Effects of of 3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) on rat liver structure

Ecstasy (methylendioxymethamphetamine) is a stimulant drug that has various side effects on nerve system, cardiovascular and immune system. This substance affects body tissues and can cause their death. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of ecstasy on liver tissues in Wistar rats. Fifty Wistar rats, ranging 5-6 weeks of age, were divided into five groups (n=10) including control, sham, experimental 1, 2 and 3. In the experimental groups, the animals were injected with the consecutive doses of ecstasy (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg, I.P, for two weeks). The sham group received normal saline and the control group had no injection. Animals were sacrificed 12 hours after the latest injection of ecstasy. Liver tissues sections were provided and stained by hematoxylin-eosin to investigate the histopathological changes. Hepatocytes cells significantly decreased in experiment groups as compared with the control and sham groups (p<0.05). This decrease was more severe with higher doses. The results showed that numbers of kuppfer cells and liver weight were increased and the degree of changes depended on the dose. According to the results, ecstasy might cause damages on liver tissue in higher and consecutive doses. So, this study suggests more attention on using of these kinds of drugs.