Single exposure to cocaine or ecstasy induces DNA damage in brain and other organs of mice.

We evaluated the overall genetic damage induced by different doses of cocaine and MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) in several organs. One hour after intraperitoneal drug administration, mice were euthanized; peripheral blood, liver and brain were collected, and the cellular suspensions were used for the single cell gel (comet) assay. We determined that all doses of cocaine and MDMA tested were able to induce DNA damage in blood cells.

A profile of Ecstasy (MDMA) use in São Paulo, Brazil: an ethnographic study.

The use of Ecstasy in Brazil has gained visibility in recent years. Nevertheless, scientific data on this issue remain scarce. The present study focused on clarifying this phenomenon by means of qualitative and ethnographic research.