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Violence and drug abuse are highly destructive phenomena found world-wide, especially in Brazil. They seem to rise proportionally to one another and possibly related. Additionally, genetics may also play a role in drug abuse. This study has focused on identifying the use of cocaine within postmortem cases arriving at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Sao Paulo as well as the presence of certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to better understand one's susceptibility to abuse the drug. Both hair and blood samples have been extracted through a simple methanol overnight incubation or a rapid dilute-and-shoot method, respectively. The samples were then analyzed using an UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and genotyped through RT-PCR. Statistical analyses were performed via SPSS software. From 105 postmortem cases, 53% and 51% of the cases shown to be positive for cocaine in hair and blood, respectively. Genetic wise, a significant difference has been observed for SNP rs4263329 from the BCHE gene with higher frequencies of the genotypes A/G and G/G seen in cocaine users (OR=8.91; 95%CI=1.58-50.21; p=0.01). Likewise, also SNP rs6280 from the DRD3 gene presented a significant association, with both genotypes T/C and C/C being more frequent in users (OR=4.96; 95% CI=1.07-23.02; p=0.04). To conclude, a rather high proportion of cocaine has been found, which may suggest a connotation between the use of the drug and risky/violent behaviors. Additionally, significant associations were also found within two SNPs related to cocaine use, however, due to several inherent limitations, these must be confirmed.

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To investigate the effects of repeated crack-cocaine inhalation on spermatogenesis of pubertal and mature Balb/c mice, ten young (Y(ex)) and ten adult (A(ex)) Balb/c mice were exposed to the smoke from 5 g of crack with 57.7% of pure cocaine in an inhalation chamber, 5 days/week for 2 months. The young (Y(c)) and adult (A(c)) control animals (n = 10) were kept in a specially built and controlled animal house facility. The morphologic analysis of both testes of all animals included the analysis of quantitative and qualitative histologic parameters to assess the effect of crack-cocaine on spermatogenesis and Leydig cells. Apoptosis was determined by immunolabeling with caspase-3 antibodies. Compared to the Y(c) animals, Y(ex) animals showed a significant reduction in the number of stage VII tubules per testis (p = 0.02), Sertoli cells (p < 0.001) and elongated spermatids (p = 0.001). Comparisons between the Y(ex) and A(ex) groups identified a significant reduction in the number of Sertoli cells (p < 0.001) and round spermatids (p < 0.001) in the Y(ex) group and a significant increase in apoptotic Leydig cells (p = 0.04) in the A(ex) group. The experimental results indicate that crack-cocaine smoke inhalation induced spermatogenesis disruption in chronically exposed mice, particularly in pubertal mice.

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Drugs are important risk factors for traffic accidents. In Brazil, truck drivers report using amphetamines to maintain their extensive work schedule and stay awake. These drugs can be obtained without prescription easily on Brazilian roads. The use of these stimulants can result in health problems and can be associated with traffic accidents. There are Brazilian studies that show that drivers use drugs. However, these studies are questionnaire-based and do not always reflect real-life situations. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the prevalence of drug use by truck drivers on the roads of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, during 2009. Drivers of large trucks were randomly stopped by police officers on the interstate roads during morning hours. After being informed of the goals of the study, the drivers gave written informed consent before providing a urine sample. In addition, a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic characteristics and health information was administered. Urine samples were screened for amphetamines, cocaine, and cannabinoids by immunoassay and the confirmation was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Of the 488 drivers stopped, 456 (93.4%) provided urine samples, and 9.3% of them (n=42) tested positive for drugs. Amphetamines were the most commonly found (n=26) drug, representing 61.9% of the positive samples. Ten cases tested positive for cocaine (23.8%), and five for cannabinoids (11.9%). All drivers were male with a mean age of 40 ± 10.8 years, and 29.3% of them reported some health problem (diabetes, high blood pressure and/or stress). A high incidence of truck drivers who tested positive for drug use was found, among other reported health problems. Thus, there is an evident need to promote a healthier lifestyle among professional drivers and a need for preventive measures aimed at controlling the use of drugs by truck drivers in Brazil.

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A ayahuasca é uma bebida psicoativa originariamente utilizada em rituais de tribos indígenas da região amazônica. Esta bebida é preparada pela infusão de caules da Banisteriopsis caapi Morton, que contém Beta-carbolinas que são inibidoras da monoaminoxidase (MAO), e de folhas da Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pavón, que contém o alucinógeno N,N-dimetiltriptamina (DMT). A enzima MAO degrada a DMT no fígado e intestino. No Brasil, a ayahuasca tem sido incorporada em rituais de grupos sincréticos religiosos e seu uso dentro do contexto religioso é amparado por lei federal. Atualmente, esses grupos têm se espalhado na Europa e Estados Unidos, chamando a atenção de pesquisadores internacionais quanto aos efeitos da ayahuasca. Estudos têm indicado que a ayahuasca poderia ter aplicações terapêuticas como no tratamento da farmacodependência e até sugerem seu uso seguro por adultos sadios. Entretanto, poucos estudos têm sido conduzidos para melhor avaliação de suas propriedades. O objetivo do artigo é mostrar uma revisão geral da história até as recentes descobertas envolvendo a farmacologia e a toxicologia da ayahuasca.

Ayahuasca (or caapi in Brazil) is a psychoactive plant beverage initially used by shamans in religious rituals practiced by indigenous peoples in the Amazon region. It is prepared by infusing the pounded stems of Banisteriopsis caapi Morton, a liana which contains beta-carbolines, alkaloids that are potent monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, together with the leaves of Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pavón, which contains the psychedelic agent N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The enzyme MAO normally degrades DMT in the liver and gut. In Brazil, the use of ayahuasca within religious ceremonies is protected by law and it has been incorporated into rituals of syncretic religious groups. Some of these groups have established themselves in the United States and European countries, attracting international research interest in the effects of ayahuasca. Studies suggest that it may have therapeutic applications, such as in the treatment of drug addiction, and that it can be used safely by healthy adults. However, too few studies have been performed for a good assessment of its properties to be made. The aim of this article is to present a review of the history of ayahuasca, up to the recent discoveries concerning its pharmacology and toxicology.

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Os esteróides andrógenos anabólicos (EAA) são substâncias quimicamente semelhantes à estosterona e que teriam a propriedade de aumentar a força e a massa muscular.Apesar de estarem associados a uma série deefeitos nocivos, principalmente sobre os sistemas cardiovascular, hepático e neuro-endócrino, verifica-se que o abuso de EAA tem aumentado consideravelmente nos últimos anos.No presente trabalho, o perfil dos praticantes de atividade física das academias de Erechim e Passo Fundo/RS e a incidência de uso de EAA foram verificados.Responderam aos questionários 418 praticantes de atividade física, de um total de 700 questionários distribuídos.A percentagem de uso foi de 6,5 por cento;todos usuários do sexo masculino, de uma população de 83 por cento de homens.O EAA mais utilizado foi o decanoato de nandrolona (35,29 por cento).Os EAA foram adquiridos em farmácias com receita médica (37,04 por cento).O perfil dos praticantes pode ser assim delineado: idade entre 21 e 25 anos, homens, estudantes universitários (62,67 por cento) e motivados por estética e ganho de força.Este estudo ressalta a necessidade de ações preventivas e educativas junto à população jovem.

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