Novel Psychoactive Phenethylamines: Impact on Genetic Material.
Veronica Cocchi, Sofia Gasperini, Patrizia Hrelia, Micaela Tirri, Matteo Marti, Monia Lenzi
International Journal of Molecular Sciences December 17, 2020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249616 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | TK6 cells (a human lymphoblastoid cell line) |
| Interventions | 2C-H 2C-I 2C-B 25B-NBOMe MDMA |
| Dose | 6.25-35 µM |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | 25b-nbome 2c-b 2c-h 2c-i Ros Flow cytometry Genotoxicity Genetic damage Impact dna Common phenethylamine substances Acute harm Immediate severe effects |
| Citations | 32 |
| Key findings | 2C-H, 2C-I, 2C-B, and 25B-NBOMe, but not MDMA, induced genotoxicity in TK6 cells, likely through elevated reactive oxygen species. |
Abstract
Psychedelic and stimulating phenethylamines belong to the family of new psychoactive substances (NPS). The acute toxicity framework has begun to be investigated, while studies showing genotoxic potential are very limited or not available. Therefore, in order to fill this gap, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the genotoxicity by treating TK6 cells with 2C-H, 2C-I, 2C-B, 25B-NBOMe, and the popular 3,4-Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA). On the basis of cytotoxicity and cytostasis results, we selected the concentrations (6.25-35 µM) to be used in genotoxicity analysis. We used the micronucleus (MN) as indicator of genetic damage and analyzed the MNi frequency fold increase by an automated flow cytometric protocol. All substances, except MDMA, resulted genotoxic; therefore, we evaluated reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction as a possible mechanism at the basis of the demonstrated genotoxicity. The obtained results showed a statistically significant increase in ROS levels for all genotoxic phenethylamines confirming this hypothesis. Our results highlight the importance of genotoxicity evaluation for a complete assessment of the risk associated also with NPS exposure. Indeed, the subjects who do not have hazardous behaviors or require hospitalization by using active but still "safe" doses could run into genotoxicity and in the well-known long-term effects associated.