Methamphetamine fails to alter the noradrenergic integrity of the heart.
The chronic use of methamphetamine leads to cardiomyopathy and a nigrostriatal dopamine deficiency that partly mimics what occurs in Parkinson's disease. This study examines the cardiac effects occurring after chronic administration of methamphetamine and parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. Despite the similarities concerning the nigrostriatal dopamine denervation, methamphetamine failed to produce chronic norepinephrine depletion in the heart, thus contrasting with what occurs in Parkinson's disease or after administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. These data suggest that the chronic cardiovascular effects induced by methamphetamine rely on biochemical changes which differ from those activated by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine or during the course of Parkinson's disease.
Ruffoli
Riccardo
R
Department of Human Morphology and Applied Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Soldani
Paola
P
Pasquali
Livia
L
Ruggieri
Stefano
S
Paparelli
Antonio
A
Fornai
Francesco
F
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018663:Adrenergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003714:Denervation; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic; D007980:Levodopa / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D018663:Adrenergic Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D009498:Neurotoxins; D008694:Methamphetamine; D007980:Levodopa; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D009638:Norepinephrine