Zinc Supplementation Reduces ROS Production and Prevents MDMA-Induced Apoptosis in TM3 Leydig Cells via the Inhibition of Pro-Apoptotic Proteins.
Biological Trace Element Research April 1, 2025 Salar Mahmoudi-Nejad, Sina Ahmadi, Mahssa Hassan-Nejhad et al. 4 citations
MDMA causes toxic effects and programmed cell death (apoptosis) in a mouse Leydig cell line (TM3). Treatment with MDMA increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins caspase 3, Bax, and p53, while decreasing the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Pre-treatment with zinc for 24 hours before MDMA exposure significantly reduced ROS production, lowered the number of apoptotic cells, and decreased pro-apoptotic protein expression compared to MDMA alone. Zinc pre-treatment mitigates MDMA-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in TM3 cells.