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01-12-2013 | Original Paper

Protective effects of N-acetylcysteine on 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in male Sprague–Dawley rats

Authors: Sara Soleimani Asl, Kazem Mousavizedeh, Bagher Pourheydar, Mansoureh Soleimani, Elnaz Rahbar, Mehdi Mehdizadeh

Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease | Issue 4/2013

Abstract

Exposure to 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) leads to spatial memory impairment and hippocampal cell death. In the present study we have examined the protective effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on MDMA-induced neurotoxicity. A total of 56 male Sprague Dawley rats (200–250 g) received twice daily intraperitoneal (IP) injections of 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg MDMA plus NAC (100 mg/kg). Rectal temperatures were recorded before and after daily treatment. We used a Morris water maze (MWM) to assess spatial learning and memory. At the end of the study rats’ brains were removed, cells were counted and the level of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 expression in the hippocampi were measured. NAC pretreatment significantly reduced MDMA-induced hyperthermia. In the MWM, NAC significantly attenuated the MDMA-induced increase in distance traveled; however the observed increase in escape latency was not significant. The decrease in time spent in the target quadrant in MDMA animals was significantly attenuated (p < 0.001, all groups). NAC protected against MDMA-induced cell death and the up -regulation of Bax and Caspase-3, in addition to the down-regulation of Bcl-2. This data suggested a possible benefit of NAC in the treatment of neurotoxicity among those who use MDMA.

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Title: Protective effects of N-acetylcysteine on 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in male Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: Sara Soleimani Asl
Kazem Mousavizedeh
Bagher Pourheydar
Mansoureh Soleimani
Elnaz Rahbar
Mehdi Mehdizadeh
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 0885-7490
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7365
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-013-9423-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Protective effects of N-acetylcysteine on 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in male Sprague–Dawley rats

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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