Fawaz Alasmari
College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
Abstract Title:
Alterations in Serum Electrolytes in Cannabis and Amphetamine Exposed Individuals: Prohibited Substances in Sports
Biography:
Dr. Alasmari graduated from King Saud University with a bachelor in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2011 and then Joined the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. In 2012, Alasmari moved to the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology- King Saud University as a Teaching Assistant. In 2013, Alasmari started his graduate studies at the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of Toledo, USA and obtained his master in Pharmacology and Toxicology in 2015 and PhD in Experimental Therapeutics in 2018. Alasmari returned to King Saud University as an Assistant Professor and promoted to Associate Professor in 2022 and Professor in 2026.
Research Interests:
Amphetamine and cannabis use disorders are widespread due to the recreational use of such drugs and are associated with altered metabolomic and proteomic profiles. Chronic amphetamine and cannabis exposures are associated with toxicological effects on human physiological functions. As serum electrolytes have significant roles in such functions, it is important to also investigate the effects of single or co-exposure to amphetamine and/or cannabis on those electrolytes. This study aimed to investigate the levels of blood electrolytes in patients diagnosed with cannabis and/or amphetamine use disorder. Quantification of essential electrolytes and kidney function parameters was performed using clinical chemistry and immunoassay technology. In addition, biochemical assays of serum oxidative stress markers (catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were performed and compared between the studied groups. Serum samples were obtained from subjects who were classified into four groups: controls, cannabis users, amphetamine users, and cannabis-amphetamine users. The statistical analysis did not show significant differences in kidney functions among the four groups. However, we found that cannabis and cannabis-amphetamine groups had high levels of sodium, chloride, and phosphorus compared with the control group. Moreover, calcium was higher in cannabis group compared with the control. Additionally, amphetamine or cannabis use disorder patients had significant reduction in serum catalase and SOD, moreover, co-abuse of compounds induced more significant reductions in these oxidative stress markers. Our data suggest that cannabis use disorder modulates serum electrolytes without affecting kidney function. Amphetamine and cannabis might have synergistic effects in inducing oxidative stress. Future studies are required to elucidate the molecular signaling pathways involved in mediating the effects of cannabis on serum electrolytes and oxidative stress parameters.
Key words: Amphetamine; Cannabis; Sports Medicine; Electrolytes; Doping.
