BioISI Research Seminar

Tackling the NPS Threats

Identification, Synthesis, Metabolic Profile and Toxicity of Emerging Cathinones

Anfiteatro da FCiências.ID, Ciências ULisboa

Por Helena Gaspar (BioISI/FCUL).

New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are a range of substances, mostly synthetic, that have emerged in the recreational drugs market with the purpose of mimicking the effects of classic drugs and circumvent legislation restrictions against illicit substances. The term NPS designates substances of abuse, that are not controlled by the United Nations Drug Conventions, but which may pose a public health threat comparable to substances present in these conventions. However, the health risks associated with the consumption of NPS led to the publication of new legislation in different countries, aiming to overcome the concerns related to these risks. One of the main challenges in the early control of NPS, either in seized material or biological matrices, is related to their correct identification using reliable and rapid analytical methods, even in the absence of standards.

To tackle the problem of accurate and unambiguous identification of NPS in Portugal, a collaboration was established between the Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária (LPC/PJ) and Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. (INMLCF). Between 2014 and 2022, working on 103 selected cases chosen by the LPC/PJ, a methodology was developed using complementary information gathered from different analytical techniques, allowing not only an unequivocal identification (without standards) of 122 NPS in seized products, but also the use of some samples as qualitative standards in routine analyses. Twenty-six NPS were detected for the first time in Portugal (4F-PBP for the first time in Europe), being synthetic cathinones the major class of the NPS detected. These NPS, are β-keto phenethylamines, structural analogues of cathinone, the major psychoactive alkaloid present in the leaves of Catha edulis. Notably 65% of the material seized (3.3 tonnes) during 2020 in Europe was cathinone powders, and until December of 2021, 162 cathinones were reported as NPS. The increase of acute intoxication and deaths associated with the consumption of cathinones (and other NPS) has resulted in their continuous inclusion in the International Drug Control Convention. Since 2015, 12 synthetic cathinones were included in the Schedule II of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971.

In this context, a series of cathinones already in the market, or with foreseeable structural modifications to render them NPS, were synthesized and fully characterized. The obtention of these cathinones standards allowed: i) to create a GC–MS and NMR library that has facilitated the rapid and straightforward identification of cathinones in seized products in Portugal; ii) to develop analytical methodologies for the differentiation of regioisomeric cathinones (e.g. by FT-ICR) iii) to develop and validate methods for a rapid and unambiguous monitoring of cathinones in blood by SPE/GC-MS; iv) to evaluate the cytotoxicity of cathinones in human cell lines (SH-SY5Y and HepG2); v) to discover the selective biomarkers for detection of cathinones in biological matrices through the study of their metabolic profile by LC-HRMS/MS generated by incubation in human liver microsomes. Subsequently, the metabolites considered to be used as biomarkers were synthesized and their cytotoxicity evaluated.

These findings represent an important contribute not only for the unequivocal identifications of these emerging cathinones in seized product and biological matrices but also to understand their potential adverse effects and link causative agents to toxicities.

11h00
BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas

RSS Meetup, por Nuno Lopes (IST, ULisboa).

Seminário do Departamento de Física de Ciências ULisboa, por Henrique Leitão (DHFC-FCUL, PI RUTTER ERC AdG).

Logótipo do evento

No dia 04 de abril, pelas 14h30, será gravado um episódio em direto do podcast "A Escala do Clima" de Filipe Duarte Santos (Professor Jubilado de CIÊNCIAS).

Fotografia de aluna

Uma iniciativa aberta a toda a comunidade académica da ULisboa.

Fotografia de coleção de insetos

The course includes several case studies of insect adaptation, and the most recent overview on insect evodevo, plasticity, ecophysiological responses and conservation under global change.

Título/data/local do evento e fotografia aérea de vias urbanas

Conferência da redeMOV, por Gabriel Costa Valença.

Logótipo CIE

A leading venue for presenting and discussing the latest research, industrial practice and innovations in dependable and secure computing.

Logótipos do evento/Ciências ULisboa/AEFCL e data do evento, sobre fotografia de edição anterior

O maior evento de empregabilidade de CIÊNCIAS, a decorrer nos dias 08 e 09 de abril.

Seminário do Centro de Física Teórica e Computacional, por João Neves (CFTC).

RSS Meetup, por Rodrigo Bruno (IST, ULisboa).

Título do evento

A collaborative initiative supported by five Portuguese research centers, aimed at strengthening and connecting the geometry research community in Portugal.

Equipa da Raiz Vertical Farms

Uma Experiência Única sobre Agricultura Urbana e Energia Renovável.

Título/data/local do evento e fotografia da cidade de Lisboa

The conference aims to bring together students and young researchers working in Mathematics, Statistics, and Applications with a view to fostering discussions and collaborations amongst participants.

Seminário do Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço, por Amidou Sorgho (Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía - IAA-CSIC, Spain).

Título "Para um ensino humanista das ciências" e logótipos das entidades organizadoras

O evento tem como tema principal "Para um ensino humanista das ciências" e conta com a participação de vários professores de CIÊNCIAS.

Microplásticos em suspensão no oceano

O curso tem como objetivo dar formação sobre a problemática da contaminação por detritos de plástico dos nossos ecossistemas, bem como alertar para os potenciais efeitos deletérios nos organismos - candidaturas até 22 de março.

Banner do Dia de Ciências 2025

A 29 de abril assinalamos o 114.º aniversário de CIÊNCIAS.

Junte-se a nós no Grande Auditório de CIÊNCIAS para uma tarde de celebração que reúne toda a comunidade da Faculdade.

Fotografia de fábrica a emitir poluição para a atmosfera

The course aims at enabling the participants to use different methods to measure the impacts of pollutants on ecosystems.

Logótipo C-Academy

O curso oferece uma base sólida sobre os fundamentos e práticas essenciais para proteger sistemas e dados num mundo cada vez mais digital - candidaturas até 13 de abril.

Banner Dia Aberto de CIÊNCIAS 2025.

Bem-vindos a Ciências ULisboa!

Um concurso de programação dirigido aos alunos do ensino secundário (11.º e 12.º anos), que visa promover a prática e o gosto pela programação.

Fotografia de Chapim-azul

The goal of this course is to provide the participants with the most recent and practical knowledge on the use of Functional Diversity.

Mão a segurar em globo de vidro

Curso acreditado pelo CCPFC para efeitos de progressão na carreira dos professores na dimensão cientifico-pedagógica dos grupos 230, 420, 510, 520 e 560, com candidaturas até 30 de abril.

Título/data/local do evento, logótipos das entidades organizadoras e fotografia de peixe

The event aims to facilitate the exchange of information and knowledge among professionals to advance the understanding, collaboration and capabilities of aquaculture to respond to the impact of climate change in a rapidly changing global environment.

Uma oportunidade única para interagir com a comunidade global de computação científica, com inscrições (preço reduzido) até 02 de maio.

Páginas