Neuropeptide Y protects retinal neural cells against cell death induced by ecstasy.
A R Alvaro, J Martins, A C Costa, Eduarda Fernandes, F Carvalho, António F Ambrósio, Cláudia Cavadas
Neuroscience March 3, 2008 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.12.027 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | In vitro study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mixed cultures of rat retinal neural cells (neurons, macroglia, and microglia) |
| Interventions | MDMA Ketanserin Neuropeptide Y (NPY) |
| Dose | ketanserin 1 microM; NPY 100 nM |
| Measures | MTT assay, propidium iodide assay, cleaved caspase-3 immunoreactivity |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key points | MDMA caused concentration-dependent necrosis and apoptosis in rat retinal neural cell cultures, with toxicity enhanced at 40 degrees C and reduced by the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist ketanserin (1 microM). Neuropeptide Y (100 nM) inhibited MDMA-induced necrotic and apoptotic cell death, which the authors interpret as evidence for a neuroprotective role of NPY. |
Abstract
Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; MDMA) has potent CNS stimulant effects. Besides the acute effects of MDMA, such as psychomotor activation, euphoria, decreased appetite, and hyperthermia, long-term damage of dopaminergic and serotonergic nerve terminals in multiple brain areas have also been reported. Although some studies have demonstrated that considerable amounts of MDMA reach the vitreous humor of the eye, and that serious visual consequences can result from MDMA consumption, the toxic effect of MDMA on the retina has not been completely elucidated. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is present in the CNS, including the retina. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of MDMA on rat retinal neural cell viability and investigate the involvement of 5-HT 2A-receptor (5-HT(2A)) activation. Moreover, the neuroprotective role of NPY on MDMA-induced toxicity was also investigated. MDMA induced necrosis [MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and propidium iodide assays] and apoptosis (immunoreactivity of cleaved caspase-3) in mixed cultures of retinal neural cells (neurons, macroglia and microglia), in a concentration-dependent manner. MDMA-induced toxicity was enhanced at higher temperature (40 degrees C) and was reduced by the 5HT(2A)-receptor antagonist, ketanserin (1 microM). Interestingly, necrotic and apoptotic cell death induced by MDMA was inhibited by NPY (100 nM).
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 24
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