A study on the effect of JNK inhibitor, SP600125, on the disruption of blood-brain barrier induced by methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine (METH) is a widely consumed drug with high abuse potential. Studies in animals have shown that the drug produces dopaminergic neurotoxicity following both single high-dose and repeated low-dose administration. In addition, METH produces an increase in matrix metalloproteinase expression and loss of BBB integrity. We have examined the effect of repeated low-dose METH on MMP-9/2 expression and activity and laminin expression and the role of MMPs and JNK 1/2 phosphorylation on the changes induced by the drug in BBB integrity.