Evaluation of Cytotoxic, Necrotic, Apoptotic, and Autophagic Effects of Methamphetamine and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine on U-87 MG (Glial) and B104-1–1 (Neuronal) Cell Lines
Asieh Hosseini, Seyed Mohammad-hossein Shetab-boushehri, Seyed Vahid Shetab-boushehri
Neurotoxicity Research October 1, 2022 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1007/s12640-022-00543-1 via Springer Nature
Summary
MDMA has been found to cause more severe mitochondrial toxicity, necrosis, and autophagy compared to methamphetamine (MA) in both neuronal and glial cell lines. In the U-87 MG glial cell line, MDMA also induced a stronger apoptotic effect than MA, while both substances had equal apoptotic effects on the B104-1–1 neuronal cell line. Overall, MDMA exhibited greater cytotoxic effects than MA across various measures.
Study at a glance
| Population | U-87 MG (glial) and B104-1–1 (neuronal) cell lines |
|---|---|
| Key finding | MDMA induced more potent mitochondrial toxicity, stronger necrotic and autophagic effects than MA in both B104-1–1 and U-87 MG cell lines. |
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) are empathogen (entactogen) psychoactive designer drugs which are mainly used for recreational purposes. Both MA and MDMA are central nervous system stimulants which are classified as monoamine neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors. They have strong cytotoxic effects on dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons. Neurotoxicities of MA and MDMA by glial activation have been shown. The present work has investigated and measured cytotoxic, necrotic and apoptotic, and autophagic effects of MA and MDMA on U-87 MG (glial) and B104-1–1 (neuronal) cell lines by janus green, ethidium bromide/acridine orange, and monodansylcadaverine/propidium iodide staining to evaluate and compare their effects on glial and neuronal cells, respectively. The results of the present work showed that: (1) MDMA induced more potent mitochondrial toxicity, stronger necrotic and autophagic effects than MA in both B104-1–1 (neuronal) and U-87 MG (glial) cell lines; (2) although MDMA induced stronger apoptotic effect than MA on U-87 MG cell line, it had equal apoptotic effect on B104-1–1 cell line with MA; and (3) MDMA induced more potent mitochondrial toxicity, stronger necrotic, apoptotic, and autophagic effects than MA in B104-1–1 cell line than U-87 MG cell line.