Publications by authors named "A Torrens"
Article Synopsis
- Currently, intravascular optical coherence tomography (IV-OCT) is primarily used for imaging the structure of arterial plaques, but it lacks the ability to detect molecular changes in the endothelium, which could improve risk assessment for cardiovascular issues.
- Researchers developed gold superclusters (AuSCs) that are designed to enhance IV-OCT by increasing light scattering and targeting specific molecules in the vascular system.
- In tests with a rat model, these AuSCs successfully enabled molecular imaging of vascular inflammation by correlating the imaging signal with the severity of inflammation, demonstrating potential for earlier detection of cardiovascular risks.
Association of Serum Endocannabinoid Levels with Pancreatitis and Pancreatitis-Related Pain.
Cannabis Cannabinoid Res
September 2024
Article Synopsis
- * Results showed women had higher levels of AEA, and obese participants had more PEA, while asymptomatic controls had lower AEA compared to those with pancreatic diseases.
- * Additionally, individuals with acute pancreatitis had the highest AEA levels, but lower 2-AG levels were found in those with recent abdominal pain; these findings suggest potential therapeutic targets related to cannabinoid receptors in managing pancreatitis.
Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Adolescent and Adult Female Mice.
Cannabis Cannabinoid Res
December 2024
Animal studies suggest that adolescent exposure to Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC), the intoxicating constituent of cannabis, causes lasting functional alterations in brain and other organs. Those studies often neglect the impact that age- and sex-dependent differences in the distribution and metabolism of the drug might exert on its pharmacological effects. Here, we provide a comparative analysis of Δ-THC pharmacokinetics in adolescent and adult female mice, which identify significant dissimilarities in distribution and metabolism of Δ-THC between females of these age groups.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe synthesis and pharmacological activity of a new series of dual ligands combining activities towards the α2δ-1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels (Caα2δ-1) and the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) as novel pain therapeutics are reported. A careful exploration of the pharmacophores related to both targets, which in principle had few common characteristics, led to the design of novel compounds exhibiting both activities. The construction of the dual ligands started from published Caα2δ-1 ligands, onto which MOR ligand pharmacophoric elements were added.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Researchers created a palatable THC formulation (chocolate gelatin) to study voluntary consumption and its effects in mice, overcoming prior limitations in using rodents for THC research.
- Adult mice consumed significant amounts of the THC-E-gel, exhibiting various cannabimimetic behaviors like hypolocomotion and analgesia, while also demonstrating that THC affects males and females differently in terms of acoustic startle response.
- A dose-prediction model was developed to compare responses from THC-E-gel consumption and traditional THC injections, showing that the experimental approach accurately predicted observed effects.