The acute cardiovascular effects of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and p‐methoxyamphetamine (PMA)
Rodney J. Irvine, Natasha P. Toop, Benjamin D. Phillis, Tanya Lewanowitsch
Addiction Biology 2001 DOI: 10.1080/13556210020020094 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Controlled experimental animal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Conscious, freely moving rats |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg s.c. |
| Duration | Cardiovascular recordings continued 2–4 hours post-drug |
| Measures | blood pressure, heart rate, ECG |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | MDMA and PMA produced different cardiovascular effects in rats, and these effects depended on ambient temperature. At 20°C, MDMA slightly lowered blood pressure or heart rate, while PMA caused dose-dependent, long-lasting bradycardia and lowered blood pressure; at 30°C, MDMA slightly raised heart rate and moderately raised blood pressure, while PMA had no significant effect. ST elongation occurred only at 20 mg/kg of either drug at 30°C. |
Abstract
Abstract: A number of reports of severe acute toxicity as a result of recreational ingestion of what was believed to be 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (ecstasy) have revealed, on chemical analysis of the victim's blood, to be due to p‐methoxyamphetamine (PMA). Increased blood pressure and heart rate have been associated with this toxicity, which is exacerbated by high ambient temperature. We compared MDMA and PMA effects on blood pressure and heart rate in conscious freely moving rats at ambient temperatures of 20°C and 30°C. Drugs were administered at 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg s.c. and cardiovascular recordings continued 2–4 hours post‐drug. At 20°C MDMA had a slight lowering effect on blood pressure or heart rate at all doses tested. In contrast, PMA administered at the same ambient temperature caused a dose‐dependent long‐lasting bradycardia and lowering of blood pressure. At 30°C MDMA caused a slight increase in heart rate and a moderate rise in blood pressure. PMA did not significantly change heart rate or blood pressure at any of the doses tested. ECG was only influenced at the highest dose (20 mg/kg) of PMA and MDMA administered at 30°C where ST elongation was observed. These data indicate that although these drugs are considered similar in their psychotrophic effects they have different actions on the cardiovascular system of the rat. These findings may have implications in the diagnosis and emergency treatment of victims of MDMA/PMA toxicity.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 8
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- (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Selectively Damages Central Serotonergic Neurons in Nonhuman Primates JAMA July 1, 1988
- p-methylthioamphetamine is a potent new non-neurotoxic serotonin-releasing agent. European Journal of Pharmacology December 8, 1992
- Psychobiologic effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in humans: methodological considerations and preliminary observations. Behavioural Brain Research 1996
- Hyperthermia following MDMA administration in rats: effects of ambient temperature, water consumption, and chronic dosing. Physiology & Behavior November 1, 1995
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