Single exposure to cocaine or ecstasy induces DNA damage in brain and other organs of mice.
We evaluated the overall genetic damage induced by different doses of cocaine and MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) in several organs. One hour after intraperitoneal drug administration, mice were euthanized; peripheral blood, liver and brain were collected, and the cellular suspensions were used for the single cell gel (comet) assay. We determined that all doses of cocaine and MDMA tested were able to induce DNA damage in blood cells. Extensive genotoxic damage was induced by cocaine or MDMA at the highest doses used in liver cells. Brain cells were affected by all doses administrated. These findings demonstrate that cocaine and MDMA are potent genotoxins.
Alvarenga
Tathiana A
TA
Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil.
Andersen
Monica L
ML
Ribeiro
Daniel A
DA
Araujo
Paula
P
Hirotsu
Camila
C
Costa
José L
JL
Battisti
Murilo C
MC
Tufik
Sergio
S
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000633:toxicity*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D006213:Hallucinogens; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D003042:Cocaine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine