Department of Biochemistry, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea.
Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea.
Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Oct 13;24(20):15154. doi: 10.3390/ijms242015154.
'Drug abuse' has been recognized as one of the most pressing epidemics in contemporary society. Traditional research has primarily focused on understanding how drugs induce neurotoxicity or degeneration within the central nervous system (CNS) and influence systems related to reward, motivation, and cravings. However, recent investigations have increasingly shifted their attention toward the detrimental consequences of drug abuse on the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a structural component situated in brain vessels, responsible for separating brain tissue from external substances to maintain brain homeostasis. The BBB's function is governed by cellular interactions involving various elements of the 'neurovascular unit (NVU),' such as neurons, endothelial cells, astrocytes, pericytes, and microglia. Disruption of the NVU is closely linked to serious neurodegeneration. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the harmful effects of psychostimulant drugs on the BBB, highlighting the mechanisms through which drugs can damage the NVU. Additionally, the review proposes novel therapeutic targets aimed at protecting the BBB. By understanding the intricate relationships between drug abuse, BBB integrity, and NVU function, researchers and clinicians may uncover new strategies to mitigate the damaging impact of drug abuse on brain health.
“药物滥用”已被公认为当代社会最紧迫的流行问题之一。传统研究主要集中在了解药物如何在中枢神经系统（CNS）中引起神经毒性或退化，以及影响与奖励、动机和渴望相关的系统。然而，最近的研究越来越关注药物滥用对血脑屏障（BBB）的有害后果。BBB 是位于脑血管中的一种结构成分，负责将脑组织与外部物质隔离开来，以维持脑内环境稳定。BBB 的功能由涉及“神经血管单元（NVU）”的各种元素的细胞相互作用来调节，如神经元、内皮细胞、星形胶质细胞、周细胞和小胶质细胞。NVU 的破坏与严重的神经退行性变密切相关。这篇综述全面概述了精神兴奋剂对 BBB 的有害影响，强调了药物破坏 NVU 的机制。此外，该综述还提出了旨在保护 BBB 的新治疗靶点。通过了解药物滥用、BBB 完整性和 NVU 功能之间的复杂关系，研究人员和临床医生可能会发现新的策略来减轻药物滥用对大脑健康的破坏性影响。
