Cardiotoxicity of methamphetamine under stress conditions: comparison of single dose and long-term use.

Methamphetamine (METH) abuse continues to be a worldwide problem, damaging the myocardial tissues, as well as the brains of individual users. In addition, stressors that increase drug cravings also contribute to cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to examine the myocardial effects of METH, including METH‑stress interactions and particularly, the effect of METH RNA expression in the heart.

The blood concentration and organ distribution of haloperidol at therapeutic and toxic doses in severe fatty liver disease.

The aim of this study was to investigate the difference between the pharmacokinetics of haloperidol in normal rats and in rats with fatty liver disease. A therapeutic dosage (0.1 mg/kg) and a toxic dose (15 mg/kg) of haloperidol were administrated to normal 9-week-old male rats or those with severe fatty liver disease, and the blood concentration of haloperidol was determined 15 min, 1, 2, and 3 h following haloperidol administration.

Molecular biological analysis of cardiac effect of high temperature in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate direct effects of heat exposure on the heart molecular-biologically and pathohistologically, using rats exposed to high temperatures. The mRNA expression of natriuretic peptide type A (Nppa), natriuretic peptide type B (Nppb), actin alpha 1 skeletal muscle (Acta1), myosin heavy polypeptide 6 cardiac muscle alpha (Myh6) and myosin heavy polypeptide 7 cardiac muscle alpha (Myh7) was determined in the hearts of the rats. Whereas the expression of Nppa and Nppb rapidly increased immediately after the heat exposure, the expression of Acta1 was gradually reduced, which indicated cardiac overload.

Water-restraint stress enhances methamphetamine-induced cardiotoxicity.

Methamphetamine (MAP) and stress both cause a variety of cardiovascular problems. Stress also increases stimulant drug-seeking or drug-taking behavior by both humans and animals. In addition to the physiological effects on circulation, metabolism, and excretion, stress affects subject's responses to stimulant drugs such as MAP.

Molecular-biological analysis of the effect of methamphetamine on the heart in restrained mice.

In order to investigate the interaction in the heart between the administration of methamphetamine (MAP) and restraint of the body following it, we administrated MAP intraperitoneally to mice and restrained them, and then determined the level of mRNA expression of 22 genes in the heart using quantitative RT-PCR method. The mRNA expressions of Nfkbiz, Nr4a1 and Dusp1 changed significantly after the administration of MAP, suggesting the induction of an inflammatory condition such as damage to the myocardium. Moreover, the serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-6 were significantly increased by the administration of MAP.

Gene expression on liver toxicity induced by administration of haloperidol in rats with severe fatty liver.

Sudden deaths are often encountered in schizophrenic patients prescribed with antipsychotic drugs, and fatty liver may be more prevalent among patients with schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to investigate the adverse effects of antipsychotic drugs on fatty liver. We administered haloperidol intraperitoneally to fatty liver rats and examined the mRNA expression in the liver.

Experimental pulmonary fat embolism induced by injection of triolein in rats.

The relationship between the volume of fat flowing in the bloodstream and the degree of pulmonary fat embolism has remained unclear. In this study, in order to examine whether the volume of fat particles in the bloodstream could be estimated from the degree of pulmonary fat embolism, 0.05, 0.

Absence of the right internal carotid artery found during autopsy of a severe burn case.

Since absence and hypoplasia of the internal carotid arteries are known to be rare anomalies but often presents no symptoms, most such cases are accidentally revealed by a carotid angiogram performed for patients with cerebrovascular disease. We herein report the autopsy findings for a 65-year-old man who burned to death in an apartment fire. Medicolegal autopsy revealed absence of the right internal carotid artery.