
| | - Masaru Hashimoto
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori 036-8561, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Tasaka
- Affinity Science Corporation, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0031, Japan
| | - Hidetsugu Tabata
- Faculty of Pharma Sciences, Teikyo University, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan
| | - Kayo Nakamura
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda-shi, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Kosho Makino
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Musashino University, Nishitokyo-shi, Tokyo 202-8585, Japan
| | - Tetsuta Oshitari
- Faculty of Pharma Sciences, Teikyo University, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan
| | - Hideaki Natsugari
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hideyo Takahashi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda-shi, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
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2
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Oleksak P, Nepovimova E, Valko M, Alwasel S, Alomar S, Kuca K. Comprehensive analysis of prohibited substances and methods in sports: Unveiling trends, pharmacokinetics, and WADA evolution. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 108:104447. [PMID: 38636744 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
This review systematically compiles sports-related drugs, substances, and methodologies based on the most frequently detected findings from prohibited lists published annually by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) between 2003 and 2021. Aligned with structure of the 2023 prohibited list, it covers all proscribed items and details the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of five representatives from each section. Notably, it explores significant metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with these substances. Adverse analytical findings are summarized in tables for clarity, and the prevalence is visually represented through charts. The review includes a concise historical overview of doping and WADA's role, examining modifications in the prohibited list for an understanding of evolving anti-doping measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Oleksak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Marian Valko
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava 812 37, Slovakia; Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh Alwasel
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suliman Alomar
- Doping Research Chair, Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh-11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove 500 03, Czech Republic; Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Andalusian Research Institute in Data Science and Computational Intelligence (DaSCI), University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain.
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3
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Phelps J, Kumar R, Robinson JD, Chu JCK, Flodén NJ, Beaton S, Gaunt MJ. Multicomponent Synthesis of α-Branched Amines via a Zinc-Mediated Carbonyl Alkylative Amination Reaction. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:9045-9062. [PMID: 38488310 PMCID: PMC10996026 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c14037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Methods for the synthesis of α-branched alkylamines are important due to their ubiquity in biologically active molecules. Despite the development of many methods for amine preparation, C(sp3)-rich nitrogen-containing compounds continue to pose challenges for synthesis. While carbonyl reductive amination (CRA) between ketones and alkylamines is the cornerstone method for α-branched alkylamine synthesis, it is sometimes limited by the sterically demanding condensation step between dialkyl ketones and amines and the more restricted availability of ketones compared to aldehydes. We recently reported a "higher-order" variant of this transformation, carbonyl alkylative amination (CAA), which utilized a halogen atom transfer (XAT)-mediated radical mechanism, enabling the streamlined synthesis of complex α-branched alkylamines. Despite the efficacy of this visible-light-driven approach, it displayed scalability issues, and competitive reductive amination was a problem for certain substrate classes, limiting applicability. Here, we report a change in the reaction regime that expands the CAA platform through the realization of an extremely broad zinc-mediated CAA reaction. This new strategy enabled elimination of competitive CRA, simplified purification, and improved reaction scope. Furthermore, this new reaction harnessed carboxylic acid derivatives as alkyl donors and facilitated the synthesis of α-trialkyl tertiary amines, which cannot be accessed via CRA. This Zn-mediated CAA reaction can be carried out at a variety of scales, from a 10 μmol setup in microtiter plates enabling high-throughput experimentation, to the gram-scale synthesis of medicinally-relevant compounds. We believe that this transformation enables robust, efficient, and economical access to α-branched alkylamines and provides a viable alternative to the current benchmark methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nils J. Flodén
- Yusuf Hamied Department of
Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Beaton
- Yusuf Hamied Department of
Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Gaunt
- Yusuf Hamied Department of
Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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4
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Miskulin A, Wallace B, Gill C, Hore D. A strategy for the detection of benzodiazepine drugs using low-resolution paper-spray mass spectrometry for harm reduction drug checking. Drug Test Anal 2023. [PMID: 38145889 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3630] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
The ability to detect newly emerging substances is of great importance in reducing harms for people who use drugs. New psychoactive substances including novel benzodiazepines in the illicit drug supply have been linked to high rates of overdose deaths while complicating drug checking as an overdose prevention strategy. Paper-spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) has emerged as a novel strategy to rapidly detect trace components in street drug samples. While targeted, low-resolution PS-MS methods have proven effective, newly emerging substances are often missed. To address this, a method was applied to low-resolution full-scan PS-MS data to aid in the early detection and identification of novel benzodiazepines in the unregulated drug supply. Using the developed method, true positives rates of 0.89 and 0.75 were achieved for bromazolam and etizolam in street samples obtained in a community drug checking service. The applicability of the method was further demonstrated for a novel benzodiazepine, desalkylgidazepam, that has recently emerged in the illicit drug supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allie Miskulin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bruce Wallace
- School of Social Work, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chris Gill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dennis Hore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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5
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Wang J, Hu J, Liao P, Xue S, He S, Chen R, Zhao X, Liu W. The Synthesis of Biphasic Metabolites of Carfentanil. Molecules 2023; 28:7625. [PMID: 38005347 PMCID: PMC10674982 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28227625] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Carfentanil is an ultra-potent synthetic opioid. The Russian police force used both carfentanil and remifentanil to resolve a hostage incident in Moscow. This reported use sparked an interest in the pharmacology and toxicology of carfentanil in the human body, and data on its metabolites were later published. However, there have been few studies on the synthesis of carfentanil metabolites, and biological extraction has also put forward large uncertainty in subsequent studies. The aim of the present study is to investigate the synthesis of biphasic metabolites that are unique to carfentanil. The purpose was to produce corresponding metabolites conveniently, quickly, and at low cost that can be used for comparison with published structures and to confirm the administration of carfentanil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchang Wang
- Shanghai Yuansi Standard Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200072, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Jianwen Hu
- Shanghai Yuansi Standard Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200072, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Pingyong Liao
- Shanghai Yuansi Standard Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200072, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Shang Xue
- Shanghai Yuansi Standard Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200072, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Shan He
- Shanghai Yuansi Standard Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200072, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Ruijia Chen
- Shanghai Yuansi Standard Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200072, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Xuejun Zhao
- Shanghai Yuansi Standard Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200072, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Wenbin Liu
- Shanghai Yuansi Standard Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200072, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai 200072, China
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6
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Tuet WY, Pierce SA, Conroy M, Vignola JN, Tressler J, diTargiani RC, McCranor BJ, Wong B. Metabolic clearance of select opioids and opioid antagonists using hepatic spheroids and recombinant cytochrome P450 enzymes. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2022; 10:e01000. [PMID: 36045607 PMCID: PMC9433823 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The opioid crisis is a pressing public health issue, exacerbated by the emergence of more potent synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl and its analogs. While competitive antagonists exist, their efficacy against synthetic opioids is largely unknown. Furthermore, due to the short durations of action of current antagonists, renarcotization remains a concern. In this study, metabolic activity was characterized for fentanyl‐class opioids and common opioid antagonists using multiple in vitro systems, namely, cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and hepatic spheroids, after which an in vitro‐in vivo correlation was applied to convert in vitro metabolic activity to predictive in vivo intrinsic clearance. For all substrates, intrinsic hepatic metabolism was higher than the composite of CYP activities, due to fundamental differences between whole cells and single enzymatic reactions. Of the CYP isozymes investigated, 3A4 yielded the highest absolute and relative metabolism across all substrates, with largely negligible contributions from 2D6 and 2C19. Comparative analysis highlighted elevated lipophilicity and diminished CYP3A4 activity as potential considerations for the development of more efficacious opioid antagonists. Finally, antagonists with a high degree of molecular similarity exhibited comparable clearance, providing a basis for structure‐metabolism relationships. Together, these results provide multiple screening criteria for early stage drug discovery involving opioid countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Y Tuet
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Samuel A Pierce
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthieu Conroy
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Justin N Vignola
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Justin Tressler
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert C diTargiani
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Bryan J McCranor
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - Benjamin Wong
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
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7
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West MS, Pia JE, Rousseaux SAL. Synthesis of 1- and 1,2-Substituted Cyclopropylamines from Ketone Homoenolates. Org Lett 2022; 24:5869-5873. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c01634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. West
- Davenport Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Julia E. Pia
- Davenport Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Sophie A. L. Rousseaux
- Davenport Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
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8
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Choińska MK, Šestáková I, Hrdlička V, Skopalová J, Langmaier J, Maier V, Navrátil T. Electroanalysis of Fentanyl and Its New Analogs: A Review. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12010026. [PMID: 35049654 PMCID: PMC8774265 DOI: 10.3390/bios12010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The review describes fentanyl and its analogs as new synthetic opioids and the possibilities of their identification and determination using electrochemical methods (e.g., voltammetry, potentiometry, electrochemiluminescence) and electrochemical methods combined with various separation methods. The review also covers the analysis of new synthetic opioids, their parent compounds, and corresponding metabolites in body fluids, such as urine, blood, serum, and plasma, necessary for a fast and accurate diagnosis of intoxication. Identifying and quantifying these addictive and illicit substances and their metabolites is necessary for clinical, toxicological, and forensic purposes. As a reaction to the growing number of new synthetic opioid intoxications and increasing fatalities observed over the past ten years, we provide thorough background for developing new biosensors, screen-printed electrodes, or other point-of-care devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Katarzyna Choińska
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 3, 182 23 Prague, Czech Republic; (M.K.C.); (V.H.); (J.L.); (T.N.)
- UNESCO Laboratory of Environmental Electrochemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Šestáková
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 3, 182 23 Prague, Czech Republic; (M.K.C.); (V.H.); (J.L.); (T.N.)
- Correspondence: (I.Š.); (J.S.); Tel.: +420-266-053-875 (I.Š.); +420-585-634-442 (J.S.)
| | - Vojtěch Hrdlička
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 3, 182 23 Prague, Czech Republic; (M.K.C.); (V.H.); (J.L.); (T.N.)
| | - Jana Skopalová
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacký University in Olomouc, 17. Listopadu 12, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic;
- Correspondence: (I.Š.); (J.S.); Tel.: +420-266-053-875 (I.Š.); +420-585-634-442 (J.S.)
| | - Jan Langmaier
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 3, 182 23 Prague, Czech Republic; (M.K.C.); (V.H.); (J.L.); (T.N.)
| | - Vítězslav Maier
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacký University in Olomouc, 17. Listopadu 12, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic;
| | - Tomáš Navrátil
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova 3, 182 23 Prague, Czech Republic; (M.K.C.); (V.H.); (J.L.); (T.N.)
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9
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Shafi A, Berry AJ, Sumnall H, Wood DM, Tracy DK. Synthetic opioids: a review and clinical update. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2022; 12:20451253221139616. [PMID: 36532866 PMCID: PMC9747888 DOI: 10.1177/20451253221139616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The term 'opioids' refers to both the natural compounds ('opiates') which are extracted from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum) and their semi-synthetic and synthetic derivatives. They all possess relatively similar biochemical profiles and interact with the opioid receptors within the human body to produce a wide range of physiological effects. They have historically been used for medicinal purposes, their analgesic and sedative effects, and in the management of chronic and severe pain. They have also been used for non-medicinal and recreational purposes to produce feelings of relaxation, euphoria and well-being. Over the last decade, the emergence of an illegal market in new synthetic opioids has become a major global public health issue, associated with a substantial increase in unintentional overdoses and drug-related deaths. Synthetic opioids include fentanyl, its analogues and emerging non-fentanyl opioids. Their popularity relates to changes in criminal markets, pricing, potency, availability compared to classic opioids, ease of transport and use, rapid effect and lack of detection by conventional testing technologies. This article expands on our previous review on new psychoactive substances. We now provide a more in-depth review on synthetic opioids and explore the current challenges faced by people who use drugs, healthcare professionals, and global public health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Shafi
- South West London and Saint George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Alex J Berry
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - David M Wood
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Derek K Tracy
- West London NHS Trust, Trust Headquarters, 1 Armstrong Way, Southall UB2 4SD, UK
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10
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Henry Blackwell J, Harris GR, Smith MA, Gaunt MJ. Modular Photocatalytic Synthesis of α-Trialkyl-α-Tertiary Amines. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:15946-15959. [PMID: 34551248 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c07402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Molecules displaying an α-trialkyl-α-tertiary amine motif provide access to an important and versatile area of biologically relevant chemical space but are challenging to access through existing synthetic methods. Here, we report an operationally straightforward, multicomponent protocol for the synthesis of a range of functionally and structurally diverse α-trialkyl-α-tertiary amines, which makes use of three readily available components: dialkyl ketones, benzylamines, and alkenes. The strategy relies on the of use visible-light-mediated photocatalysis with readily available Ir(III) complexes to bring about single-electron reduction of an all-alkyl ketimine species to an α-amino radical intermediate; the α-amino radical undergoes Giese-type addition with a variety of alkenes to forge the α-trialkyl-α-tertiary amine center. The mechanism of this process is believed to proceed through an overall redox neutral pathway that involves photocatalytic redox-relay of the imine, generated from the starting amine-ketone condensation, through to an imine-derived product. This is possible because the presence of a benzylic amine component in the intermediate scaffold drives a 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer step after the Giese addition to form a stable benzylic α-amino radical, which is able to close the photocatalytic cycle. These studies detail the evolution of the reaction platform, an extensive investigation of the substrate scope, and preliminary investigation of some of the mechanistic features of this distinct photocatalytic process. We believe this transformation will provide convenient access to previously unexplored α-trialkyl-α-tertiary amine scaffolds that should be of considerable interest to practitioners of synthetic and medicinal chemistry in academic and industrial institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Henry Blackwell
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Georgia R Harris
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Milo A Smith
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Gaunt
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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11
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Sinhorini LF, Rodrigues CH, Leite VB, Bruni AT. Synthetic fentanyls evaluation and characterization by infrared spectroscopy employing in silico methods. COMPUT THEOR CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.comptc.2021.113378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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12
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Edinoff AN, Kaplan LA, Khan S, Petersen M, Sauce E, Causey CD, Cornett EM, Imani F, Moradi Moghadam O, Kaye AM, Kaye AD. Full Opioid Agonists and Tramadol: Pharmacological and Clinical Considerations. Anesth Pain Med 2021; 11:e119156. [PMID: 34692448 PMCID: PMC8520671 DOI: 10.5812/aapm.119156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids are mu receptor agonists and have been an important part of pain treatment for thousands of years. In order to use these drugs appropriately and successfully in patients, whether to control pain, to treat opiate-induced side effects, or opiate withdrawal syndromes, a solid understanding of the pharmacology of such drugs is crucial. The most recognized full agonist opioids are heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, meperidine, and fentanyl. Phenanthrenes refer to a naturally occurring plant-based compound that includes three or more fused rings. The opioids derived from the opium plant are phenanthrene derivatives, whereas most synthetic opioids are simpler molecules that do not have multiple rings. Methadone acts as a synthetic opioid analgesic similar to morphine in both quality and quantity; however, methadone lasts longer and in oral form, has higher efficacy, and is considered a diphenylheptane. Fentanyl is a strong synthetic phenylpiperdine derivative that exhibits activity as a mu-selective opioid agonist approximately 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Meperidine is another medication which is a phenylpiperdine. Tramadol is considered a mixed-mechanism opioid drug, as it is a centrally acting analgesic that exerts its effects via binding mu receptors and blocking the reuptake of monoamines. Some of the most common adverse effects shared among all opioids are nausea, vomiting, pruritus, addiction, respiratory depression, constipation, sphincter of Oddi spasm, and miosis (except in the case of meperidine). Chronic opioid usage has also established a relationship to opioid-induced hypogonadism and adrenal suppression. Physicians must be stewards of opioid use and use opioids only when necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber N. Edinoff
- Louisiana State University Health Science Center Shreveport, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Leah A. Kaplan
- Louisiana State University Shreveport, School of Medicine, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Sami Khan
- American University of the Caribbean, School of Medicine, USA
| | - Murray Petersen
- Louisiana State University Health Science Center Shreveport, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Emily Sauce
- Louisiana State University New Orleans, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | | | - Elyse M. Cornett
- Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Farnad Imani
- Pain Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Moradi Moghadam
- Pain Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Adam M. Kaye
- Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Stockton, CA, USA
| | - Alan D. Kaye
- Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA, USA
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13
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Valdez CA. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Synthetic Opioids Belonging to the Fentanyl Class: A Review. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2021; 52:1938-1968. [PMID: 34053394 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2021.1927668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The rising number of deaths caused by fentanyl overdosing in the US due to the overwhelming illicit use of this synthetic opioid has started a global campaign to develop efficient ways to control its production and distribution as well as discovering efficient antidotes to mitigate its lethal effects. Another important vein of focused research established by various agencies lies in the development of efficient and practical protocols for the detection of this opioid and analogs thereof in various matrices, whether environmental or biological in nature, particularly in the field of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The following review will cover the literature dealing with the detection and identification of synthetic opioids belonging to the fentanyl class by GC-MS means and hyphenated versions of the technique. Detailed descriptions will be given for the GC-MS methods employed for the analysis of the opioid, starting with the nature of the extraction protocol employed prior to analysis to the actual findings presented by the cited reports. Great effort has gone into describing the methods involved in each paper in a detailed manner and these have been compiled by year in tables at the end of each section for the reader's convenience. Lastly, the review will end with concluding remarks about the state of GC-MS analysis with regards to these powerful opioids and what lies ahead for this analytical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Valdez
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Forensic Science Center, Livermore, California, USA.,Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, USA.,Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, USA
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14
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Smith M, Logan M, Bazley M, Blanchfield J, Stokes R, Blanco A, McGee R. A Semi-quantitative method for the detection of fentanyl using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with a handheld Raman instrument. J Forensic Sci 2020; 66:505-519. [PMID: 33136303 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A handheld, spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) system was successfully used to obtain Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectra of fentanyl under simulated field conditions. A series of aqueous fentanyl solutions were prepared with commercially available gold nanoparticle solution, at concentrations ranging from 0.003 to 1697 μM. These SERS spectra were then used to generate two concentration calibration models (via a plot of peak area (1026 cm-1 ) versus concentration, and quantitative spectral decomposition using partial least squares (PLS1)). For both models, the relationship followed Langmuir adsorption and became non-linear at concentrations above ~0.2 μM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of approximately 3 nM. The same technique was successfully used to measure fentanyl in the presence of two common "cutting agents," heroin and glucose, at 1% and 2% fentanyl proportions (w/w). Fentanyl detection was successfully achieved, but mixture interference from the cutting agents prevented a calibration model being generated. Four fentanyl analogues were also investigated-butyrylfentanyl, furanylfentanyl, acetylfentanyl, and ocfentanyl. A concentration calibration model for each species was successfully generated, but differentiation from fentanyl proved more challenging, although several potential diagnostic peaks were identified. These results identified a pathway forward in using handheld equipment for the reliable detection of ultra-low concentrations of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues via SERS, even when mixed with diluents. However, quantitative detection is negatively impacted in the presence of heroin and glucose. This also provides a starting point for a SERS-based spectral library of fentanyl analogues, in combination with a range of different diluents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Smith
- Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Research and Scientific Branch, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Mike Logan
- Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Research and Scientific Branch, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Mikaela Bazley
- Chemistry Department, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Joanne Blanchfield
- Chemistry Department, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Robert Stokes
- Field Detection, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies UK Ltd, Oxford, UK
| | - Ana Blanco
- Field Detection, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies UK Ltd, Oxford, UK
| | - Rachel McGee
- Field Detection, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies UK Ltd, Oxford, UK
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15
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Åstrand A, Vikingsson S, Jakobsen I, Björn N, Kronstrand R, Gréen H. Activation of the μ-opioid receptor by alicyclic fentanyls: Changes from high potency full agonists to low potency partial agonists with increasing alicyclic substructure. Drug Test Anal 2020; 13:169-174. [PMID: 32749741 PMCID: PMC7891621 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fentanyl analogs represent an important group of new psychoactive substances and knowing their efficacy and potency might assist in interpreting observed concentrations. The potency of fentanyl analogs can be estimated from in vitro studies and can be used to establish structure–activity relationships. In this study, recombinant CHO‐K1 cells (AequoScreen) expressing the human μ‐opioid receptor were used to establish dose–response curves via luminescent analysis for cyclopropyl‐, cyclobutyl‐, cyclopentyl‐, cyclohexyl‐, and 2,2,3,3‐tetramethylcyclopropylfentanyl (TMCPF), on three separate occasions, using eight different concentrations in an eight‐fold serial dilution in triplicates starting at ~60 μM. Fentanyl was used as a full agonist reference while morphine and buprenorphine were included for comparison. Cyclopropylfentanyl (EC50 = 4.3 nM), cyclobutylfentanyl (EC50 = 6.2 nM), and cyclopentylfentanyl (EC50 = 13 nM) were full agonists slightly less potent than fentanyl (EC50 = 1.7 nM). Cyclohexylfentanyl (EC50 = 3.1 μM, efficacy 48%) and TMCPF (EC50 = 1.5 μM, efficacy 65%) were partial agonists less potent than morphine (EC50 = 430 nM). Based on the results, cyclopropyl‐, cyclobutyl‐, and cyclopentylfentanyl would be expected to induce intoxication or cause fatal poisonings at similar concentrations to fentanyl, while the toxic or fatal concentrations of cyclohexylfentanyl and TMCPF would be expected to be much higher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Åstrand
- Division of Drug Research, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Svante Vikingsson
- Division of Drug Research, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Jakobsen
- Division of Drug Research, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Niclas Björn
- Division of Drug Research, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Robert Kronstrand
- Division of Drug Research, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Henrik Gréen
- Division of Drug Research, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
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16
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Abstract
U-47700, 3,4-dichloro-N-((1R,2R)-2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl)-N-methyl benzamide, is a novel synthetic opioid (NSO), discovered by the Upjohn company in the late 1970s. With potent in vivo activity, ∼10-times greater than that of morphine, U-47700 has become a drug of widespread abuse due to its ease of synthesis and, until recently, lack of robust detection methods by law enforcement. U-47700 has been found in counterfeit oxycodone tablets and is a key ingredient in "gray death." Due to its emergence worldwide in the past 5 years, it is now a Schedule I drug in the United States and similarly designated around the world; moreover, at autopsy, U-47700 was found to have contributed to the death of the pop artist Prince. This Review will capture the >40 year history of U-47700 and go in-depth regarding the synthesis, medicinal chemistry, in vitro/in vivo pharmacology, drug metabolism (from postmortem overdose cases), and societal impact of this DARK Classic in chemical neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwaku Kyei-Baffour
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Craig W. Lindsley
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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17
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Jevtić II, Savić Vujović K, Srebro D, Vučković S, Ivanović MD, Kostić-Rajačić SV. Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of novel cis and trans 3-substituted anilidopiperidines. Pharmacol Rep 2020; 72:1069-1075. [PMID: 32613543 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-020-00121-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 4-Anilidopiperidine class of synthetic opioid analgesics, with it's representative fentanyl, are by far the most potent and clinically significant for the treatment of the severe chronic and surgical pain. However, side effects of μ-opioids are often quite serious. In order to improve the pharmacological profile of this class of opioid analgesics, a novel fentanyl analogs were designed, synthesized and evaluated in vivo for their antinociceptive activity. METHODS The title compounds were prepared using known synthetic transformations, including N-bromoacetamide mediated Hofmann rearrangement, highly selective carbamate cleavage with trimethylsilyl iodide and dehydration of carboxamide group to nitrile in the presence of SOCl2. The antinociceptive activity of the synthesized compounds was determined by tail-immersion and formalin test. RESULTS The scalable synthetic route towards novel fentanyl analogs bearing nitrogen groups in position C3 of piperidine ring is designed. In addition, Hofmann rearrangement was substantially improved for the more efficient synthesis of previously published 3-substituted fentanyl analogs. The series of ten fentanyl analogs was tested in vivo for their antinociceptive activity. The most potent compound of the series was found to be cis-4, based on the determined ED50 values in tail-immersion test. CONCLUSION Of ten compounds tested for their antinociceptive activity, compound cis-4 is characterized by high potency, rapid beginning and short duration of action and due to this might be incorporated in different pharmaceutical forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana I Jevtić
- ICTM-Department of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Njegoševa 12, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Katarina Savić Vujović
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragana Srebro
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sonja Vučković
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milovan D Ivanović
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
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18
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de Waal PW, Shi J, You E, Wang X, Melcher K, Jiang Y, Xu HE, Dickson BM. Molecular mechanisms of fentanyl mediated β-arrestin biased signaling. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1007394. [PMID: 32275713 PMCID: PMC7176292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of novel analgesics with improved safety profiles to combat the opioid epidemic represents a central question to G protein coupled receptor structural biology and pharmacology: What chemical features dictate G protein or β-arrestin signaling? Here we use adaptively biased molecular dynamics simulations to determine how fentanyl, a potent β-arrestin biased agonist, binds the μ-opioid receptor (μOR). The resulting fentanyl-bound pose provides rational insight into a wealth of historical structure-activity-relationship on its chemical scaffold. Following an in-silico derived hypothesis we found that fentanyl and the synthetic opioid peptide DAMGO require M153 to induce β-arrestin coupling, while M153 was dispensable for G protein coupling. We propose and validate an activation mechanism where the n-aniline ring of fentanyl mediates μOR β-arrestin through a novel M153 “microswitch” by synthesizing fentanyl-based derivatives that exhibit complete, clinically desirable, G protein biased coupling. Together, these results provide molecular insight into fentanyl mediated β-arrestin biased signaling and a rational framework for further optimization of fentanyl-based analgesics with improved safety profiles. The global opioid crisis has drawn significant attention to the risks associated with over-use of synthetic opioids. Despite the public attention, and perhaps in-line with the profit-based incentives of the pharmaceutical industry, there is no public structure of mu-opioid receptor bound to fentanyl or fentanyl derivatives. A publicly available structure of the complex would allow open-source development of safer painkillers and synthetic antagonists. Current overdose antidotes, antagonists, require natural products in their synthesis which persists a sizable barrier to market and develop better antidotes. In this work we use advance molecular dynamics techniques to obtain the bound geometry of mu-opioid receptor with fentanyl (and derivatives) and uncovered a novel molecular switch involved in receptor activation. Based on our in-silico structure, we synthesized and tested novel compounds to validate our predicted structure. Herein we report the bound state of several dangerous fentanyl derivatives and introduce new derivatives with signaling profiles that may lead to lower risk of respiratory depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parker W. de Waal
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Innovation and Integration Program, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jingjing Shi
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Erli You
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxi Wang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Karsten Melcher
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Innovation and Integration Program, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Yi Jiang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (YJ); (HEX); (BMD)
| | - H. Eric Xu
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Innovation and Integration Program, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (YJ); (HEX); (BMD)
| | - Bradley M. Dickson
- Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail: (YJ); (HEX); (BMD)
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19
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Assessment of structure-activity relationships and biased agonism at the Mu opioid receptor of novel synthetic opioids using a novel, stable bio-assay platform. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:113910. [PMID: 32179045 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Fentanyl and morphine are agonists of the Mu opioid receptor (MOR), which is a member of the GPCR family. Their analgesic effects are associated with unwanted side effects. On a signaling level downstream from MOR, it has been hypothesized that analgesia may be mediated through the G protein pathway, whereas the undesirable effects of opioids have been linked to the β-arrestin (βarr) pathway. Despite being an increasingly debated subject, little is known about a potential 'bias' (i.e. the preferential activation of one pathway over the other) of the novel synthetic opioids (NSO) - including fentanyl analogs - that have emerged on the illegal drug market. We have therefore developed and applied a novel, robust bio-assay platform to study the activity of 21 NSO, to evaluate to what extent these MOR agonists show biased agonism and to investigate the potential correlation with their structure. In addition, we evaluated the functional selectivity of TRV130, a purported G protein-biased agonist. We applied newly established stable bio-assays in HEK293T cells, based on the principle of functional complementation of a split nanoluciferase, to assess MOR activation via recruitment of a mini-Gi protein (GTPase domain of Gαi subunit) or βarr2. All but two of the tested NSO demonstrated a concentration-dependent response at MOR in both bio-assays. The developed bio-assays allow to gain insight into the βarr2 or G protein recruitment potential of NSO, which may eventually help to better understand why certain opioids are associated with higher toxicity. Adding to the recent discussion about the relevance of the biased agonism concept for opioids, we did not observe a significant bias for any of the evaluated compounds, including TRV130.
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20
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A Survey of Molecular Imaging of Opioid Receptors. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24224190. [PMID: 31752279 PMCID: PMC6891617 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24224190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of endogenous peptide ligands for morphine binding sites occurred in parallel with the identification of three subclasses of opioid receptor (OR), traditionally designated as μ, δ, and κ, along with the more recently defined opioid-receptor-like (ORL1) receptor. Early efforts in opioid receptor radiochemistry focused on the structure of the prototype agonist ligand, morphine, although N-[methyl-11C]morphine, -codeine and -heroin did not show significant binding in vivo. [11C]Diprenorphine ([11C]DPN), an orvinol type, non-selective OR antagonist ligand, was among the first successful PET tracers for molecular brain imaging, but has been largely supplanted in research studies by the μ-preferring agonist [11C]carfentanil ([11C]Caf). These two tracers have the property of being displaceable by endogenous opioid peptides in living brain, thus potentially serving in a competition-binding model. Indeed, many clinical PET studies with [11C]DPN or [11C]Caf affirm the release of endogenous opioids in response to painful stimuli. Numerous other PET studies implicate μ-OR signaling in aspects of human personality and vulnerability to drug dependence, but there have been very few clinical PET studies of μORs in neurological disorders. Tracers based on naltrindole, a non-peptide antagonist of the δ-preferring endogenous opioid enkephalin, have been used in PET studies of δORs, and [11C]GR103545 is validated for studies of κORs. Structures such as [11C]NOP-1A show selective binding at ORL-1 receptors in living brain. However, there is scant documentation of δ-, κ-, or ORL1 receptors in healthy human brain or in neurological and psychiatric disorders; here, clinical PET research must catch up with recent progress in radiopharmaceutical chemistry.
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21
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Ellis CR, Racz R, Kruhlak NL, Kim MT, Hawkins EG, Strauss DG, Stavitskaya L. Assessing the Structural and Pharmacological Similarity of Newly Identified Drugs of Abuse to Controlled Substances Using Public Health Assessment via Structural Evaluation. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2019; 106:116-122. [PMID: 30957872 PMCID: PMC6617983 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.1418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The US Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) developed an investigational Public Health Assessment via Structural Evaluation (PHASE) methodology to provide a structure-based evaluation of a newly identified opioid's risk to public safety. PHASE utilizes molecular structure to predict biological function. First, a similarity metric quantifies the structural similarity of a new drug relative to drugs currently controlled in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Next, software predictions provide the primary and secondary biological targets of the new drug. Finally, molecular docking estimates the binding affinity at the identified biological targets. The multicomponent computational approach coupled with expert review provides a rapid, systematic evaluation of a new drug in the absence of in vitro or in vivo data. The information provided by PHASE has the potential to inform law enforcement agencies with vital information regarding newly emerging illicit opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Ellis
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Rebecca Racz
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Naomi L Kruhlak
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Marlene T Kim
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Edward G Hawkins
- Controlled Substances Staff, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - David G Strauss
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Lidiya Stavitskaya
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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22
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Wilde M, Pichini S, Pacifici R, Tagliabracci A, Busardò FP, Auwärter V, Solimini R. Metabolic Pathways and Potencies of New Fentanyl Analogs. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:238. [PMID: 31024296 PMCID: PMC6461066 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to now, little is known about the metabolic pathways of new fentanyl analogs that have recently emerged on the drug markets worldwide with high potential for producing addiction and severe adverse effects including coma and death. For some of the compounds, limited information on the metabolism has been published, however, for others so far no information is available. Considering the well characterized metabolism of the pharmaceutically used opioid fentanyl and the so far available data, the metabolism of the new fentanyl analogs can be anticipated to generally involve reactions like hydrolysis, hydroxylation (and further oxidation steps), N- and O-dealkylation and O-methylation. Furthermore, phase II metabolic reactions can be expected comprising glucuronide or sulfate conjugate formation. When analyzing blood and urine samples of acute intoxication cases or fatalities, the presence of metabolites can be crucial for confirmation of the uptake of such compounds and further interpretation. Here we present a review on the metabolic profiles of new fentanyl analogs responsible for a growing number of severe and fatal intoxications in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, and Japan in the last years, as assessed by a systematic search of the scientific literature and official reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurice Wilde
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Pacifici
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriano Tagliabracci
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology, Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Excellence SBSP, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology, Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Excellence SBSP, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Renata Solimini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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23
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Qin Y, Ni L, Shi J, Zhu Z, Shi S, Lam AL, Magiera J, Sekar S, Kuo A, Smith MT, Li T. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Fentanyl Analogues Modified at Phenyl Groups with Alkyls. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:201-208. [PMID: 30179508 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of fentanyl analogues modified at the phenyl group of the phenethyl with alkyl and/or hydroxyl and alkoxy, and the phenyl group in the anilido moiety replaced with benzyl or substituted benzyl, were synthesized. The in vitro opioid receptor functional activity of these compounds was evaluated by assessment of their ability to modulate forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation and by their ability to induce β-arrestin2 recruitment. Compound 12 is a potent μ-opioid (MOP) receptor agonist, a potent κ-opioid (KOP) receptor antagonist with weak β-arrestin2 recruitment activity. Compounds 10 and 11 are potent MOP receptor agonists with weak δ-opioid (DOP) receptor antagonist activity and moderate KOP receptor antagonist activity as well as weak β-arrestin2 recruitment activity at the MOP receptor. These compounds are promising leads for discovery of potent opioid analgesics with reduced side effects relative to clinically available strong opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajuan Qin
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Luofan Ni
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jiawei Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Zhiying Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Saijian Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Ai-leen Lam
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Julia Magiera
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sunderajhan Sekar
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Andy Kuo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Maree T. Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tingyou Li
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
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24
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Abstract
Drug use and the associated overdose deaths have been a serious public health threat in the United States and the world. While traditional drugs of abuse such as cocaine remain popular, recreational use of newer synthetic drugs has continued to increase, but the prevalence of use is likely underestimated. In this review, epidemiology, chemistry, pharmacophysiology, clinical effects, laboratory detection, and clinical treatment are discussed for newly emerging drugs of abuse in the following classes: (1) opioids (e.g., fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and mitragynine), (2) cannabinoids [THC and its analogues, alkylindole (e.g., JWH-018, JWH-073), cyclohexylphenol (e.g., CP-47,497), and indazole carboxamide (e.g., FUB-AMB, ADB-FUBINACA)], (3) stimulants and hallucinogens [β-keto amphetamines (e.g., methcathinone, methylone), pyrrolidinophenones (e.g., α-PVP, MDPV), and dimethoxyphenethylamine ("2C" and "NBOMe")], (4) dissociative agents (e.g., 3-MeO-PCP, methoxetamine, 2-oxo-PCE), and (5) sedative-hypnotics (e.g., gabapentin, baclofen, clonazolam, etizolam). It is critically important to coordinate hospital, medical examiner, and law enforcement personnel with laboratory services to respond to these emerging threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Tamama
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Clinical Laboratories, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Michael J Lynch
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Pittsburgh Poison Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Vučković S, Srebro D, Vujović KS, Vučetić Č, Prostran M. Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1259. [PMID: 30542280 PMCID: PMC6277878 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. The prohibition of cannabis in the middle of the 20th century has arrested cannabis research. In recent years there is a growing debate about the use of cannabis for medical purposes. The term ‘medical cannabis’ refers to physician-recommended use of the cannabis plant and its components, called cannabinoids, to treat disease or improve symptoms. Chronic pain is the most commonly cited reason for using medical cannabis. Cannabinoids act via cannabinoid receptors, but they also affect the activities of many other receptors, ion channels and enzymes. Preclinical studies in animals using both pharmacological and genetic approaches have increased our understanding of the mechanisms of cannabinoid-induced analgesia and provided therapeutical strategies for treating pain in humans. The mechanisms of the analgesic effect of cannabinoids include inhibition of the release of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides from presynaptic nerve endings, modulation of postsynaptic neuron excitability, activation of descending inhibitory pain pathways, and reduction of neural inflammation. Recent meta-analyses of clinical trials that have examined the use of medical cannabis in chronic pain present a moderate amount of evidence that cannabis/cannabinoids exhibit analgesic activity, especially in neuropathic pain. The main limitations of these studies are short treatment duration, small numbers of patients, heterogeneous patient populations, examination of different cannabinoids, different doses, the use of different efficacy endpoints, as well as modest observable effects. Adverse effects in the short-term medical use of cannabis are generally mild to moderate, well tolerated and transient. However, there are scant data regarding the long-term safety of medical cannabis use. Larger well-designed studies of longer duration are mandatory to determine the long-term efficacy and long-term safety of cannabis/cannabinoids and to provide definitive answers to physicians and patients regarding the risk and benefits of its use in the treatment of pain. In conclusion, the evidence from current research supports the use of medical cannabis in the treatment of chronic pain in adults. Careful follow-up and monitoring of patients using cannabis/cannabinoids are mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Vučković
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragana Srebro
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Katarina Savić Vujović
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Čedomir Vučetić
- Clinic of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Prostran
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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New synthetic opioids: Part of a new addiction landscape. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 106:133-140. [PMID: 30217656 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic opioids (SO) are a major risk for public health across the world. These drugs can be divided into 2 categories, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical fentanyls. A new generation of SO has emerged on the drug market since 2010. North America is currently facing an opioid epidemic of morbi-mortality, caused by over-prescription of opioids, illegally diverted prescribed medicines, the increasing use of heroin and the emergence of SO. Furthermore, this opioid crisis is also seen in Europe. SO are new psychoactive substances characterized by different feature such as easy availability on the Internet, low price, purity, legality, and lack of detection in laboratory tests. They have not been approved or are not recommended for human use. Opioid misuse is associated with somatic and psychiatric complications. For many substances, limited pharmacological information is available, increasing the risk of harmful adverse events. Health actors and the general population need to be clearly informed of the potential risks and consequences of the diffusion and use of SO.
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27
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Bonetti J. Mass spectral differentiation of positional isomers using multivariate statistics. Forensic Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
Drugs related to morphine represent not only large range of important therapeutic applications for the relief of moderate to severe pain but also give rise to a relatively large series of novel opioids that mimic the action of this naturally occurring analgesic. Most of these are based on fentanyl structures that are much more potent, and dangerous, than fentanyl itself. This publication reviews reports of fatalities attributed to 15 novel opioids with the view to assessing mortality associated with their misuse as well as reviewing published analytical procedures that would be able to detect these and other novel opioids. These drugs include reports of deaths to acetylfentanyl, acrylfentanyl, butr(yl)fentanyl, carfentanil, 2- and 4-fluorofentanyls, 4-fluorobutyrfentanyl, 4-fluoroisobutyrfentanyl, furanylfentanyl, α- and 3-methylfentanyls, 4-methoxyfentanyl, ocfentanil, as well as AH-7921, U-47700 and MT-45. Most of these cases reporting a drug-caused death involved other drugs in addition to the opioid. No obvious minimum fatal concentration was discerned for any of the opioids for which details were provided, however, the more potent members required detection limits well under 1 ng/mL and often even well below 0.1 ng/mL requiring use of the most sensitive mass spectral detection procedures, particularly when screening specimens using a non-targeted mode. Four other novel opioids have been reported in admissions to hospitals include 4-chloroisobutryfentanyl, cyclopentylfentanyl and tetrahydrofuranfentanyl, all of which are likely to have the potential to cause death. It is also likely that other analogues will appear with time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf H Drummer
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Southbank, Victoria, Australia
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29
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Nami M, Salehi P, Dabiri M, Bararjanian M, Gharaghani S, Khoramjouy M, Al-Harrasi A, Faizi M. Synthesis of novel norsufentanil analogs via a four-component Ugi reaction and in vivo, docking, and QSAR studies of their analgesic activity. Chem Biol Drug Des 2018; 91:902-914. [PMID: 29222847 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Novel substituted amino acid tethered norsufentanil derivatives were synthesized by the four-component Ugi reaction. Norsufentanil was reacted with succinic anhydride to produce the corresponding carboxylic acid. The resulting carboxylic acid has undergone a multicomponent reaction with different aldehydes, amines, and isocyanides to produce a library of the desired compounds. In all cases, amide bond rotation was observed in the NMR spectra. In vivo analgesic activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated by a tail flick test. Very encouraging results were obtained for a number of the synthesized products. Some of the synthesized compounds such as 5a, 5b, 5h, 5j, and 5r were found to be more potent than sufentanil, sufentanil citrate, and norsufentanil. Binding modes between the compounds and mu and delta-opioid receptors were studied by molecular docking method. The relationship between the molecular structural features and the analgesic activity was investigated by a quantitative structure-activity relationship model. The results of the molecular modeling studies and the in vivo analgesic activity suggested that the majority of the synthesized compounds were more potent than sufentanil and norsufentanil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Nami
- Faculty of Chemistry, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Peyman Salehi
- Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Minoo Dabiri
- Faculty of Chemistry, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Bararjanian
- Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajjad Gharaghani
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Drug Design (LBD), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mona Khoramjouy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmed Al-Harrasi
- UoN Chair of Oman`S Medicinal Plants and Marine Natural, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Mehrdad Faizi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
Opioid abuse has been a global menace for centuries, but the proliferation of synthetic opioids and their use within this current decade have created epidemic-level harms in some countries. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, almost 12 million years were estimated loss of "healthy" life resulting in premature death and disability attributable to global opioid abuse just in 2015. Law enforcement and regulatory authorities have been particularly challenged abating the spread of synthetic opioids because soon after controlling the currently recognized abused opioids, their structures are tweaked, and new entities replace them. Drug racketeers have most often exploited the fentanyl phenylpiperidine structure in this regard, but non-fentanyl-like and classical morphinan-like structures have been pirated as well. A growing number of anecdotal reports identify respiratory depression induced by these newer synthetic opioids to be especially refractive to reversal by antagonists, with consequently high levels of lethality. This review examines three of these synthetic opioids representing three chemical classes (U-47700, MT-45, and acetylfentanyl) that have emerged to be of such menace that they have been brought under international control in recent years and addresses factors that could make synthetic opioids especially untreatable by opioid antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Beardsley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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Baumann MH, Majumdar S, Le Rouzic V, Hunkele A, Uprety R, Huang XP, Xu J, Roth BL, Pan YX, Pasternak GW. Pharmacological characterization of novel synthetic opioids (NSO) found in the recreational drug marketplace. Neuropharmacology 2017; 134:101-107. [PMID: 28807672 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Novel synthetic opioids (NSO) are increasingly encountered in illicit heroin and counterfeit pain pills. Many NSO are resurrected from older biomedical literature or patent applications, so limited information is available about their biological effects. Here we examined the pharmacology of three structurally-distinct NSO found in the recreational drug market: N-(1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl)-N-phenylbutyramide (butyrylfentanyl), 3,4-dichloro-N-[(1R,2R)-2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methylbenzamide (U-47700) and 1-cyclohexyl-4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazine (MT-45). Radioligand binding and GTPγS functional assays were carried out in cells transfected with murine mu- (MOR-1), delta- (DOR-1) or kappa-opioid receptors (KOR-1). Antinociceptive effects were determined using the radiant heat tail flick technique in mice, and opioid specificity was assessed with the mu-opioid antagonist naloxone. Butyrylfentanyl, U-47700 and MT-45 displayed nM affinities at MOR-1, but were less potent than morphine, and had much weaker effects at DOR-1 and KOR-1. All NSO exhibited agonist actions at MOR-1 in the GTPγS assay. Butyrylfentanyl and U-47700 were 31- and 12-fold more potent than morphine in the tail flick assay, whereas MT-45 was equipotent with morphine. Analgesic effects were reversed by naloxone and absent in genetically-engineered mice lacking MOR-1. Our findings confirm that butyrylfentanyl, U-47700 and MT-45 are selective MOR-1 agonists with in vitro affinities less than morphine. However, analgesic potencies vary more than 30-fold across the compounds, and in vitro binding affinity does not predict in vivo potency. Taken together, our findings highlight the risks to humans who may unknowingly be exposed to these and other NSO when taking adulterated heroin or counterfeit pain medications. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Designer Drugs and Legal Highs.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Valerie Le Rouzic
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Amanda Hunkele
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Rajendra Uprety
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Xi Ping Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ying-Xian Pan
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Gavril W Pasternak
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Abstract
Novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) include various analogs of fentanyl and newly emerging non-fentanyl compounds. Together with illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF), these drugs have caused a recent spike in overdose deaths, whereas deaths from prescription opioids have stabilized. NSOs are used as stand-alone products, as adulterants in heroin, or as constituents of counterfeit prescription medications. During 2015 alone, there were 9580 deaths from synthetic opioids other than methadone. Most of these fatalities were associated with IMF rather than diverted pharmaceutical fentanyl. In opioid overdose cases, where the presence of fentanyl analogs was examined, analogs were implicated in 17% of fatalities. Recent data from law enforcement sources show increasing confiscation of acetylfentanyl, butyrylfentanyl, and furanylfentanyl, in addition to non-fentanyl compounds such as U-47700. Since 2013, deaths from NSOs in the United States were 52 for acetylfentanyl, 40 for butyrylfentanyl, 128 for furanylfentanyl, and 46 for U-47700. All of these substances induce a classic opioid toxidrome, which can be reversed with the competitive antagonist naloxone. However, due to the putative high potency of NSOs and their growing prevalence, it is recommended to forgo the 0.4 mg initial dose of naloxone and start with 2 mg. Because NSOs offer enormous profit potential, and there is strong demand for their use, these drugs are being trafficked by organized crime. NSOs present major challenges for medical professionals, law enforcement agencies, and policymakers. Resources must be distributed equitably to enhance harm reduction though public education, medication-assisted therapies, and improved access to naloxone.
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Lipiński PFJ, Szurmak P. SCRAMBLE'N'GAMBLE: a tool for fast and facile generation of random data for statistical evaluation of QSAR models. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2017; 71:2217-2232. [PMID: 29104352 PMCID: PMC5655615 DOI: 10.1007/s11696-017-0215-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
A common practice in modern QSAR modelling is to derive models by variable selection methods working on large descriptor pools. As pointed out previously, this is intrinsically burdened with the risk of finding random correlations. Therefore it is desirable to perform tests showing the performance of models built on random data. In this contribution, we introduce a simple and freely available software tool SCRAMBLE’N’GAMBLE that is aimed at facilitating data preparation for y-randomization and pseudo-descriptors tests. Then, four close-to-real-world modelling situations are analysed. The tests indicate what the quality of obtained QSAR models is like in comparison to chance models derived from random data. The non-randomness is not the only requirement for a good QSAR model, however, it is a good practice to consider it together with internal statistical parameters and possible physical interpretations of a model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr F J Lipiński
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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34
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Babazade R, Turan A. Sufentanil sublingual tablet system for the management of postoperative pain. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2017; 17:2351-2357. [PMID: 27796147 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2016.1254190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intravenous patient-controlled opioid analgesia has been an important improvement in addressing insufficient management of acute postoperative pain for over 40 years. However, there are number of weaknesses for intravenous patient-controlled analgesia, including operator and device error, intravenous line patency issues, and risk of catheter-related infection, all of which contribute to the complications and increase in cost of care. The sublingual sufentanil tablet system is a major evolution in both drug and technological management of postoperative pain. Areas covered: We reviewed the use of the sublingual sufentanil tablet system in management of moderate to severe postoperative pain in hospitalized patients, with a particular focus on the pharmacological properties of sufentanil and clinical use in different surgical patients. Expert opinion: The sublingual sufentanil tablet system can decrease intravenous opioid based patient-controlled analgesia related complications and safety issues. Current clinical studies have demonstrated this noninvasive-novel system to be safe and effective in management of acute pain in the postsurgical setting. Researchers should focus on comparing it with other available patient controlled analgesia modalities and evaluating the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the sublingual sufentanil tablet system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rovnat Babazade
- a Department of Anesthesiology , The University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston , TX , USA
| | - Alparslan Turan
- b Department of Outcomes Research , Anesthesiology Institute , Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland , OH , USA
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36
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A "building block" approach to the new influenza A virus entry inhibitors with reduced cellular toxicities. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22790. [PMID: 26952867 PMCID: PMC4782136 DOI: 10.1038/srep22790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) is a severe worldwide threat to public health and economic development that results in the emergence of drug-resistant or highly virulent strains. Therefore, it is imperative to develop potent anti-IAV drugs with different modes of action to currently available drugs. Herein, we show a new class of antiviral peptides generated by conjugating two known short antiviral peptides: part-1 (named Jp with the sequence of ARLPR) and part-2 (named Hp with the sequence of KKWK). The new peptides were thus created by hybridization of these two domains at C- and N- termini, respectively. The anti-IAV screening results identified that C20-Jp-Hp was the most potent peptide with IC50 value of 0.53 μM against A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) strain. Interestingly, these new peptides display lower toxicities toward mammalian cells and higher therapeutic indices than their prototypes. In addition, the mechanism of action of C20-Jp-Hp was extensively investigated.
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37
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Deekonda S, Rankin D, Davis P, Lai J, Vanderah TW, Porecca F, Hruby VJ. Design synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 5-substituted (tetrahydronaphthalen-2yl)methyl with N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-2-yl)propionamide derivatives as opioid ligands. Bioorg Med Chem 2015; 24:85-91. [PMID: 26712115 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2015.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Here, we report the design, synthesis and structure activity relationship of novel small molecule opioid ligands based on 5-amino substituted (tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)methyl moiety with N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-2-yl)propionamide derivatives. We synthesized various molecules including amino, amide and hydroxy substitution on the 5th position of the (tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)methyl moiety. In our further designs we replaced the (tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)methyl moiety with benzyl and phenethyl moiety. These N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-2-yl)propionamide analogues showed moderate to good binding affinities (850-4 nM) and were selective towards the μ opioid receptor over the δ opioid receptors. From the structure activity relationship studies, we found that a hydroxyl substitution at the 5th position of (tetrahydronapthalen-2yl)methyl group, ligands 19 and 20, showed excellent binding affinities 4 and 5 nM, respectively, and 1000 fold selectivity towards the μ opioid relative to the delta opioid receptor. The ligand 19 showed potent agonist activities 75±21 nM, and 190±42 nM in the GPI and MVD assays. Surprisingly the fluoro analogue 20 showed good agonist activities in MVD assays 170±42 nM, in contrast to its binding affinity results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Deekonda
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 E. University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - David Rankin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Peg Davis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Josephine Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Todd W Vanderah
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Frank Porecca
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Victor J Hruby
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 E. University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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Deekonda S, Wugalter L, Kulkarni V, Rankin D, Largent-Milnes TM, Davis P, Bassirirad NM, Lai J, Vanderah TW, Porreca F, Hruby VJ. Discovery of 5-substituted tetrahydronaphthalen-2yl-methyl with N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-4-yl)propionamide derivatives as potent opioid receptor ligands. Bioorg Med Chem 2015; 23:6185-94. [PMID: 26299827 PMCID: PMC4642887 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2015.07.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
A new series of novel opioid ligands have been designed and synthesized based on the 4-anilidopiperidine scaffold containing a 5-substituted tetrahydronaphthalen-2yl)methyl group with different N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-4-yl)propionamide derivatives to study the biological effects of these substituents on μ and δ opioid receptor interactions. Recently our group reported novel 4-anilidopiperidine analogues, in which several aromatic ring-contained amino acids were conjugated with N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-4-yl)propionamide and examined their biological activities at the μ and δ opioid receptors. In continuation of our efforts in these novel 4-anilidopiperidine analogues, we took a peptidomimetic approach in the present design, in which we substituted aromatic amino acids with tetrahydronaphthalen-2yl methyl moiety with amino, amide and hydroxyl substitutions at the 5th position. In in vitro assays these ligands, showed very good binding affinity and highly selective toward the μ opioid receptor. Among these, the lead ligand 20 showed excellent binding affinity (2 nM) and 5000 fold selectivity toward the μ opioid receptor, as well as functional selectivity in GPI assays (55.20 ± 4.30 nM) and weak or no agonist activities in MVD assays. Based on the in vitro bioassay results the lead compound 20 was chosen for in vivo assessment for efficacy in naïve rats after intrathecal administration. Compound 20 was not significantly effective in alleviating acute pain. This discrepancy between high in vitro binding affinity, moderate in vitro activity, and low in vivo activity may reflect differences in pharmacodynamics (i.e., engaging signaling pathways) or pharmacokinetics (i.e., metabolic stability). In sum, our data suggest that further optimization of this compound 20 is required to enhance in vivo activity.
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MESH Headings
- Amides/chemical synthesis
- Amides/chemistry
- Amides/pharmacokinetics
- Analgesics, Opioid/chemical synthesis
- Analgesics, Opioid/chemistry
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
- Half-Life
- Ligands
- Male
- Narcotic Antagonists/chemical synthesis
- Narcotic Antagonists/chemistry
- Narcotic Antagonists/pharmacokinetics
- Protein Binding
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptors, Opioid/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Deekonda
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Lauren Wugalter
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Vinod Kulkarni
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - David Rankin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | | | - Peg Davis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | | | - Josephine Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Todd W Vanderah
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Victor J Hruby
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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On the modularity of the intrinsic flexibility of the µ opioid receptor: a computational study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e115856. [PMID: 25549261 PMCID: PMC4280117 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The µ opioid receptor (µOR), the principal target to control pain, belongs to the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) family, one of the most highlighted protein families due to their importance as therapeutic targets. The conformational flexibility of GPCRs is one of their essential characteristics as they take part in ligand recognition and subsequent activation or inactivation mechanisms. It is assessed that the intrinsic mechanical properties of the µOR, more specifically its particular flexibility behavior, would facilitate the accomplishment of specific biological functions, at least in their first steps, even in the absence of a ligand or any chemical species usually present in its biological environment. The study of the mechanical properties of the µOR would thus bring some indications regarding the highly efficient ability of the µOR to transduce cellular message. We therefore investigate the intrinsic flexibility of the µOR in its apo-form using all-atom Molecular Dynamics simulations at the sub-microsecond time scale. We particularly consider the µOR embedded in a simplified membrane model without specific ions, particular lipids, such as cholesterol moieties, or any other chemical species that could affect the flexibility of the µOR. Our analyses highlighted an important local effect due to the various bendability of the helices resulting in a diversity of shape and volume sizes adopted by the µOR binding site. Such property explains why the µOR can interact with ligands presenting highly diverse structural geometry. By investigating the topology of the µOR binding site, a conformational global effect is depicted: the correlation between the motional modes of the extra- and intracellular parts of µOR on one hand, along with a clear rigidity of the central µOR domain on the other hand. Our results show how the modularity of the µOR flexibility is related to its pre-ability to activate and to present a basal activity.
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Synergistic interaction between ketamine and magnesium in lowering body temperature in rats. Physiol Behav 2014; 127:45-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2013] [Revised: 11/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Vardanyan RS, Hruby VJ. Fentanyl-related compounds and derivatives: current status and future prospects for pharmaceutical applications. Future Med Chem 2014; 6:385-412. [PMID: 24635521 PMCID: PMC4137794 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.13.215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fentanyl and its analogs have been mainstays for the treatment of severe to moderate pain for many years. In this review, we outline the structural and corresponding synthetic strategies that have been used to understand the structure-biological activity relationship in fentanyl-related compounds and derivatives and their biological activity profiles. We discuss how changes in the scaffold structure can change biological and pharmacological activities. Finally, recent efforts to design and synthesize novel multivalent ligands that act as mu and delta opioid receptors and NK-1 receptors are discussed.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesics, Opioid/chemical synthesis
- Analgesics, Opioid/chemistry
- Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use
- Animals
- Fentanyl/chemical synthesis
- Fentanyl/chemistry
- Fentanyl/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Neuralgia/drug therapy
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben S Vardanyan
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Victor J Hruby
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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A comparison of the antinociceptive and temperature responses to morphine and fentanyl derivatives in rats. Arch Pharm Res 2013; 36:501-8. [PMID: 23440583 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-013-0072-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In addition to producing antinociception, opioids exert profound effects on body temperature. This study aimed at comparing antinociceptive and hyperthermic responses between two groups of μ-opioid receptor agonists: fentanyl (4-anilinopiperidine-type) and morphine (phenanthrene-type) derivatives in rats. Analgesic activity was assessed by tail immersion test and the body temperature by insertion of a thermometer probe into the colon. Fentanyl (F), (±)-cis-3-methyl fentanyl (CM), (±)-cis-3-carbomethoxy fentanyl (C), (±)trans-3-carbomethoxy fentanyl (T) and (±)-cis-3 butyl fentanyl (B) produced dose-dependent increase in antinociception and hyperthermia. The relative order of analgesic potency was: CM(11.27)>F(1)>C(0.35)≥T(0.11)≥B(0.056). Similar to this, the relative order of hyperthermic potency was: CM(8.43)>F(1)>C(0.46)≥T(0.11)≥B(0.076). Morphine (M), oxycodone (O), thebacon (T) and 6,14-ethenomorphinan-7-methanol, 4,5-epoxy-6-fluoro-3-hydroxy-α,α,17-trimethyl-, (5α,7α) (E) also produced dose-dependent increase in antinociception and hyperthermia. Among morphine derivatives the relative order of analgesic potency was: E(56)>O(5)≥T(2.6)>M(1), and similar to this, the relative order of hyperthermic potency was: E(37)>O(3)≥T(2.3)>M(1). Morphine (phenanthrene-type) and fentanyl (4-anilinopiperidine-type) derivatives produced hyperthermia in rats at doses about 2 times lower, and 6-11 times higher, than their median antinociceptive doses, respectively. This study is first to identify difference between these two classes of opioid drugs in their potencies in producing hyperthermia. Further studies are needed to clarify the significance of these findings.
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Vuckovic S, Prostran M, Ivanovic M, Dosen-Micovic L, Vujovic KS, Vucetic C, Kadija M, Mikovic Z. Pharmacological Evaluation of 3-Carbomethoxy Fentanyl in Mice. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2011. [PMCID: PMC4053955 DOI: 10.3390/ph4020233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In many animal species, as well as in humans, high doses of fentanyl (F) produce marked neurotoxic effects, such as muscular rigidity and respiratory depression. The antinociception (hot-plate test), impairment of motor coordination (rotarod test) and acute toxicity of intraperitoneal newly synthesized analogs, (±)cis-3-carbomethoxy- fentanyl (C) and (±)trans-3-carbomethoxyfentanyl (T) were evaluated in mice. The compounds tested induced antinociception, impairment of performance on the rotarod, and lethality in a dose-dependent manner. The relative order of antinociceptive potency was similar to motor impairment potency, as well as lethality: F > C > T. Naloxone hydrochloride (1 mg/kg; sc) abolished all the effects observed, suggesting that they are mediated via opioid receptors, most probably of μ type. There were no significant differences between the therapeutic indices of F, C and T. It is concluded, the introduction of 3-carbomethoxy group in the piperidine ring of the fentanyl skeleton reduced the potency, but did not affect tolerability and safety of the compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Vuckovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 38, 11129, Belgrade, Serbia
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +381-11-3643-381; +381-64-1562-341; Fax: +381-11-3643-397
| | - Milica Prostran
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 38, 11129, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | | | - Katarina Savic Vujovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 38, 11129, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Cedomir Vucetic
- Institute for Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Clinical Center of Serbia, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Kadija
- Institute for Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Clinical Center of Serbia, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zeljko Mikovic
- Department of High-risk Pregnancies, University Clinic of Gynaecology and Obstetrics “Narodni front”, Belgrade, Serbia
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Goldberg JS. Stereochemical basis for a unified structure activity theory of aromatic and heterocyclic rings in selected opioids and opioid peptides. PERSPECTIVES IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2010; 4:1-10. [PMID: 20212915 PMCID: PMC2832284 DOI: 10.4137/pmc.s3898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a novel unified theory of the structure activity relationship of opioids and opioid peptides. It is hypothesized that a virtual or known heterocyclic ring exists in all opioids which have activity in humans, and this ring occupies relative to the aromatic ring of the drug, approximately the same plane in space as the piperidine ring of morphine. Since the rings of morphine are rigid, and the aromatic and piperidine rings are critical structural components for morphine's analgesic properties, the rigid morphine molecule allows for approximations of the aromatic and heterocyclic relationships in subsequent drug models where bond rotations are common. This hypothesis and five propositions are supported by stereochemistry and experimental observations.Proposition #1 The structure of morphine provides a template. Proposition #2 Steric hindrance of some centric portion of the piperidine ring explains antagonist properties of naloxone, naltrexone and alvimopam. Proposition #3 Methadone has an active conformation which contains a virtual heterocyclic ring which explains its analgesic activity and racemic properties. Proposition #4 The piperidine ring of fentanyl can assume the morphine position under conditions of nitrogen inversion. Proposition #5 The first 3 amino acid sequences of beta endorphin (l-try-gly-gly) and the active opioid dipeptide, l-tyr-pro, (as a result of a peptide turn and zwitterion bonding) form a virtual piperazine-like ring which is similar in size, shape and location to the heterocyclic rings of morphine, meperidine, and methadone. Potential flaws in this theory are discussed.This theory could be important for future analgesic drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel S Goldberg
- Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Duke University School of Medicine
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