Altered nitric oxide production in mouse brain after administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridin or methamphetamine

Several studies have demonstrated the involvement of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNOS) in the neurotoxic effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridin (MPTP) and methamphetamine (METH), so the contribution of altered nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme function can be suspected. In this study, about 50% increase in nitric oxide (NO) production in the mouse striatum was found between 4 and 12 h after a single MPTP injection, allowing an increased peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) formation in the target brain region. However, METH injection induced a rapid decrease of NO formation both in mouse striatum and hippocampus, reaching its minimum level at 2 h, and restored to the control value after 6 h in the striatum and 12 h in the hippocampus. The uncoupled function of NOS with increased superoxide (O₂⁻) production after METH injection is suggested.     

Age-dependent differential responses of monoaminergic systems to high doses of methamphetamine

Abuse of methamphetamine (METH) by adolescents is a major public health issue in the U.S.A. Because of the neurotoxic potential of METH, we examined the response of CNS monoaminergic systems in young (adolescent) animals [postnatal day (PND) 40] to high-dose treatments (10 mg/kg, four injections, 2-h intervals) of this drug and contrasted these effects to those seen in older (young adult) rats (PND 90). Consistent with previous reports, we observed that PND 40 animals did not manifest the long-term (7-day) deficits in extrapyramidal dopamine (DA) parameters observed in PND 90 rats. In contrast, METH-induced rapid (1-h) reduction in the activity of striatal DA transporters occurred in both age groups. In addition, both persistent (7-day) and rapid (1-h) deficits in serotonergic systems (measured as reductions in tryptophan hydroxylase activity) were observed in PND 40 and 90 rats. Age-related differences in METH-induced hyperthermia did not appear to be a principal cause for our observations; however, age-dependent pharmacokinetics of this drug might have contributed to the differential METH monoaminergic responses by PND 40 and 90 animals.     

Delta opioid peptide [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin promotes cell survival

By studying the hibernation in ground squirrels, a protein factor termed hibernation induction trigger (HIT) was found to induce hibernation in summer-active ground squirrels. Further purification of HIT yielded an 88-kD peptide that is enriched in winter hibernator. Partial sequence of the 88-kD protein indicates that it may be related to the inhibitor of metalloproteinase. Delta opioid [D-Ala(2),D-Leu(5)]enkephalin (DADLE) also induced hibernation. HIT and DADLE were found to prolong survival of peripheral organs preserved en bloc or as a single preparation. These organs include the lung, the heart, liver and kidney. DADLE also promotes survival of neurons in the central nervous system. Methamphetamine (METH) is known to cause destruction of dopaminergic (DA) terminals in the brain. DADLE blocked and reversed the DA terminal damage induced by METH. DADLE acted against this effect of METH at least in part by attenuating the mRNA expressions of a tumor necrosis factor p53 and an immediate early gene c-fos. DADLE also blocked the neuronal damage induced by ischemia-reperfusion following a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. In PC12 cells, DADLE blocked the cell death caused by serum deprivation in a naltrexone-sensitive manner. Thus, DADLE, and by extension the endogenous delta opioid peptides and delta opioid receptors, may play an important role in organ and neuronal survival. Here, critical developments concerning these fascinating cell protective properties of DADLE are reviewed.     

Development of an Amperometric Immunosensor for the Determination of Methamphetamine in Urine

An amperometric immunosensor in the competitive format was developed for the detection of methamphetamine in urine. The electrodes consisted of carbon paste and Ag/AgCl screen printed on heat sealing film, respectively, and of monoclonal anti-methamphetamine antibody as the biorecognition element. Optimum amounts of methamphetamine- N -bovine serum albumin conjugate, monoclonal antibody and alkaline phosphatase-goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin G were 20, 10 ng and 1:10,000 dilution in 10 &#119 l each, respectively. Methamphetamine was detected by the conversion of p -aminophenyl phosphate to electroactive p -aminophenol in the range of 200 ng/ml (lower detection limit) to 1,500 ng/ml methamphetamine in a nearly linear dose response curve. Within amphetamine concentrations of 0-1,500 ng/ml cross-reaction with methamphetamine was not observed. Working with urine samples spiked with methamphetamine, the accuracy and precision of the assay were 91.5-104.4% and 15.8-24.4%, respectively. This is a proof of concept in the clinical perspective for an amperometric immunosensor whose electrodes are amenable to future mass production.     

甲基苯丙胺中毒大鼠相关脑区多巴胺能神经毒性研究

目的：探讨MA中毒多巴胺能神经毒性的损伤机制。方法：将Wistar大鼠40只,随机分成对照组10只和实验组30只（实验组分成三个亚组,分为末次给药后1天组、4天组和7天组,n=10）。实验组给予20mg/kg的MA腹腔注射,对照组给予同样剂量的生理盐水,每天注射一次,注射时间为20：00,连续注射4天。分别于末次给药后1天,7天,14天处死实验大鼠,用免疫组织化学染色法（S-P法）和荧光分光光度计法检测大鼠中脑黑质致密区（SNC）、中脑腹侧被盖区（VTA）、前额叶皮质（PFC）以及纹状体（CPu）四个脑区的多巴胺神经元细胞的形态和数量的变化,对神经纤维进行灰度值分析。结果：1、黑质致密区和腹侧被盖区TH阳性细胞图像分析结果与细胞计数分析结果一致：与对照组相比,各实验组TH免疫反应阳性降低,差异具显著性（P〈0.05）,d1组开始降低（P〈0.05）,d7组达到低谷（P〈0.01）,d14天组黑质致密区和腹侧被盖区TH免疫反应阳性有不同程度的恢复（P〈0.05）。2、纹状体和前额叶皮质TH阳性纤维图像定量分析结果：各实验组TH免疫反应阳性均减低（P〈0.05）,d7组阳性反应最弱（P〈0.01）,d14组仍未恢复（P〈0.05）。3、黑质致密区、腹侧被盖区、纹状体及前额叶皮质荧光分光光度计检测DA递质含量结果：与上述免疫组化结果基本一致。结论：1、大鼠各脑区TH阳性表达和DA含量,均出现不同程度的减低。2、MA中毒大鼠各脑区DA递质含量的变化与TH的变化结果基本一致。     

甲基苯丙胺中毒mG1uR5 的表达

目的:研究代谢性谷氨酸受体5(mG1uR5)在甲基苯丙胺中毒的损伤机制中的作用。方法:设立实验组,对照组。实验组分别给予20 mg/kg,10 mg/kg腹腔注射MA;对照组分别给予同剂量的生理盐水。末次注射后24 h内腹腔注射戊巴比妥钠麻醉大鼠后用4%多聚甲醛灌注、取脑后行代谢性谷氨酸受体5的免疫组织化学染色,观察并计数mG1uR5在不同脑区的表达。结果:实验组mG1uR5在大脑纹状体、海马的表达较对照组显著增强,差异有显著性(P<0.05),并呈剂量依赖性。结论:mG1uR5参与了甲基苯丙胺中毒的损伤机制。     

甲基苯丙胺中毒大鼠相关脑区多巴胺能神经毒性研究

目的:探讨MA中毒多巴胺能神经毒性的损伤机制。方法:将Wistar大鼠40只,随机分成对照组10只和实验组30只(实验组分成三个亚组,分为末次给药后1天组、4天组和7天组,n=10)。实验组给予20mg/kg的MA腹腔注射,对照组给予同样剂量的生理盐水,每天注射一次,注射时间为20:00,连续注射4天。分别于末次给药后1天,7天,14天处死实验大鼠,用免疫组织化学染色法(S-P法)和荧光分光光度计法检测大鼠中脑黑质致密区(SNC)、中脑腹侧被盖区(VTA)、前额叶皮质(PFC)以及纹状体(CPu)四个脑区的多巴胺神经元细胞的形态和数量的变化,对神经纤维进行灰度值分析。结果:1、黑质致密区和腹侧被盖区TH阳性细胞图像分析结果与细胞计数分析结果一致:与对照组相比,各实验组TH免疫反应阳性降低,差异具显著性(P<0.05),d1组开始降低(P<0.05),d7组达到低谷(P<0.01),d14天组黑质致密区和腹侧被盖区TH免疫反应阳性有不同程度的恢复(P<0.05)。2、纹状体和前额叶皮质TH阳性纤维图像定量分析结果:各实验组TH免疫反应阳性均减低(P<0.05),d7组阳性反应最弱(P<0.01),d14组仍未恢复(P<0.05)。3、黑质致密区、腹侧被盖区、纹状体及前额叶皮质荧光分光光度计检测DA递质含量结果:与上述免疫组化结果基本一致。结论:1、大鼠各脑区TH阳性表达和DA含量,均出现不同程度的减低。2、MA中毒大鼠各脑区DA递质含量的变化与TH的变化结果基本一致。     

Methamphetamine downregulates peroxiredoxins in rat pheochromocytoma cells

Methamphetamine (METH) is an abusive psychostimulant that induces neuronal cell death/degeneration in experimental animals and humans. METH-induced apoptosis in rat pheochromocytoma cells was utilized to study the neurotoxic mechanism. During METH intoxication, we found that peroxiredoxins and thioredoxins/thioredoxin reductases (peroxiredoxin reducing systems) which are known to prevent oxidative stress and apoptosis were differentially downregulated and upregulated, respectively. We also found not only the free radicals but also the oxidative forms of peroxiredoxin and thioredoxin were increased, indicating the dysfunction of these enzymes. Thus, METH-induced differential regulation and oxidation of peroxiredoxins and thioredoxin may be an important mechanism for apoptosis.     

Purification and characterization of the guinea pig sigma-1 receptor functionally expressed in Escherichia coli

Sigma receptors once considered as a class of opioid receptors are now regarded as unique orphan receptors, distinguished by the ability to bind various pharmacological agents such as the progesterone (steroid), haloperidol (anti-psychotic), and drugs of abuse such as cocaine and methamphetamine. The sigma-1 receptor is a 223 amino acid protein, proposed to have two transmembrane segments. We have developed a scheme for the purification of the guinea pig sigma-1 receptor following overexpression in Escherichia coli as a maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion and extraction with Triton X-100. Affinity chromatography using an amylose column and Ni2+ affinity column was used to purify the sigma-1 receptor. The sigma-1 receptor purified by this method is a 26 kDa polypeptide as assessed by SDS-PAGE, binds sigma ligands with high affinity and can be specifically photoaffinity labeled with the sigma-1 receptor photoprobe, [125I]-iodoazidococaine. Ligand binding using [3H]-(+)-pentazocine indicated that approximately half of the purified protein in Triton X-100 bound to radioligand. The MBP-sigma-1 receptor and the sigma-1 receptor in 0.5% triton were maximally stable for approximately two weeks at -20 degrees C in buffer containing 30% glycerol.     

Neurotoxicity of methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine

Amphetamines are a class of psychostimulant drugs that are widely abused for their stimulant, euphoric, empathogenic and hallucinogenic properties. Many of these effects result from acute increases in dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission. Subsequent to these acute effects, methamphetamine and 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produce persistent damage to dopamine and serotonin nerve terminals. This review summarizes the numerous interdependent mechanisms including excitotoxicity, mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress that have been demonstrated to contribute to this damage. Emerging non-neuronal mechanisms by which the drugs may contribute to monoaminergic terminal damage, as well as the neuropsychiatric consequences of this terminal damage are also presented. Methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) have similar chemical structures and pharmacologic properties compared to other abused substances including cathinone (khat), as well as a relatively new class of novel synthetic amphetamines known as ‘bath salts’ that have gained popularity among drug abusers.