Aging increases the susceptiblity to methamphetamine‐induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in rats: correlation with peroxynitrite production and hyperthermia

Methamphetamine (METH) produces dopaminergic neurotoxicity by the production of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species. The role of free radicals has also been implicated in the process of aging. The present study was designed to evaluate whether METH‐induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity and hyperthermia is a result of peroxynitrite production and if these effects correlate with age. One‐, six‐ and 12‐month‐old male rats (n = 8) were administered a single dose of METH (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). The formation of 3‐nitrotyrosine (3‐NT) as a marker of peroxynitrite production as well as dopamine and its metabolites DOPAC and HVA were measured in the striatum 4‐h after METH‐administration. Rectal temperature was monitored every 30 min after METH administration until 4 h. At 40 mg/kg METH, a 100% mortality in 12‐month‐old animals was observed, whereas no deaths occurred in 1‐ or 6‐month‐old rats. An age‐dependent increase in hyperthermia was observed after METH‐administration. A similar pattern of dose‐dependent increase in the formation of 3‐NT and in the depletion of dopamine and its metabolites with age was observed in the striatum. Furthermore, no effect was observed at 5 mg/kg METH in 1‐month‐old animals, whereas the effect was significant in 6‐ and 12‐month‐old animals. These data suggest that aging increases the susceptibility of the animals toward METH‐induced peroxynitrite generation and striatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity.