Protective effects of N-acetyl-L-cystein on 3,4-methylene dioxymethamphetamie-induced neurotoxicity in cerebellum of male rats

Introduction: 3-4, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (mdma) causes apoptosis in nervous system and several studies suggest that oxidative stress contributes to mdma-induced neurotoxicity. the aim of this study is to examine the effects of n-acetyl-l-cystein (nac) as an antioxidant on mdmainduced apoptosis. methods: 21 sprague dawley male rats (200-250mg) were treated with mdma (2×0,5mg/kg) or mdma plus nac (100mg/kg ip for 7 day). after last administration of mdma, rats were killed, cerebellum was removed and bax and bcl-2 expression was assessed by western blotting method. results: the results of this study showed that mdma causes up-regulation of bax and down-regulation of bcl-2 and nac administration attenuated mdmainduced apoptosis. discussion: the present study suggests that nac treatment may improve mdma-induced neurotoxicity.