Metabolites of ecstasy and cytotoxicity effects
by
Fleury MB, Neudörffer A, Felim A, Blanco M, Monnet FP, Largeron M.
UMR 8638, faculté des sciences pharmaceutiques et biologiques,
CNRS-université Paris-Descartes,
4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75270 Paris cedex 06, France.
Ann Pharm Fr. 2009 Mar;67(2):91-6.

ABSTRACT

Intracerebroventricular injection of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) in rats fails to reproduce long-term toxic effects observed after peripheral administration. Therefore, systemic metabolites would play an essential role in the development of cytotoxicity. In humans, the major metabolite is the 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine derivative (HHMA), which is easily oxidizable to the orthoquinone species. This can either participate to redox cycling generating semiquinone radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), or react with endogenous thiol derivatives yielding catechol-thioether conjugates whose the toxicity is not well established. A one pot electrochemical procedure has been developed allowing the synthesis of several catechol-thioether metabolites. Two in vitro assays have been used for evaluating their specific cytotoxicity. The first one is a bacterial assay, which shows that HHMA and some catechol-thioether conjugates can induce toxic phenomena leading to the formation of ROS, through redox cycling processes involving o-quinonoid species. The second one is an assay of cellular viability, performed on rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons. It confirms that some of these metabolites exhibit a noticeable cytotoxicity by markedly eliciting both necrosis and apoptosis markers.

HHMA
Metabolites
Controversies
Ecstasy and sex
Protect and survive
MDMA and immunity
Ecstasy and serotonin synthesis
N-hydroxylated metabolites of MDMA (Ecstasy)

Refs
and further reading

HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family