[Increase expression of CYP2E1 mRNA after methamphetamine administration in rats].

Methamphetamine (METH) is one of the most commonly abused psychostimulant. We have investigated the effect of METH administration on the CYP2E1 mRNA level using quantitative competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. Rats were given METH (4 mg/kg or 8 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. The expression of CYP2E1 mRNA increased (5.7 fold) in 4 mg/kg/day administration rat liver in compared with control rat liver. The results suggest that exposure to METH may increase CYP2E1 level but superfluous exposure (8 mg/kg/day) of METH may reduce the expression of CYP2E1 gene.