Methamphetamine induces oligodendroglial cell death in vitro

Brain Res. 2003 Aug 22;982(1):125-30. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(03)02890-7.

Abstract

We investigated whether the psychostimulant methamphetamine (METH) has a cytotoxic effect on oligodendrocytes and which cell-death pathways are involved in the cytotoxic process. METH caused concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxicity in rat oligodendrocyte cultures. METH induced apoptotic cell death and mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (bax and DP5), but not anti-apoptotic proteins (bcl-2 and bcl-XL). These results suggest that METH induces cytotoxicity in rat oligodendrocytes via the differential regulation of the expression of genes involved in the apoptotic process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Apoptosis*
  • Cytotoxins / pharmacology*
  • Methamphetamine / pharmacology*
  • Neuropeptides / genetics
  • Oligodendroglia / drug effects*
  • Oligodendroglia / metabolism
  • Oligodendroglia / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • bcl-X Protein

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Bax protein, rat
  • Bcl2l1 protein, rat
  • Cytotoxins
  • Hrk protein, rat
  • Neuropeptides
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • RNA, Messenger
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • bcl-X Protein
  • Methamphetamine