Toxic effects of AB-CHMINACA on liver and kidney and detection of its blood level in adult male mice

Abstract

Background AB-CHMINACA is a cannabimimetic indazole derivative. In 2013, it was reported in different countries as a substance of abuse. Purpose This study evaluated the subacute toxic effects of AB-CHMINACA on the liver and kidneys and measured its blood level in adult male mice. Methods The histological and biochemical subacute toxic effects on the liver and kidneys were assessed after four weeks of daily intraperitoneal injections of one of the following doses: 0.3 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg as the highest dose in adult male albino mice. In addition, the blood concentration level of AB-CHMINACA was determined by GC–MS-MS. Results The histological effects showed congestion, hemorrhage, degeneration, and cellular infiltration of the liver and kidney tissues. Considering the control groups as a reference, biochemical results indicated a significant increase in the serum AST only in the highest dose group, while the ALT and creatinine levels did not significantly change. The mean values of AB-CHMINACA blood levels were 3.05 ± 1.16, 15.08 ± 4.30, and 54.43 ± 8.70 ng/mL for the three treated groups, respectively, one hour after the last dose of intraperitoneal injection. The calibration curves were linear in the 2.5–500 ng/mL concentration range. The intra-assay precision and accuracy of the method were less than 7.0% (RSD) and ± 9.2% (Bias). Conclusion This research supports the available case reports on AB-CHMINACA toxicity that it has low lethality; still, the chronic administration causes evident liver and kidney histotoxic effects even at low doses with unnoticeable clinical effects in mice.