This study was designed to determine levels of NF-kappaB 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-kappaB 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 x 10(-2) M) were tested separately. Cocaine but not morphine significantly activated NF-kappaB reporter gene activity in H9C2 cells. Overexpression of IkappaB inhibited NF-kappaB reporter activity at low (1 x 10(-4) M) but not high (1 x 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-kappaB 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-kappaB signal transduction and possible inflammatory responses.