Connor T J, McNamara M G, Finn D, Currid A, O'Malley M, Redmond A M, Kelly J P, Leonard B E
Department of Pharmacology, University College Galway, Ireland.
Immunopharmacology. 1998 Jan;38(3):253-60. doi: 10.1016/s0162-3109(97)00084-2.
(+)-3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA;'Ecstasy') is a ring substituted phenylisopropylamine that is structurally related to both amphetamines and hallucinogens. The unique behavioural activating properties of MDMA have led to its widespread abuse. MDMA induces many neurochemical, behavioural and endocrine alterations which closely resemble those elicited by exposure to acute stress, suggesting that MDMA could be regarded as a 'chemical stressor'. In addition to the neurochemical, behavioural and endocrine effects of stressor exposure, it has been reported that stress produces alterations in immune function. However, to date the effects of MDMA on immune function have been restricted to in vitro investigations. In this study we report, for the first time, that acute in vivo administration of MDMA (20 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a rapid (within 30 min) suppression of Con A-induced lymphocyte proliferation and a profound reduction in the total leucocyte count in rats that persisted for at least 6 h following injection. These alterations in immune function were accompanied by a significant increase in plasma corticosterone concentrations 30 min post MDMA administration which had returned to baseline values within 6 h of drug administration. In addition, there was a significant depletion in cortical 5-HT concentrations both 30 min and 6 h after MDMA administration. The results of this study provide evidence that in addition to the well established toxic effects of MDMA on the central serotonergic system, a single administration of this widely abused drug induces a rapid and sustained suppression of immune function.
（+）-3,4-亚甲二氧基甲基苯丙胺（摇头丸）是一种环状取代的苯异丙胺，其结构与苯丙胺和致幻剂都有关。摇头丸独特的行为激活特性导致其被广泛滥用。摇头丸会引发许多神经化学、行为和内分泌变化，这些变化与急性应激所引发的变化非常相似，这表明摇头丸可被视为一种“化学应激源”。除了应激源暴露所产生的神经化学、行为和内分泌影响外，据报道应激还会导致免疫功能改变。然而，迄今为止，摇头丸对免疫功能的影响仅限于体外研究。在本研究中，我们首次报告，对大鼠急性腹腔注射摇头丸（20毫克/千克）会迅速（30分钟内）抑制刀豆蛋白A诱导的淋巴细胞增殖，并使白细胞总数大幅减少，注射后至少持续6小时。免疫功能的这些改变伴随着注射摇头丸后30分钟血浆皮质酮浓度显著升高，而在给药后6小时内已恢复到基线值。此外，在注射摇头丸后30分钟和6小时，皮质5-羟色胺浓度均显著降低。本研究结果提供了证据，表明除了摇头丸对中枢5-羟色胺能系统已确定的毒性作用外，单次使用这种被广泛滥用的药物会迅速且持续地抑制免疫功能。
