Biomedical subjects

Eric T Moolchan

Publications and source records attributed to Eric T Moolchan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Cannabinoid concentrations in hair from documented cannabis users.

Fifty-three head hair specimens were collected from 38 males with a history of cannabis use documented by questionnaire, urinalysis and controlled, double blind administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in an institutional review board approved protocol. The subjects completed a questionnaire indicating daily cannabis use (N=18) or non-daily use, i.e. one to five cannabis cigarettes per week (N=20). Drug use was also documented by a positive cannabinoid urinalysis, a hair specimen was collected from each subject and they were admitted to a closed research unit. Additional hair specimens were collected following smoking of two 2.7% THC cigarettes (N=13) or multiple oral doses totaling 116 mg THC (N=2). Cannabinoid concentrations in all hair specimens were determined by ELISA and GCMSMS. Pre- and post-dose detection rates did not differ statistically, therefore, all 53 specimens were considered as one group for further comparisons. Nineteen specimens (36%) had no detectable THC or 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) at the GCMSMS limits of quantification (LOQ) of 1.0 and 0.1 pg/mg hair, respectively. Two specimens (3.8%) had measurable THC only, 14 (26%) THCCOOH only, and 18 (34%) both cannabinoids. Detection rates were significantly different (p<0.05, Fishers' exact test) between daily cannabis users (85%) and non-daily users (52%). There was no difference in detection rates between African-American and Caucasian subjects (p>0.3, Fisher's exact test). For specimens with detectable cannabinoids, concentrations ranged from 3.4 to >100 pg THC/mg and 0.10 to 7.3 pg THCCOOH/mg hair. THC and THCCOOH concentrations were positively correlated (r=0.38, p<0.01, Pearson's product moment correlation). Using an immunoassay cutoff concentration of 5 pg THC equiv./mg hair, 83% of specimens that screened positive were confirmed by GCMSMS at a cutoff concentration of 0.1 pg THCCOOH/mg hair.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Alcohol use and tobacco abstinence among adolescents in cessation treatment: preliminary findings.

Although adult alcohol use is negatively associated with tobacco cessation, this relationship has not been reported for adolescents. We assessed the relationship between alcohol use and point prevalence abstinence from smoking in a sample of tobacco-dependent adolescents undergoing cessation treatment. Alcohol use both at baseline and) during tobacco cessation treatment was examined as predicting smoking abstinence in 101 adolescents (age=15.1years, S.D.=1.31years; age at first cigarette=11.3years, S.D.=1.93years; age at first drink=12.01years, S.D.=2.87years) attending a total of 642 treatment visits. Mixed regression analysis showed that participants who reported alcohol use during tobacco cessation treatment were significantly less likely to abstain from tobacco smoking (OR=0.42, 95% CI=0.23-0.78, t=-2.78, df=540, p=0.0057). However, pre-enrollment alcohol use was not significantly associated with either short- or long-term tobacco abstinence. If confirmed in a larger group of adolescents, our findings suggest that youths attempting to quit smoking should abstain from alcohol.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed2006

Opioid disposition in human sweat after controlled oral codeine administration.

BACKGROUND: Characterization of opioid excretion in sweat is important for accurate interpretation of sweat tests in drug treatment, criminal justice, and workplace drug testing programs. METHODS: Participants (n=20) received placebo, 3 low (60 mg/70 kg) or 3 high (120 mg/70 kg) codeine sulfate doses (used as a model for opioid excretion) within 1 week. Codeine and metabolites in sweat were collected with PharmChek Sweat Patches; hourly patches were applied for 1 to 15 h (n=775) and weekly patches for 7 days (n=118). Patches were analyzed by solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for codeine, norcodeine, morphine, normorphine, and 6-acetylmorphine. Limits of quantification were 2.5 ng/patch (codeine and morphine) and 5 ng/patch (other analytes). RESULTS: Codeine was the only analyte identified in 12.6% of hourly patches and 83.3% of weekly sweat patches worn during dosing. Weekly patch concentrations (SD) were 38.6 (59.9) ng/patch [median (range), 15.9 (0-225.1) ng/patch] for low and 34.1 (32.7) ng/patch [24.0 (0-96.2) ng/patch] for high codeine doses. Codeine detected 1 week after dosing was 4.6 (5.3) ng/patch [median (range), 4.0 (0-17.1) ng/patch; n=11] after low and 7.7 (7.1) ng/patch [6.9 (0-20.5) ng/patch; n=10] after high doses. In total, 2.6% of hourly, 38.5% of low-dose, and 45.5% of high-dose weekly patches contained codeine at the proposed Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration cutoff. CONCLUSIONS: Codeine was the only analyte detected, at highly variable concentrations, up to 2 weeks after dosing. These results are consistent, considering the complex processes of codeine deposition in sweat. Sweat testing is a useful alternative technique for qualitative monitoring of opioid use.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2006

Simultaneous quantification of methamphetamine, cocaine, codeine, and metabolites in skin by positive chemical ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A positive chemical ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometric method was validated to simultaneously quantify drugs and metabolites in skin collected after controlled administration of methamphetamine, cocaine, and codeine. Calibration curves (2.5-100 ng/skin biopsy) for methamphetamine, amphetamine, cocaine, norcocaine, benzoylecgonine, cocaethylene, norcocaethylene, anhydroecgonine methyl ester, morphine, codeine, and 6-acetylmorphine (5-100 ng/skin biopsy for ecgonine methyl ester and ecgonine ethyl ester) exhibited correlation coefficients >0.999 and concentrations +/-20% of target. Intra- and inter-run precisions were <10%. This procedure should be useful for postmortem analysis; data are included on drug concentrations in skin after controlled drug administration.

Calibration↗

PubMed2006

The cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant attenuates the hypotensive effect of smoked marijuana in male smokers.

BACKGROUND: Animal studies suggest that cannabinoid CB1 receptors play a role in regulating blood pressure (BP). In human studies, activation of CB1 receptors by cannabis or its active ingredient, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has modest and inconsistent effects on BP. METHODS: We evaluated this phenomenon in 63 male cannabis smokers (mean [SD] age 27.7 +/- 5.4 years, 70% African American, 10.3 +/- 5.9 years of lifetime cannabis use) by administering escalating oral doses (1, 3, 10, 30, 90 mg) of the selective CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant (or placebo) in a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Subjects smoked an active (2.64% THC) or placebo marijuana cigarette 2 and 6 hours after rimonabant dosing. Blood pressure and symptoms were monitored for 90 minutes after smoking while subjects remained seated. RESULTS: Marijuana smoking alone (ie, after placebo rimonabant) had no consistent effect on BP, but 22% of subjects experienced symptomatic (dizziness, lightheadedness) hypotension, as did 20% to 33% of subjects who received pretreatment with rimonabant, 1, 3, or 10 mg. No subject receiving rimonabant, 30 or 90 mg, before marijuana smoking experienced symptomatic hypotension. The 7 subjects who experienced symptomatic hypotension had significantly higher mean (SD) peak plasma THC concentrations (181.6 +/- 80.2) than did the 33 subjects who did not (109.0 +/- 62.6). Rimonabant by itself had no effects on BP and did not alter THC pharmacokinetics. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that CB1 receptors play a role in mediating effects of cannabis smoking on BP in humans.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Adolescent smokers screened for a nicotine replacement treatment trial: correlates of eligibility and enrollment.

The enrollment process determines the study sample and external validity of clinical trial results; however, few reports describe the process and outcome of screening efforts for smoking cessation studies among adolescents. We describe and evaluate a screening protocol to enroll adolescent smokers for a randomized clinical trial of nicotine replacement therapy. Adolescent smokers obtained the recruitment call-in number (1-800-NO-SMOKE) via media and other advertisements. Trained recruitment staff collected information using an internally developed, targeted telephone screening interview, which was used to determine pre-eligibility for the clinical trial. Correlates of qualification and of study enrollment were determined. Among 1,347 adolescents screened, 329 (24.4%) were eligible to participate in the trial. Light smoking (39.1%) and lack of parental support (14.8%) were the biggest contributors to ineligibility. Eligible adolescents were more likely to be female (66.9% vs. 58.2%, p = .0052) and more likely to be European American (63.5% vs. 52.2%, p = .0003). The higher rates of ineligibility for African Americans and boys were partly explained by lower scores on the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence. Of those eligible to participate in the trial, 159 (48.3%) enrolled. Results underscore the need for screening instruments that are measurement-invariant across ethnicities and gender, and for enrollment strategies that maximize inclusion of eligible participants.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-hydroxy-delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol in human plasma after controlled oral administration of cannabinoids.

A clinical study to investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral tetrahydrocannabinol was performed. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject, inpatient study compared the effects of THC-containing hemp oils in liquid and capsule form to dronabinol (synthetic THC) in doses used for appetite stimulation. The National Institute on Drug Abuse Institutional Review Board approved the protocol and each participant provided informed consent. Detection times and concentrations of THC, 11-hydroxy-Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH) in plasma were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [limits of quantification (LOQ)=0.5, 0.5, and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively] after oral THC administration. Six volunteers ingested liquid hemp oil (0.39 and 14.8 mg THC/d), hemp oil in capsules (0.47 mg THC/d), dronabinol capsules (7.5 mg THC/d), and placebo. Plasma specimens were collected during and after each dosing condition. THC and 11-OH-THC concentrations were low and never exceeded 6.1 ng/mL. Analytes were detectable 1.5 hour after initiating dosing with the 7.5 mg THC/d regimen and 4.5 hour after starting the 14.8 mg THC/d sessions. THCCOOH was detected 1.5 hour after the first dose, except for the 0.47 mg THC/d session, which required 4.5 hour for concentrations to reach the LOQ. THCCOOH concentrations peaked at 3.1 ng/mL during dosing with the low-dose hemp oils. Plasma THC and 11-OH-THC concentrations were negative for all participants at all doses within 15.5 hours after the last THC dose. Plasma THCCOOH persisted for at least 39.5 hours after the end of dosing and at much higher concentrations (up to 43.0 ng/mL). This study demonstrated that subjects who used high THC content hemp oil (347 mug/mL) as a dietary supplement had THC and metabolites in plasma in quantities comparable to those of patients using dronabinol for appetite stimulation. There was a significant correlation between body mass index and Cmax and body mass index and number of specimens positive for THC and 11-OH-THC.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2006

Smoking rates and topography predict adolescent smoking cessation following treatment with nicotine replacement therapy.

Establishing measurement invariance of tobacco addiction among adolescents remains challenging. In adult smoking cessation trials, poor outcome is predicted by high cigarette consumption and large puff volume at baseline. We examined the predictive value of pretreatment smoking rates and topography variables for abstinence outcomes among 66 adolescents enrolled in a 3-month smoking cessation trial using nicotine replacement and cognitive behavioral therapy. Pretreatment variables included cigarettes per day (CPD), puff volume, puff duration, and several youth-adapted Fagerström-derived questionnaire scores. Outcome measures included prolonged abstinence at end of treatment and point-prevalent abstinence 3 months after the end of the trial. Logistic regression controlling for treatment group showed that increases in baseline CPD (odds ratio, 1.438; 95% confidence interval, 1.051-1.967) and average puff volume (odds ratio, 1.168; 95% confidence interval, 1.030-1.326) predicted continued smoking at the end of treatment. Puff volume (P=0.013), but not CPD, predicted abstinence at the 3-month follow-up. None of the youth-adapted Fagerström questionnaires predicted outcome on either abstinence measure. If confirmed in a larger sample, our findings suggest that puff topography, and possibly CPD, might predict cessation outcome better than Fagerström scores in adolescent smokers.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed2006

Behavioral predictors of substance-use initiation in adolescents with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to examine substance-use initiation in healthy adolescents and in adolescents who have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. METHODS: Seventy-eight adolescents (28 healthy and 50 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) participated in an ongoing longitudinal study of predictors of substance use. The substances most commonly reported were tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana. Aggression, conduct problems, hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, anxiety/depression, social difficulties, and somatic complaints were assessed at study entry and tested as predictors for later substance use. RESULTS: With an average of 4 years into the study, 37 adolescents had not used any substances, 41 had experimented with at least 1 substance, and 29 experimented with >1 substance. Psychiatric diagnoses (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and depression/anxiety) did not influence reports of substance use. Distinct behavioral measures collected at study entry predicted use of different substances. In a multivariate analysis, aggression had the greatest association with tobacco smoking and marijuana use. Impulsivity was associated with alcohol use. Severity of drug exposure, indexed by the number of substances used, was predicted by aggression. CONCLUSIONS: This 4-year longitudinal study captured the onset of substance use, not abuse. Behavioral predictors differed with the type of substance used. These behavioral characteristics may raise suspicion among pediatricians for enhanced risk for substance-use initiation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Youth tobacco use: a global perspective for child health care clinicians.

Tobacco dependence, responsible for approximately 4 million annual deaths worldwide, is considered to be a "pediatric disease." The smoking epidemic is spreading rapidly in developing countries. Factors contributing to youth smoking in developing countries include cultural traditions, tobacco's easy accessibility and moderate pricing, peer and family influences, and tobacco companies' advertisements and promotional activities. Secondhand tobacco smoke exposure is a substantial problem that causes increased rates of pneumonia, otitis media, asthma, and other short- and long-term pediatric conditions. Parental tobacco use results in children's deprivation of essential needs such as nutrition and education. In this article we review contemporary evidence with respect to the etiology of nicotine dependence among youth, the forms of youth tobacco products worldwide, global youth tobacco-control efforts to date, medical education efforts, and child health care clinicians' special role in youth tobacco-control strategies. In addition, we provide a review of currently available funding opportunities for development and implementation of youth tobacco-control programs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Adolescent nicotine metabolism: ethnoracial differences among dependent smokers.

Variations in nicotine metabolism are thought to contribute to differences in cigarette consumption between African Americans and Caucasian adult smokers. To investigate the potential mechanism of previously documented lower smoking rates among African-American adolescent smokers seeking cessation treatment, we measured nicotine metabolite ratios as markers of the metabolic disposition of nicotine, which is generally considered to be under the influence of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6. Plasma ratios of trans-3'-hydroxycotinine (3HC) to cotinine (COT) were examined in 92 cessation treatment-seeking adolescents (mean age 15.2 years, standard deviation [SD] 1.3, 69% female, 31% African American, mean Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence [FTND] 6.5, SD 1.6, mean years smoked 2.6, SD 1.6). Groups were similar in age, gender distribution, and mean FTND score. Analysis with independent t tests revealed significantly lower number of cigarettes per day (CPD) (15.1, SD 7.6 vs 19.6, SD 8.0, P=.013) and nicotine metabolite ratios (0.27, SD 0.15 vs 0.35, SD 0.16, P=.026) in African-American compared to Caucasian adolescent smokers. Consistent with metabolic variation, mean COT/CPD ratio was significantly higher in African-American compared to Caucasian adolescents. Results remained statistically significant when comparing menthol smokers by ethnicity. These findings are consistent with those found among adult smokers and provide a putative mechanism for reported ethnoracial differences in adolescent cigarette consumption. Our results underscore the need for measures independent of consumption for determining degree of nicotine dependence and treatment selection across ethnicities, even among youths.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Reasons for wanting to quit: ethnic differences among cessation-seeking adolescent smokers.

OBJECTIVE: Enhancing adolescent cessation requires an understanding of approaches that will motivate youths to quit smoking. METHODS: We compared reasons for wanting to quit expressed by European Americans to those of African American youths. Adolescent cessation-seeking smokers completed telephone interviews regarding their smoking behavior and reasons for wanting to quit in an open-ended format. Responses were then classified into nine categories. RESULTS: Participants included 1,268 Baltimore-area adolescents (mean age 15.6 +/-1.7 years, 60% female, 58% European American, mean Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence 5.8 +/- 2.2). While both groups broadly cited health as the predominant reason for wanting to quit, chi-square analyses of further stratification of health into general, future, and current health concerns showed that European Americans were more likely to endorse current health reasons (P<.001), while African Americans were more likely to state general health reasons (P=.004). European Americans were more likely to state cost (P=.002) or to not give a reason for wanting to quit (P=.008), while African Americans more frequently reported a lack of positive (pharmacologic or social) reinforcement (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The development of culturally tailored messages may help enhance smoking cessation efforts among adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Shorter time to first cigarette of the day in menthol adolescent cigarette smokers.

Menthol smoking is thought to contribute to the addictiveness of smoking. Given the high prevalence of menthol smoking among youth, the aim of the current analysis was to examine differences in consumption and tobacco dependence, including smoking urgency among menthol and non-menthol adolescent smokers. Data for the current analysis were collected from telephone interviews with adolescent smokers applying to a cessation treatment study. Of 572 adolescent smokers (mean age=15.6+/-1.6 years; 55.1% female; 46.9% African American, 48.2% European American), 531 smoked menthol cigarettes and 41 smoked non-menthol as their usual brand. Analysis using Fisher's Exact (one-tailed) Test revealed that menthol smokers had a significantly shorter time to first (TTF) cigarette of the day compared to non-menthol smokers (smoking within the first 5 min of the day, 45% vs. 29%, respectively; p<0.04). Independent t tests revealed no significant difference in number of cigarettes per day (CPD) (mean=12.2+/-8.5 vs. 11.4+/-8.8; p<0.28) or Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) scores (3.4+/-1.4 vs. 3.2+/-1.3; p<0.23). While preliminary, our findings suggest greater smoking urgency among menthol compared to non-menthol adolescent cessation-treatment seekers. Further study in a broader sample of adolescent smokers is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of menthol smoking for youths.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Disposition of cocaine and its metabolites in human sweat after controlled cocaine administration.

BACKGROUND: Sweat testing is a noninvasive technique for monitoring drug exposure in treatment, criminal justice, and employment settings. METHODS: We evaluated cocaine excretion in 9 participants' sweat after they received 3 low doses (75 mg/70 kg) of cocaine HCl subcutaneously within 1 week and, 3 weeks later, 3 high doses (150 mg/70 kg). Six additional participants completed portions of the study. PharmChek sweat patches (n = 1390) were collected throughout a 3-week washout period, reflecting previously self-administered drugs, and during and after controlled dosing. RESULTS: Cocaine was the primary analyte detected with 24% of patches positive at the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry limit of quantification of 2.5 ng/patch and 7% of patches at the proposed Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration cutoff of 25 ng/patch. Ecgonine methyl ester (EME) was detected more often and at generally higher concentrations than benzoylecgonine. In patches containing both metabolites, there was no statistically significant difference in the benzoylecgonine/EME ratio based on length of patch wear. During washout, 2 participants' weekly patches tested positive (> or =25 ng/patch) during the first week; one remained positive during week 2; and none were positive during week 3. Cocaine and EME were detectable within 2 h; benzoylecgonine was not detected until 4-8 h after low doses and slightly sooner after high doses. The majority of drug was excreted within 24 h. Over 70% of weekly patches worn during low doses were positive for cocaine (> or =25 ng/patch), increasing to 100% during high doses. CONCLUSION: Sweat testing is an effective and reliable method of monitoring cocaine exposure.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Effect of tobacco craving cues on memory encoding and retrieval in smokers.

Previous studies have shown that cue-elicited tobacco craving disrupted performance on cognitive tasks; however, no study has examined directly the effect of cue-elicited craving on memory encoding and retrieval. A distinction between encoding and retireval has been reported such that memory is more impaired when attention is divided at encoding than at retrieval. This study tested the hypothesis that active imagery of smoking situations would impair encoding processes, but have little effect on retrieval. Imagery scripts (cigarette craving and neutral content) were presented either before presentation of a word list (encoding trials) or before word recall (retrieval trials). A working memory task at encoding and free recall of words were assessed. Results indicated that active imagery disrupted working memory on encoding trials, but not on retrieval trials. There was a trend toward impaired working memory following craving scripts compared with neutral scripts. These data support the hypothesis that the cognitive underpinnings of encoding and retrieval processes are distinct.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Determination of total and free concentrations of the enantiomers of methadone and its metabolite (2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenyl-pyrrolidine) in human plasma by enantioselective liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection.

A sensitive enantioselective liquid chromatographic assay with mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS) has been validated for the determination of total and free plasma concentrations of (R)- and (S)-methadone (Met) and (R)- and (S)-2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP, the primary metabolite of Met), using their respective deuterium-labeled compounds as internal standards [(R,S)-d3-Met and (R,S)-d3-EDDP]. For total drug determinations, 1 ml human plasma was extracted, using a cation-exchange solid-phase extraction cartridge; the eluate was evaporated, reconstituted in the mobile phase, and injected into the LC-MS system. The free fractions of Met and EDDP were determined, using 500 microl of plasma, which were placed in an ultrafiltration device and centrifuged at 2000 x g until 250 microl of filtrate was collected. The filtrate was extracted as described above and analyzed. Enantioselective separations were achieved using an alpha1-acid glycoprotein chiral stationary phase, a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-ammonium acetate buffer [10 mM, pH 7.0] (18:82, v/v), a flow rate of 0.9 ml/min at 25 degrees C. Under these conditions, enantioselective separations were observed for Met (alpha = 1.30) and EDDP (alpha = 1.17) within 15 min. Met, EDDP, [2H3]-Met and [2H3]-EDDP were detected using selected ion monitoring at m/z 310.30, 278.20, 313.30, and 281.20, respectively. Linear relationships between peak height ratio and drug-enantiomer concentrations were obtained for Met in the range 1.0-300.0 ng/ml, and for EDDP from 0.1 to 25.0 ng/ml with correlation coefficients greater than 0.999, where the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 1 ng/ml for Met and 0.1 ng/ml for EDDP. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) expressed as R.S.D. for the intra- and inter-day precision of the method were < 5.3% and the R.S.D. for accuracy was < 5.0%. The method was used to analyze plasma samples obtained from patients enrolled in a Met-maintenance program.

Calibration↗

PubMed2005

Placebo cigarettes in a spaced smoking paradigm.

Existing evidence supports the notion that nicotine delivery and recentness of smoking mediate the effects of smoking, including decreases in tobacco craving. However, smoking placebo (denicotinized) cigarettes decreases tobacco craving after overnight abstinence. The present study tested whether the recentness of smoking was an important determinant in the ability of a placebo cigarette to reduce tobacco craving. Placebo (0.07 mg nicotine) and conventional (1.1 mg nicotine) cigarettes were used in a spaced smoking paradigm. In six experimental sessions lasting 240 min, subjects smoked either a placebo or conventional nicotine cigarette in intervals of either 30, 60, or 240 min. Heart rate (HR), exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) levels, and subjective (Schuh-Stitzer, QSU) measures of tobacco craving were obtained throughout the spaced smoking paradigm. HR and CO levels increased after smoking both types of cigarettes. Increasing the interval since the last cigarette significantly (p<0.001) increased the baseline values of tobacco craving. Smoking either the placebo or the conventional cigarette caused a significant (p<0.01) reduction in the craving score after smoking. However, the nicotine yield of the cigarette did not influence these patterns. It is concluded that acute tobacco cravings can be repeatedly diminished with cigarettes that do not deliver nicotine.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Dose-related distribution of codeine, cocaine, and metabolites into human hair following controlled oral codeine and subcutaneous cocaine administration.

Hair testing for the determination of drug exposure has many useful applications. Drug incorporated into hair can be found for extended periods following drug exposure. There are few controlled drug administration studies investigating drug distribution into human hair. Ten volunteers participated in a 10-week controlled cocaine and codeine administration study while residing in the secure research ward. Weekly hair samples were collected by electric razor. During the low-dose week (week 4), volunteers received 75 mg/70 kg cocaine subcutaneously and 60 mg/70 kg codeine orally on alternating days, a total of three doses for each drug. Similarly, during week 7, volunteers received three doses 150 mg/70 kg cocaine and 120 mg/70 kg codeine. Maximum hair concentrations (C(max)) were found 1 to 3 weeks after low and high doses. Dose-related C(max) values of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, norcocaine, cocaethylene, and codeine were found following low and high doses. Hair analysis was performed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. A positive linear relationship was found between total melanin content of hair and C(max) of codeine, cocaine, and metabolites following high dosing. This study demonstrated dose-related concentrations of cocaine and metabolites in human hair following controlled cocaine administration. These data are the first demonstrating melanin-related incorporation of cocaine and metabolites into human hair following controlled cocaine administration.

Administration, Oral↗