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van Amsterdam J, Brunt TM, Pierce M, van den Brink W. Hard Boiled: Alcohol Use as a Risk Factor for MDMA-Induced Hyperthermia: a Systematic Review. Neurotox Res 2021; 39:2120-2133. [PMID: 34554408 PMCID: PMC8639540 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-021-00416-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Although MDMA (ecstasy) is a relatively safe recreational drug and is currently considered for therapeutic use for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD), recreational MDMA use occasionally elicits hyperthermia and hyponatremia, sometimes with a fatal outcome. Specific risk factors for both adverse effects are profuse sweating while vigorously dancing under unfavorable conditions such as high ambient temperatures and insufficient fluid suppletion which result in dehydration. Concomitant use of MDMA and alcohol is highly prevalent, but adds to the existing risk, because alcohol facilitates the emergence of MDMA-induced adverse events, like hyperthermia, dehydration, and hyponatremia. Because of potential health-related consequences of concomitant use of MDMA and alcohol, it is important to identify the mechanisms of the interactions between alcohol and MDMA. This review summarizes the main drivers of MDMA-induced hyperthermia, dehydration, and hyponatremia and the role of concomitant alcohol use. It is shown that alcohol use has a profound negative impact by its interaction with most of these drivers, including poikilothermia, exposure to high ambient temperatures, heavy exercise (vigorous dancing), vasoconstriction, dehydration, and delayed initiation of sweating and diuresis. It is concluded that recreational and clinical MDMA-users should refrain from concomitant drinking of alcoholic beverages to reduce the risk for adverse health incidents when using MDMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan van Amsterdam
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Tibor M Brunt
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mimi Pierce
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wim van den Brink
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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2
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Abstract
Ecstasy use is commonly combined with ethanol consumption. While combination drug use in general is correlated with a higher risk for toxicity, the risk of the specific combination of ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)) and ethanol is largely unknown. Therefore, we have reviewed the literature on changes in MDMA pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics due to concurrent ethanol exposure in human, animal and in vitro studies. MDMA pharmacokinetics appear unaffected: the MDMA blood concentration after concurrent exposure to MDMA and ethanol was comparable to lone MDMA exposure in multiple human placebo-controlled studies. In contrast, MDMA pharmacodynamics were affected: locomotor activity increased and body temperature decreased after concurrent exposure to MDMA and ethanol compared to lone MDMA exposure. Importantly, these additional ethanol effects were consistently observed in multiple animal studies. Additional ethanol effects have also been reported on other pharmacodynamic aspects, but are inconclusive due to a low number of studies or due to inconsistent findings. These investigated pharmacodynamic aspects include monoamine brain concentrations, neurological (psychomotor function, memory, anxiety, reinforcing properties), cardiovascular, liver and endocrine effects. Although only a single or a few studies were available investigating these aspects, most studies indicated an aggravation of MDMA-induced effects upon concurrent ethanol exposure. In summary, concurrent ethanol exposure appears to increase the risk for MDMA toxicity. Increased toxicity is due to an aggravation of MDMA pharmacodynamics, while MDMA pharmacokinetics is largely unaffected. Although a significant attenuation of the MDMA-induced increase of body temperature was observed in animal studies, its relevance for human exposure remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eefje Vercoulen
- Department of Drug Monitoring and Policy, Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Hondebrink
- Dutch Poisons Information Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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3
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Costa G, De Luca MA, Piras G, Marongiu J, Fattore L, Simola N. Neuronal and peripheral damages induced by synthetic psychoactive substances: an update of recent findings from human and animal studies. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:802-816. [PMID: 31719240 PMCID: PMC6990793 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.268895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that synthetic psychoactive substances, in addition to having abuse potential, may elicit toxic effects of varying severity at the peripheral and central levels. Nowadays, toxicity induced by synthetic psychoactive substances poses a serious harm for health, since recreational use of these substances is on the rise among young and adult people. The present review summarizes recent findings on the peripheral and central toxicity elicited by “old” and “new” synthetic psychoactive substances in humans and experimental animals, focusing on amphetamine derivatives, hallucinogen and dissociative drugs and synthetic cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta De Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gessica Piras
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Jacopo Marongiu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Liana Fattore
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Navarro-Zaragoza J, Ros-Simó C, Milanés MV, Valverde O, Laorden ML. Binge ethanol and MDMA combination exacerbates HSP27 and Trx-1 (biomarkers of toxic cardiac effects) expression in right ventricle. Life Sci 2019; 220:50-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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5
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Costa G, Morelli M, Simola N. Progression and Persistence of Neurotoxicity Induced by MDMA in Dopaminergic Regions of the Mouse Brain and Association with Noradrenergic, GABAergic, and Serotonergic Damage. Neurotox Res 2017; 32:563-574. [PMID: 28597409 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-017-9761-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The amphetamine-related drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is known to induce neurotoxic damage in dopaminergic regions of the mouse brain. In order to characterize how the number of administrations influenced the severity of MDMA-induced dopaminergic damage and to describe the localization and persistence of this damage, we evaluated the changes in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) in different regions of the mouse brain. Moreover, we investigated whether dopaminergic damage was associated with noradrenergic, GABAergic, and serotonergic damage, by evaluating the changes in noradrenaline transporter (NET), glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 (GAD-67), and serotonin transporter (SERT). Mice received 14, 28, or 36 MDMA administrations (10 mg/kg twice a week) and were sacrificed at different time points (postnatal days 85, 110, 138, or 214) for immunohistochemical evaluation. Mice receiving 28 administrations showed reduced levels of DAT-positive fibers in caudate-putamen (CPu) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and reduced levels of TH-positive nigral neurons. These mice also displayed increased NET-positive hippocampal fibers, reduced GAD-67-positive neurons in CPu and hippocampus, and reduced GAD-67-positive fibers in mPFC. Similar effects of MDMA on DAT, TH, and GAD-67 were found in mice receiving 36 administrations, which also displayed reduced levels of striatal, cortical, and hippocampal TH-immunoreactive fibers. The reductions in dopaminergic markers and GAD-67 persisted at 3 months after MDMA discontinuation. Finally, MDMA never modified the levels of SERT. These results provide further insight into the localization and persistence of MDMA-induced dopaminergic damage and show that this effect may associate with GABAergic but not noradrenergic or serotonergic damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Micaela Morelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124, Cagliari, Italy. .,National Research Council of Italy, Neuroscience Institute, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124, Cagliari, Italy
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6
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Esteve-Arenys A, Gracia-Rubio I, Cantacorps L, Pozo OJ, Marcos J, Rodríguez-Árias M, Miñarro J, Valverde O. Binge ethanol drinking during adolescence modifies cocaine responses in mice. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:86-95. [PMID: 27940500 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116681457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Binge ethanol drinking is an emerging pattern of excessive consumption among adolescents and young adults. Repeated ethanol intoxication has negative consequences during critical periods of brain development. Therefore, binge ethanol intake represents a vulnerability factor that promotes subsequent manifestations of neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, we investigated the effects of oral binge ethanol intake during adolescence on the subsequent effects of cocaine in C57BL/6 mice. Firstly, we evaluated the oral ethanol intake of two binge ethanol procedures with different ethanol concentrations (20% v/v versus 30%, v/v). The highest ethanol intake was found in mice exposed to the lower ethanol concentration (20% v/v). In a second experiment, mice exposed to binge ethanol procedure were evaluated to study the effects of cocaine on locomotor activity, behavioural sensitization, and the reinforcing effects of cocaine in the self-administration paradigm. Mice exposed to ethanol binging showed discrete detrimental effects in responses to cocaine in the different experiments evaluated. Our findings revealed that the pattern of binge ethanol consumption in adolescent mice here evaluated produced a weak facilitation of cocaine responses. The present study highlights the importance of interventions to limit the deleterious effects of binge ethanol drinking during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Esteve-Arenys
- 1 Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Gracia-Rubio
- 1 Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lídia Cantacorps
- 1 Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar J Pozo
- 2 Bioanalysis Research Group, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Marcos
- 1 Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,2 Bioanalysis Research Group, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - José Miñarro
- 3 Departamento de Psicobiología, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Olga Valverde
- 1 Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,4 Neuroscience Research Programme, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
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7
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Moscoso-Castro M, Gracia-Rubio I, Ciruela F, Valverde O. Genetic blockade of adenosine A2A receptors induces cognitive impairments and anatomical changes related to psychotic symptoms in mice. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 26:1227-40. [PMID: 27133030 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic severe mental disorder with a presumed neurodevelopmental origin, and no effective treatment. Schizophrenia is a multifactorial disease with genetic, environmental and neurochemical etiology. The main theories on the pathophysiology of this disorder include alterations in dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in limbic and cortical areas of the brain. Early hypotheses also suggested that nucleoside adenosine is a putative affected neurotransmitter system, and clinical evidence suggests that adenosine adjuvants improve treatment outcomes, especially in poorly responsive patients. Hence, it is important to elucidate the role of the neuromodulator adenosine in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. A2A adenosine receptor (A2AR) subtypes are expressed in brain areas controlling motivational responses and cognition, including striatum, and in lower levels in hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The aim of this study was to characterize A2AR knockout (KO) mice with complete and specific inactivation of A2AR, as an animal model for schizophrenia. We performed behavioral, anatomical and neurochemical studies to assess psychotic-like symptoms in adult male and female KO and wild-type (WT) littermates. Our results show impairments in inhibitory responses and sensory gating in A2AR KO animals. Hyperlocomotion induced by d-amphetamine and MK-801 was reduced in KO animals when compared to WT littermates. Moreover, A2AR KO animals show motor disturbances, social and cognitive alterations. Finally, behavioral impairments were associated with enlargement of brain lateral ventricles and decreased BDNF levels in the hippocampus. These data highlight the role of adenosine in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and provide new possibilities for the therapeutic management of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Moscoso-Castro
- Neurobiology of Behavior Research Group (GReNeC), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Gracia-Rubio
- Neurobiology of Behavior Research Group (GReNeC), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Ciruela
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, IDIBELL-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ghent, Gent, Belgium
| | - Olga Valverde
- Neurobiology of Behavior Research Group (GReNeC), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Neuroscience Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain.
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Soleimani Asl S, Mehdizadeh M, Hamedi Shahraki S, Artimani T, Joghataei MT. Sex differences in MDMA-induced toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats. FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGY 2016; 30:131-7. [PMID: 26415786 DOI: 10.11138/fneur/2015.30.2.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence demonstrates that female subjects show exaggerated responses to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) compared with males. The aim of our study was to evaluate sex differences and the role of endogenous gonadal hormones on the effects of MDMA. Fifty-six intact and gonadectomized male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either MDMA (5 mg/kg) or saline treatment. Learning and memory were assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM). The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the hippocampus was detected by Western blotting. Behavioral analysis showed that MDMA led to memory impairment in both male and female rats. The female rats showed more sensitivity to impairment than the males, as assessed using all the memory parameters in the MWM. Ovariectomy attenuated the MDMA-induced memory impairment. By contrast, orchiectomized rats showed more impairment than MDMA-treated intact male rats. Bcl-2 and Bax were down-regulated and up-regulated in MDMA-treated male and female rats, respectively. MDMA treatment in the orchiectomized rats led to upregulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2. Ovariectomy attenuated the MDMA-induced up-regulation of Bax and caused more expression of Bcl-2 compared with what was observed in the MDMA-treated intact female rats. In summary, female rats showed exaggerated responses to the effects of MDMA and this may be explained by endogenous gonadal hormones.
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Abstract
Alcohol consumption with psychostimulants is very common among drug addicts. There is little known about the possible pharmacological interactions between alcohol and psychostimulants. Among most commonly co-abused psychostimulants with alcohol are methamphetamine, cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetaminen, and nicotine. Co-abuse of alcohol with psychostimulants can lead to several neurophysiological dysfunctions such as decrease in brain antioxidant enzymes, disruption of learning and memory processes, cerebral hypo-perfusion, neurotransmitters depletion as well as potentiation of drug seeking behaviour. Moreover, co-abuse of alcohol and psychostimulants can lead to increase in heart rate, blood pressure, myocardial oxygen consumption and cellular stress, and the risk of developing different types of cancer. Co-abuse of alcohol with psychostimulants during pregnancy can lead to fetal brain abnormalities. Further studies are needed to investigate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and neurochemical changes on co-abuse of alcohol and psychostimulants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf S Althobaiti
- University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Youssef Sari
- University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Toledo, OH, USA
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10
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Gracia-Rubio I, Moscoso-Castro M, Pozo OJ, Marcos J, Nadal R, Valverde O. Maternal separation induces neuroinflammation and long-lasting emotional alterations in mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2016; 65:104-17. [PMID: 26382758 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Early life experiences play a key role in brain function and behaviour. Adverse events during childhood are therefore a risk factor for psychiatric disease during adulthood, such as mood disorders. Maternal separation is a validated mouse model for maternal neglect, producing negative early life experiences that result in subsequent emotional alteration. Mood disorders have been found to be associated with neurochemical changes and neurotransmitter deficits such as reduced availability of monoamines in discrete brain areas. Emotional alterations like depression result in reduced serotonin availability and enhanced kynurenine metabolism through the action of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase in response to neuroinflammatory factors. This mechanism involves regulation of the neurotransmitter system by neuroinflammatory agents, linking mood regulation to neuroinmunological reactions. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal separation with early weaning on emotional behaviour in mice. We investigated neuroinflammatory responses and the state of the tryptophan-kynurenine metabolic pathway in discrete brain areas following maternal separation. We show that adverse events during early life increase risk of long-lasting emotional alterations during adolescence and adulthood. These emotional alterations are particularly severe in females. Behavioural impairments were associated with microglia activation and disturbed tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism in brain areas related to emotional control. This finding supports the preeminent role of neuroinflammation in emotional disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Gracia-Rubio
- Neurobiology of Behavior Research Group (GReNeC), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Moscoso-Castro
- Neurobiology of Behavior Research Group (GReNeC), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar J Pozo
- Bioanalysis Research Group, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Marcos
- Bioanalysis Research Group, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Nadal
- Institut de Neurociències and Psychobiology Unit, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Valverde
- Neurobiology of Behavior Research Group (GReNeC), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Neuroscience Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Research Institute) Barcelona, Spain.
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González-Sepúlveda M, Pozo OJ, Marcos J, Valverde O. Chronic pain causes a persistent anxiety state leading to increased ethanol intake in CD1 mice. J Psychopharmacol 2016; 30:188-203. [PMID: 26681793 DOI: 10.1177/0269881115622238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Mood disorders and chronic pain are closely linked, but limited progress has been made in understanding the role of chronic and neuropathic pain in the aetiopathogenesis of depression. To explore the pathological mechanisms that mediate the association between pain and depressive-like behaviours, we studied the time-dependent effect of neuropathic pain on the development of anxiety-like and despair behaviours in CD1 mice. We analysed behavioural data, neuroinflammation reactions and changes in neurotransmitter (glutamate and serotonin) levels in the mouse prefrontal cortex. Sciatic-operated mice displayed long-lasting anxiety-like and despair behaviours, starting 5 and 20 days after partial sciatic nerve ligation, respectively. Glutamatergic neurotransmission and IL-1β cytokine expression were enhanced in the prefrontal cortex of mice with neuropathic pain. We found no change in serotonin metabolism, cytokine IL-6 or brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. While sciatic-operated mice exposed to intermittent ethanol intake (20% v/v) using the drinking in the dark procedure consumed higher amounts of ethanol than sham-operated mice, thermal allodynia and despair behaviour were not attenuated by ethanol consumption. Our findings reveal an association between glutamatergic neurotransmission and pain-induced mood disorders, and indicate that moderate ethanol consumption does not relieve nociceptive and depressive behaviours associated with chronic pain in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta González-Sepúlveda
- Grup de Recerca en Neurobiologia del Comportament (GReNeC), Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, PRBB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar J Pozo
- Bioanalysis Research Group, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Marcos
- Bioanalysis Research Group, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, PRBB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Valverde
- Grup de Recerca en Neurobiologia del Comportament (GReNeC), Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, PRBB, Barcelona, Spain Neuroscience Research Programme, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
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12
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Reduced Contextual Discrimination following Alcohol Consumption or MDMA Administration in Mice. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142978. [PMID: 26566284 PMCID: PMC4643963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The recreational drugs, alcohol and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") have both been shown to cause immune activation in vivo, and they are linked to cognitive impairment and anxiety-like behaviors in rodents. The neuronal effects of these drugs in the hippocampal area, an area that has been a focus of studies aiming to explain the mechanisms underlying anxiety related-disorders, remains poorly understood. Therefore we investigated the specific inflammatory impact of alcohol and MDMA on this area of the brain and on a hippocampal-related behavioral task. We centered our study on two inflammatory factors linked to anxiety-related disorders, namely Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We subjected drug-consuming mice to a battery of behavioral tests to evaluate general activity, anxiety-like and depressive-live behaviors. We then introduced them to a contextual fear discrimination task and immune-related effects were examined by immunohistochemical and biochemical studies. Our results suggest that there is a relationship between the induction of immune activated pathways by voluntary alcohol consumption and a high-dose MDMA. Furthermore, the ability of mice to perform a contextual fear discrimination task was impaired by drug consumption and we report long term inflammatory alterations in the hippocampus even several weeks after drug intake. This information will be helpful for discovering new selective drug targets, and to develop treatments and preventive approaches for patients with anxiety-related disorders.
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13
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Navarro-Zaragoza J, Ros-Simó C, Milanés MV, Valverde O, Laorden ML. Binge Ethanol and MDMA Combination Exacerbates Toxic Cardiac Effects by Inducing Cellular Stress. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141502. [PMID: 26509576 PMCID: PMC4624901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Binge drinking is a common pattern of ethanol consumption among young people. Binge drinkers are especially susceptible to brain damage when other substances are co-administered, in particular 3,4 methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The aim of the present work was to study the mechanisms implicated in the adaptive changes observed after administration of these drugs of abuse. So, we have evaluated the cardiac sympathetic activity and the expression and activation of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), after voluntary binge ethanol consumption, alone and in combination with MDMA. Both parameters are markers of stressful situations and they could be modified inducing several alterations in different systems. Adolescent mice received MDMA, ethanol or both (ethanol plus MDMA). Drinking in the dark (DID) procedure was used as a model of binge. Noradrenaline (NA) turnover, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), TH phosphorylated at serine 31 and HSP27 expression and its phosphorylation at serine 82 were evaluated in adolescent mice 48 h, 72 h, and 7 days after treatments in the left ventricle. NA and normetanephrine (NMN) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); TH and HSP27 expression and phosphorylation were measured by quantitative blot immunollabeling using specific antibodies. Ethanol and MDMA co-administration increased NA turnover and TH expression and phosphorylation versus the consumption of each one of these drugs. In parallel with the described modifications in the cardiac sympathetic activity, our results showed that binge ethanol+MDMA exposure is associated with an increase in HSP27 expression and phosphorylation in the left ventricle, supporting the idea that the combination of both drugs exacerbates the cellular stress induced by ethanol or MDMA alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Navarro-Zaragoza
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Clara Ros-Simó
- Grup de Recerca en Neurobiologia del Comportament (GRNC), Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Olga Valverde
- Grup de Recerca en Neurobiologia del Comportament (GRNC), Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María-Luisa Laorden
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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14
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Moratalla R, Khairnar A, Simola N, Granado N, García-Montes JR, Porceddu PF, Tizabi Y, Costa G, Morelli M. Amphetamine-related drugs neurotoxicity in humans and in experimental animals: Main mechanisms. Prog Neurobiol 2015; 155:149-170. [PMID: 26455459 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amphetamine-related drugs, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine (METH), are popular recreational psychostimulants. Several preclinical studies have demonstrated that, besides having the potential for abuse, amphetamine-related drugs may also elicit neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effects. The neurotoxic potentials of MDMA and METH to dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons have been clearly demonstrated in both rodents and non-human primates. This review summarizes the species-specific cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in MDMA and METH-mediated neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effects, along with the most important behavioral changes elicited by these substances in experimental animals and humans. Emphasis is placed on the neuropsychological and neurological consequences associated with the neuronal damage. Moreover, we point out the gap in our knowledge and the need for developing appropriate therapeutic strategies to manage the neurological problems associated with amphetamine-related drug abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Moratalla
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; CIBERNED, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Amit Khairnar
- Applied Neuroscience Research Group, CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Noelia Granado
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; CIBERNED, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Ruben García-Montes
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; CIBERNED, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pier Francesca Porceddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Yousef Tizabi
- Department of Pharmacology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Giulia Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Micaela Morelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; Centre of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari, Italy
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MDMA administration during adolescence exacerbates MPTP-induced cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:4007-18. [PMID: 24687411 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3536-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE We have recently shown that chronic exposure to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") of adolescent mice exacerbates dopamine neurotoxicity and neuroinflammatory effects elicited by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in the substantia nigra and striatum at adulthood. OBJECTIVES The present study investigated whether the amplification of MPTP effects by previous treatment with MDMA extends to the limbic and cortical regions and consequently affects cognitive performance. METHODS Mice received MDMA (10 mg/kg, twice a day/twice a week) for 9 weeks, followed by MPTP (20 mg/kg × 4 administrations), starting 2 weeks after MDMA discontinuation. Complement type 3 receptor (CD11b) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in both the hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to measure microglia and astroglia activation. These neurochemical evaluations were paired with an assessment of cognitive performance by means of the novel object recognition (NOR) and spontaneous alternation tasks. RESULTS MPTP administration to MDMA-pretreated mice elicited a stronger activation of CD11b and GFAP in both the hippocampus and the mPFC compared with either substance administered alone. Furthermore, NOR performance was lower in MDMA-pretreated mice administered MPTP compared with mice that received either substance alone. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that MDMA-MPTP negative interactions extend to the limbic and cortical regions and may result in cognitive impairment, providing further evidence that exposure to MDMA may amplify the effects of later neurotoxic insults.
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Ros-Simó C, Moscoso-Castro M, Ruiz-Medina J, Ros J, Valverde O. Memory impairment and hippocampus specific protein oxidation induced by ethanol intake and 3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in mice. J Neurochem 2013; 125:736-46. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 03/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Ros-Simó
- Grup de Recerca en Neurobiologia del Comportament (GReNeC), Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut; Universitat Pompeu Fabra; Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Maria Moscoso-Castro
- Grup de Recerca en Neurobiologia del Comportament (GReNeC), Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut; Universitat Pompeu Fabra; Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Jéssica Ruiz-Medina
- Grup de Recerca en Neurobiologia del Comportament (GReNeC), Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut; Universitat Pompeu Fabra; Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Joaquim Ros
- Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques; IRBLLEIDA; Universitat de Lleida; Lleida Spain
| | - Olga Valverde
- Grup de Recerca en Neurobiologia del Comportament (GReNeC), Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut; Universitat Pompeu Fabra; Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
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Abstract
RATIONALE Previous research suggests that chronic daily caffeine administration protects against brain injury in different animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, ischemic and traumatic brain injury, and allergic encephalitis. However, little is known about the effects of chronic caffeine administration on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced neuroinflammation. OBJECTIVE The present study examines whether chronic caffeine (10, 20, or 30 mg/kg, i.p, for 21 consecutive days) protects against MDMA-induced astrocytic and microglial activation in mice striatum, impairing its neuroinflammatory effects. Additionally, locomotor activity, sensoriomotor reflexes, body temperature, and anxiety were evaluated after caffeine injection on days 0 (basal), 7, 14, and 21 of the chronic treatment in order to assess possible behavioral alterations due to caffeine administration. METHODS On day 22, mice pretreated with caffeine or saline received a neurotoxic regimen of MDMA (3 × 20 mg/kg, i.p., 2-h interval) or saline, and changes in body temperature were evaluated. Forty-eight hours after last MDMA or saline injection (day 24), the aforementioned behavioral parameters were investigated and microglia and astroglia activation to MDMA treatment was examined in the mouse striatum. RESULTS Caffeine (10 mg/kg) chronically administered completely prevented MDMA-induced glial activation without inducing physiological or behavioral alterations in any of the assays performed. CONCLUSION Chronic caffeine consumption at low doses exerts anti-inflammatory effects and prevents MDMA-induced neuroinflammation.
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