Vascular actions of MDMA involve α1 and α2‐adrenoceptors in the anaesthetized rat
British Journal of Pharmacology June 1, 2001 John Mcdaid, James R. Docherty 46 citations
MDMA (ecstasy) raises diastolic blood pressure in rats through multiple adrenoceptor mechanisms. In pithed rats, MDMA's pressor effects were blocked by α₁-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin, α₂-antagonists yohimbine and methoxyidazoxan, and the non-selective 5-HT antagonist methiothepin, but not by the 5-HT₂ antagonist ritanserin. In anesthetized rats, MDMA produced a triphasic blood pressure response: an initial pressor phase involving α₂- and possibly α₁-adrenoceptors and 5-HT₂ receptors; a pressor component at 1 minute mediated largely by α₁-adrenoceptors; and a sustained depressor phase involving α₂-adrenoceptors and noradrenaline reuptake. The depressor response was most reduced by combining methoxyidazoxan and cocaine.