Chronic methamphetamine exposure induces cardiac fas-dependent and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis

Cardiovasc Toxicol. 2014 Jun;14(2):134-44. doi: 10.1007/s12012-013-9237-8.

Abstract

Very limited information regarding the influence of chronic methamphetamine exposure on cardiac apoptosis is available. In this study, we evaluate whether chronic methamphetamine exposure will increase cardiac Fas-dependent (type I) and mitochondria-dependent (type II) apoptotic pathways. Thirty-two male Wistar rats at 3-4 months of age were randomly divided into a vehicle-treated group [phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) 0.5 ml SQ per day] and a methamphetamine-treated group (MA 10 mg/kg SQ per day) for 3 months. We report that after 3 months of exposure, abnormal myocardial architecture, more minor cardiac fibrosis and cardiac TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells were observed at greater frequency in the MA group than in the PBS group. Protein levels of TNF-α, Fas ligand, Fas receptor, Fas-associated death domain, activated caspase-8, and activated caspase-3 (Fas-dependent apoptosis) extracted from excised hearts were significantly increased in the MA group, compared to the PBS group. Protein levels of cardiac Bak, t-Bid, Bak to Bcl-xL ratio, activated caspase-9, and activated caspase-3 (mitochondria-dependent apoptosis) were significantly increased in the MA group, compared with the PBS group. The results from this study reveal that chronic methamphetamine exposure will activate cardiac Fas-dependent and mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathways, which may indicate a possible mechanism for developing cardiac abnormalities in humans with chronic methamphetamine abuse.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / toxicity*
  • Fibrosis
  • Heart Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Heart Diseases / metabolism
  • Heart Diseases / pathology
  • Male
  • Methamphetamine / toxicity*
  • Mitochondria, Heart / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria, Heart / metabolism
  • Mitochondria, Heart / pathology
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Time Factors
  • fas Receptor / metabolism*

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Fas protein, rat
  • fas Receptor
  • Methamphetamine