A vaccine that blocks fentanyl from entering the brain in rats – thus stopping the addictive high – could one day be used to combat the opioid crisis.
Importantly, it did not stop the action of non-fentanyl opioids. This indicates that the vaccine might not have any effect on pain relief for humans.
“We believe these findings could have a significant impact on a very serious problem plaguing society for years – opioid misuse,” SaysColin Haile (University of Houston), is the lead author of this study.
Researchers gave the rats three doses at three-week intervals three weeks apart of the fentanyl vaccination. A placebo was also given to another group of rats.
Researchers collected blood samples regularly and found an increase in antifentanyl. AntibodyVariation in levels of the vaccined rats over time.
After all the necessary vaccinations were completed, the rats received a dose of Fentanyl.
The researchers measured whether the vaccine blocked the painkiller effect fentanyl by testing the rats’ pain responses. They heated up the tails of the rats for no more that 10 seconds, and then saw how quickly they pulled away.
They also exposed the rats and measured how long it took for them to lick their hindlimbs.
The vaccinated rats pulled away from painful stimuli faster than the control group in both experiments, showing that the vaccine – when administered at the higher of two doses – was blocking the painkiller effect of fentanyl.
An examination post-mortem revealed that the brain had been reduced by the vaccine.
“Our vaccine is capable of generating anti-fentanyl antibodiesThese bind to the fentanyl consumed and block it from reaching the brain. It is then eliminated via the kidneys.” Says Haile.
Researchers There were no adverse side effects observed in laboratory studies. However, it is important to continue to work on the vaccine for clinical trials.
The researchers are Now, prepareTrials on humans
They anticipate few side effects as the fentanyl vaccination is mostly comprised of components that have been approved to be used in vaccines for humans. These include a small fentanyl-like component attached to a larger protein called CRM197. This has been approved to use in vaccines for humans. Additionally, an adjuvant called dmLT which provides an additional immune boost and has been proved safe in many instances. Clinical trials.
These components together stimulate the immune to recognize fentanyl and produce antibodies to prevent it from reaching the brain. This is similar to how a flu shot trains your immune system to recognize specific targets.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is available. 100 timesMore potent than morphine. It has been prescribed by doctors for severe pain ever since. 1990s, which leads to an ‘opioid epidemicIn the United States, there are more than 150 persons die from fentanyl overdoses every day.
It takes just around 2 milligramsUse fentanyl in order to kill someone. Illicit drugs like heroin are often mixed with fentanyl to give them an extra kick – a problem that has Police officersTo warn about the dangers of illicit drugs that are being sold on the black market.
According to studies, as many as 90 percentPeople who receive treatment for opioid abuse disorder will often relapse from the addiction.
Naloxone is an emergency medication that can be used to treat fentanyl overdose. Methadone, a daily medication, can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Help people to stay away from fentanyl and prevent overdose deaths – but all that depends on people adhering to treatment.
The vaccine could work over a longer timeframe to stop the effects of Fentanyl, which could lead to faster recovery and possibly fewer fentanyl deaths.
The study was published in Pharmaceutics.
