Selective reduction of striatal type II glucocorticoid receptors in rats by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).
A single 20 mg/kg dose of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) administered to rats markedly decreased serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in hippocampus, frontal cortex and striatum seven days following injection. MDMA also significantly decreased type II glucocorticoid receptor levels in the striatum, but not in hippocampus or frontal cortex. Since no difference in basal serum corticosterone levels was observed between the two groups, MDMA may decrease striatal type II glucocorticoid receptors via a corticosterone-independent mechanism.
Lowy
M T
MT
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106.
Nash
J F
JF
Meltzer
H Y
HY
D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000732:Androstanols / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
D000662:Amphetamines; D000732:Androstanols; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D012701:Serotonin; D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; C049154:11,17-dihydroxy-6-methyl-17-(1-propynyl)androsta-1,4,6-triene-3-one; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D003345:Corticosterone