Mechanisms underlying the hepatotoxic effects of ecstasy.
Márcia Carvalho, Helena Pontes, Fernando Remião, Maria L Bastos, Félix Carvalho
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology August 1, 2010 DOI: 10.2174/138920110791591535 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Liver Animals Humans N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine Hallucinogens Models, biological |
| Key findings | MDMA is known to be hepatotoxic in humans, producing jaundice, hepatomegaly, centrilobular necrosis, hepatitis, and fibrosis. The review argues that while metabolism of MDMA into reactive metabolites is a leading proposed mechanism, other factors such as hyperthermia, neurotransmitter efflux, biogenic amine oxidation, polydrug abuse, and environmental features may also increase the risk of liver complications. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) is a worldwide illegally used amphetamine-derived designer drug known to be hepatotoxic to humans. Jaundice, hepatomegaly, centrilobular necrosis, hepatitis and fibrosis represent some of the adverse effects caused by MDMA in the liver. Although there is irrefutable evidence of MDMA-induced hepatocellular damage, the mechanisms responsible for that toxicity remain to be thoroughly clarified. One well thought-of mechanism imply MDMA metabolism in the liver into reactive metabolites as responsible for the MDMA-elicited hepatotoxicity. However, other factors, including MDMA-induced hyperthermia, the increase in neurotransmitters efflux, the oxidation of biogenic amines, polydrug abuse pattern, and environmental features accompanying illicit MDMA use, may increase the risk for liver complications. Liver damage patterns of MDMA in animals and humans and current research on the mechanisms underlying the hepatotoxic effects of MDMA will be highlighted in this review.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Pharmacology of MDMA | 2004 | Review | |
| Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research | 2001 | Review | |
| 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans | 1994 | Review | |
| (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Studies in Animals | 2000 | Review | |
| Amphetamine toxicities | 2010 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Designer drugs: mechanism of action and adverse effects Archives of Toxicology April 1, 2020
- Pro‐oxidant effects of Ecstasy and its metabolites in mouse brain synaptosomes British Journal of Pharmacology April 21, 2011
- The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy. Current Psychiatry Reports October 1, 2022
- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): interindividual differences due to polymorphisms and drug–drug interactions Critical Reviews in Toxicology October 3, 2012
- Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine administration on retinal physiology in the rat. PLoS One June 14, 2016
and 8 more in the library