α-Lipoic acid prevents 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)-induced neurotoxicity

Abstract

A single administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymetham-phetamine (MDMA, 20 mg/kg, i.p.), induced significant hyperthermia in rats and reduced 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) content and [³H]paroxetine-labeled 5-HT transporter density in the frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus by 40–60% 1 week later. MDMA treatment also increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity in the hippocampus. Repeated administration of the metabolic antioxidant α-lipoic acid (100 mg/kg, i.p., b.i.d. for 2 consecutive days) 30 min prior to MDMA did not prevent the acute hyperthermia induced by the drug; however, it fully prevented the serotonergic deficits and the changes in the glial response induced by MDMA. These results further support the hypothesis that free radical formation is responsible for MDMA-induced neurotoxicity.