Vascular actions of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in alpha(2A/D)-adrenoceptor knockout mice
by
Vandeputte C, Docherty JR.
Department of Physiology,
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland,
123 St. Stephen's Green, 2, Dublin, Ireland
Eur J Pharmacol 2002 Dec 13;457(1):45-9

ABSTRACT

We have investigated the effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on mean arterial pressure in anaesthetised wild-type and alpha(2A/D)-adrenoceptor knockout mice. In wild-type mice, MDMA (5 mg kg(-1)) produced a pressor response that declined to baseline by 2 min and fell below baseline to a depressor response by 5 min, whereas MDMA (20 mg kg(-1)) produced only a pressor response that declined to baseline by 5 min. In wild-type mice, following the injection of the selective alpha(2A/D)-adrenoceptor antagonist, 2-((4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-2-yl)methyl)-2,3-di-hydro-1-methyl-1H-isoindole (BRL44408), the peak pressor response to MDMA (5 or 20 mg kg(-1)) was not modified but durations of the pressor effects of both doses of MDMA were prolonged with responses significantly above baseline at 5 min. In alpha(2A/D)-adrenoceptor knockout mice, the peak response to MDMA (5 mg kg(-1)) was similar to that in wild-type but the response fell to baseline over 5 min with no depressor component, whereas MDMA (20 mg kg(-1)) produced a sustained pressor response significantly above baseline at 10 min. The responses were similar to those obtained in wild-type in the presence of BRL44408. It is concluded that MDMA produces depressor responses in wild-type mice by action at alpha(2A/D)-adrenoceptors to shorten the duration of the pressor response.

Oxidative stress
Locomotor effects
MDMA v fenfluramine
Baboons like Ecstasy
Cocaine sensitisation
Anti-Parkinsonian effect
Cutaneous vasoconstriction
MDMA and the mitochondria
Ecstasy/MDMA and cannabis
Arginine-vasopressin release
Phosphatidylinositol turnover
MDMA, loud noise and the heart
MDMA, antihistamines and serotonin
MDMA, HIV and antiretroviral agents
Serotonin, noradrenline and dopamine
MDMA/polydrug users in the UK and Italy

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