---

Background and Objective: In recent years, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) consumption is prevalent among young people. It has adverse effects on central neural system and other organs. This study was done to determine the effect of MDMA on pituitary-gonadal hormonized axis in immature male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 35 immature male Wistar rats with approximate weight of 90+-10 gr, age range of 40-45 days were allocated in five (n=7) including experimental I, II, III, control, and shem groups. Animals in the experimental I, II, III have received 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg bw of MDMA intraperitoneally after 14 days, respectively. Animals have received saline normal in shem group while the controls did not receive any substance. The blood samples and testes have collected. The serum FSH, LH, and Testosterone concentrations and testes weight were determined. Data analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: Testosterone hormone concentration significantly increased in experimental groups (4 and 8 mg/kg bw) in comparison with control and shem groups (P<0.05). Concentrations of FSH and LH in the experimental groups (2 and 4 mg/kg bw) significantly reduced in comparison with shem and control groups (P<0.05). Testes weight significantly reduced in experimental groups (4 and 8 mg/kg bw) compared to control and shem groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed the MDMA has adverse effect on pituitary-gonadal axis and tests weight in immature male Wistar rats.

---

Background and Objective: Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug associated with severe psychosocial consequences and is extensively abused. This study aimed to determine the effects of four weeks of aerobic exercise and berberine supplementation on the expression of dopamine 5 receptor and poly (adenosin diphosphat [ADP]-ribose polymerase (PARP) genes in the heart tissue of methamphetamine-exposed rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 30 female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups of six: Control, methamphetamine, methamphetamine + aerobic exercise, methamphetamine + berberine, and methamphetamine + aerobic exercise + berberine. Intraperitoneal injections of methamphetamine (10 mg/kg) and aerobic exercise and berberine consumption (100 mg/kg) were administered for 4 weeks during the withdrawal period. The expression levels of dopamine 5 receptor and PARP genes was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: There was no significant difference in PARP gene expression between the methamphetamine group (1.02±0.65) and the control group (1.02±0.24). Similarly, there was no significant difference in dopamine 5 receptor gene expression between the methamphetamine group (5.74±4.94) and the control group (4.76±2.63). The expression levels of PARP and dopamine 5 receptor genes following exercise (1.01±0.55 and 4.30±1.96, respectively), berberine supplementation (0.61±0.25 and 2.97±1.45, respectively), and the combined intervention (0.67±0.30 and 3.43±1.87, respectively) showed no significant differences between the groups.
Conclusion: Short-term methamphetamine induction did not induce significant changes in the expression of dopamine 5 receptor and PARP genes in the hearts of methamphetamine-exposed rats.