title: The effect of caffeine on MDMA-induced hydroxyl radical production in the mouse striatum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The psychostimulant 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) with a strong addictive potential is widely used as a recreational drug. Neurotoxicity of MDMA is related with the generation of highly reactive free radicals.
  
  
  METHODS
  MDMA was given in doses of 20 and 40mg/kg ip alone or in combination with caffeine (CAF) 10mg/kg ip. Extracellular concentration of hydroxyl radical was measured using microdialysis in freely moving mice and was assayed by HPLC with electrochemical detection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MDMA dose-dependently increased production of hydroxyl radical in the mouse striatum and its effect was reversed by caffeine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data show that caffeine may have neuroprotective properties as it decreased oxidative stress induced by MDMA.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Górska
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Noworyta-Sokołowska
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland. Electronic address: nfgolemb@cyf-kr.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gołembiowska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D002110:Caffeine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
keywords: Caffeine; Hydroxyl radical; MDMA