Effects of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its metabolites on cardiovascular function in rats
Charles W. Schindler, Michael H Baumann, Eric B. Thorndike, Bruce E. Blough, Steven R Goldberg
The FASEB Journal April 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.1040.7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Animal experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Conscious rats |
| Interventions | MDMA MDA HHMA 3 propranolol |
| Dose | MDMA 1-20 mg/kg s.c.; HHMA 1-10 mg/kg; 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine 3-10 mg/kg |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | MDMA and several of its metabolites raise blood pressure, heart rate, and locomotor activity in conscious rats, with the metabolite HHMA increasing heart rate more than MDMA itself. The authors suggest HHMA may contribute significantly to MDMA's overall cardiovascular effects, and that MDMA- and HHMA-induced tachycardia may be mediated through beta-adrenergic receptors, since propranolol attenuated the heart rate increase. |
Abstract
The abuse of MDMA (Ecstasy) peaked in the early 2000s, yet reports of MDMA use from emergency room admission data continue to increase. The potential for cardiovascular effects of MDMA to contribute to its acute toxicity has long been recognized. However, the role of MDMA metabolites in mediating the drug's cardiovascular actions has not been studied. Here we employed radiotelemetry to evaluate the effects of racemic MDMA and its metabolites on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and locomotor activity in conscious rats. MDMA (1–20 mg/kg, s.c.) increased BP, HR, and activity. The rise in HR peaked at lower doses than the effects on BP and activity. The MDMA metabolite 3,4‐methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) produced effects that were similar to MDMA. The metabolite 3,4‐ dihydroxymethamphetamine (1–10 mg/kg, HHMA) increased HR to a greater degree than MDMA. The metabolite 3,4‐ dihydroxyamphetamine increased HR, but less than HHMA. These dihydroxy metabolites did not alter motor activity. The metabolites 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxymethamphetamine and 4‐ hydroxy‐3‐methoxyamphetamine (3–10 mg/kg) did not affect BP, HR or activity. The tachycardia produced by MDMA and HHMA may be mediated via beta‐adrenergic receptors as propranolol attenuated the HR increase. Our results suggest that HHMA may contribute significantly to the overall cardiovascular effects of MDMA in vivo. Supported by NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Funds.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.