Toxicological Effects of Drug Abuse and Its Consequences on Health

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2024 | Viewed by 3018

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Laboratory Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
Interests: addiction; drug abuse; toxicology; bioactive compound

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
Interests: natural products; plant toxicity; Inflammation; nociception; neuropsychopharmacology

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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
Interests: morphology; toxicology; environmental pollutants; drug abuse; natural products

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Drug abuse is a public health concern worldwide. The toxicological consequences resulting from the pathophysiological mechanisms disrupted by psychotropic substances, as well as the probable therapeutic tools applied to prevent, minimize, and even treat substance abuse, have been extensively investigated. Thus, the present issue aims to focus on this complex issue. Short communications and original articles focused on psychotropic agents, including new psychoactive substance (NPS) use, are encouraged for submission. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and extensive reviews are all welcome. In addition, the investigation of probable therapeutic agents such as synthetic molecules, bioactive compounds, or nutraceuticals evaluated in a drug addiction context will be considered.

Dr. Cristiane S. F. Maia
Dr. Enéas A. Fontes-Júnior
Dr. Rafael R. Lima
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • addiction
  • drug abuse
  • toxicology
  • treatment
  • bioactive compound

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1790 KiB  
Article
Polarization of HIV-1- and CMV-Specific IL-17-Producing T Cells among People with HIV under Antiretroviral Therapy with Cannabis and/or Cocaine Usage
by Fernanda de Oliveira Feitosa de Castro, Adriana Oliveira Guilarde, Luiz Carlos Silva Souza, Regyane Ferreira Guimarães, Ana Joaquina Cohen Serique Pereira, Pedro Roosevelt Torres Romão, Irmtraut Araci Hoffmann Pfrimer and Simone Gonçalves Fonseca
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(4), 465; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17040465 - 06 Apr 2024
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Abstract
Objective: This study evaluated the influence of cannabis and/or cocaine use in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- and cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T-cell responses of people with HIV (PWH). Results: There was a higher percentage of IL-17-producing HIV-Gag-specific CD8+ T-cells in all drug users than that [...] Read more.
Objective: This study evaluated the influence of cannabis and/or cocaine use in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- and cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T-cell responses of people with HIV (PWH). Results: There was a higher percentage of IL-17-producing HIV-Gag-specific CD8+ T-cells in all drug users than that in PWH non-drug users. Stratifying the drug-user groups, increased percentages of IL-17-producing HIV-Gag-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells were found in PWH cannabis plus cocaine users compared to PWH non-drug users. In response to CMV, there were higher percentage of IL-17-producing CMV-specific CD8+ T-cell in PWH cocaine users than that in PWH non-drug users. Considering all drug users together, there was a higher percentage of SEB-stimulated IL-17-producing CD4+ T-cells than that in PWH non-drug users, whereas cannabis users had higher percentages of IL-17-producing CD4+ T-cells compared to non-drug users. Methods: Cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 37 PWH undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) using cannabis (10), cocaine (7), or cannabis plus cocaine (10) and non-drug users (10) were stimulated with HIV-1 Gag or CMV-pp65 peptide pools, or staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) and evaluated for IFN-γ- and/or IL-17A-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells using flow cytometry. Conclusions: Cannabis plus cocaine use increased HIV-specific IL-17 producing T-cells and cocaine use increased IL-17 CMV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses which could favor the inflammatory conditions associated with IL-17 overproduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicological Effects of Drug Abuse and Its Consequences on Health)
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25 pages, 1409 KiB  
Review
The Role of the Adenosine System on Emotional and Cognitive Disturbances Induced by Ethanol Binge Drinking in the Immature Brain and the Beneficial Effects of Caffeine
by Bruno Gonçalves Pinheiro, Diandra Araújo Luz, Sabrina de Carvalho Cartágenes, Luanna de Melo Pereira Fernandes, Sarah Viana Farias, Natália Harumi Correa Kobayashi, Enéas Andrade Fontes-Júnior, Samira G. Ferreira, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Rui Daniel Prediger and Cristiane do Socorro Ferraz Maia
Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(11), 1323; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15111323 - 26 Oct 2022
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Abstract
Binge drinking intake is the most common pattern of ethanol consumption by adolescents, which elicits emotional disturbances, mainly anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as cognitive alterations. Ethanol exposure may act on the adenosine neuromodulation system by increasing adenosine levels, consequently increasing the [...] Read more.
Binge drinking intake is the most common pattern of ethanol consumption by adolescents, which elicits emotional disturbances, mainly anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as cognitive alterations. Ethanol exposure may act on the adenosine neuromodulation system by increasing adenosine levels, consequently increasing the activation of adenosine receptors in the brain. The adenosine modulation system is involved in the control of mood and memory behavior. However, there is a gap in the knowledge about the exact mechanisms related to ethanol exposure’s hazardous effects on the immature brain (i.e., during adolescence) and the role of the adenosine system thereupon. The present review attempts to provide a comprehensive picture of the role of the adenosinergic system on emotional and cognitive disturbances induced by ethanol during adolescence, exploring the potential benefits of caffeine administration in view of its action as a non-selective antagonist of adenosine receptors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicological Effects of Drug Abuse and Its Consequences on Health)
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