Characterization of the Cardiovascular and Sympathetic Nerve Fesponses Elicited by "Ecstasy"
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Authors
Hletko, Sarah
Issue Date
1996
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
A new group of amphetamine analogues, including 3, 4
methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "Ecstasy"), has recently
emerged onto the drug scene. Although rumored to be a "safe" drug
that promotes emotional closeness and serenity, MDMA has been
shown to influence cardiovascular function and produce
cardiovascular toxicity. The spectrum of the cardiovascular response
elicited by MDMA and the mechanism(s) responsible are unknown.
Therefore, the purpose of this study was to provide the first
complete characterization of the dose-response relationships of
MDMA (0.01-3.0 mg/kg i.v.) for heart rate and arterial pressure In
conscious rats, and sympathetic nerve activity in pentobarbital-anesthetized
rats. This characterization will provide strategies to
elucidate the mechanism(s) responsible for the toxicities associated
with MDMA abuse. Dose-response relationships for cocaine and
amphetamine (0.01-3.0 mg/kg i.v.) were also performed for
reference. Cocaine, amphetamine, and MDMA all elicited similar
dose-dependent increases in blood pressure and tachycardia
(increases in heart rate) at low doses and bradycardia (decreases In
heart rate) at high doses. In anesthetized rats, MDMA produced
dose-dependent decreases in renal sympathetic nerve activity (max.
depression -91% ±3). The sympathetic nerve activity responses were
similar in magnitude to those previously shown to be elicited by
cocaine and amphetamine. From these data we concluded that
MDMA's effects are most likely mediated by mechanism(s) similar to
those responsible for the cardiovascular and sympathetic nerve
responses elicited by cocaine and amphetamine.
Description
vii, 44 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.