Cocaine infusion increases interferon-gamma and decreases interleukin-10 in cocaine-dependent subjects

The effects of cocaine infusion (40 mg) on interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokine secretion were examined in 15 cocaine-dependent subjects. Pre- and postcocaine infusion peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), stimulated with phytohemagglutinin A, were cultured for 48 h and the cytokines in the supernatant measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cocaine infusion, but not saline infusion, increased IFN-gamma secretion and decreased IL-10 secretion, while, in PBMC collected simultaneously from control subjects, secretion of these cytokines was unaltered. Baseline IFN-gamma levels were lower and IL-10 levels higher in addicted subjects compared to those in control subjects. White blood cell and lymphocyte number and CD4(+) and CD8(+) counts were all increased following cocaine infusion. In vitro cocaine treatment of PBMC from addicted subjects suppressed both IL-10 and IFN-gamma secretion. These data suggest that acute cocaine administration, via both central and peripheral effects, may enhance Th1-type immune responses and inhibit Th2-type responses.