The Effects of Ecstasy on Liver Function Tests, Blood Glucose, and Lipids Profile of Male Rats

Abstract

Background:Ecstasy is used to improve mood and cordiality; however, based on some reports, it is neurotoxic to human users.Objectives:Because of the euphoria induced by MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) on the users, its consumption is increasing in almost all countries. This study was carried out to determine the effects of ecstasy administration in rats’ blood sugar, lipids profile, and liver function tests.Materials and Methods:The experiment was performed using 50 mature Wistar-Albino male rats. The rats were divided into five groups (n = 10). Sham control group (A), received tap water and ordinary rodent diet. The control (B) was administered saline but tests group C, D1, and D2 received single dose and multiple doses of MDMA, respectively. After experimental period, animals were deeply anesthetized by diethyl ether, sacrificed and the blood samples were collected for the evaluation of blood glucose, serum lipid and aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALK-P). Data were expressed as mean ± SD and statistical difference was considered significant at P < 0.05.Results:In C group, the values of blood sugar (193.8 ± 11.6 mg/dL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) (19.2 ± 7.9 mg/dL), and cholesterol (76.1 ± 10.6 mg/dL), were significantly increased compared with those of control A and B (135 ± 12.7), (140 ± 18.8), and (45.4 ± 9.8), (49.8 ± 2.1) (49.4 ± 10.6) groups. However, aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were significantly increased in groups D1 (145.8 ± 14.7 U/L), (91.1 ± 8.1 U/L), and D2 (159.4 ± 13.8 U/L) and (75.4 ± 7.8) compared with those of group A (107.2 ± 8.1), (45.4 ± 9.8), B (79.8 ± 12.1), (49.8 ± 2.1), and C (115.6 ± 17.5), (52.1 ± 7.6 U/L). Cholesterol and LDL increased in groups C and D compared with group A.Conclusions:These results indicated that chronic administration of MDMA affects liver as well as lipoprotein profile in male rats. The exact mechanism of action needs further investigation.

Morphology and Molecular Mechanisms of Hepatic Injury in Rats under Simulated Weightlessness and the Protective Effects of Resistance Training

“…Although the pathogenesis is unclear, our data suggested that high levels of AST and ALT in serum are due to hepatic injury caused by long-term simulated weightlessness. AST and ALT are liver enzyme markers, which indicate the health condition of hepatocytes [ 28 ]. When hepatocellular injury or death, release of hepatic enzymes from damaged hepatocytes increase levels of ALT and ALT in serum [ 29 ].…”

Sympathomimetic amine compounds and hepatotoxicity: Not all are alike—Key distinctions noted in a short review

“…With the end of result of apoptotic effects expected to yield liver injury, one may also evaluate controlled studies in humans and animal models for evidence of potential hepatotoxicity. For example, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine decreased liver injury markers (e.g, alanine aminotransferase or ALT and bilirubin) in experimentally induced acute liver injury in Wistar rats [83], while methamphetamine and MDMA are known to increase liver injury markers and demonstrate histological changes indicative of injury in rats [87,110,111]. In Wistar rats given a formulation containing 1,3-dimethylamylamine, no changes were found in ALT, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT).…”

Severe toxic acute liver injury

“…Severity of liver injury is not in direct correlation with the amount of ingested substance, or with the frequency of intake, which points to idiosyncratic type of reaction. It can also cause fever, which was registered with our patient [14,15]. He was also using whey protein and creatine, which are known for causing liver injury, especially cholestatic type with expressed jaundice.…”