title: MDMA induced dopamine release in vivo: role of endogenous serotonin.
abstract: Acting as a substrate at the serotonin (5-HT) transporter, (+)-MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), is a potent releaser of 5-HT and causes toxicity to 5-HT neurons after repeated exposure. (+)-MDMA also releases dopamine (DA), although with less potency. Since we have shown previously that the intrastriatal application of 5-HT facilities DA release, it was hypothesized that increased release of striatal 5-HT after MDMA may influence extracellular levels of DA. Using microdialysis in vivo, we found that (+)-MDMA (4.7 mumol/kg, i.v.) administration increased extracellular striatal DA levels to 501% of control (p < 0.01, n = 12). However, in the presence of fluoxetine (14.4 mumol/kg, s.c.), which prevents (+)-MDMA effects on 5-HT release, the (+)-MDMA-induced increase in DA was significantly less (to 375% of control, p < 0.05, vs. no fluoxetine, n = 8). In vitro studies with striatal slices, to test drug selectivity, showed that (+)-MDMA (0.3-3 microM) increased extracellular levels of both DA and 5-HT in a dose-dependent manner. Fluoxetine (3 microM) completely blocked the effects of (+)-MDMA on 5-HT release, but did not alter (+)-MDMA-induced DA release in vitro. The selective DA transport inhibitor GBR-12909 (1 microM), blocked (+)-MDMA's effect on DA release. It is concluded that 5-HT release after (+)-MDMA treatment partially contributes to (+)-MDMA's effect on DA release in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Galloway
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007650:Ketanserin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D017551:Microdialysis; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017072:Neostriatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004298:Dopamine; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D005473:Fluoxetine; D007650:Ketanserin; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D010879:Piperazines; D012701:Serotonin; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; C043425:vanoxerine