Effects of Methamphetamine on Cortisone Concentration, NK Cell Activity and Mitogen Response of T-lymphocytes in Female Cynomolgus Monkeys

Abstract

As a model for studying methamphetamine (MAP) abuse, which has become a social problem in Japan, we investigated the changes in serum cortisone, NK cell activity and mitogenic response of T-lymphocytes after a single injection of MAP (3.0 mg/kg) levels. In Japan, MAP has been illegally used as a stimulant in recent years to relieve fatigue, and its abuse has spread among the general public, young people and even housewives. There are reports of deaths in humans [4,8], and animal experiments have investigated the causes of death from acute addiction [3,5,7,14,15]. In Japan, MAP is mostly used as a stimulant, whereas in western countries amphetamine (AMP) is the stimulant of choice. Martin [9] has edited many reports on animal experiments, investigating the emo- Medicine, Chiba University, Japan Methamphetamine hydrochloride (MAP) has strong affinity to the central nervous system (CNS) and stimulates the sympathetic nervous system through its action on blood vessels and smooth muscle. The pharmacological action of MAP in CNS promotes the release of dopamine and noradrenaline from nerve endings. Furthermore, MAP suppresses the re-uptake of catecholamine discharged at synapses. When MAP is administered, drowsiness and fatigue disappear, resulting in transient elevation of mental and physical activity

Methamphetamine Causes Persistent Immune Dysregulation: A Cross-Species, Translational Report

“…Moreover, in MA-ER mice, plasma levels of IL-6 were decreased, and IL-10 levels were increased compared with SAL-ER mice. These latter data are generally consistent with the suppressive effects of MA on peripheral immune function (Martinez et al 2009; Saito et al 2006; In et al 2005; Yu et al 2002) as well as the inhibitory effects of MA on transcription factors critical for the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (Ye et al 2008), but since these effects were only significant in the ER group, this suggests that the immunosuppressive effects of MA may be most pronounced during active use or early in remission. The question of how MA-induced peripheral immune dysregulation relates to persistent alterations in brain neuroanatomy and function is complex and one that requires a translational research approach to comprehensively address.…”

Role of Autophagy in HIV Pathogenesis and Drug Abuse

“…Studies have found that morphine suppressed T cell activation in the lymph node, paralleled with a decrease in activation levels of T cells in peripheral blood in nonhuman primates [126]. Methamphetamine has been shown to accelerate the premature demise of activated T cells [127], and reduce the number of dendritic cells and natural killer cells [128,129]. Other than that, excessive reactive oxygen species is produced when astrocytic cells are treated with methamphetamine via CYP2E1, leading to apoptotic cell death [95].…”

Effects of Single or Repeated Administrations of Methamphetamine on Immune Response in Mice

“…We previously reported an increase in serum cortisone, a transient increase in NK cell activity followed by a distinct drop, and elevation in the mitogenic response (PHA) of lymphocytes after a single injection of MAP in female cynomolgus monkeys. From those findings, we assumed that the effects of MAP on the immune system are strongly related to the cortisone concentration [24]. Scheiman et al [25] suggested that nuclear factor kappa B, a regulator of the immune system, might be a target for glucocorticoid-mediated immunosuppression.…”