Work

Nitazene opioids and the heart: Identification of a cardiac ion channel target for illicit nitazene opioids

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The growing use of nitazene synthetic opioids heralds a new phase of the opioid crisis. However, limited information exists on the toxic effects of these drugs, aside from a propensity for respiratory depression. With restricted research availability of nitazenes, we used machine-learning-based tools to evaluate five nitazene compounds' interaction potential with the hERG potassium channel, a key drug antitarget in the heart. All nitazenes were predicted to inhibit hERG with low μM IC 50 values. These findings indicate a potential for proarrhythmic hERG block by nitazene opioids, warranting detailed cardiac safety evaluations of these drugs.

Source: Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Plus

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmccpl.2024.100118

Authors: Jules C. Hancox, Yibo Wang, Caroline S. Copeland, Henggui Zhang, Stephen C. Harmer, Graeme Henderson

Institutions: University of Manchester, University of Bristol, King's College London

Language: English

Topic: Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,900