Differential effects of cathinone compounds andMDMAon body temperature in the rat, and pharmacological characterization of mephedrone‐induced hypothermia
Sinead E Shortall, Andrew R. Green, Km Swift, K.c.f. Fone, Madeleine V. King
British Journal of Pharmacology October 8, 2012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.02236.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Controlled laboratory experiment Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Individually housed rats |
| Interventions | cathinone methcathinone mephedrone MDMA |
| Duration | 2 hours post-injection |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Mephedrone Cathinone Dopamine Thermoregulation Pharmacology Hypothermia Homovanillic acid Endocrinology |
| Citations | 51 |
| Key findings | Mephedrone and MDMA have different effects on thermoregulation and brain monoamines in rats, indicating that cathinone adverse effects cannot be predicted from MDMA studies. |
Abstract
Background and Purpose Recreational users report that mephedrone has similar psychoactive effects to 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine ( MDMA ). MDMA induces well‐characterized changes in body temperature due to complex monoaminergic effects on central thermoregulation, peripheral blood flow and thermogenesis, but there are little preclinical data on the acute effects of mephedrone or other synthetic cathinones. Experimental Approach The acute effects of cathinone, methcathinone and mephedrone on rectal and tail temperature were examined in individually housed rats, with MDMA included for comparison. Rats were killed 2 h post‐injection and brain regions were collected for quantification of 5‐ HT , dopamine and major metabolites. Further studies examined the impact of selected α‐adrenoceptor and dopamine receptor antagonists on mephedrone‐induced changes in rectal temperature and plasma catecholamines. Key Results At normal room temperature, MDMA caused sustained decreases in rectal and tail temperature. Mephedrone caused a transient decrease in rectal temperature, which was enhanced by α 1 ‐adrenoceptor and dopamine D 1 receptor blockade, and a prolonged decrease in tail temperature. Cathinone and methcathinone caused sustained increases in rectal temperature. MDMA decreased 5‐ HT and/or 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐ HIAA ) content in several brain regions and reduced striatal homovanillic acid ( HVA ) levels, whereas cathinone and methcathinone increased striatal HVA and 5‐ HIAA . Cathinone elevated striatal and hypothalamic 5‐ HT . Mephedrone elevated plasma noradrenaline levels, an effect prevented by α‐adrenoceptor and dopamine receptor antagonists. Conclusions and Implications MDMA and cathinones have different effects on thermoregulation, and their acute effects on brain monoamines also differ. These findings suggest that the adverse effects of cathinones in humans cannot be extrapolated from previous observations on MDMA .
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Pharmacokinetic, Ambulatory, and Hyperthermic Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-Methylcathinone (Methylone) in Rats Frontiers in Psychiatry November 17, 2017
- The preclinical pharmacology of mephedrone; not justMDMAby another name British Journal of Pharmacology March 24, 2014
- Molecular and clinical aspects of potential neurotoxicity induced by new psychoactive stimulants and psychedelics Experimental Neurology June 4, 2021
- Drinking to death: Hyponatraemia induced by synthetic phenethylamines. Drug and Alcohol Dependence July 1, 2020
- High ambient temperature increases the toxicity and lethality of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and methcathinone. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior May 2020
and 3 more in the library
Cites 22
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and 17 more in the library