Cocaine affects prostaglandin production in human umbilical cord cell cultures.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible effects of cocaine on prostacyclin and prostaglandin (PG) E2 production from endothelial cells derived from human umbilical cord.


METHODS
First-passaged endothelial cells derived from the umbilical vein were incubated with various doses of cocaine, procaine and lidocaine and 24 h later the supematants were assayed for prostacyclin metabolites 6-keto-PGF1alpha and PGE2. Cocaine concentrations tested were 0, 10, 100, 500 and 1000 microg/ml.


RESULTS
Cocaine produced a dose-dependent reduction in prostacyclin and PGE2 production from endothelial cells (p) < 0.05). Acetylcholinesterase (a possible detoxifier of cocaine) abolished the effect of cocaine on prostacyclin production. Procaine, an esterol-type anesthetic, produced a similar effect on prostacyclin production, an effect not observed with lidocaine.


CONCLUSIONS
It is speculated that, when present in high concentrations, cocaine may affect vascular tone by inhibition of endothelial cell prostacyclin and PGE2 release.
Mastrogiannis
D S
DS
Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Good Samaritan Hospital, West Islip, New York, USA.
O'Brien
W F
WF
D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011343:Procaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects
D011343:Procaine; D008012:Lidocaine; D003042:Cocaine; D015232:Dinoprostone