Research progress of methamphetamine in brain-gut axis

Abstract

Methamphetamine (METH) is an illegal psychostimulant that has been widely abused. Currently, METH abuse is a major health and social problem facing the world. To figure out the METH’s influence on the brain-gut axis, the relevant literature was searched through PubMed, CNKI, and other databases with keywords “methamphetamine”, “brain-gut axis”, “neurotoxicity”, “intestinal barrier”, “intestinal microbes". The selected literature is highly related to these keywords, with the latest 5 years as the threshold to ensure that the research contents keep pace with the times. By summarizing the relevant literature, it was found that METH could destroy the normal structure of the brain and intestine and affect their function, and also the release of some neurotransmitters or cytokines, damage the blood-brain barrier, intestinal barrier, disturb the intestinal microbes, and aggravate neurotoxic symptoms. METH affects both the brain and gut, causing a range of central nervous system and digestive diseases. Conclusively, this review summarizes the main mechanism of brain function, gut function, and brain-gut axis dysfunction induced by METH, so as to further understand the damaging effect and influence of METH and provide guidance for clinical practice.