Unveil the toxicity induced on early life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its enantiomers.
Ondina Ribeiro, Luís Félix, Cláudia Ribeiro, Monica Torres-Ruiz, Maria Elizabeth Tiritan, Virgínia M F Gonçalves, Ivan Langa, João Soares Carrola
The Science of the total environment December 10, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176906 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae |
| Interventions | (R S)-MDMA (S)-MDMA (R)-MDMA |
| Dose | 0.02, 0.2, 2, 20, and 200 μg/L |
| Duration | Early life stages (from ≈3 hours post fertilization through larval stage) |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Chiral psychoactive substances Danio rerio Ecotoxicity Enantioselectivity Environmental risk assessment |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | MDMA and its enantiomers cause enantioselective toxicity in early life stages of zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations, affecting mortality, development, DNA integrity, and behavior. |
Abstract
The increased detection of the recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in aquatic ecosystems, has raised concern worldwide about its possible negative impacts on wildlife. MDMA is produced as racemate but its enantioselective effects on non-target organisms are poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a comprehensive study of the toxicity of MDMA and its enantiomers in the early life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish embryos (≈3 h post fertilization) were exposed to different concentrations (0.02, 0.2, 2, 20, and 200 μg/L) of (R,S)-MDMA and both pure enantiomers. Both enantiomers induced effects on embryonic development, DNA integrity, and behaviour and enantioselective effects were noted. (S)-MDMA exhibits higher toxic effects on embryonic development level with increased mortality and severity of teratogenic effects, and behavioural abnormalities in acoustic startle-habituation response. (R)-MDMA affected general activity and avoidance behaviour, showing greater inhibitory effects on behavioural activity. Additionally, (R,S)-MDMA induced higher genotoxic effects than the two isolated enantiomers. These results are of concern at populational levels since effects on mortality, development, and behaviour were observed even at environmentally relevant concentrations, which can cause a reduction of larval viability and in the number of individuals in each generation, and an increase in the risk of predation of the organisms. Yet, the bioaccumulation studies showed that MDMA is not accumulated in zebrafish. Therefore, this work demonstrated for the first time the occurrence of MDMA enantiotoxicity in the early life stages of zebrafish, which should be considered in further environmental risk assessments involving fish species or other non-target aquatic organisms.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 13
- The origin of MDMA (ecstasy) revisited: the true story reconstructed from the original documents* Addiction July 8, 2006
- MDMA‐Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review With Meta‐Analysis The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology October 28, 2021
- Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine ACS Chemical Neuroscience July 12, 2018
- Characterization of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) EnantiomersIn Vitroand in the MPTP-Lesioned Primate:R-MDMA Reduces Severity of Dyskinesia, WhereasS-MDMA Extends Duration of ON-Time Journal of Neuroscience May 11, 2011
- Role of Serotonin via 5-HT2B Receptors in the Reinforcing Effects of MDMA in Mice PLoS One November 20, 2009
and 8 more in the library