1
|
Nie QY, Yang GM, Zhang P, Dong WJ, Jing D, Hou ZP, Peng YX, Yu Y, Li LH, Hong SJ. Nrf2 expression, mitochondrial fission, and neuronal apoptosis in the prefrontal cortex of methamphetamine abusers and rats. Brain Res 2024; 1837:148973. [PMID: 38685372 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.148973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA), a representative amphetamine-type stimulant, is one of the most abused drugs worldwide. Studies have shown that MA-induced neurotoxicity is strongly associated with oxidative stress and apoptosis. While nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), an antioxidant transcription factor, is known to exert neuroprotective effects, its role in MA-induced dopaminergic neuronal apoptosis remains incompletely understood. In the present study, we explored the effects of MA on the expression levels of Nrf2, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), cytochrome c oxidase (Cyt-c), and cysteine aspartate-specific protease 3 (Caspase 3), as well as the correlations between Nrf2 and mitochondrial dynamics and apoptosis. Brain tissue from MA abusers was collected during autopsy procedures. An MA-dependent rat model was also established by intraperitoneal administration of MA (10 mg/kg daily) for 28 consecutive days, followed by conditioned place preference (CPP) testing. Based on immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis, the protein expression levels of Nrf2 and Mfn1 showed a decreasing trend, while levels of Drp1, Cyt-c, and Caspase 3 showed an increasing trend in the cerebral prefrontal cortex of both MA abusers and MA-dependent rats. Notably, the expression of Nrf2 was positively associated with the expression of Mfn1, but negatively associated with the expression levels of Drp1, Cyt-c, and Caspase 3. These findings suggest that oxidative stress and mitochondrial fission contribute to neuronal apoptosis, with Nrf2 potentially playing a critical role in MA-induced neurotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Yun Nie
- School of Forensic Medicine, National Health Commission Key (NHC) Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Gen-Meng Yang
- School of Forensic Medicine, National Health Commission Key (NHC) Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (Tropical Forensic Medicine), Hainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Wen-Juan Dong
- School of Forensic Medicine, National Health Commission Key (NHC) Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Di Jing
- School of Forensic Medicine, National Health Commission Key (NHC) Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Zhen-Ping Hou
- School of Forensic Medicine, National Health Commission Key (NHC) Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yan-Xia Peng
- School of Forensic Medicine, National Health Commission Key (NHC) Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Li-Hua Li
- School of Forensic Medicine, National Health Commission Key (NHC) Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China.
| | - Shi-Jun Hong
- School of Forensic Medicine, National Health Commission Key (NHC) Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang X, Hu M, Chen J, Lou X, Zhang H, Li M, Cheng J, Ma T, Xiong J, Gao R, Chen X, Wang J. Key roles of autophagosome/endosome maturation mediated by Syntaxin17 in methamphetamine-induced neuronal damage in mice. Mol Med 2024; 30:4. [PMID: 38172666 PMCID: PMC10765725 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00765-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autophagic defects are involved in Methamphetamine (Meth)-induced neurotoxicity. Syntaxin 17 (Stx17), a member of the SNARE protein family, participating in several stages of autophagy, including autophagosome-late endosome/lysosome fusion. However, the role of Stx17 and potential mechanisms in autophagic defects induced by Meth remain poorly understood. METHODS To address the mechanism of Meth-induced cognitive impairment, the adenovirus (AV) and adeno-associated virus (AAV) were injected into the hippocampus for stereotaxis to overexpress Stx17 in vivo to examine the cognitive ability via morris water maze and novel object recognition. In molecular level, the synaptic injury and autophagic defects were evaluated. To address the Meth induced neuronal damage, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) degradation assay was performed to evaluate the degradability of the "cargos" mediated by Meth, and mechanistically, the maturation of the vesicles, including autophagosomes and endosomes, were validated by the Co-IP and the GTP-agarose affinity isolation assays. RESULTS Overexpression of Stx17 in the hippocampus markedly rescued the Meth-induced cognitive impairment and synaptic loss. For endosomes, Meth exposure upregulated Rab5 expression and its guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) (immature endosome), with a commensurate decreased active form of Rab7 (Rab7-GTP) and impeded the binding of Rab7 to CCZ1 (mature endosome); for autophagosomes, Meth treatment elicited a dramatic reduction in the overlap between Stx17 and autophagosomes but increased the colocalization of ATG5 and autophagosomes (immature autophagosomes). After Stx17 overexpression, the Rab7-GTP levels in purified late endosomes were substantially increased in parallel with the elevated mature autophagosomes, facilitating cargo (Aβ42, p-tau, and EGFR) degradation in the vesicles, which finally ameliorated Meth-induced synaptic loss and memory deficits in mice. CONCLUSION Stx17 decrease mediated by Meth contributes to vesicle fusion defects which may ascribe to the immature autophagosomes and endosomes, leading to autophagic dysfunction and finalizes neuronal damage and cognitive impairments. Therefore, targeting Stx17 may be a novel therapeutic strategy for Meth-induced neuronal injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wang
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology (NJMU), Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Miaoyang Hu
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology (NJMU), Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Jingrong Chen
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology (NJMU), Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Xinyu Lou
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology (NJMU), Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Hongchao Zhang
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology (NJMU), Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Muhan Li
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology (NJMU), Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology (NJMU), Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Tengfei Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Jianping Xiong
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology (NJMU), Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Rong Gao
- Department of Hygienic Analysis and Detection, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, School of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xufeng Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.
| | - Jun Wang
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology (NJMU), Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China.
- China International Cooperation Center for Environment and Human Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dong W, Wan J, Yu H, Shen B, Yang G, Nie Q, Tian Y, Qin L, Song C, Chen B, Li L, Hong S. Nrf2 protects against methamphetamine-induced nephrotoxicity by mitigating oxidative stress and autophagy in mice. Toxicol Lett 2023; 384:136-148. [PMID: 37567421 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) is a widely abused drug that can cause kidney damage. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor that regulates resistance to oxidative and proteotoxic stress. In this study, we investigated the role of Nrf2 in MA-induced renal injury in mice. Nrf2 was pharmacologically activated and genetically knocked-out in mice. The animal model of MA-induced nephrotoxicity was established by injecting MA (2 mg/kg) intraperitoneally twice a day for 5 days. Histopathological alterations were shown in the MA-exposed kidneys. MA significantly increased renal function biomarkers and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels. MA decreased superoxide dismutase activity and increased malondialdehyde levels. Autophagy-related factors (LC3 and Beclin 1) were elevated in MA-treated mice. Furthermore, Nrf2 increased in the MA-exposed kidneys. Activation of Nrf2 may attenuate histopathological changes in the kidneys of MA-treated mice. Pre-administration of Nrf2 agonist significantly decreased KIM-1 expression, oxidative stress, and autophagy in the kidneys after MA toxicity. In contrast, Nrf2 knockout mice treated with MA lost renal tubular morphology. Nrf2 deficiency increased KIM-1 expression, oxidative stress, and autophagy in the MA-exposed kidneys. Our results demonstrate that Nrf2 may protect against MA-induced nephrotoxicity by mitigating oxidative stress and autophagy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Dong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Jia Wan
- Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Hunan 410005, China
| | - Hao Yu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Baoyu Shen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Genmeng Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Qianyun Nie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; Department of Pathology Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Yan Tian
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Lixiang Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Chunhui Song
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Bingzheng Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Lihua Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China.
| | - Shijun Hong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Targeting Aβ and p-Tau Clearance in Methamphetamine-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Pathology: Roles of Syntaxin 17 in Autophagic Degradation in Primary Hippocampal Neurons. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:3344569. [PMID: 35633882 PMCID: PMC9132709 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3344569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (Meth), a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant with strong neurotoxicity, causes progressive cognitive impairment with characterized neurodegenerative changes. However, the mechanism underlying Meth-induced pathological changes remains poorly understood. In the current study, Meth elicited a striking accumulation of the pathological proteins hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) and amyloid beta (Aβ) in primary hippocampal neurons, while the activation of autophagy dramatically ameliorated the high levels of these pathological proteins. Interestingly, after the Meth treatment, Aβ was massively deposited in autophagosomes, which were remarkably trapped in early endosomes. Mechanistically, syntaxin 17 (Stx17), a key soluble n-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein responsible for autophagosome and mature endosome/lysosome fusion, was significantly downregulated and hindered in combination with autophagosomes. Notably, adenovirus overexpression of Stx17 in primary neurons facilitated autophagosome-mature endosome/lysosome fusion, which dramatically reversed the Meth-induced increases in the levels of p-tau, Aβ, beta-secretase (Bace-1), and C-terminal fragments (CTFs). Immunofluorescence assays showed that Stx17 retarded the Meth-induced Aβ, p-tau, and Bace-1 accumulation in autophagosomes and facilitated the translocation of these pathological proteins to lysosomes, which indicated the importance of Stx17 via enhanced autophagosome-mature endosome/lysosome fusion. Therefore, the current study reveals a novel mechanism involving Meth-induced high levels of pathological proteins in neurons. Targeting Stx17 may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for Meth-induced neurodegenerative changes.
Collapse
|
5
|
Jayanthi S, Daiwile AP, Cadet JL. Neurotoxicity of methamphetamine: Main effects and mechanisms. Exp Neurol 2021; 344:113795. [PMID: 34186102 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is an illicit psychostimulant that is abused throughout the world. METH addiction is also a major public health concern and the abuse of large doses of the drug is often associated with serious neuropsychiatric consequences that may include agitation, anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia, and psychosis. Some human methamphetamine users can also suffer from attention, memory, and executive deficits. METH-associated neurological and psychiatric complications might be related, in part, to METH-induced neurotoxic effects. Those include altered dopaminergic and serotonergic functions, neuronal apoptosis, astrocytosis, and microgliosis. Here we have endeavored to discuss some of the main effects of the drug and have presented the evidence supporting certain of the molecular and cellular bases of METH neurotoxicity. The accumulated evidence suggests the involvement of transcription factors, activation of dealth pathways that emanate from mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and a role for neuroinflammatory mechanisms. Understanding the molecular processes involved in METH induced neurotoxicity should help in developing better therapeutic approaches that might also serve to attenuate or block the biological consequences of use of large doses of the drug by some humans who meet criteria for METH use disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subramaniam Jayanthi
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America
| | - Atul P Daiwile
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Limanaqi F, Busceti CL, Celli R, Biagioni F, Fornai F. Autophagy as a gateway for the effects of methamphetamine: From neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity to psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 204:102112. [PMID: 34171442 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
As a major eukaryotic cell clearing machinery, autophagy grants cell proteostasis, which is key for neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal survival. In line with this, besides neuropathological events, autophagy dysfunctions are bound to synaptic alterations that occur in mental disorders, and early on, in neurodegenerative diseases. This is also the case of methamphetamine (METH) abuse, which leads to psychiatric disturbances and neurotoxicity. While consistently altering the autophagy machinery, METH produces behavioral and neurotoxic effects through molecular and biochemical events that can be recapitulated by autophagy blockade. These consist of altered physiological dopamine (DA) release, abnormal stimulation of DA and glutamate receptors, as well as oxidative, excitotoxic, and neuroinflammatory events. Recent molecular insights suggest that METH early impairs the autophagy machinery, though its functional significance remains to be investigated. Here we discuss evidence suggesting that alterations of DA transmission and autophagy are intermingled within a chain of events underlying behavioral alterations and neurodegenerative phenomena produced by METH. Understanding how METH alters the autophagy machinery is expected to provide novel insights into the neurobiology of METH addiction sharing some features with psychiatric disorders and parkinsonism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Limanaqi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 55, 56126, Pisa, PI, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Celli
- IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Fornai
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 55, 56126, Pisa, PI, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, IS, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Distinct patterns of prefrontal cortical disengagement during inhibitory control in addiction: A meta-analysis based on population characteristics. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:255-269. [PMID: 33933507 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Prefrontal cortical dysfunctions underlying inhibitory control deficits in addiction are complex and likely dependent on population characteristics. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to examine alterations in brain activations during response inhibition in addicted individuals. We characterized imaging findings based on substance use status, diagnosis, substance classes, and task performance. Results revealed in those with active drug addiction hypoactivation of the left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and right middle frontal gyrus (MFG), compared with healthy controls. Weakening of the dACC and MFG activations was particularly pronounced in nicotine users, respectively. Impaired task performance was also associated with diminished MFG activation. In contrast, abstinent users did not exhibit any significant differences compared with healthy controls. Those with behavioral addictions were characterized by higher midcingulate cortical activation. Thus, the neural disengagement during response inhibition in active drug addiction was limited to a small number of prefrontal cortical regions and dependent on population characteristics. Finally, the evidence for potential normalization of hypofrontality following substance use cessation highlights the benefits of abstinence in restoring cerebral functions.
Collapse
|
8
|
Tabatabaei Mirakabad FS, Khoramgah MS, Abdollahifar MA, Tehrani AS, Rezaei-Tavirani M, Niknazar S, Tahmasebinia F, Mahmoudiasl GR, Khoshsirat S, Abbaszadeh HA. NUPR1- CHOP experssion, autophagosome formation and apoptosis in the postmortem striatum of chronic methamphetamine user. J Chem Neuroanat 2021; 114:101942. [PMID: 33675952 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2021.101942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (Meth) is a neuro-stimulator substrate which might lead to neural cell death and the activation of several interconnected cellular pathways as well. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying Meth-induced neural cell death remained unclear yet. The current study aimed to assess the specific relationship between long-term Meth exposure and several endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, and apoptosis associated markers including C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Tribbles homolog 3(Trib3), Nuclear protein 1(NUPR1), and Beclin-1 expression in postmortem human striatum. Therefore, the effects of long-term Meth exposure on autophagy and apoptosis in the striatum of postmortem users were evaluated and molecular, immunehistochemical, and histological examinations were performed on 10 control and 10 Meth-addicted brains. The level of CHOP, Trib3, NUPR1, and Beclin-1, Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B(LC3), Caspase 3, and Autophagy protein 5 (ATG5) were measured by using qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Stereological neural cell counting, Hematoxylin and Eosin, Nissl and Tunel staining were also performed. Based on our findings, the expression level of CHOP, Trib3, NUPR1, and Beclin-1 in the striatum of Meth group were significantly higher than the control group. Besides, the neuronal cell death was substantially increased in the striatum based on data obtained from the Tunel assay and the stereological analysis. Long-term presence of Meth in the brain can induce ER stress and overexpression of NUPR1 which is associated with the upregulation of CHOP, a pro-apoptotic transcription factor. Moreover, an increase in Trib3 expression is implicated in CHOP-dependent autophagic cell death during Meth-induced ER stress accompanied by an increase in neuronal cell death in the striatum of the postmortem human brains. Beclin 1 expression was also upregulated which may due to the activation of autophagic mechanisms upon prolonged Meth exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Sadat Tabatabaei Mirakabad
- Hearing Disorders Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Sadat Khoramgah
- Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Amin Abdollahifar
- Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciencese, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atefeh Shirazi Tehrani
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciencese, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Rezaei-Tavirani
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Para Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Niknazar
- Hearing Disorders Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Shahrokh Khoshsirat
- Hearing Disorders Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hojjat Allah Abbaszadeh
- Hearing Disorders Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciencese, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|