Effects of amphetamine and cocaine on the development of acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats.
The present experiment deals with the effects of amphetamine and cocaine on the development and course of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced in Lewis rats. Rats were immunized at the age of eight weeks with purified myelin basic protein isolated from guinea pig brain in complete Freund's adjuvant. Drug administration and recording of EAE clinical signs was performed daily since day 1 post-immunization (PI). On day 14 and 28 PI, six rats per group were bled and sacrificed. Spinal cord was examined histologically for EAE lesions. In vivo administration of 0.5 and 1 mg/Kg of amphetamine or cocaine resulted in a dose-related enhancement of neurological and histological signs of acute EAE in comparison with control rats. Both drugs caused a reduction of latent period together with a delayed regression of neurological signs along with an increase in inflammation in the central nervous system in comparison with placebo. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 637-643.
Núñez
María J
MJ
Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, C/San Francisco, s/n. 15782 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain.
Balboa
José
J
Rey-Méndez
Manuel
M
Brenlla
Julio
J
González-Peteiro
Mercedes
M
Rodrigo
Elena
E
Freire-Garabal
Manuel
M
D000661:Amphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000633:toxicity*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D000661:Amphetamine; D003042:Cocaine