title: Cocaine immunotoxicity: abnormal cytokine production in Hispanic drug users.
abstract: Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 47 Hispanic poly-drug users with a history of cocaine abuse were analyzed for in vitro production of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), gamma-interferon (IFN) and plasma levels of soluble IL-2 receptor (SIL-2R). Cocaine use was confirmed and quantified by analysis of hair and urine samples, and subjects were grouped into 3 based on the extent of cocaine metabolites detected. No significant differences in IL-1 and IFN production were seen between the 3 groups. However, subjects with higher levels of cocaine in hair also showed higher levels of IL-2. In addition, a positive correlation was seen between cocaine concentrations and IL-2 levels. A corresponding negative correlation was seen between cocaine levels and levels of plasma SIL-2R. These findings suggest modulation of the IL-2 network by cocaine in poly-drug users.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson 85724.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Estrada
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003042:Cocaine; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007372:Interferons; D003042:Cocaine