Acute MDMA and Nicotine Co-administration: Behavioral Effects and Oxidative Stress Processes in Mice
Barbara Budzynska, Artur Wnorowski, Katarzyna Kaszubska, Grażyna Biała, Marta Kruk-Słomka, Jacek Kurzepa, Anna Boguszewska-Czubara
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience August 2, 2018 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00149 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Male Swiss mice |
| Interventions | MDMA nicotine |
| Dose | 0.05 mg/kg nicotine, 1 mg/kg MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Nicotine Memory Behavioral sensitization Oxidative stress Cholinergic receptors |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | MDMA alone or combined with nicotine improved memory consolidation, and MDMA increased locomotor activity in nicotine-sensitized mice. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxy-methylamphetamine (MDMA), a synthetic substance commonly known as ecstasy, is a worldwide recreational drug of abuse. As MDMA and nicotine activate the same neuronal pathways, we examined the influence of co-administration of nicotine (0.05 mg/kg) and MDMA (1 mg/kg) on cognitive processes, nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization and on processes linked with oxidative stress and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expression in the brain of male Swiss mice. For behavioral study the passive avoidance (PA) test and locomotor sensitization paradigm were used. Also, the oxidative stress parameters as well as expression levels of α7 nAChRs in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mice treated with MDMA alone or in combination with nicotine were assessed. The results revealed that MDMA injections as well as co-administrations of MDMA and nicotine improved memory consolidation in male Swiss mice tested in PA task. Furthermore, one of the main findings of the present study is that MDMA increased locomotor activity in nicotine-sensitized mice. Our study showed for the first time strong behavioral and biochemical interactions between nicotine and MDMA. Both drugs are very often used in combination, especially by young people, thus these results may help explaining why psychoactive substances are being co-abused and why this polydrug administration is still a social problem.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Neurotoxicity of MDMA: Main effects and mechanisms. Experimental Neurology October 1, 2021
- Glutathione as a Potential Neuroprotectant Against MDMA-Induced Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation, and Apoptosis in the Rat Brain. Neurochemical Research May 6, 2026
- Amitriptyline Accelerates SERT Binding Recovery in a Rat 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) Model: In Vivo 4-[18F]-ADAM PET Imaging International Journal of Molecular Sciences June 24, 2022
- Nicotine and modafinil combination protects against the neurotoxicity induced by 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in hippocampal neurons of male rats. Journal of chemical neuroanatomy October 2021
Cites 15
- Human Pharmacology of MDMA Therapeutic Drug Monitoring March 19, 2004
- The Role of Metabolism in 3,4-(±)-Methylenedioxyamphetamine and 3,4-(±)-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) toxicity Therapeutic Drug Monitoring March 19, 2004
- Critical Role of Peripheral Vasoconstriction in Fatal Brain Hyperthermia Induced by MDMA (Ecstasy) under Conditions That Mimic Human Drug Use Journal of Neuroscience June 4, 2014
- Effects of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its main metabolites on cardiovascular function in conscious rats British Journal of Pharmacology October 12, 2013
- Effects of repeated treatment with MDMA on working memory and behavioural flexibility in mice Addiction Biology January 19, 2012
and 10 more in the library