In vivo cocaine administration influences lymphokine production and humoral immune response.
The effect of in vivo cocaine administration on in vitro mitogen-induced lymphokine production was examined. Splenocyte cultures from BALB/c mice treated with an acute (1 mg/kg) or daily cocaine administration (1 mg/kg/day for 7 consecutive days) were less responsive to induction of IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-4 production by mitogen stimuli. We also evaluated the humoral immune response to both a T-dependent (HEL) and a T-independent antigen (rHBcAg). It was found that cocaine inhibits T-dependent antibody production only. This inhibition was greatest when cocaine was given during immunization. The results suggest that T-cell-mediated responses may be more affected by cocaine use/abuse.
Di Francesco
P
P
Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.
Marini
S
S
Pica
F
F
Favalli
C
C
Tubaro
E
E
Garaci
E
E
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D007376:Interleukin-2; D008222:Lymphokines; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D003042:Cocaine