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MDMA (ecstasy) enhances loud noise-induced morphofunctional alterations in heart and adrenal gland.

Microscopy research and technique
September 1, 2011
Federica Fulceri et al. (7 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to review the combined effects of MDMA and loud noise exposure on the myocardium and adrenal gland, focusing on their potential to exacerbate cardiovascular and endocrine stress responses.

Results Summary

The study found that MDMA causes severe toxicity, including tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmia, and elevated catecholamines and corticosterone levels. Combining MDMA with loud noise exposure potentiates these adverse effects, increasing the risk of sudden fatal events in recreational settings.

Population

Young people in recreational settings (e.g., clubs) where MDMA use is common.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

Loud noise exposure, high temperatures, and social aggregation.

Extracted Claims (13)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
noise exposure
neutral
human health
human
-
induces adverse effects
#1
noise exposure
neutral
cardiovascular system
human
-
involves
#2
noise exposure
neutral
autonomic nervous system
human
-
involves
#3
noise exposure
neutral
endocrine apparatus
human
-
involves
#4
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) intake
neutral
human health
human
-
causes severe toxicity
#5
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) intake
neutral
myocardium
human
-
affects
#6
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) intake
increase
tachycardia
human
-
results in
#7
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) intake
increase
hypertension
human
-
results in
#8
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) intake
increase
arrhythmia
human
-
results in
#9
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) intake
neutral
adrenal glands
human
-
alters the activity
#10
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) intake
increase
catecholamines levels
human
-
elevating
#11
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) intake
increase
corticosterone levels
human
-
elevating
#12
combining MDMA and loud noise exposure
increase
effects produced by each single stimulant alone
experimental animal models
-
potentiates the effects
#13
Abstract

Noise is an environmental stressor increasingly more present in modern life and, in particular, in a variety of recreational contexts. The aim of this work is to show the effects of noise on the myocardium and adrenal gland, through a careful review of the literature dealing with the peripheral effects of noise exposure in experimental and clinical studies. Noise induces adverse effects in human health, principally involving the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems, and the endocrine apparatus. Several factors in recreational environments potentially worsen the effects induced by loud noise. Among these, the intake of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is frequently associated with noise exposure in recreational situations, because of its high compliance within social and relaxation settings. For this reason, MDMA is defined as a club drug--as its intake by young people often occurs in association with other factors, such as aggregation, high temperatures, and noise. It is known that self-administration of MDMA by humans causes severe toxicity. In particular, the myocardium is affected early after MDMA intake--resulting in tachycardia, hypertension, and arrhythmia. Furthermore, MDMA alters the activity of the adrenal glands by elevating catecholamines and corticosterone levels. This review shows that combining MDMA and loud noise exposure potentiates the effects that are produced by each single stimulant alone as seen in experimental animal models. The convergence of the effects of prolonged loud noise exposure and the consumption of MDMA on the same system might explain the sudden fatal events that happen in recreational situations.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Adrenal GlandsAnimalsHallucinogensHeartHumansN-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamineNoiseStress, Physiological
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety20
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations4
Citations/Year0.3
Relative Citation Ratio0.17
NIH Percentile8.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score0.57
Normalized Score0.43
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MDMA (ecstasy) enhances loud noise-induced morphofunctional ... | Panacea Index