α-Lipoic acid prevents 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)-induced neurotoxicity
Norberto Aguirre, Meritxell Barrionuevo, Marı́a J. Ramı́rez, Joaquı́n Del Rı́o, Berta Lasheras
Neuroreport November 1, 1999 DOI: 10.1097/00001756-199911260-00039 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats |
| Interventions | MDMA α-lipoic acid |
| Dose | 20 mg/kg MDMA; 100 mg/kg α-lipoic acid twice daily for 2 days |
| Duration | 1 week after MDMA administration |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Neurotoxicity Methamphetamine Hippocampus Pharmacology Striatum Hyperthermia Endocrinology |
| Citations | 89 |
| Key findings | Α-lipoic acid prevented MDMA-induced serotonergic deficits and glial changes in rats, supporting free radical involvement in neurotoxicity. |
Abstract
A single administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymetham-phetamine (MDMA, 20 mg/kg, i.p.), induced significant hyperthermia in rats and reduced 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) content and [3H]paroxetine-labeled 5-HT transporter density in the frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus by 40–60% 1 week later. MDMA treatment also increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity in the hippocampus. Repeated administration of the metabolic antioxidant α-lipoic acid (100 mg/kg, i.p., b.i.d. for 2 consecutive days) 30 min prior to MDMA did not prevent the acute hyperthermia induced by the drug; however, it fully prevented the serotonergic deficits and the changes in the glial response induced by MDMA. These results further support the hypothesis that free radical formation is responsible for MDMA-induced neurotoxicity.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 36
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) neurotoxicity in rats: a reappraisal of past and present findings Psychopharmacology March 15, 2006
- 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) administration to rats decreases brain tissue serotonin but not serotonin transporter protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein Synapse July 14, 2004
- Ascorbic acid prevents 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced hydroxyl radical formation and the behavioral and neurochemical consequences of the depletion of brain 5-HT Synapse 2001
- The Nature of 3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-Induced Serotonergic Dysfunction: Evidence for and Against the Neurodegeneration Hypothesis Current Neuropharmacology March 1, 2011
- Damage of serotonergic axons and immunolocalization of Hsp27, Hsp72, and Hsp90 molecular chaperones after a single dose of MDMA administration in Dark Agouti rat: Temporal, spatial, and cellular patterns The Journal of Comparative Neurology 2006
and 31 more in the library
Cites 6
- Small Changes in Ambient Temperature Cause Large Changes in 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity and Core Body Temperature in the Rat Journal of Neuroscience July 1, 1998
- Activation of glycogen phosphorylase by serotonin and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in astroglial-rich primary cultures: involvement of the 5-HT2A receptor Brain Research May 1, 1995
- Co-administration of MDMA with drugs that protect against MDMA neurotoxicity produces different effects on body temperature in the rat. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics July 1, 1996
- The role of temperature, stress, and other factors in the neurotoxicity of the substituted amphetamines 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and fenfluramine. Molecular Neurobiology August 1, 1995
- The spin trap reagent alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone prevents 'ecstasy'-induced neurodegeneration of 5-hydroxytryptamine neurones. European Journal of Pharmacology July 14, 1995
and 1 more in the library