Pentoxifylline Protects the Rat Liver Against Fibrosis and Apoptosis Induced by Acute Administration of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy)

Authors

1 Department of Anatomy, Islamic Azad University Tehran Medical Branch, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Anatomy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Department of Anatomy, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Objective(s): 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is one of the most popular drugs of abuse in the world with hallucinogenic properties that has been shown to induce apoptosis in  liver cells. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on liver damage induced by acute administration of MDMA in Wistar rat.
Materials and Methods: Animals were administered with saline or MDMA (7.5 mg/kg, IP) 3 times with 2 hr intervals. PTX (200 mg kg, IP), was administered simultaneously with last injection of MDMA in experimental group.
Results: The concomitant administration of pentoxifylline and MDMA decreased liver injury including apoptosis, fibrosis and hepatocytes damages.
Conclusion: Our results showed for the first time that PTX treatment diminishes the extent of apoptosis and fibrosis caused by MDMA in rat liver.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume 16, Issue 8 - Serial Number 8
August 2013
Pages 922-927

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