In this study, a simple and reliable method by gas chromatograph–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was developed for the fast and regular identification of 3, 4-MDMA impurities in ecstasy tablets. In so doing, 8 samples of impurities were extracted by diethyl ether under alkaline condition and then analyzed by GC–MS. The results revealed high MDMA levels ranging from 37.6% to 57.7%. The GC-MS method sh...

The binding of [3H]3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [( 3H]MDMA) to both rat brain membrane preparations and glass fiber filter papers was analyzed in the present study. Saturation studies indicate that [3H]MDMA binding is saturable and monophasic in both the presence and absence of rat brain membranes. This apparent 'specific' binding of [3H]MDMA in both the presence and absence of brain homog...

Hyponatremia is a serious complication of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use. We investigated potential mechanisms in two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. In Study 1, healthy drug-experienced volunteers received MDMA or placebo alone and in combination with the alpha-1 adrenergic inverse agonist prazosin, used as a positive control to release antidiuretic hormone (ADH). In St...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The use of ± 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') is associated with cardiovascular complications and hyperthermia. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We assessed the effects of the α(1) - and β-adrenoceptor antagonist carvedilol on the cardiostimulant, thermogenic and subjective responses to MDMA in 16 healthy subjects. Carvedilol (50 mg) or placebo was administered ...

introduction: exposure to 3-4, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (mdma) leads to cell death. herein, we studied the protective effects of ginger on mdma- induced apoptosis. methods: 15 sprague dawley male rats were administrated with 0, 10 mg/kg mdma, or mdma along with 100mg/kg ginger, ip for 7 days. brains were removed to study the caspase 3, 8, and 9 expressions in the hippocampus by rt-pcr. dat...

Life-threatening hyperthermia occurs in some individuals taking 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy). In rabbits, sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction in heat-exchanging cutaneous beds (ear pinnae) contributes to MDMA-elicited hyperthermia. We investigated whether MDMA-elicited cutaneous vasoconstriction and hyperthermia are reversed by clozapine and olanzapine, atypical antip...

BACKGROUND 3-4methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a synthetic and psychoactive drug, which is known popularly as Ecstasy and has toxic effects on human organs. OBJECTIVES Considering the potential toxic interaction, this study was performed to quantify the expression of bax and bcl2 genes in MDMA-induced hepatotoxicity on rat liver. Subsequently, we evaluated pentoxifylline as a possible ...

Introduction: Exposure to 3, 4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) could lead to serotonergic system toxicity in the brain. This system is responsible for learning and memory functions. Studies show that MDMA causes memory impairment dose-dependently and acutely. The present study was designed to evaluate the chronic and acute effects of MDMD on spatial memory and acquisition of passive avoid...

The acute and long-term effects of the local perfusion of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and the interaction with the mitochondrial inhibitor malonate (MAL) were examined in the rat striatum. MDMA, MAL or the combination of MAL with MDMA was reverse dialyzed into the striatum for 8 h via a microdialysis probe while extracellular dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) were measured. One we...

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a ring-substituted amphetamine with a potential for abuse. Although originally developed by Merck, MDMA is an illegal drug that is popular recreationally, and is more recently being touted as a therapeutic agent. Unlike some other drugs in the amphetamine class, the mechanism(s) by which MDMA produces its subjective effects are not well understood. MD...