The strongest drug-induced effects were observed on cholinergic input. At 0.1 mM all drugs inhibited the ACh-evoked [Ca2+]i increases by 40-75%, whereas ACh-evoked [Ca2+]i increases were nearly abolished following higher drug exposure (1 mM, 80-97%inhibition). Additionally, high MDMA and mCPP concentrations increased basal [Ca2+]i, but only following prior stimulation with ACh. Interestingly, low concentrations of methamphetamine or amphetamine (10 渭M) potentiated ACh-evoked [Ca2+]i increases. Depolarization-evoked [Ca2+]i increases were also inhibited following exposure to high drug concentrations, although drugs were less potent on this endpoint.
Our data demonstrate that at high drug concentrations all tested drugs reduce stimulation-evoked increases in [Ca2+]i, thereby probably reducing dopaminergic output through inhibition of electrical and cholinergic input. Furthermore, the increases in basal [Ca2+]i at high concentrations of MDMA and mCPP likely increases dopaminergic output. Similarly, the increases in ACh-evoked [Ca2+]i upon cholinergic stimulation following exposure to low concentrations of amphetamines can contribute to drug-induced increases in DA levels observed in vivo. Finally, this study shows that mCPP, which is regularly found in ecstasy tablets, is the most potent drug regarding the investigated endpoints.