A5030544754- Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
- Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
- Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Psychedelics and Drug Studies
- Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
- Poisoning and overdose treatments
- Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
- Sphingolipid Metabolism and Signaling
- GABA and Rice Research
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
- Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Pain Management and Opioid Use
- Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia
- Analytical Chemistry and Chromatography
- Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects
- Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
- Pancreatic function and diabetes
- Plant-based Medicinal Research
- Diet and metabolism studies
Virginia Commonwealth University
2016-2025
Temple University
2024
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
2009-2023
Institute of Pharmacology
2019
University of Richmond
2014-2019
University of Virginia
2018
Scripps Research Institute
2009-2018
Society of Toxicology
2018
University of Bristol
2017
Wake Forest University
2015
Direct-acting cannabinoid receptor agonists are well known to reduce hyperalgesic responses and allodynia after nerve injury, although their psychoactive side effects have damped enthusiasm for therapeutic development. Alternatively, inhibiting fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the principal enzymes responsible degradation of respective endogenous cannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) 2-arachydonylglycerol (2-AG), nociception in a variety nociceptive assays, with no...
We present the case histories, autopsy findings and toxicology of two fatal intoxications involving designer drug, butyryl fentanyl. The quantitative analysis fentanyl in postmortem fluids tissues was performed by an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. In first case, only drug detected with concentrations 99 ng/mL peripheral blood, 220 heart 32 vitreous humor, 590 gastric contents, 93 ng/g brain, 41 liver, 260 bile 64 urine. cause death ruled...
Context. Abuse of synthetic stimulant compounds resulting in significant toxicity is being increasingly reported by poison centers. Toxicologic assessment complicated inconsistent manufacturing processes and limited laboratory testing. We describe a case self-reported exposure to 25-I (25I-NBOMe), novel phenethylamine derivative, with subsequent quantification serum. Case details. An 18-year-old male presented the emergency department (ED) severe agitation hallucinations after jumping out...
Heroin is a highly abused opioid and incurs significant detriment to society worldwide. In an effort expand the limited pharmacotherapy options for use disorders, heroin conjugate vaccine was developed through comprehensive evaluation of hapten structure, carrier protein, adjuvant dosing. Immunization mice with optimized heroin-tetanus toxoid (TT) formulated adjuvants alum CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) generated "immunoantagonism", reducing potency by >15-fold. Moreover, effects proved be...
The present study tested a hypothesis that excess accumulation of sphingolipid, ceramide, its metabolites, or combination contributes to the development obesity and associated kidney damage. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated C57BL/6J mice on high-fat diet (HFD) had significantly increased plasma total ceramide levels compared with animals fed low-fat (LFD). Treatment acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) inhibitor amitriptyline attenuated HFD-induced levels....
In recent years, N-methoxybenzyl-methoxyphenylethylamine (NBOMe) derivatives, a class of designer hallucinogenic drugs, have become popular drugs abuse. These been the cause severe intoxications and even deaths. They act as 5-HT2A receptors agonists reported to produce serotonin-like syndrome with bizarre behavior, agitation seizures persisting for long 3 days. The most commonly derivatives are 25I-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe 25C-NBOMe, respectively 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)...
Personal battery-powered vaporizers or electronic cigarettes were developed to deliver a nicotine vapor such that smokers could simulate smoking tobacco without the inherent pathology of inhaled smoke. Electronic and their e-cigarette liquid formulations are virtually unregulated. These typically composed propylene glycol and/or glycerin, flavoring components an active drug, as nicotine. Twenty-seven contain between 6 22 mg/L acquired within USA analyzed by various methods determine...
Although paclitaxel effectively treats various cancers, its debilitating peripheral neuropathic pain side effects often persist long after treatment has ended. Therefore, a compelling need exists for the identification of novel pharmacologic strategies to mitigate this condition. As inhibitors monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), primary hydrolytic enzyme endogenous cannabinoid, 2-arachidonyolglycerol, produces antinociceptive in numerous rodent models pain, we investigated whether (i.e., JZL184...
Serious clinical liabilities associated with the prescription of opiates for pain control include constipation, respiratory depression, pruritus, tolerance, abuse, and addiction. A recognized strategy to circumvent these side effects is combine opioids other antinociceptive agents. The combination primary active constituent cannabis (Δ<sup>9</sup>-tetrahydrocannabinol) produces enhanced actions, suggesting that cannabinoid receptor agonists can be opioid sparing. Here, we tested whether...
Recent evidence suggests that chronic exposure to opioid analgesics such as morphine disrupts the intestinal epithelial layer and causes dysbiosis. Depleting gut bacteria can preclude development of tolerance opioid-induced antinociception, suggesting an important role gut-brain axis in mediating effects. The mechanism underlying dysbiosis, however, remains unclear. Host-produced antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are critical for integrity barrier they prevent pathogenesis enteric microbiota....
Background Some evidence suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) has potential to help alleviate HIV symptoms due its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here we examined acute CBD effects on various behaviors the endocannabinoid system in Tat transgenic mice. Methods mice (female/male) were injected with (3, 10, 30 mg/kg) assessed for antinociception, activity, coordination, anxiety-like behavior, recognition memory. Brains taken quantify endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, catabolic...
We present a case of 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-benzeneethanamine (25B-NBOMe), an N-benzyl phenethylamines derivative, intoxication and high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for detection quantification 25B-NBOMe. A 19-year-old male was found unresponsive generalized grand mal seizure activity. On the second day hospitalization, friend admitted that patient used 'some unknown drug' called 25B. Serum urine collected...
Several allosteric modulators (AMs) of the CB1 receptor have been characterized in vitro, including Org27569, which enhances CB1-specific binding [H]CP55,940, but behaves as an insurmountable CB1-receptor antagonist several biochemical assays. Although a growing body research has investigated molecular actions this unusual AM, it is unknown whether these translate to whole animal. The purpose present study was determine Org27569 would produce effects well-established mouse behavioral assays...
A new class of synthetic hallucinogens called NBOMe has emerged, and reports adverse effects are beginning to appear. We report on a case suicide attempt after LSD ingestion which was analytically determined be 25I-NBOMe instead. Clinicians need have high index suspicion for possible in patients reporting the recent use or other hallucinogens.
Cannabinoid CB<sub>1</sub> receptors (CB<sub>1</sub>Rs) mediate the presynaptic effects of endocannabinoids in central nervous system (CNS) and most behavioral exogenous cannabinoids. receptor–interacting protein 1a (CRIP<sub>1a</sub>) binds to CB<sub>1</sub>R C-terminus can attenuate constitutive CB<sub>1</sub>R-mediated inhibition Ca<sup>2+</sup> channel activity. We now demonstrate cellular colocalization CRIP<sub>1a</sub> at neuronal elements CNS show that inhibits both...
Abstract Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are an alternate nicotine delivery system that generate a condensation aerosol to be inhaled by the user. The size of droplets formed in can vary and contributes drug deposition ultimate bioavailability lung. growing popularity e-cigarette products has caused increase internet sources promoting use drugs other than (DOTNs) e-cigarettes. purpose this study was determine effect various e-liquid modifications, such as coil resistance, battery...
With 24 states and the District of Columbia with laws legalizing marijuana in some form, suppliers legal have developed Cannabis sativa products for use electronic cigarettes. Personal battery powered vaporizers or cigarettes were to deliver a nicotine vapor such that smokers could simulate smoking tobacco without inherent pathology inhaled smoke. The liquid formulations used these devices are comprised an active ingredient as mixed glycerin and/or propylene glycol flavorings. A significant...