Arginine vasopressin release in response to the administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy"): is metabolism a contributory factor?
Mary L. Forsling, John K. Fallon, A T Kicman, Andrew J. Hutt, D A Cowan, J A Henry
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology October 2001 DOI: 10.1211/0022357011777855 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 8 |
| Population | Healthy male volunteers aged 22-32 years |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 40 mg |
| Duration | Blood samples collected up to 24 h |
| Measures | plasma AVP, cortisol, MDMA and MDA concentrations, sodium, osmolality |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | Plasma AVP increased in all subjects after MDMA administration, with a significant negative correlation between AVP and MDMA concentrations at 1 hour (r < -0.91, P < 0.01), which disappeared by 2 hours. Cortisol and osmolality showed no significant change at 1 hour, indicating the AVP increase is not a generalized stress response. |
Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to examine the effect of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) administration on arginine vasopressin (AVP) release. (R,S)-MDMA (40 mg) was administered to eight normally hydrated healthy male volunteers (22-32 years) and blood samples were collected up to 24 h. Plasma was assayed for AVP and cortisol by radioimmunoassays, and for MDMA and the N-demethylated metabolite, MDA, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sodium concentrations and osmolality were also determined. Plasma AVP increased in all subjects after MDMA administration and a significant negative correlation was observed between concentrations of AVP and both single and total enantiomer MDMA at 1 h (r < -0.91, P < 0.01). This had disappeared by 2 h (P > 0.7). Compared with basal values, no significant change was observed for osmolality or cortisol at 1 h after drug administration. In conclusion, plasma AVP concentrations increase after MDMA administration, but the increase is not part of a generalized stress response since cortisol did not increase concurrently. A significant negative correlation between plasma MDMA and AVP was observed soon after administration. The possibility that a pharmacological effect of MDMA is primarily mediated via one or more metabolites, rather than by the parent drug, should be considered.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting | 1986 | Observational study | |
| Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users | 1998 | Observational cohort | |
| Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people | 2000 | Observational | |
| The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals | 1986 | Observational cohort | |
| Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users | 1998 | Observational cohort | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 28
- Designer drugs: mechanism of action and adverse effects Archives of Toxicology April 1, 2020
- A review of acute effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in healthy volunteers Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
- Direct comparison of the acute subjective, emotional, autonomic, and endocrine effects of MDMA, methylphenidate, and modafinil in healthy subjects Psychopharmacology May 27, 2017
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) Inhibits Dyskinesia Expression and Normalizes Motor Activity in 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine-Treated Primates Journal of Neuroscience October 8, 2003
- Sex Differences in the Effects of MDMA (Ecstasy) on Plasma Copeptin in Healthy Subjects The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism June 30, 2011
and 23 more in the library
Cites 9
- 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans Addiction May 1, 1994
- Stereochemical effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and related amphetamine derivatives on inhibition of uptake of [3H]monoamines into synaptosomes from different regions of rat brain. Biochemical Pharmacology July 15, 1987
- Stereospecific Analysis and Enantiomeric Disposition of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) in Humans Clinical Chemistry July 1, 1999
- Glutathione and N-Acetylcysteine Conjugates of α-Methyldopamine Produce Serotonergic Neurotoxicity: Possible Role in Methylenedioxyamphetamine-Mediated Neurotoxicity Chemical Research in Toxicology November 19, 1999
- Cerebral oedema after ingestion of MDMA (“ecstasy”) and unrestricted intake of water BMJ May 25, 1996
and 4 more in the library