Methamphetamine Administration Produces Immunomodulation in Mice

Abstract

The abuse of methamphetamine (MA) is an increasingly growing problem globally and produces serious side effects. In the present study, the immunomodulating effects of MA were examined on the immune system after MA (5 mg/kg body weight) was administered daily orally for 14 d. The immune system was evaluated by the antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC; plaque assay and serum immunoglobulin [Ig] G), natural killer (NK) activity, lymphocyte subpopulations in the spleen and thymus, and concanavalin A (Con A)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation using splenocytes. Body weight, spleen weight, and thymus weight generally decreased in MA-treated mice. MA treatment induced an increase in the percentage of CD4(+) cells with simultaneous decrease in the percentages of CD8(+) and double-positive CD4(+)CD8(+) in thymus. MA inhibited the IgM plaque-forming cell number, and lowered the level of IgG, the proliferation of mitogen-stimulated B and T cells, and the growth of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM). Exposure to MA also decreased interleukin-2 production by splenocytes. In contrast, splenic NK activity in exposed mice was significantly enhanced. Taken together, data indicate that the immune system was suppressed by oral MA exposure.

Self-vaccination by methamphetamine glycation products chemically links chronic drug abuse and cardiovascular disease

“…Our results concerning immunomodulation by methamphetamine are in direct accordance with previous studies (8,28). However, a critical difference exists in the methamphetamine dose used in previous reports to elicit such noticeable consequences and the dose we have proven sufficient to mediate similar alterations in immune function.…”

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

“…Scheiman et al [25] suggested that nuclear factor kappa B, a regulator of the immune system, might be a target for glucocorticoid-mediated immunosuppression. An immunomodulating effect [14,29] and the development of infection [10] as well as tumors [11] have been reported with regard to MAP (or its metabolite AMP) and the immune function in rodents.…”

Adding Fuel to the Fire: Methamphetamine Enhances HIV Infection

“…Methamphetamine, a highly addictive psychostimulant, alters immune functions and increases susceptibility to infections. [5][6][7] The emerging double epidemic of substance abuse and HIV-1 infection is a multifaceted problem requiring understanding the causal mechanism of how drugs of abuse could affect the host-virus dynamics accelerating progression of the infection. Among the various cellular reservoirs for HIV-1, macrophages are the early and preferred sites of virus replication.…”