• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.169.2-169.2
• /
• 2003

A method using EI-GC-MS is described for the determination of amphetamines in hair. The method is applied to simultaneous quantify amphetamines (methamphetamine, amphetamine, MDMA and MDA). Drugs were extracted in 1 ％ HCl in methanol from hair. After derivertization with TFAA, the resulting drugs were separated on HP-5MS column during a 16 min program and identified by mass spectrometry with the SIM mode(EI-GC-MS). (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.275.1-275.1
• /
• 2003

Because people who take more than two drugs have increases, a simple and sensitive method for the simultaneous analysis of amphetamine, methamphetamine and nalbuphine in urine was developed. After alkalinization of the urine samples with 6 N-NaOH, the analytes were extracted using ethyl acetate, derivatized with MSTFA : TSIM : TMCS (= 100 : 2 : 5) prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) analysis with selected ion monitoring. (omitted)

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.79-85
• /
• 2015

A preliminary experiment was performed to develop a fast, convenient, and economical semi-quantitative method of analyzing amphetamine-like amines from images of derivatives. These were generated from the reaction (in situ, co-spot) of three amphetamine-like compounds with three derivatization reagents on a TLC plate. The attempt was made to optimize the reaction conditions for an efficient derivatization reaction, and TLC images taken by a digital camera were analyzed using two types of image analysis program (CP Atlas 2.0 and ImageJ) for repeatability (RSD, %) and linearity (R²). Then, their results were compared. For efficient derivatization, the reaction conditions needed to be modified. The results of image analysis of each of the samples at two different concentrations (0.5 mg/mL and 0.01 mg/mL) showed that the RSD values for reaction repeatability were in the range of 0.69-5.50%. From the calibration curves between the area of the derivative and the concentration of amines, the R² values (R² > 0.9906) for good linear correlation were found to be high, in a concentration range of 0.1-0.005 mg/mL of amines. In addition, the two programs demonstrated little difference in the analysis of repeatability and linearity of the derivatization, so that the current method has the potential to be used for the semi-quantitative analysis of amines.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.90-98
• /
• 1985

1) In the study of the forced-swimming test in mice (FSM), the duration of immobility posture was dose-dependently shortened by ${\alpha}_2$-agonists, clonidine and guanabenz. BH-T 933 and oxymetazoline also decreased it . Xylazine rather increased the immobility duration at low dose. 2) ${\alpha}_1$-Agonists, cirazoline, amidephrine and methoxamine, however, showed inconsistent effect on the immobility duration (ID). 3) The decrease in ID by clonidine and guanabenz was antagonized by pretreatment with yohimbine, idazoxan and phentolamine (${\alpha}_2$antagonist), but not by prazosin and corynanthine (${\alpha}_1$-antagonist) .4) The ID in the FSM was shortened dose-dependently by d-amphetamine, and it was also antagonized by yohimbine, but not by prazosin. 5) In the mice pretreated with either ${\alpha}$-methyl-p-tyrosine or reserpine, or with combination of both, the decrease in ID was still evoked by clonidine. 6) When the mice were chronically treated with antidepressants (desipramine and imipramine), or with electroconvulsive shock, clonidine still decreased the ID as it did in the control. 7) These results provided the evidences to hypothesize that the change of the ID in the FSM is closely related with the postsynaptie ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptor located on the central noradrenergic neuron body. Furthermore, it is assumed that this escape-directed behavior enhanced by ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptor agonist may be the result in some analogy with the incentive of drives which are directed toward the self-preservation.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.3-11
• /
• 2003

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) is the most common psychiatric disorder of childhood and among the most prevalent chronic health conditions affecting school-aged children. Children with ADHD experience significant functional problems, such as school difficulties, academic underachievement, troublesome interpersonal relationships with family members and peers, and low self-esteem. The most widely used pharmacological treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine salts. These medications provide clinical efficacy by increasing the availability of catecholamines, primarily dopamine, in the frontal lobe of the brain. immediate-release(IR) formulations of sychostimulants were among the most effective psychotrophic medications in the psychopharmacological treatment. However, there are some limitations of IR formulations：the short half-life and duration of efficacy, which result in the need for multiple daily dosing and the poor compliance. These limitations have led to the development of once-daily, extended-release(ER) formulations of methylphenidate and amphetamine salts. However, these ER formulations may not be as immediately helpful to ADHD children due to delayed onset of action and the acute tolerance which is the failure to sustain the efficacy with the same concentration of drug as the initial stage of medication. OROS-methylphenidate(Concerta$^{\circledR}$) given once a day produces an ascending-pattern plasma drug level generated by the osmotically released, timed drug-delivery system. These new formulations of the psychostimulants have been shown to be a useful alternative to old stimulant medications through the evidence by the clinical trials.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.153-164
• /
• 1995

Sympathomimetic amines, especially ephedrine, are a major ingredient in proprietary medications for symptomatic treatment of upper respiratory infections. Their frequent uses can lead to occasional instances of abuse and habituation. The clinical symptoms of ephedrine abuse are similar to that of amphetamine psychosis and resemble closely that of schizophrenia. Because both amphetamine psychosis and schizophrenia are thought to be mediated primarily through the action on catecholamines, ephedrine-induced changes of the biogenic amines can be suspected. However, there were few studies about the central effects of ephedrine because of the milder central action than peripheral. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to elucidate the relations between the effects of single or repeated administration of ephedrine on the regional levels of biogenic amines in rat brain and ephedrine-induced CNS stimulation. The male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $100{\sim}200\;g$ were used. After single or repeated administrations of ephedrine, blocks of tissue were obtained from frontal cortex, corpus striatum, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, substantia nigra and cerebellum. The concentration of biogenic amines(norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)) and their metabolites (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid(HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(5-HIAA)) were measured by means of high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector(HPLC-ECD). The results obtained were as follows: 1) In the normal rat, the concentration of norepinephrine was the highest in hypothalamus. Dopamine, DOPAC and HVA were highest in corpus striatum, and 5-HT and 5-HIAA were highest in substantia nigra. Epinephrine was not detectable in any part of the brain tissue. 2) In a single administration of ephedrine, the concentration of DOPAC was decreased in corpus striatum. However, the other biogenic amines and their metabolites were not changed. 3) In repeated administration of ephedrine, the concentration of norepinephrine was decreased in all brain region checked. Dopamine was decreased in corpus striatum and substantia nigra and, increased in hypothalamus, and HVA was decreased in corpus striatum. 5-HT was decreased in all brain region except cerebellum and, 5-HIAA was decreased only in frontal cortex. The ratio of 5-HIAA/5-HT was increased in corpus striatum, thalamus, hypothalamus and substantia nigra. These data indicated that, although a single administration of ephedrine did not change the central neurotransmitters, repeated administration of ephedrine caused the decreases of norepinephrine and 5-HT in the most regions of brain, which may be responsible for the emergence of abnormal behavioral effect after ephedrine abuse.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.35-47
• /
• 1984

Contents of immunoreactive ${\beta}-endorphin$ and maximum of $^3H-morphine$ binding was measured in the rat midbrain homogenates from different subgroups at 24 hour interval over 24 hours. Animals were adapted to the light-dark cycle(L : D, 12: 12) or constant darkness (D : D, 12 : 12) for 3 weeks. After the adaptation, 0.5ml of physiologic saline or drug was administered twice a day for 2 weeks. A highly significant circadian rhythm with the peak$(94.8{\pm}7.7\;fmole/mg\;protein)$ at 06:00 and the nadir $(27.6{\pm}2.4\;fmole/mg\;protein)$ at 18:00 was observed in constant of group. Constant dark or treatment of reserpine, pargyline, imipramine, amphetamine and chlorpromazine modified the diurnal rhythm in the time of peak and nadir, shape, phase amplitude and 24 hour mean of ${\beta}-endorphin$ contents. Opiate receptor binding by $^3H-morphine$ also showed highly significant diurnal change in control and constant dark adapted rats. Statistical analysis by one-way analysis of variance and two-way analysis of variance indicates that the·re are highly significant differences between the diurnal change of ${\beta}-endorphin$ in control and those constant dark adapted and drug treated groups. However diurnal change of Maximum $^3H-morphine$ binding is closely related to the change of ${\beta}-endorphin$ contents. The results are interpreted with regard to the circadian rhythm of beta-endorphin contents, its modification by psychoactive drugs and possible mechanism of diurnal change of opiate receptor in brain.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.23-34
• /
• 1984

To investigate diurnal variations of opiate receptor binding and its modification by experimental condition or treatment of various centrally-acting drugs, the amount of maximum $^3H-morphine$ binding in rat midbrain homogenates was measured at 4 hour intervals for 24 hours. Animals were conditioned under the controlled L : D, 12 : 12 cycle or D: D, 12 : 12 cycle, for 3 weeks and treated with 0.5 ml of physiological saline or drugs for 2 weeks. A highly significant diurnal rhythm with peak at 22 hour of early dark phase with an amplitude$(0.68{\pm}0.06\;pmole/mg\;protein)$ of +51.1% and nadir $(0.33{\pm}0.03\;mole/mg\;prtein)$ at 18 hour of late light phase with an amplitude of -26.6% was found in control group. 24 tour mean of $^3H-morphine$ binding was $0.45{\pm}0.03\;pmole/mg$ protein respectively. Constant dark adaptation or treatment of reserpine, pargyline, imipramine, amphetamine and chlorpromazine modified the diurnal rhythm in the time of peak and nadir binding shape, phase, amplitude of the diurnal curve and 24 hour mean of $^3H-morphine$ binding. However, Kd values were not changed in all experimental groups : Statistical analysis at times of least and great binding indicates that the differences in $^3H-morphine$ binding were due to changes not in the affinity, but in the number of binding sites. The results are interpreted with regard to the diurnal rhythm of opiate receptor finding. The modes of action of psychoactive drugs are closely related to postulated changes of receptor sensitivity in neuropharmacological aspects.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
• /
• 2001.03a
• /
• pp.51-51
• /
• 2001

Cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is a satiety factor that is regulated by leptin. It was reported that the mice intracerebroventricularly injected with CART showed behavioral changes resembled with the typical behavioral alterations found in the mice carrying disorders in the brain serotonergic (5-HT) system. Hence, this study was conducted to find out the relationships between CART and 5-HT. We first examined the mRNA levels of CART after the injections of para-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA, 300 mg/kg i.p., single injection or daily for three consecutive days) in the rat brains by in situ hybridization using the mouse CART cDNA probe cloned in our laboratory. Systemic administrations of pCPA, a potent inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme of 5-HT biosynthesis, acutely depletes the brain 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), which reuptakes terminal 5-HT. Results indicated that the mRNA level of CART significantly decreased in the arcuate nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, and lateral hypothalamic nucleus by three days of daily injection with pCPA with no noticeable change detected 24 hrs after the single injection. The message levels of 5-HTT in DRN decreased in both single and three days of injections. Secondly, to investigate whether CART affect to 5-HT, mouse genomic CART gene, which is consist of 3 exons and 2 introns and mouse neurofilament light (NF-L) chain promoter were cloned. Then, we constructed neuron specific expression vector, which was transfected into HeLa cell using lipid-mediated transfection system. Expression of GFP and CART linked to NF-L-chain promoter in the transfected HeLa cell were detected by using fluorescent microscope and RT-PCR. These results confirmed normal expression of DNA constructs in vitro. Then, to increase brain specific expression of CART in vivo transgenic mice carrying CART gene controlled the deleted NF-L-chain promoter were generated by the DNA microinjection into pronuclei of fertilized embryos. Transgenic mice were detected by Southern blot. Further study is necessary to examine CART expression and 5-HTT in these transgenic mice. Therefore, these results suggest that there maybe a positive molecular correlation between CART and 5-HT in responding to the stimuli.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.94-101
• /
• 2024

Herbal medicine (HM)-containing Ephedra Sinica (ES) has been associated with false-positive amphetamine immunoassay (FP IA) results. This study retrospectively evaluated the effects of dose, duration, and withdrawal instructions on FP IA and the safety of HM-containing ES at a clinic in Seoul from 2022 to 2023. The study included 6 patients in the FP IA group and 5 patients in the withdrawal instruction negative (Neg) group. The pre-test ephedrine alkaloids dose in the FP IA group was 95.17±31.90 mg, compared with 88.6±20.43 mg in the Neg group. The FP IA group had taken HM for 226.67±152.87 days before testing, and testing was performed while taking HM. In contrast, the Neg group had taken HM for 147.6±23.49 days and had 5.4±1.50 days of withdrawal period before the test following instructions of Korean medicine doctors. All adverse events (AEs) were moderate in severity, and the number of occurrences was similar: 5 in the FP IA group and 7 in the Neg group. AEs included constipation, insomnia (3 cases each), and palpitations (2 cases). The results of this study show that ES-induced FP IA can be resolved with withdrawal instructions and ES can be safely prescribed and administered by Korean medicine doctors. Further studies are needed to determine how to prevent FP IA after taking ES.