Myocardial lesions after long-term administration of methamphetamine in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the myocardial lesion associated with long-term administration of methamphetamine in rats.


METHODS
The experimental models of intoxication of methamphetamine were established in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methamphetamine hydrochloride (3 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was subcutaneously injected to rats in methamphetamine-treated group (n = 16), and normal saline at the same dose was injected to rats in control group (n = 16). After 1 week and 8 weeks of injection, 8 rats in each group were sacrificed and their hearts were examined with light microscopy and electron microscopy, respectively.


RESULTS
After 1 week of methamphetamine exposure, foci of contraction band and cellular degeneration were present in subendocardial myocardium. Cellular degeneration, myocytolysis, and contraction band necrosis became prominent and extensive in methamphetamine-treated rats after 8 weeks. Hypertrophy, intracellular vacuolization, and fibrosis were also observed. The ultrastructural feature showed marked swelling and degeneration of mitochondria, enlargement of sarcoplasmic reticulum, and dissolution of myofilaments. No obvious cardiac myocyte lesions were observed in rats of control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Methamphetamine abuse daily for a long time may result in an increased risk of cardiovascular lesions similar to cardiomyopathy.
Yi
Shao-hua
SH
Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030.
Ren
Liang
L
Yang
Tian-tong
TT
Liu
Liang
L
Wang
Han
H
Liu
Qian
Q
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D008694:Methamphetamine