Comparative study of intraperitoneal injection of ecstasy and crystal meth on the cell counter and blood cholesterol in male rats

Abuse of psychostimulant amphetamine (Ecstasy and Crystal meth or n-methyl-1- phenyl-propan-2- amine) has increased dramatically within recent years in Iran. It is known that these substances have toxic effects on the cardiovascular and immune system. Since so far the effects of chronic Ecstasy and Crystal meth exposure on the blood cells count and serum cholesterol level have not been examined comparatively, this study was aimed to investigate the above mentioned parameters. In this experimental study 21 male adult rats were used. The rats were divided into three groups; normal control group, Ecstasy-treated group and Crystal meth-treated group. Ecstasy and Crystal meth were used at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally for 15 days. On the fifteenth day, the blood samples were taken from rats and analyzed for red and white blood cells, platelets, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL. The Instat statistical software was used for analyzing data. All data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the differences were considered to be significant at the p< 0.05 level. The count of red and white blood cells, and platelets in Ecstasy group were significantly decreased in comparison with control group (p< 0.05). Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly decreased in ecstasy group in comparison with control group (p< 0.01). The level of cholesterol in the Crystal meth and ecstasy group was not changed significantly. The level of triglyceride in Crystal meth group was markedly increased in comparison with control group (p< 0.05). The level of HDL in Crystal and Ecstasy groups did not show significant differences, but the level of LDL in Crystal group showed significant reduction in comparison with control group. Our data showed that Ecstasy is able to induce anemia by decreasing the total red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit. Increasing the level of blood triglyceride following crystal meth abusing, may augment the probability of arteriosclerosis.