Erowid
 
 
Plants - Drugs Mind - Spirit Freedom - Law Arts - Culture Library  
Erowid References Database
Varela-Rey M, Montiel-Duarte C, Beitia G, Cenarruzabeitia E, Iraburu MJ. 
“3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('Ecstasy') stimulates the expression of alpha1(I) procollagen mRNA in hepatic stellate cells”. 
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1999 Jun 16;259(3):678-82.
Abstract
AIMS/

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular damage has been reported as a consequence of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) intake. However, little is known about the cellular mechanisms involved. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of MDMA on cell viability as well as free calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) in short-term cultured hepatocytes. Reduced glutathione (GSH), adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) and lipid peroxidation were investigated to evaluate the toxic effect of MDMA, in vitro, using freshly isolated rat hepatocytes.

METHODS: In order to measure cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i), rat hepatocytes were loaded with the Ca2+ indicator fura-2-acetoxymethylester (fura-2-AM).

RESULTS: A sustained rise of ([Ca2+]i) after incubation with MDMA was the most noteworthy finding. In Ca2+-free medium, MDMA caused a reduced increase of ([Ca2+]i). On the other hand, MDMA (0.1-5 mM) induced a concentration-dependent and time exposure-dependent GSH and ATP depletion. Although it did not reach statistical significance, GSH deficits were accompanied by a tendency to increase lipid peroxidation 3 h after MDMA incubation. CONCLUSIONS: The above data suggest that the marked rise of ([Ca2+]i) and subsequent ATP and GSH depletion can lead to a rapid decrease in cell viability.
Comments and Responses to this Article
#
Submit Comment
[ Cite HTML ]