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Jiang Z, Zhang T, Han W, Xiao J, Zhang W, Wang X, Liu J, Yang Y, Yang C, Guan F, Li T, Rice JP. Identification of PROK2 gene polymorphisms as predictors of methamphetamine use disorder risk and indicators of craving scale in the Chinese Han population. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1217382. [PMID: 37484015 PMCID: PMC10356980 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1217382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) has become a global problem due to the highly addictive nature of methamphetamine. Earlier research have demonstrated that PROK2 functions as a compensatory and protective response against neurotoxic stress by stimulating astrocyte reactivity. The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlation between the PROK2 gene and both MUD risk susceptibility and craving scale in the Chinese Han population. Methods: A total of 5,282 participants (1,796 MUD patients and 3,486 controls) were recruited. Seven tag SNPs of the PROK2 gene were chosen and genotyped in the samples. Genetic association analyses were performed to capture the significant SNPs. To investigate the relationship between PROK2 levels and craving scores with the associated-SNP genotypes, we conducted a linear model. Results: SNP rs75433452 was significantly linked with MUD risk (p-value = 1.54 × 10-8), with the A allele being positively correlated with an increased risk of MUD. Moreover, the average serum level of PROK2 decreased when more copies of the A allele were presented in both MUD patients (p-value = 4.57 × 10-6) and controls (p-value = 1.13 × 10-5). Furthermore, the genotypes of SNP rs75433452 were strongly correlated with the craving scores in MUD patients (p-value = 4.05 × 10-4). Conclusion: Our study identified a significant association signal of the PROK2 gene with MUD risk susceptibility and methamphetamine craving scores in the Chinese Han population, providing potential valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of METH dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Jiang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission for Forensic Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
- Department of Neurology, Honghui Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tianxiao Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wei Han
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission for Forensic Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
| | - Jing Xiao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenpei Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jianing Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Congying Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fanglin Guan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission for Forensic Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine and Forensics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission for Forensic Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
| | - John P. Rice
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Cheng Z, Peng Y, Wen J, Chen W, Pan W, Xu X, Lu X, Cai Q, Ge F, Fan Y, Wang J, Guan X. Sex-specific metabolic signatures in methamphetamine addicts. Addict Biol 2023; 28:e13255. [PMID: 36577725 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a commonly abused addictive psychostimulant, and METH-induced neurotoxic and behavioural deficits are in a sex-specific manner. However, there is lack of biomarkers to evaluate METH addiction in clinical practice, especially for gender differences. We utilized ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to detect the serum metabolomics in METH addicts and controls, specially exploring the sex-specific metabolic alterations by METH abuse. We found that many differently expressed metabolites in METH addicts related to metabolisms of amino acid, energy, vitamin and neurological disorders. Further, METH abuse caused different patterns of metabolomics in a sex-specific manner. As to amino acid metabolism, L-phenylalanine, L-tryptophan and L-histidine in serum of male addicts and betaine in serum of female addicts were significantly changed by METH use. In addition, it seemed that purine and pyrimidine-related metabolites (e.g., xanthosine and adenosine 5'-monophosphate) in male and the metabolites of hormone (e.g., cortisol) and folate biosynthesis (e.g., 7,8-dihydrobiopterin and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid) in female were more sensitive to METH addiction. Our findings revealed that L-glutamic acid, L-aspartic acid, alpha-ketoglutarate acid and citric acid may be potential biomarkers for monitoring METH addiction in clinic. Considering sex-specific toxicity by METH, the metabolites of purine and pyrimidine metabolism in male and those of stress-related hormones in female may be used to facilitate the accurate diagnosis and treatment for METH addicts of different genders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Cheng
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yaqin Peng
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Wen
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenwen Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Weichao Pan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xing Xu
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xue Lu
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qinglong Cai
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Feifei Ge
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Fan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaowei Guan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Potential Effects of Nrf2 in Exercise Intervention of Neurotoxicity Caused by Methamphetamine Oxidative Stress. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:4445734. [PMID: 35480870 PMCID: PMC9038420 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4445734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine can cause oxidative stress-centered lipid peroxidation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, excitatory neurotoxicity, and neuroinflammation and ultimately lead to nerve cell apoptosis, abnormal glial cell activation, and dysfunction of blood-brain barrier. Protecting nerve cells from oxidative destroy is a hopeful strategy for treating METH use disorder. Nrf2 is a major transcriptional regulator that activates the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell-protective gene expression through endogenous pathways that maintains cell REDOX homeostasis and is conducive to the survival of neurons. The Nrf2-mediated endogenous antioxidant pathway can also prevent neurodegenerative effects and functional defects caused by METH oxidative stress. Moderate exercise activates this endogenous antioxidant system, which involves in many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Based on evidence from existing literature, we argue that appropriate exercise can play an endogenous antioxidant regulatory role in the Nrf2 signaling pathway to reduce a number of issues caused by METH-induced oxidative stress. However, more experimental evidence is needed to support this idea. In addition, further exploration is necessary about the different effects of various parameters of exercise intervention (such as exercise mode, time, and intensity) on the Nrf2 signaling pathway intervention. Whether there are synergistic effects between exercise and plant-derived Nrf2 activators is worth further investigation.
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Ru Q, Xiong Q, Tian X, Xu C, Li C, Chen L, Wu Y. Candidate Chinese Herbal Medicine Alleviates Methamphetamine Addiction via Regulating Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Pathways. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:874080. [PMID: 35422687 PMCID: PMC9002015 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.874080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) addiction and its induced mental disorders have become a severe worldwide problem. A candidate Chinese herbal medicine (CCHM) in our lab had therapeutic effects on METH-induced locomotor sensitization, however, its chemical and pharmacological profiles remain to be elucidated. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of CCHM on conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by METH and screen the main active ingredients and key targets by using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment, Gene ontology (GO) analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were performed to discover the potential mechanisms. Results showed that CCHM could significantly inhibit METH-induced CPP behaviors in mice. A total of 123 components and 43 targets were screened. According to the network pharmacology analysis, ten hub targets including D(2) dopamine receptor (DRD2) and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A (HTR3A) were screened. GO analysis and KEGG enrichment indicated that mechanisms of CCHM treatment of METH addiction were related to multiple pathways such as dopaminergic synapse and serotoninergic synapse. Western blot results showed that the protein expressions of DRD2 in nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex were significantly decreased in METH group, while the protein expressions of HTR3A were significantly increased. These changes caused by METH could be prevented by CCHM pretreatment. The results of molecular docking displayed that the five active ingredients such as (S)-Scoulerine, Hyndarin, and Beta-Sitosterol had good affinities with DRD2 and HTR3A. In conclusion, this study constructed the CCHM's pharmacologic network for treating METH addiction based on the method of network analysis and experimental verification, and analyzed its major active ingredients and potential targets, indicating a new direction for further revealing its mechanisms of effect on METH addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Ru
- Wuhan Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China,Department of Health and Physical Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi Xiong
- Wuhan Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiang Tian
- Wuhan Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Congyue Xu
- Wuhan Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Can Li
- Wuhan Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Health and Physical Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Lin Chen,
| | - Yuxiang Wu
- Department of Health and Physical Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China,Yuxiang Wu,
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Liu L, Liu M, Zhao W, Zhao YL, Wang Y. Levo-tetrahydropalmatine: A new potential medication for methamphetamine addiction and neurotoxicity. Exp Neurol 2021; 344:113809. [PMID: 34256045 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) is mainly derived from the dried tuber of the Papaveraceae plant Corydalis, also called Corydalis B, which is a drug with analgesic, hypnotic, sedative and other effects. Methamphetamine (METH) belongs to the central nervous stimulant and is a highly addictive drug. It is an urgent problem to study the mechanism of methamphetamine neurotoxicity and to search for the therapeutic targets of the METH addiction. This review is aimed to discuss the pharmacological mechanism and the protective effects of l-THP on METH-induced neurotoxicity, and to explore the therapeutic prospects of l-THP for METH addiction to provide an innovative application of l-THP in clinic. It was found that exposure to METH leads to the compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior, which is ultimately resulted in METH addiction and neurotoxicity. L-THP has the inhibitory effects on the incidence, maintenance and relapse of METH addiction. L-THP can effectively enhance the plasticity of nerve cells and improve the function of nerve cells where brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its pathways play a protective role. Therefore, l-THP has the potential to become an important therapeutic drug for METH addiction and neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, PR China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Drug Control, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang, Liaoning 110854, PR China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Drug Control, Criminal Investigation Police University of China, Shenyang, Liaoning 110854, PR China
| | - Yuan-Ling Zhao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, PR China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, PR China.
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