Rapid sensitization to the cardiovascular effects of cocaine in rats.
Effects of repeated daily administrations of cocaine on blood pressure and heart rate were studied in conscious rats. Cocaine (0.03-3.0 mg/kg i.v.) increased blood pressure and heart rate the first time it was administered (day 1) However, the magnitude and duration of the increases in blood pressure caused by cocaine (0.1-3.0 mg/kg) dramatically increased on day 2 and remained (except 1.0 mg/kg dose) at these levels through day 5. Following two drug-free days (days 6 and 7), the increase in blood pressure caused by cocaine (0.1, 0.3 and 3.0 mg/kg) on day 8 was still elevated. Unlike blood pressure, no enhancement in heart rate response to cocaine was observed.
Tella
S R
SR
Behavioral Pharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, National Institute on Drug Abuse Addiction Research Center, Baltimore, MD 21224.
Schindler
C W
CW
Goldberg
S R
SR
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
D003042:Cocaine