Mechanisms of MDMA (ecstasy)-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and organ damage

Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2010 Aug;11(5):434-43. doi: 10.2174/138920110791591436.

Abstract

Despite numerous reports about the acute and sub-chronic toxicities caused by MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy), the underlying mechanism of organ damage is poorly understood. The aim of this review is to present an update of the mechanistic studies on MDMA-mediated organ damage partly caused by increased oxidative/nitrosative stress. Because of the extensive reviews on MDMA-mediated oxidative stress and tissue damage, we specifically focus on the mechanisms and consequences of oxidative-modifications of mitochondrial proteins, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. We briefly describe a method to systematically identify oxidatively-modified mitochondrial proteins in control and MDMA-exposed rats by using biotin-N-maleimide (biotin-NM) as a sensitive probe for oxidized proteins. We also describe various applications and advantages of this Cys-targeted proteomics method and alternative approaches to overcome potential limitations of this method in studying oxidized proteins from MDMA-exposed tissues. Finally we discuss the mechanism of synergistic drug-interaction between MDMA and other abused substances including alcohol (ethanol) as well as application of this redox-based proteomics method in translational studies for developing effective preventive and therapeutic agents against MDMA-induced organ damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Hallucinogens / toxicity
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / drug effects*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Multiple Organ Failure / chemically induced*
  • Multiple Organ Failure / physiopathology*
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / toxicity*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Viscera / drug effects*

Substances

  • Hallucinogens
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine