Effects of MDMA (ecstasy) and two of its metabolites on rat embryos in vitro.
M Barenys, B Flick, N Boix, B Almeida, J Joglar, S Klug, J M Llobet
Reproductive Toxicology August 2012 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2012.02.001 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | In vitro study using whole embryo culture Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Developing rat embryos in whole embryo culture |
| Interventions | MDMA MDA HHMA |
| Dose | 25-50 μg/ml |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key points | MDMA, MDA, and HHMA each showed concentration-dependent embryotoxic effects in whole embryo culture at 25–50 μg/ml. The embryotoxic potential of MDMA and its two main metabolites was comparable in vitro. |
Abstract
MDMA consumers are young people of childbearing age. Consequently, developmental exposure to this drug is a potential public health concern. Several studies have addressed MDMA neurotoxicity in adults; however, knowledge of the effects of MDMA on developing embryos is limited. After administration, MDMA is metabolized species specifically via two main pathways. One leads to the formation of MDA and the other to the formation of HHMA. Here we evaluated the embryotoxic effects of MDMA, and also those of MDA, a main metabolite of MDMA in rats, and HHMA, a main metabolite in humans. For this purpose, we used the whole embryo culture (WEC). Our results show a concentration-dependent embryotoxic effect of MDMA, MDA and HHMA at a concentration range of 25-50μg/ml. The embryotoxic potential of the parent compound and the two metabolites was comparable in vitro.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 12
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and 7 more in the library