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. However, the mechanisms underlying the drug–stress interactions remain unknown. In the present study, we assessed the effects of stress on myocardial responses to MAP in mice. Mice were injected with MAP (30mg/kg) immediately before exposure to water-restraint stress (WRS), which has often been used as a stressor in animal experiments. The combination of MAP with WRS produced a significant increase (p