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Cocaine addiction is a relapsing disorder with loss of control in limiting drug intake. Considering the involvement of acetylcholine in the neurobiology of the disease, our aim was to evaluate whether cocaine induces plastic changes in the hippocampal cholinergic muscarinic system. Male Swiss-Webster mice received saline or cocaine (ip) three times daily (60-min intervals) either acutely or in an escalating-dose binge paradigm for 14 days. Locomotor activity was measured in all treatment days. Dopaminergic and cholinergic muscarinic receptors (D1R, D2R, M1-M5, mAChRs), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were quantified in the hippocampus by immunoblotting one hour after the last injection (on drug) or after 14 days of abstinence (withdrawal). Escalating-dose group showed cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization from day 2. M3 mAChR and ChAT significantly increased after the on-drug acute binge treatment. Escalating-dose on-drug group showed increased ChAT, M1, M5 mAChR and D2R; and decreased D1R. Acute-binge withdrawal group showed increased VAChT, M2 mAChR, D1R, and D2R; and decreased M1 mAChR. Escalating-dose withdrawal group presented increased D1R and VAChT and decreased M1 mAChR and D2R. Locomotor activity was negatively correlated with M1 mAChR and AChE in on-drug group and positively correlated with VAChT in withdrawal group. M1 mAChR was positively correlated with M2 mAChR and ChAT in on-drug group, whereas ChAT was positively correlated with M5 mAChR in withdrawal group. The results indicate that cocaine induced an increase in the hippocampal cholinergic tone in the presence of the drug, whereas withdrawal causes a resetting in the system.

Exercise affects various organs. However, its effects on nutrient digestion and absorption in the intestinal tract are not well understood. A few studies have reported that exercise training in-creases the expression of carbohydrate digestion and absorption molecules. Exercise was also shown to increase the concentration of blood glucagon like peptide-2(GLP-2), which regulates carbohydrate digestion and absorption in small intestinal epithelium. Therefore, we investigated the effects of exercise on intestinal digestion and absorption molecules and the levels of GLP-2. 6-wk-old of male mice were divided into 2 groups; sedentary (SED) and low-intensity exercise (LEx). LEx mice were required to run on a treadmill (12.5 m/min, 60 min), whereas SED mice rested. All mice were euthanized 1 h after exercise or rest and plasma, jejunum, ileum, and colon were sampled. Samples were analyzed using EIA and immunoblotting. The levels of plasma GLP-2 and the expression of the GLP-2 receptor, sucrase-isomaltase (SI), and glucose transporter (GLUT2) in the jejunum were increased in LEx group. We showed that acute low-intensity exer-cise affects the intestinal carbohydrate digestion and absorption molecules via GLP-2. Our results suggest that exercise might provide new benefits to the small intestine for people with intestinal frailty.

The number of patients using cannabis for therapeutic purposes is growing worldwide. While research regarding the treatment of certain diseases/disorders with cannabis and cannabinoids is also expanding, only a few longitudinal studies have assessed the mid-term impacts of medical cannabis use on psychological variables and quality of life (QoL). The aim of the study was to assess the psychological safety and QoL of patients with chronic diseases who self-medicate with cannabis over time. We recruited patients with various chronic diseases who use cannabis and collected data regarding patterns of cannabis use as well as mental health, personality and QoL. Participants were followed-up at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 months. Hair analysis was conducted to confirm the presence of cannabinoids. Personality assessment showed a consistent decrease in self-transcendence and self-directedness scores. Neither cognitive nor psychopathological deterioration was found. There were also no variations in QoL. Mid-term use of medical cannabis seems to show adequate tolerability regarding cognitive and psychopathological abilities, and it may help patients with chronic diseases to maintain an acceptable QoL.

Presentamos el caso clínico de un varón de 60 años con vía aérea difícil que debía realizarse una tiroidectomía total por el diagnóstico de bocio multinodular tóxico y que, un mes antes, había tenido un intento fallido de intubación con fibrobroncoscopio.