Acute MDMA and Nicotine Co-administration: Behavioral Effects and Oxidative Stress Processes in Mice
Barbara Budzynska, Artur Wnorowski, Katarzyna Kaszubska, Grazyna Biala, Marta Kruk-słomka, Jacek Kurzepa, Anna Boguszewska-Czubara
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience August 2, 2018 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00149 via DOAJ
Summary
MDMA and nicotine, when administered together, improved memory consolidation in male Swiss mice. The study found that MDMA increased locomotor activity in mice that had been sensitized to nicotine. These findings highlight significant behavioral and biochemical interactions between the two substances, which are often used together, particularly among young people. Understanding these interactions may shed light on the social issue of polydrug abuse.
Study at a glance
| Population | male Swiss mice |
|---|---|
| Key finding | MDMA injections and co-administration with nicotine improved memory consolidation in male Swiss mice. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxy-methylamphetamine (MDMA), a synthetic substance commonly known as ecstasy, is a worldwide recreational drug of abuse. As MDMA and nicotine activate the same neuronal pathways, we examined the influence of co-administration of nicotine (0.05 mg/kg) and MDMA (1 mg/kg) on cognitive processes, nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization and on processes linked with oxidative stress and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expression in the brain of male Swiss mice. For behavioral study the passive avoidance (PA) test and locomotor sensitization paradigm were used. Also, the oxidative stress parameters as well as expression levels of α7 nAChRs in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mice treated with MDMA alone or in combination with nicotine were assessed. The results revealed that MDMA injections as well as co-administrations of MDMA and nicotine improved memory consolidation in male Swiss mice tested in PA task. Furthermore, one of the main findings of the present study is that MDMA increased locomotor activity in nicotine-sensitized mice. Our study showed for the first time strong behavioral and biochemical interactions between nicotine and MDMA. Both drugs are very often used in combination, especially by young people, thus these results may help explaining why psychoactive substances are being co-abused and why this polydrug administration is still a social problem.