title: Methamphetamine increases brain viral load and activates natural killer cells in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected monkeys.
abstract: Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse increases risky behaviors that contribute to the spread of HIV infection. In addition, because HIV and Meth independently affect physiological systems including the central nervous system, HIV-induced disease may be more severe in drug users. We investigated changes in blood and brain viral load as well as differences in immune cells in chronically simian immunodeficiency virus-infected rhesus macaques that were either administered Meth or used as controls. Although Meth administration did not alter levels of virus in the plasma, viral load in the brain was significantly increased in Meth-treated animals compared with control animals. Meth treatment also resulted in an activation of natural killer cells. Given the prevalence of Meth use in HIV-infected and HIV at-risk populations, these findings reveal the likely untoward effects of Meth abuse in such individuals.
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Maria Cecilia Garibaldi
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Marcondes
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: Debbie D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Watry
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zandonatti
authors.forename: Howard S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D006678:HIV / Q000187:drug effects; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000276:immunology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D008694:Methamphetamine