N-Acetylcystein amide protects against methamphetamine-induced oxidative stress in human brain endothelial cells

Author

Xinsheng Zhang

Abstract

"Oxidative stress plays an important role in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Methamphetamine (METH) is an amphetamine analog that causes degeneration of the dopaminergic system in mammals and subsequent oxidative stress. In our present study, we have used immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cells to test whether METH induces oxidative stress in vitro and the ability of a new antioxidant, N-Acetylcysteine amide (NACA), to prevent METH-induced oxidative stress. Our studies show that NACA protects against METH- induced oxidative stress in immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cells. NACA significantly protected the integrity of our Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) model, as shown by permeability and trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) studies. NACA also significantly increased the levels of intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Lipid peroxidation indicator, malondialdehyde (MDA), increased dramatically after METH exposure, but this increase was almost completely prevented when the cells were also treated with NACA. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation also increased after METH exposure, but was reduced to control levels with NACA treatment, as measured by dichlorofluorescin (DCF). These results suggest that NACA protects BBB integrity, which could prevent oxidative stress in vitro, and the effectiveness of this antioxidant should be evaluated for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases in the future"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Ercal, Nuran

Committee Member(s)

Ma, Yinfa
Huang, Yue-wern

Department(s)

Chemistry

Degree Name

M.S. in Chemistry

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2008

Pagination

ix, 52 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 44-51).

Rights

© 2008 Xinsheng Zhang, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Methamphetamine -- Physiological effectNervous system -- Degeneration -- PathophysiologyOxidative stress

Thesis Number

T 9451

Print OCLC #

316196920

Recommended Citation

Zhang, Xinsheng, "N-Acetylcystein amide protects against methamphetamine-induced oxidative stress in human brain endothelial cells" (2008). Masters Theses. 81.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/81