Neurobehavioral and molecular changes in rats exposed to either captagon or counterfeit captagon.

Abstract

The primary ingredient in captagon, a medication that is frequently abused in the Middle East, is fenethylline (FEN), which breaks down into theophylline and amphetamines (AMP). Due to the limited supply of genuine Captagon, fake Captagon (CC) has surfaced, comprising a variety of chemicals such as lidocaine, theophylline, AMP, caffeine, and diphenhydramine. This study compares the neurobehavioral consequences of CC with FEN, emphasizing the higher health concerns associated with CC. A total of 36 male Sprague Dawley rats were split up into five groups: CC (50 or 100 mg/kg), FEN (50 or 100 mg/kg), and control. Following therapy, body temperature and locomotor activity were recorded. Using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), the expression of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) gene was examined in prefrontal cortex (PFC) samples. The findings indicated a higher risk of lethal hyperthermia because CC significantly increased body temperature and locomotor activity in comparison to FEN. Furthermore, a significant reduction in BDNF mRNA levels in the PFC following CC exposure raised the possibility of long-term cognitive and neuroplasticity deficits. According to these results, CC poses a significantly bigger risk because of its unexpected composition and more severe neurobehavioral effects, even though FEN is a recognized social menace. The present study underscores the pressing necessity of public health measures to curb the proliferation and misuse of CC. To lessen these new medications' detrimental effects on people and society as a whole, education about their risks and initiatives to stop their usage are crucial.