Publications by authors named "Nima Babhadi-Ashar"

A novel effervescent tablet-assisted demulsified dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on the solidification of floating organic droplet was developed to determine methadone prior to gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. In this method, a tablet composed of citric acid, sodium carbonate, and 1-undecanol was utilized. The resulting effervescent tablet generated carbon dioxide in situ to disperse 1-undecanol in the sample.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The dynorphin (DYN)/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system plays an important role in the development of addiction, and dysregulation of this system could lead to abnormal activity in the reward pathway. It has been reported that the expression state of the neurotransmitters and their receptors in the brain is reflected in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs).

Methods: We have evaluated the PBLs and plasma samples of four groups: 1) subjects with severe opioid use disorder (SOD), 2) methadone-maintenance treated (MMT) individuals, 3) long-term abstinent subjects having former SOD, and 4) healthy control subjects (n = 20 in each group).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Besides the analgesic effect of tramadol, prolonged exposure to tramadol can induce adaptive changes thereby leading to dependence and tolerance. Tramadol induces its effect via µ-opioid receptor (MOR). However, tramadol has other targets such as serotonin and epinephrine transporters.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

It has been proven that exposure to some drugs even before gestation had transgenerational effects. To investigate the changes which induced by parental morphine exposure before gestation; mainly the anxiety-like behavior, Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF) level in the CSF and plasma, CRF Receptor 1 (CRFR1), and the level of protein kinase C (PKC-α) were evaluated in the male offspring. Male and female Wistar rats were exposed to morphine for 21 following days.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Several case-control studies have shown associations between the risk of different cancers and self-reported opium use. Inquiring into relatively sensitive issues, such as the history of drug use, is usually prone to information bias. However, in order to justify the findings of these types of studies, we have to quantify the level of such a negative bias.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF