%0 Journal Article
%T Evaluation of Bcl-2 Family Gene Expression in Hippocampus of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine Treated Rats
%A Sara Soleimani Asl
%A Mohammad Hassan Farhadi
%A Kazem Mousavizadeh
%A Ali Samadikuchaksaraei
%J Cell Journal
%D 2012
%I Royan Institute (ACECR), Tehran
%X Objective: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an illicit, recreational drugthat causes cellular death and neurotoxicity. This study evaluates the effects of differentdoses of MDMA on the expression of apoptosis¨Crelated proteins and genes in the hippocampusof 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. Sevendays after the last administration of MDMA, the rats were killed. Bax and Bcl-2 genesin addition to protein expressions were detected by western blot and reverse transcriptionpolymerasechain reaction (RT-PCR).Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA andp¡Ü0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Our results showed that MDMA caused dose dependent up-regulation of Baxand down-regulation of Bcl-2 in the hippocampus. There was a significant alteration inbcl-2 and bax genes density.Conclusion: Changes in apoptosis-related proteins and respective genes relating to Baxand Bcl-2 might be involved in the molecular mechanism of MDMA-induced apoptosis.
%K 3
%K 4-methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
%K Apoptosis
%K Bcl-2
%K Bax
%U http://celljournal.org/library/upload/article/af_2632274283532335373753325442776644333332soleimeni.pdf