Synthesis and cytotoxic profile of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy") and its metabolites on undifferentiated PC12 cells: A putative structure-toxicity relationship

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2006

Authors

Nuno Milhazes (Author) Other; Teresa Cunha Oliveira (Author) Other; Pedro Martins (Author) Other; Jorge Garrido (Author) Other; Catarina Oliveira (Author) Other; Cristina C Rego (Author) Other; Fernanda Borges (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Chemical Research in Toxicology

Vol. 19

ISSN: 0893-228X

Publisher: American Chemical Society

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 48 Citations

Scopus - 53 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Chemical sciences

CORDIS: Physical sciences > Chemistry > Applied chemistry

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-GJP

Abstract (EN): The toxicological and redox profiles of MDMA and its major metabolites (MDA, alpha-methyldopamine, N-methyl-alpha-methyldopamine, 6-hydroxy-alpha-methyldopamine, 3-methoxy-alpha-methyldopamine) were studied to establish a structure- toxicity relationship and determine their individual contribution to cell death induction by apoptosis and/or necrosis. The results of the comparative toxicity study, using undifferentiated PC12 cells, strongly suggest that the metabolites possessing a catecholic group are more toxic to the cells than MDMA and metabolites with at least one protected phenolic group. Redox studies reveal that an oxidative mechanism seems to play an important role in metabolite cytotoxicity. Nuclear features of apoptosis and/or necrosis show that most of the metabolites, particularly N-methyl-alpha-methyldopamine, induce cell death by apoptosis, largely accompanied by necrotic features. No significant differences were found between MDMA and the metabolites, concerning overall characteristics of cell death. These results may be useful to ascertain the contribution of metabolism in MDMA neurotoxicity molecular mechanisms.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific