in Vitro Effect of Methamphetamine on Proliferation, Differentiation and Apoptosis of Adipose Tissue Stem Cells

J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2022:25:69-76. doi: 10.18433/jpps31843.

Abstract

Purpose: Among abused substances, methamphetamine is a psychostimulant drug widely used recreationally with public health importance. This study investigated the effect of methamphetamine on proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of human adipose tissue stem cells (AdSCs).

Methods: AdSCs were isolated from human abdominal adipose tissue and were characterized for mesenchymal properties and growth kinetics. MTT assay was undertaken to assess methamphetamine toxicity on proliferation and differentiation properties and apoptosis of hAdSCs.

Results: Isolated cells were shown to have mesenchymal properties and a population doubling time (PDT) of 40.1 h. Following methamphetamine treatment, expressions of KI-67 and TPX2 as proliferation genes and Col1A1 and PPARg as differentiation genes decreased. Methamphetamine administration increased the expression of Bax and decreased Bcl-2 genes responsible for apoptosis.

Conclusions: Our data suggested when AdSCs were exposed to methamphetamine, it decreased proliferation and differentiation properties of stem cells together with an increase in apoptosis. These findings can be added to the literature, especially when methamphetamine is used recreationally for weight loss purposes.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Genes, bcl-2 / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Ki-67 Antigen / drug effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Methamphetamine / pharmacology*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / drug effects
  • PPAR gamma / drug effects
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / blood
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / drug effects

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • PPAR gamma
  • TPX2 protein, human
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Methamphetamine