Differential effects of alprazolam against methylphenidate-induced neurobehavioral alterations.
Acetylcholinesterase
Benzodiazepines
Neurodegeneration
Polydrug abuse
Psychostimulants
Journal
Physiology & behavior
ISSN: 1873-507X
Titre abrégé: Physiol Behav
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0151504
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 08 2020
01 08 2020
Historique:
received:
02
01
2020
revised:
23
04
2020
accepted:
24
04
2020
pubmed:
16
5
2020
medline:
22
6
2021
entrez:
16
5
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
In the previous decade, abuse of several types of prescription drugs, particularly anxiolytics, opioid analgesics, and stimulants has increased significantly worldwide. Methylphenidate (MPH) and Alprazolam (ALZ) are extensively used drugs for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders, respectively. However, these drugs have a high risk of being misused or abused alone, and their combination in some peculiar cases has shown their deleterious effects. In this study, we evaluated the extent of damage both these drugs (MPH and ALZ) may cause in the brain at different dosages. Female Wistar rats were administered with MPH (10, 20, 40mg/kg) and ALZ (5, 10, 20mg/kg) alone and in combination. Following the treatment, neurobehavioral studies were conducted, and later brain tissue was removed for studying the extent of oxidative stress and inflammation in the hippocampus and cortex region of the brain. Further histopathological parameters, along with neurotransmitter levels, were also assessed. Both MPH and ALZ, in combination, enhanced oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurobehavioral alterations in a dose-dependent manner. These toxic effects were associated with histopathological alterations and neurotransmitters levels CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it is found that the combination of psychostimulant (MPH) and depressant (ALZ) tends to enhance toxicity in the brain, and their long-term usage is a significant public health concern. Therefore, their co-administration should be strictly monitored by medical practitioners, and under compulsive circumstances, their use must be restricted to lower doses.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
In the previous decade, abuse of several types of prescription drugs, particularly anxiolytics, opioid analgesics, and stimulants has increased significantly worldwide. Methylphenidate (MPH) and Alprazolam (ALZ) are extensively used drugs for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders, respectively. However, these drugs have a high risk of being misused or abused alone, and their combination in some peculiar cases has shown their deleterious effects. In this study, we evaluated the extent of damage both these drugs (MPH and ALZ) may cause in the brain at different dosages.
METHODS
Female Wistar rats were administered with MPH (10, 20, 40mg/kg) and ALZ (5, 10, 20mg/kg) alone and in combination. Following the treatment, neurobehavioral studies were conducted, and later brain tissue was removed for studying the extent of oxidative stress and inflammation in the hippocampus and cortex region of the brain. Further histopathological parameters, along with neurotransmitter levels, were also assessed.
RESULTS
Both MPH and ALZ, in combination, enhanced oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurobehavioral alterations in a dose-dependent manner. These toxic effects were associated with histopathological alterations and neurotransmitters levels CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it is found that the combination of psychostimulant (MPH) and depressant (ALZ) tends to enhance toxicity in the brain, and their long-term usage is a significant public health concern. Therefore, their co-administration should be strictly monitored by medical practitioners, and under compulsive circumstances, their use must be restricted to lower doses.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32413536
pii: S0031-9384(20)30249-3
doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112935
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
Central Nervous System Stimulants
0
Methylphenidate
207ZZ9QZ49
Alprazolam
YU55MQ3IZY
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
112935Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declarations of Competing Interest Authors declare no conflicts of interest.