Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine on the gut microbiota and metabolites in the small intestine, cecum, and colon of male rats.
Dan Xu, Akifumi Eguchi, Rumi Murayama, Guilin Liu, Mingming Zhao, Tingting Zhu, Yi Cai, Yong Yue, Xiayun Wan, Yuko Fujita, Chisato Mori, Kenji Hashimoto
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry January 10, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111223 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Animal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Male rats |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 10 mg/kg/day for 14 days |
| Duration | 14 days |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Entactogen Gastrointestinal tract Gut microbiota Metabolites MDMA Ecstasy Gut bacteria Intestinal flora Enteric nervous system Metabolic effects biochem |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key points | Repeated oral MDMA administration altered gut microbiota composition and metabolic pathways in the small intestine, cecum, and colon of male rats, and changed levels of ferulic acid and methylmalonic acid in the colon. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; Ecstasy) is a widely abused recreational drug that has also gained interest for potential clinical applications in mental health. With the growing recognition of gut microbiota's role in mental health, this study examined whether repeated oral MDMA administration could affect gut microbiota in the small intestine, cecum, and colon of male rats. Repeated oral MDMA administration (10 mg/kg/day for 14 days) caused significant changes in the gut microbiota across these regions, with distinct effects observed in each. PICRUSt2 analysis revealed significant alterations in several metabolic pathways in these regions, indicating potential shifts in microbial functional capabilities associated with MDMA treatment. Untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed that MDMA significantly altered levels of two metabolites-ferulic acid and methylmalonic acid-in the colon, without changes in the blood, small intestine, or cecum. Notably, methylmalonic acid levels in the colon positively correlated with Lawsonibacter and Oscillibacter. These findings suggest that repeated oral MDMA treatment can alter gut microbiota composition across intestinal regions, potentially contributing to its pharmacological effects.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy reduces hypothalamic oxytocin expression and blood levels after oral MDMA administration in male rats. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry March 20, 2025
- MDMA in Psychiatry: From PTSD to emerging indications, safety, and future directions Psychedelics October 14, 2025
Cites 29
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- MDMA enhances emotional empathy and prosocial behavior Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience October 4, 2013
- A Review of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-Assisted Psychotherapy Frontiers in Psychiatry March 20, 2019
- Agony and ecstasy: a review of MDMA effects and toxicity European Psychiatry August 1, 2000
and 24 more in the library