benzofurans and Pulmonary-Edema

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a devastating clinical syndrome, is one of the most severe complications of acute lung injury (ALI). Despite of decades of clinical trials and supportive ventilation strategies, the incidence and mortality of ALI/ARDS remain high. DL-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) is a synthesized raceme of L-3-n-butylphthalide which has been approved to possess various activities. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effect of NBP on ALI in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mice. We found that 10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg NBP significantly prevented LPS-induced increase of W/D ratio of lung, histological injury of lung, infiltration of inflammatory cells, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and oxidative damage. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) expression was increased by NBP in lung of LPS-treated mice. Knockout of SIRT1 significantly aggravated LPS-induced ALI. Moreover, the absence of SIRT1 notably inhibited NBP-induced protective effects against LPS-induced increase of W/D ratio of lung, histological injury of lung, infiltration of inflammatory cells, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and oxidative damage. However, knockout of SIRT1 did not completely inhibit NBP-induced upregulation of Nrf2 and attenuation of ALI. The results demonstrated that NBP could activate Nrf2 antioxidant signaling in a SIRT1-dependent and SIRT1-independent manner, resulting in the amelioration of oxidative stress, inflammation and pulmonary edema. The data highlights the importance of SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling in the protective effects of NBP.

Topics: Acute Lung Injury; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Benzofurans; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Cytokines; Lipopolysaccharides; Lung; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Pulmonary Edema; Sirtuin 1

For the new psychoactive drug 5-(2-aminopropyl) benzofuran (5-APB), very limited knowledge is available regarding lethal concentrations. We present a case and report the post mortem blood concentration of a fatal outcome for a 25 year old man related to the consumption of 5-APB. After intake, he became unconscious and stopped breathing. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started without success. After 30min he was declared dead at the scene. During autopsy, whole blood from the femoral vein was collected and screened for a wide range of medicinal drugs and drugs of abuse. 5-APB was initially identified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) and subsequently confirmed by using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The only toxicological findings were ethanol 0.6g/L, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 0.0024mg/L and 5-APB 0.86mg/L. The cause of death was attributed to intake of 5-APB. Only one previous report of a fatal 5-APB concentration as the main toxicological agent exist in the literature, and the present concentration indicated that 5-APB could be lethal in lower concentrations than previously reported.

Topics: Adult; Benzofurans; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Designer Drugs; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Male; Mass Spectrometry; Molecular Structure; Propylamines; Pulmonary Edema; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Aged; Amiodarone; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Benzofurans; Corneal Diseases; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Edema; Time Factors

Topics: Benzofurans; Body Water; Cardiovascular System; Edema; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Oximes; Pulmonary Edema; Sodium Chloride