Abstract

Methamphetamine (METH), a highly addictive drug used worldwide, induces oxidative stress in various animal organs. Recent animal studies indicate that methamphetamine also induces oxidative stress in the retina, which is an em- bryonic extension of the forebrain. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the pro- tecttive effects of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) against oxidative stress induced by METH in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Our stud- ies showed that NACA protected against METH- induced oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Although METH significantly de- creased glutathione (GSH) levels and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondial- dehyde (MDA) levels, these returned to control levels with NACA treatment. Overall observa- tions indicated that NACA protected RPE cells against oxidative cell damage and death by in- hibiting lipid peroxidation, scavenging ROS, in- creasing levels of intracellular GSH, and main- taining the antioxidant enzyme activity and the integrity of the bloodretinal barrier (BRB). The effectiveness of NACA should be further evalu- ated to determine its potential for the treatment of numerous retinal diseases caused by oxidative stress.

Department(s)

Chemistry

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

2153-036X

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2012 Scientific Research Publishing, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2012

Included in

Chemistry Commons

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