Chronic methylphenidate administration alters antioxidant defenses and butyrylcholinesterase activity in blood of juvenile rats.
Methylphenidate (MPH), a psychostimulant that affects both dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems, is one of the most frequently prescribed treatments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The present study investigated the effects of chronic administration of MPH on some parameters of oxidative stress, as well as on butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity in blood of young rats. Rats received intraperitoneal injections of MPH (2.0 mg/kg) once a day, from the 15th to the 45th day of age or an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline solution (controls). Two hours after the last injection, animals were euthanized, and blood was collected. Results demonstrated that MPH did not alter the dichlorofluorescein formed, decreased both thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and total non-enzymatic radical-trapping antioxidant, and increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, suggesting that this psychostimulant may alter antioxidant defenses. BuChE activity was increased in blood of juvenile rats subjected to chronic MPH administration. These findings suggest that MPH may promote peripheral oxidative adaptations and cholinergic changes.
Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Felipe
F
Schmitz
Emilene Barros da Silva
EB
Scherer
Maira Jaqueline
MJ
da Cunha
Aline Andrea
AA
da Cunha
Daniela Delwing
DD
Lima
Débora
D
Delwing
Carlos Alexandre
CA
Netto
Angela Terezinha de Souza
AT
Wyse
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000097:blood*; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000097:blood; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D009573:Nitrites; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D008774:Methylphenidate; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase