3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) Abuse may Cause Oxidative Stress and Potential Free Radical Damage
Jun Zhou, Peng Chen, Ye Zhou, Liang Zhang, Huai H. Chen
Free Radical Research January 1, 2003 DOI: 10.1080/1071576031000076286 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMDMA abuse is associated with oxidative stress and potential free radical damage. Compared with 120 healthy volunteers, 120 MDMA abusers had significantly higher levels of lipoperoxide in erythrocytes and significantly lower levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene in plasma, as well as lower activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in erythrocytes. Higher MDMA dose and longer abuse duration correlated with greater increases in lipoperoxide and greater decreases in antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes. These results suggest that MDMA abuse may induce oxidative stress.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 240 |
| Population | MDMA abusers and healthy volunteers |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Oxidative stress Superoxide dismutase Catalase Chemistry |
| Citations | 45 |
| Key finding | MDMA abuse is associated with increased oxidative stress, indicated by elevated lipoperoxide and reduced levels of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes. |
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine abuse (MDMA abuse) may cause oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in the bodies of MDMA abusers (MA), and to explore the mechanisms by which MDMA abuse may be causing oxidative stress. METHODS: One hundred and twenty MA and 120 healthy volunteers (HV) were enrolled in a random control study design, in which the level of lipoperoxide (LPO) in erythrocytes, and the levels of Vitamin C (VC), Vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (beta-CAR) in plasma as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS: Compared with the average values of the above biochemical parameters in the HV group, the average value of LPO in erythrocytes in the MA group was significantly increased (P < 0.0001), while the average values of VC, VE and beta-CAR in plasma as well as those of SOD and CAT in erythrocytes in the MA group were significantly decreased (P < 0.0001). The analysis of bivariate correlations suggested that with the increase of the MDMA abuse dose and the MDMA abuse duration, the level of LPO in erythrocytes in the MA was increased (P < 0.0001), while the levels of VC, VE and beta-CAR in plasma as well as the activities of SOD and CAT in erythrocytes in the MA were decreased (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The findings in this study suggest that MDMA abuse may cause oxidative stress and potential free radical damage to MA.