Histopathological studies of cardiac lesions after an acute high dose administration of Methamphetamine
- Author:
Arthur Kong Sn Molh
;
Lai Chin Ting
;
Jesmine Khan
;
Al-Jashamy K
;
Hasnan Jaafar
;
Mohammed Nasimul Islam
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
MA, acute dose administration, cardiac lesions, myocardium.
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2008;15(1):23-30
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Eighteen male Wistar rats aged six weeks were divided equally into Methamphetamine (MA), Placebo and Control group. MA group were injected
with 50mg/kg body weight of Methamphetamine hydrochloride (MAHCl) in normal saline, Placebo group were injected with normal saline only, while Control group
not injected with anything. Five MA group rats died within four hours of injection and their hearts collected on the same day. Another MA group rat was sacrificed
two days after injection. Placebo and control group were sacrificed at similar intervals. Collected hearts were studied for cardiac lesions under light microscopy
using special staining and immunohistochemistry. Microscopic examination of the myocardium of the rats that died on the first day of injection showed loss of nuclei
in some myocytes, indicating cell death. Some areas in the sub-endocardium region showed internalization and enlargement of myocyte nuclei, consistent with
regeneration of cells. There were very few foci of necrosis observed in these samples.
The heart samples from the single rat that survived injection for two days showed
foci of infiltration of macrophage-like cells that were later revealed to be regenerating myocytes. There were also spindle-like fibroblasts, macrophages and
a few leucocytes found within these foci. The overall appearance of the myocardium
did not indicate any inflammatory response, and the expected signs of necrosis were not observed. These results suggest a need to re-evaluate the toxic and lethal
dosages of MA for use in animals testing. Cause of death was suspected to be due to failure of other major organs from acute administration of MA. Death occurred
within a time period where significant changes due to necrosis may not be evident in the myocardium. Further investigations of other organs are necessary to help
detect death due to acute dosage of MA.
- Full text:W020151019318733563511.pdf
