In vivo potency and efficacy of the novel cathinone α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone: self-administration and locomotor stimulation in male rats

RATIONALE: Numerous substituted cathinone drugs have appeared in recreational use. This variety is often a response to legal actions; the scheduling of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV; “bath salts”) in the U.S.A. was followed by the appearance of the closely related drug α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP; “flakka”). OBJECTIVES: To directly compare the efficacy and potency of alpha-PVP with that of MDPV. METHODS: Groups of male Wistar rats were trained in the intravenous self-administration (IVSA) alpha-PVP or MDPV under a fixed-ratio 1 schedule of reinforcement. An additional group was examined for locomotor and body temperature responses to non-contingent administration of MDVP or alpha-PVP (1.0, 5.6, 10.0 mg/kg, i.p.). RESULTS: Acquisition of alpha-PVP (0.1 mg/kg/infusion) IVSA resulted in low, yet consistent drug intake and excellent discrimination for the drug-paired lever. Dose-substitution (0.05-0.25 mg/kg/infusion) under a fixed-ratio 1 schedule confirmed potency is similar to MDPV in prior studies. In direct comparison to MDPV (0.05 mg/kg/infusion), rats trained on alpha-PVP (0.05 mg/kg/infusion) responded for more infusions but demonstrated similar drug-lever discrimination by the end of acquisition. However, the dose-response (0.018-0.56 mg/kg/inf) functions of these drugs under a progressive-ratio schedule of reinforcement reflected identical efficacy and potency. Peak locomotor responses to MDPV or alpha-PVP were observed after the 1.0 mg/kg, i.p. dose and lasted ~2 hours. Modest body temperature decreases were of similar magnitude (~0.75°C) for each compound. CONCLUSIONS: The potency and efficacy of MDPV and alpha-PVP were very similar across multiple assays, predicting that the abuse liability of alpha-PVP will be significant and similar to that of MDPV