Time-Dependent Molecular Changes Following MDMA-Induced Nephrotoxicity.
Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR January 1, 2024 Mehrdad Roghani, Ravieh Golchoobian, Maryam Mohammadian et al. 1 citation
A single moderate dose of MDMA (20 mg/kg) given to rats caused a temporary rise in blood markers of kidney stress (BUN and creatinine), but no structural damage to kidney tissue was observed. Levels of the inflammatory signaling proteins TNF-α and TGF-β decreased in kidney tissue. Expression of genes related to cell death (Bax and Bcl-xl) was reduced, while Bcl-2 expression and actual cell death (apoptosis) did not change significantly. The findings suggest that MDMA may disrupt cytokine pathways, particularly lowering TGF-β, which could be linked to reduced TNF-α, rather than causing direct tissue injury or cell death.