Thymosin alpha one restores murine T-cell-mediated responses inhibited by in vivo cocaine administration.
The effects of different in vivo thymosin alpha one (T alpha 1) treatments on T-cell responses inhibited by cocaine abuse were studied. Administration during cocaine treatment promoted a faster recovery of normal natural killer (NK) cell activity after the suspension of abuse. Suspension of cocaine plus repeated T alpha 1 administrations strongly restored NK activity and, interestingly, spleen cells from mice treated with T alpha 1 during and after cocaine administration achieved a very rapid recovery and the greatest stimulation of natural cytotoxicity. This last treatment also restored the cocaine-inhibited specific T-cell response (i.e. allogeneic cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) generation) and abrogated the cocaine-induced suppression of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-4 production. Finally restoration and induction of thymic cellularity were significant when T alpha 1 was given during and after cocaine administration. The present investigation provides evidence for the first time that thymic hormones could be of potential value in controlling cocaine-induced impairment of T-cell-mediated immunity in the mouse.
Di Francesco
P
P
Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Italy.
Pica
F
F
Marini
S
S
Favalli
C
C
Garaci
E
E
D000818:Animals; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000187:drug effects; D000077596:Thymalfasin; D013947:Thymosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects
D008222:Lymphokines; D013947:Thymosin; D003042:Cocaine; D000077596:Thymalfasin