The Role of Hyperthermia in Methamphetamine-Induced Depression-Like Behaviors: Protective Effects of Coral Calcium Hydride

Molecular Hydrogen Therapy-A Review on Clinical Studies and Outcomes

With its antioxidant properties, hydrogen gas (H2) has been evaluated in vitro, in animal studies and in human studies for a broad range of therapeutic indications. A simple search of "hydrogen gas" in various medical databases resulted in more than 2000 publications related to hydrogen gas as a potential new drug substance. A parallel search in clinical trial registers also generated many hits, reflecting the diversity in ongoing clinical trials involving hydrogen therapy. This review aims to assess and discuss the current findings about hydrogen therapy in the 81 identified clinical trials and 64 scientific publications on human studies. Positive indications have been found in major disease areas including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases, central nervous system disorders, infections and many more. The available administration methods, which can pose challenges due to hydrogens' explosive hazards and low solubility, as well as possible future innovative technologies to mitigate these challenges, have been reviewed. Finally, an elaboration to discuss the findings is included with the aim of addressing the following questions: will hydrogen gas be a new drug substance in future clinical practice? If so, what might be the administration form and the clinical indications?

Overview of blood-brain barrier dysfunction in methamphetamine abuse

Methamphetamine (METH) is one of the psychostimulants most widely abused in the world. METH abuse can lead to severe neurotoxicity. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a natural barrier separating the central nervous system (CNS) from the peripheral blood circulation, which can limit or regulate the exchange of toxic substances, molecules, ions, etc., to maintain the homeostasis of CNS. Long-term or high dose abuse of METH can cause structural or functional abnormalities of the BBB and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discussed the mechanisms of METH-induced BBB dysfunction, summarized the risk factors that could exacerbate METH-induced BBB dysfunction, and introduced some potential therapeutic agents. It would provide an important basis and direction for the prevention and treatment of BBB dysfunction induced by METH.

Low and high dose methamphetamine differentially regulate synaptic structural plasticity in cortex and hippocampus

Psychostimulants, such as methamphetamine (METH) can induce structural remodeling of synapses by remodeling presynaptic and postsynaptic morphology. Escalating or long-lasting high dose METH accounts for neurodegeneration by targeting multiple neurotransmitters. However, the effects of low dose METH on synaptic structure and the modulation mechanism remain elusive. This study aims to assess the effects of low dose (2 mg/kg) and high dose (10 mg/kg) of METH on synaptic structure alternation in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) and to reveal the underlying mechanism involved in the process. Low dose METH promoted spine formation, synaptic number increase, post-synaptic density length elongation, and memory function. High dose of METH induced synaptic degeneration, neuronal number loss and memory impairment. Moreover, high dose, but not low dose, of METH caused gliosis in PFC and hippocampus. Mechanism-wise, low dose METH inactivated ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) and activated cell division control protein 42 homolog (Cdc42); whereas high dose METH inactivated Cdc42 and activated Rac1. We provided evidence that low and high doses of METH differentially regulate synaptic plasticity in cortex and hippocampus.