Evaluation of Bcl-2 Family Gene Expression in Hippocampus of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine Treated Rats

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 . Department of Anatomical Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

2 . Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

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

4 . Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;4. Department of Anatomical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 4. Department of Anatomical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

6 5. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Zabol University, Zabol, Iran

Abstract

Objective
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an illicit, recreational drug that causes cellular death and neurotoxicity. This study evaluates the effects of different doses of MDMA on the expression of apoptosis–related proteins and genes in the hippocampus of adult rats. Materials and Methods: In this expremental study,a total of 20 male Sprague Dawley rats (200-250 g ) were treated with MDMA (0, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg i.p. twice daily) for 7 days. Seven days after the last administration of MDMA, the rats were killed. Bax and Bcl-2 genes in addition to protein expressions were detected by western blot and reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Our results showed that MDMA caused dose dependent up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2 in the hippocampus. There was a significant alteration in bcl-2 and bax genes density. Conclusion: Changes in apoptosis-related proteins and respective genes relating to Bax and Bcl-2 might be involved in the molecular mechanism of MDMA-induced apoptosis.

Keywords

Cell Journal (Yakhteh)
Volume 13, Issue 4
December 2011
Pages 275-280

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