A new approach on methamphetamine-induced hepatotoxicity: involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction.

1.  Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive stimulant that is among the most widely abused illicit drugs. Clinical evidence has shown that the liver is a target of METH toxicity.

Determination of impurities in illicit methamphetamine samples seized in Iran.

In this study fifty samples of crystalline methamphetamine obtained from antinarcotics police of Iran seized during the year 2010 were analyzed. In order to determine the chemical characteristics of these samples, anion test, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) were carried out on the samples. All of the samples containing methamphetamine tested positive for chloride anion.

Profiling of ecstasy tablets seized in iran.

In this study 50 samples of ecstasy tablets seized in Iran during the period of 2007 through 2008 were examined and their physical characteristics (appearance, marking, scored/not scored, color, weight, diameter, thickness) were determined. In order to determine the chemical characteristics of these tablets, color tests (Marquis test, Simon's test, Chen's test and Gallic acid test), Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), anion test, residual solvents, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) were carried out on the tablets. The range of tablets weight was 96-308 mg and the range of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) hydrochloride content in these tablets was 60-180 mg.

Involvement of mitochondrial/lysosomal toxic cross-talk in ecstasy induced liver toxicity under hyperthermic condition.

The initial objectives of this study were to evaluate the extent of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) induced loss of cell viability (cytotoxicity), induction of reactive oxygen species formation and damage to sub-cellular organelles (e.g. mitochondria/lysosomes) in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes under normothermic conditions (37 degrees C) and to compare the results with the effects obtained under hyperthermic conditions (41 degrees C).