title: Tolerance to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in rats exposed to single high-dose binges.
abstract: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) stimulates the transporter-mediated release of monoamines, including 5-HT. High-dose exposure to MDMA causes persistent 5-HT deficits (e.g. depletion of brain 5-HT) in animals, yet the functional and clinical relevance of such deficits are poorly defined. Here we examine functional consequences of MDMA-induced 5-HT depletions in rats. Male rats received binges of three i.p. injections of MDMA or saline, one injection every 2 h; MDMA was given at a threshold pharmacological dose (1.5 mg/kgx3, low dose) or at a fivefold higher amount (7.5 mg/kgx3, high dose). One week later, jugular catheters and intracerebral guide cannulae were implanted. Two weeks after binges, rats received acute i.v. challenge injections of 1 and 3 mg/kg MDMA. Neuroendocrine effects evoked by i.v. MDMA (prolactin and corticosterone secretion) were assessed via serial blood sampling, while neurochemical effects (5-HT and dopamine release) were assessed via microdialysis in brain. MDMA binges elevated core temperatures only in the high-dose group, with these same rats exhibiting approximately 50% loss of forebrain 5-HT 2 weeks later. Prior exposure to MDMA did not alter baseline plasma hormones or dialysate monoamines, and effects of i.v. MDMA were similar in saline and low-dose groups. By contrast, rats pretreated with high-dose MDMA displayed significant reductions in evoked hormone secretion and 5-HT release when challenged with i.v. MDMA. As tolerance developed only in rats exposed to high-dose binges, hyperthermia and 5-HT depletion are implicated in this phenomenon. Our results suggest that MDMA tolerance in humans may reflect 5-HT deficits which could contribute to further dose escalation.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychopharmacology Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, 333 Cassell Drive, Suite 4500, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. mbaumann@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Franken
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Rutter
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Rothman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D045604:Extracellular Fluid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D017551:Microdialysis; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012701:Serotonin / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018490:Serotonin Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D004298:Dopamine