ABSTRACT
3,4Methylenedioxymethamphetamine also commonly referred to as MDMA, is a psychoactive recreational hallucinogenic substance that induces neurotoxic effects and is the second most abused illicit drug after alcohol which is frequently abused worldwide. Studies have shown that MDMA is frequently co-abused with alcohol. Vitamin E and Camellia sinensis are reported to have many health benefits, generally safe, non-toxic and no side effects and considered to be potent anti-oxidants. This study is aimed at studying the immuno-histochemical, neurobehavioural, morphological, haematological and biochemical effects associated with MDMA-Alcohol toxicity and establish if Vitamin E and Camellia sinensis could reduce or reverse the effects in Adult Albino rats (Rattus norvegicus).This study was conducted on one hundred (100) adult wistar rats (50 males and 50 females) for a period of forty two(42) days post-acclimatization. The animals were divided into nine (9) groups: group1 (control) n= 20 received distilled water, group 2 n=20 received alcohol orally at (40%/30ml/70kg), group 3 n= 20 received MDMA orally at 10mg/kg body weight, group 4 n=40 received MDMA-alcohol cotreatment at (40%/30ml/70kg of alcohol and 10mg/kg body weight) all for twenty one (21) days group 5 and 6 were post-treated for 21 days with Vitamin E orally at 400iu and 100mg/kg respectively, while groups 7, 8 and 9 were alcohol, MDMA and MDMA-Alcohol withdrawal groups respectively. Weight and neuro-behavioural studies were carried out as pretest and posttest. On the 22nd day and 43rd day, the rats were weighed and sacrificed by cervical dislocation, blood collected by cardiac puncture and dispensed into appropriate anticoagulant for selected haematological and biochemical assays while thoraco-abdominal incision was made to harvest organs and weighed. Tissue sample for histopathological and immuno-histochemistry studies were promptly fixed in appropriate fixatives. Tissue homogenate were made and assayed for the selected oxidative markers using appropriate technique. Result showed deleterious effects of Alcohol, MDMA, and MDMA-Alcohol on the organ weight (brain, heart, liver, kidney and testes) and total body weight, The histopathological/degenerative changes in the histomorphology of the hippocampus include: Chromatolysis, over-expression of neuroinflammatory proteins (GFAP), P53, activation of neuronal phagocytic cells (CD68), histomorphology of the heart, liver, kidney and testes showed features consistent with acutechronic inflammation. The oxidative markers revealed a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) in the activities of neuronal SOD, catalase and an increase (p<0.05) in TBARS. The liver function tests reveal an elevated (p<0.05) AST, ALT, ALP, total protein and bilirubin, while the renal function test showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) changes in the electrolytes: K+ Na+ Cl- , urea and creatinine. The neuro-behavioural studied showed defect in memory, anxio-genic, depression and reduction in exploratory activities. A statistically p<0.05) decline in the FSH, progesterone and testosterone were observed in the reproductive hormones studied. There were no remarkable changes in the haematological parameters/red cell. In conclusion vitamin E and Camellia sinensis appreciably reduced the negative effects of MDMAAlcohol on all parameter. This study recommends that vitamin E and Camellia sinensis should be employed in managing toxicity associated with MDMA-Alcohol use and other conditions presenting with similar symptoms, however, abstinence remains the best approach to substance abuse.
