Abstract
This study was designed to determine levels of NF-κB reporter gene activity and free radical generation in cultured striated myocytes (H9C2 cells) exposed to cocaine or morphine in the presence of free radical scavengers. Cells were transiently transfected with a NF-κB reporter gene and changes in luciferase activity were detected, by bioluminescence. Using confocal microscopy and 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate, cocaine-induced or morphine-induced free radicals were quantified in H9C2 cells. Cocaine and morphine (0–1×10−2 M) were tested separately. Cocaine but not morphine significantly activated Nf-κB reporter gene, activity in H9C2 cells. Overexpression of IκB inhibited NF-κB reporter activity at low (1×10−4 M) but not high (1×10−2 M) cocaine concentrations. Free radicals were generated in H9C2 cells stimulated with cocaine but not with morphine. The production of free radicals and NF-κB reporter gene activity could be blocked with N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, and to a lesser extent, lipoic acid. The results suggest that cocaine induces free radical production, which leads to the activation of NF-κB signal transduction and possible inflammatory responses.
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Hargrave, B.Y., Tiangco, D.A., Lattanzio, F.A. et al. Cocaine, not morphine, causes the generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of NF-κB in transiently cotransfected heart cells. Cardiovasc Toxicol 3, 141–151 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1385/CT:3:2:141
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/CT:3:2:141