DNA damage in rats after treatment with methylphenidate.
BACKGROUND
Methylphenidate (MPH) is a widely prescribed psychostimulant for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Recently, some studies have addressed the genotoxic potential of the MPH, but the results have been contradictory. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the index of cerebral and peripheral DNA damage in young and adult rats after acute and chronic MPH exposure.


METHODS
We used (1) single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet assay) to measure early DNA damage in hippocampus, striatum and total blood, and (2) micronucleus test in total blood samples.


RESULTS
Our results showed that MPH increased the peripheral index of early DNA damage in young and adult rats, which was more pronounced with chronic treatment and in the striatum compared to the hippocampus. Neither acute nor chronic MPH treatment increased micronucleus frequency in young or in adult rats. Peripheral DNA damage was positively correlated with striatal DNA damage.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that MPH may induce central and peripheral early DNA damage, but this early damage may be repaired.
Andreazza
Ana Cristina
AC
Department of Biochemistry, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600 / Anexo, 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. ana_andreazza@yahoo.com.br
Frey
Benício N
BN
Valvassori
Samira S
SS
Zanotto
Caroline
C
Gomes
Karin M
KM
Comim
Clarissa M
CM
Cassini
Carina
C
Stertz
Laura
L
Ribeiro
Letícia C
LC
Quevedo
João
J
Kapczinski
Flavio
F
Berk
Michael
M
Gonçalves
Carlos Alberto
CA
D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001769:Blood / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000379:methods; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate