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-κB activity. Striatal NF-κB binding increased significantly at 1-3 h after the last injection of methamphetamine (10 mg/kg, i.p. x4). This induction of striatal NF-κB 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-κB DNA-binding during this drug-induced toxic process.