Methamphetamine-induced increase in striatal NF-κB DNA-binding activity is attenuated in superoxide dismutase transgenic mice

Methamphetamine injection (X4 with 2-h interval) caused dose-dependent activation of striatal NF-kappa B activity. Striatal NF-kappa B binding increased significantly at 1-3 h after the last injection of methamphetamine (10 mg/kg, i.p. X4). This induction of striatal NF-kappa B activity was significantly attenuated in Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase transgenic mice in a gene dosage-dependent fashion. The present results suggest that reactive oxygen species generated by methamphetamine injections can activate striatal NF-kappa B DNA-binding during this drug-induced toxic process. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.