Frontiers in Pharmacology
2025
Georgina de la Rosa, Esther Papaseit, Olga Hladun et al.
7 citations
Alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP) is a commonly consumed analogue of pyrovalerone, a synthetic cathinone with psychostimulant properties similar to those of 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and cocaine. Since the pharmacology of α-PVP remains scarcely studied, we aimed to evaluate the acute pharmacological effects and its abuse potential in humans after intranasal administration. We...
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis
June 15, 2024
Giorgia Sprega, Giorgi Kobidze, Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro et al.
4 citations
Recently we published in this journal an enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantitative determination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its major phase-1 metabolites, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in human plasma, sweat,...
Frontiers in Pharmacology
February 17, 2023
Lourdes Poyatos, Clara Pérez‐mañá, Olga Hladun et al.
26 citations
Methylone is one of the most common synthetic cathinones popularized as a substitute for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, midomafetamine) owing to its similar effects among users. Both psychostimulants exhibit similar chemistry (i.e., methylone is a β-keto analog of MDMA) and mechanisms of action. Currently, the pharmacology of methylone remains scarcely explored in humans. Herein, we...
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
November 23, 2022
Lourdes Poyatos, Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro, Diletta Berardinelli et al.
22 citations
The aim of this study is to define, for the first time, human methylone and HMMC plasma pharmacokinetics following controlled administration of 50–200 mg methylone to 12 male volunteers. A new LC-MS/MS method was validated to quantify methylone, MDMA, and their metabolites in plasma. The study was a randomized, cross-over, double-blinded and placebo-controlled study, with a total of 468 plasma...
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
March 18, 2022
Francesco Paolo Busardò, Simona Pichini
7 citations
Currently, more than 1000 molecules have been classified as New Psychoactive Substances (NPSs), and it is reported that, every year, this number increases with new classes of compounds and/or newer generations of NPS families [...].
Biology
March 24, 2021
Nunzia La Maida, Esther Papaseit, Lucía Martínez de Soto et al.
14 citations
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are one of the most frequent classes of new psychoactive substances monitored by the EU Early Warning System and World Health Organization. UR-144 is a SC with a relative low affinity for the CB1 receptor with respect to that for the CB2 receptor. As with other cannabinoid receptor agonists, it has been monitored by the EU Early Warning System since 2012 for severe...
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
December 4, 2020
Sara Malaca, Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro, Alice Tamborra et al.
48 citations
Our understanding of tryptamines is poor due to the lack of data globally. Tryptamines currently are not part of typical toxicology testing regimens and their contribution to drug overdoses may be underestimated. Although their prevalence was low, it is increasing. There are few published data on the many new compounds, their mechanisms of action, onset and duration of action, toxicity, signs...
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis
November 1, 2014
Simona Pichini, Emilia Marchei, Oscar García-algar et al.
44 citations
A procedure based on ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry has been developed for the determination of mescaline, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, psilocin, psilocybin, salvinorin A in hair of consumers of psychedelic vegetal material such peyote or trichocereus cacti, psilocybe mushrooms, Salvia divinorum or psychedelic beverage ayahuasca. After hair washing with methyl...
Drug Testing and Analysis
August 9, 2012
Manuela Pellegrini, Maria Concetta Rotolo, Emilia Marchei et al.
21 citations
“Magic mushrooms” is the most common name given to hallucinogenic fungi containing the psychoactive alkaloids psilocybin and psilocin. In recent years, fungis' sclerotia, commonly called “magic truffles” have become a form of supply of psychoactive Psilocybe alkaloids since Psilocybe sclerotia are not specifically included in the laws banning the sale, the purchase and the use of such...
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis
June 9, 2008
Simona Pichini, Mitona Pujadas, Emilia Marchei et al.
59 citations
A procedure based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is described for determination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methyl-phenethylamine (2C-D), 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-beta-phenethylamine (2C-B), 1-(8-bromo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b'] difuran-4-yl)-2-aminoethane (2C-B-Fly), 4-ethylthio-2,5-dimethoxy-beta-phenethylamine (2C-T-2),...
Addiction
May 22, 2007
Roberta Pacifici, Piergiorgio Zuccaro, Magı́ Farré et al.
39 citations
ABSTRACT Aims Cell‐mediated immune function and the occurrence of mild infectious diseases was investigated. Participants Polydrug consumers of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and cannabis ( n = 37) compared to cannabis users only ( n = 23) and control group ( n = 34). Design A longitudinal prospective study with three cross‐sectional evaluations at time 0 and at 6 months and 1 year...
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
February 1, 2007
Sergio Abanades, Magı́ Farré, Mireia Segura et al.
66 citations
Little controlled drug administration data are available to aid in the interpretation of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) distribution in conventional and nonconventional fluids and the potential correlation between the pharmacokinetics of GHB and drug effects. Single oral sodium GHB doses of 50 mg/kg were administered to five volunteers. Plasma, oral fluid, urine, and sweat were analyzed for...
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
August 1, 2006
Sergio Abanades, Magı́ Farré, Mireia Segura et al.
124 citations
Despite gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) therapeutic uses and the increasing concern about its toxicity, few studies have addressed GHB dose-related effects under controlled administration and their relationship with its pharmacokinetics. The study design was double-blind, randomized, crossover, and controlled. As a pilot pharmacology phase I study, increasing doses of GHB were given. Single oral...
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
July 22, 2005
Oscar García-algar, Nuria L Pez, M. Á. Bonet et al.
39 citations
Accidental ingestion of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) was detected in an infant admitted at the Pediatric Emergency Department by drug testing in urine. Concentrations of MDMA and its principal metabolite 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA) in the infant's hydrolyzed urine were 11.7 mg/L and 34.4 mg/L, respectively. Apparent febrile convulsions and cardiovascular side...
Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM
2005
Simona Pichini, Sergio Abanades, Magí Farré et al.
58 citations
A gas chromatography method with mass spectrometric detection is described for the determination of Salvinorin A, the main active ingredient of the hallucinogenic mint Salvia divinorum. The method was validated in plasma, urine, saliva and sweat using 17-alpha-methyltestosterone as internal standard. The analytes were extracted from biological matrices with chloroform/isopropanol (9:1, v/v)....
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
July 1, 2003
Simona Pichini, M.d. Sánchez Navarro, Roberta Pacifici et al.
66 citations
Nine healthy male subjects and recreational users of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) participated in a study aimed to assess the usefulness of sweat testing for the detection of MDMA after a single 100-mg dose. Sweat was collected for up to 24 h with the PharmChek sweat patches from which drugs were eluted and then analyzed by immunoassay and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using...
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
June 1, 2002
Roberta Pacifici, Piergiorgio Zuccaro, Magı́ Farré et al.
58 citations
A bstract : Acute administration of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “ecstasy”) produces time‐dependent immune dysfunction in humans. Recreational use of MDMA generally includes repeated drug consumption, often in association with other drugs, such as alcohol and cannabis. In the laboratory setting, repeated MDMA administration to healthy MDMA consumers produced a time‐dependent immune...
Clinical Chemistry
October 1, 2001
Mèonica Navarro, Simona Pichini, Magí Farré et al.
135 citations
Abstract Background: Saliva is an alternative biologic matrix for drugs-of-abuse testing that offers the advantages of noninvasive, rapid, and easy sampling. We studied the excretion profile of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its metabolites in both saliva and plasma, as well the effect of the drug on salivary pH. Methods: Saliva and plasma samples were obtained from eight healthy...
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
March 1, 2001
Roberta Pacifici, Magı́ Farré, Simona Pichini et al.
50 citations
Rapid on-site tests for the analysis of drugs of abuse in unconventional specimens (e.g., sweat) have recently been developed. Two healthy volunteers familiar with the effects of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) were given 100 mg of the drug as a single oral dose. MDMA and its main metabolite 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA) were determined in plasma and urine by gas...
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
September 1, 2000
Roberta Pacifici, Piergiorgio Zuccaro, Magı́ Farré et al.
44 citations
Abstract MDMA (3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine) use can cause neurochemical, behavioral and endocrine alterations, similar to those produced by exposure to acute stress, suggesting its potential as a “chemical stressor.” It is known that stressful stimuli can produce a depression of immune function and an alteration in immune cells distribution. In vitro exposure to MDMA resulted in a...