Strenuous exercise aggravates MDMA-induced skeletal muscle damage in mice

Toxicology. 2005 Jan 31;206(3):349-58. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2004.07.012.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of ecstasy (MDMA) administration on body temperature and soleus muscle histology in exercised and non-exercised mice. Charles-River mice were distributed into four groups: Control (C), exercise (EX), MDMA treated (M), and M + EX. The treated animals received an i.p. injection (10 mg/kg) of MDMA (saline for C and EX), and the exercise consisted of a 90 min level run at a velocity of 900 m/h, immediately after the MDMA or saline administration. Body temperature was recorded every 30 min via subcutaneous implanted transponder. Animals were sacrificed 1.5, 25.5, and 49.5 h after i.p. injection and the soleus muscles were removed and processed for light and electron microscopy. The MDMA-treated animals showed a significant increase in body temperature (similar in M and M + EX groups), reaching the peak 90 min after i.p. administration; their temperature remained higher than control for more than 5 h. The EX group evidenced a similar and parallel, yet lower temperature increase during exercise and recovery. Morphological signs of damage were rarely encountered in the EX group; they were more pronounced in M group and even aggravated in M + EX group. In conclusion, MDMA and exercise per se increased body temperature but in conjunction did not have a cumulated effect. However, ecstasy and concomitant physical activity might severely accumulate with regard to skeletal muscle toxicity and may lead to rhabdomyolysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Temperature / drug effects
  • Fever / chemically induced
  • Fever / pathology
  • Hallucinogens / toxicity*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Motor Activity / physiology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / toxicity*
  • Random Allocation
  • Rhabdomyolysis / chemically induced

Substances

  • Hallucinogens
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine