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01-02-2015 | Research Article

Attenuation of ecstasy-induced neurotoxicity by N-acetylcysteine

Authors: Sara Soleimani Asl, Bita Saifi, Abolhasan Sakhaie, Somayeh Zargooshnia, Mehdi Mehdizadeh

Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease | Issue 1/2015

Abstract

Exposure to 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) can lead to spatial memory impairments and hippocampal cell death. Numerous evidence indicates that the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) exerts protective effects in the brain. The present study evaluates the effects of NAC on MDMA–induced neurotoxicity. Methods: We intraperitoneally injected 28 adult male Sprague–Dawley rats (200–250 g) with either 0, 10 mg/kg of MDMA, or 10 mg/kg of MDMA plus 100 mg/kg of NAC. Spatial memory was assessed with a Morris Water Maze (MWM). At the end of the study, rats' brains were removed to study the structure and ultrastructure of CA1, and measure Bcl-2 and Bax expressions in the hippocampus. In the MWM, NAC treatment significantly attenuated the MDMA-induced increase in distance traveled (p < 0.05) and escape latency (p < 0.001). The decreased time spent in the target quadrant in MDMA-treated animals was attenuated by NAC (p < 0.01). NAC significantly protected against MDMA-induced apoptosis and the up- and down-regulation of Bax and Bcl-2, respectively. These data have suggested that NAC could protect against behavioral changes and apoptosis in the hippocampus following administration of MDMA. NAC might be useful for the treatment of neurotoxicity in MDMA users.

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Title: Attenuation of ecstasy-induced neurotoxicity by N-acetylcysteine
Authors: Sara Soleimani Asl
Bita Saifi
Abolhasan Sakhaie
Somayeh Zargooshnia
Mehdi Mehdizadeh
Publication date: 01-02-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 0885-7490
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7365
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-014-9598-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Attenuation of ecstasy-induced neurotoxicity by N-acetylcysteine

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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