Neuron apoptosis induced by 3,4-methylenedioxy methamphetamine and expression of apoptosis-related factors in rat brain.
To study the neuron apoptosis induced by i.p 3,4-methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) and the expression of apoptosis-related factors in rat brain. Twenty rats were divided into 4 groups. In group A, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with single dosage of saline, while the rats of group B, C, D were injected i.p with MDMA in different regimen, which were 20 mgkg, single injection in group B, 20 mg kg twice a day (8 am and 8 pm), for 2 day in group C, as well as 20 mgkg, twice a day (8 am and 8 pm) for 4 days. Neuron apoptosis were measured by TUNEL, and the expression of Caspase-3 and CytC were detected by immunohistochemistry. Compared with saline group, apoptosis neurons were detected at the related brain regions (such as frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum) of the rats in MDMA treated groups Expression of Caspase-3 and CytC was observed at different level. Compared with group B, the number of apoptosis neurons of group C and D increased, and also the apoptosis-related factors in the brain tissue increased (P < 0.05). MDMA could induce neurons apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related factors such as Caspase-3 and CytC in rat brain.