Effect of methamphetamine on the microglial cells and activity of nitric oxide synthases in rat striatum.
- Author:
Yan-hong LI
1
;
Hui-jun WANG
;
Dong-fang QIAO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Corpus Striatum; enzymology; Male; Methamphetamine; pharmacology; Microglia; metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase; metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; metabolism; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Wistar
- From: Journal of Southern Medical University 2008;28(10):1789-1791
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo study the changes in the microglial cells and the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) in the striatum of rats with methamphetamine (METH) treatment.
METHODSThe rats were randomly divided into two groups for injections with METH or saline. Specific antibody against OX-42 was used to detect the changes in the morphology and the number of microglia, and the activities of NOS, iNOS and cNOS were compared between the two groups.
RESULTSThe microglial cells were activated and their number significantly increased in the striatum of rats with METH treatment as compared with those in the saline group. The activated microglial cells showed bushy and amoeboid morphologies in the METH group. METH also significantly enhanced the activities of NOS, iNOS and cNOS in the striatum (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONMicroglial activation and increased NOS activity may participate in METH-induced neurotoxicity in rat striatum.
