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Ethanol enhances immunosuppression induced by cocaine
S V Pirozhkov1, R R Watson, G J Chen
1Center of Addiction, Moscow, Russia.
Alcohol and Alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire). Supplement
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Simultaneous cocaine and alcohol use creates cocaethylene, which severely suppresses immune cell function. This study reveals cocaethylene significantly enhances cocaine
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Concurrent cocaine and alcohol use is common among cocaine addicts.
- Previous research indicates cocaine impairs T-lymphocyte proliferation, NK cell cytotoxicity, and macrophage phagocytic activity.
- Cocaethylene is a metabolite formed from cocaine and ethanol in the body.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the immunotoxic effects of cocaine, ethanol, and cocaethylene on cytokine production by splenocytes.
- To investigate whether cocaethylene enhances the immunotoxicity of cocaine.
Main Methods:
- C57B1 mice were administered cocaine or cocaethylene twice daily for 4 weeks.
- Mice received either an ethanol-containing diet or an isocaloric control diet.
- Mitogen-stimulated cytokine production (gamma-interferon, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-2) by splenocytes was measured.
Main Results:
- Cocaine and cocaethylene treatments significantly reduced spleen weight and splenocyte counts.
- Mitogen-stimulated cytokine production was suppressed in splenocytes from cocaine- and cocaethylene-treated mice.
- Cocaethylene exposure resulted in more severe suppression of cytokine production compared to cocaine alone.
Conclusions:
- The formation of cocaethylene during concurrent cocaine and alcohol consumption may exacerbate cocaine's immunotoxic effects.
- Cocaethylene is a potent immunomodulator, potentially increasing the risk associated with combined substance use.
- Further research is warranted to understand the clinical implications of cocaethylene-induced immunotoxicity.