Cocaine: 1884–1974. In: Ellinwood EH, Kilbey MM, editors. Cocaine and Other Stimulants. Boston: Springer US; 1977. pp. 1-30. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4684-3087-5_1]

Distribution of alpha- and gamma-synucleins in the adult rat brain and their modification by high-dose cocaine treatment

Synucleins have attracted much attention because of their involvement in several neurodegenerative disorders. In a screening for genes differentially expressed after high-dose cocaine exposure, we found gamma-synuclein as a major upregulated candidate in the tegmentum. Overexpression of both alpha- and gamma-synuclein after drug treatment was confirmed by means of microarrays, yielding an increase in the hippocampus, the striatum and the tegmentum (2.65 x, 1.96 x and 3.5 x, respectively, for alpha-synuclein vs. 2.7 x, 1.96 x and 7.16 x for gamma-synuclein), but no change in the nucleus accumbens. Investigation of the distribution of mRNA (by in situ hybridization) and of the proteins (by immunocytochemistry) shows in both cases a clearly distinct pattern of expression for alpha- and gamma-synuclein. alpha-synuclein displays a very characteristic distribution, confined to specific nuclei, whereas gamma-synuclein is more widely expressed throughout the brain. mRNA of both alpha- and gamma-synucleins display a complementary pattern of expression all over the cortex. In contrast to gamma-synuclein, alpha-synuclein is neuronal, being only found in NeuN-expressing cells, and is expressed in the basal ganglia (faintly) and in the substantia nigra compacta where it is highly correlated with tyrosine hydroxylase. Immunocytochemistry shows that gamma-synuclein generally colocalizes with glial fibrillary acidic protein-expressing cells and is abundant in the red nucleus, the substantia nigra reticulata and the anterior commissure, while gamma-synuclein mRNA labels the matrix compartments of the caudate-putamen. The role of synucleins in relation to cocaine-induced plasticity or neurotoxicity is discussed.

Mechanism of the blood pressure--raising effect of cocaine in humans

BACKGROUND

Although the sympathomimetic actions and cardiovascular complications of cocaine are ascribed to inhibition of norepinephrine (NE) reuptake, this hypothesis has not been tested in humans. We asked (a) whether cocaine can inhibit NE reuptake in the human peripheral circulation and (b) whether the NE-mediated peripheral vasoconstriction is the main mechanism mediating blood pressure-raising effect of cocaine.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 15 healthy cocaine-naive subjects, we measured blood pressure, forearm blood flow, and forearm venous NE concentration during administration of (a) intrabrachial cocaine (0.15 and 15 mg), which produced no systemic neurohormonal effects, and (b) intranasal cocaine (2 mg/kg). Intrabrachial cocaine (0.15 mg) increased venous forearm NE concentration by 82% and vascular resistance by 71% (P<0.01). Increasing the intrabrachial cocaine dose by 100-fold to match the venous cocaine level of massive cocaine overdose caused a small additional increase in venous forearm NE concentration without causing significant additional vasoconstriction. Although intranasal cocaine (2 mg/kg) matched the venous cocaine concentrations caused by 0.15 mg of intrabrachial cocaine, venous NE concentration was unchanged as sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) decreased reflexively as the result of an increase in blood pressure. When SNA was restored to baseline by blunting the cocaine-induced rise in blood pressure (baroreflex activation) with nitroprusside, venous NE concentration increased to the same level caused by intrabrachial cocaine.

CONCLUSIONS

In healthy cocaine-naive individuals, cocaine can inhibit NE reuptake in the human peripheral circulation. However, this mechanism does not contribute importantly to the blood pressure-raising effect of cocaine because activation of baroreceptor reflexes decreases SNA, the neural stimulus for NE release.

Nitric oxide as a mediator of cocaine-induced penile erection in the rat

1. The effect of local application of cocaine to the corpus cavernosum on intracavernous pressure (ICP), an experimental index for penile erection, was examined in Sprague-Dawley rats anaesthetized with chloral hydrate. The potential involvement of dopamine, noradrenaline or nitric oxide as the chemical mediator in this process, and the pharmacological action of cocaine as a local anaesthetic in the induced increase in ICP, were also investigated. 2. Intracavernous (i.c.) administration of cocaine (40, 80 or 160 micrograms) to the corpus cavernosum resulted in a dose-related increase in both amplitude and duration of ICP. 3. The elevation of ICP induced by cocaine (160 micrograms, i.c.) was not significantly influenced by prior injection into the corpus cavernosum of either the D1 or D2 dopamine receptor antagonist, R-(+)-SCH 22390 (250 pmol) or (-)-sulpiride (250 pmol). 4. Similarly, penile erection promoted by cocaine (160 micrograms, i.c.) was not appreciably affected by i.c. pretreatment with the alpha 1-, alpha 2-, or beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin (50 pmol), yohimbine (50 pmol) or propranolol (5 nmol). 5. Whereas lignocaine (4 mumol, i.c.) depressed penile erection induced by papaverine (400 micrograms, i.c.), local application of cocaine (160 micrograms) into the corpus cavernosum still elicited significant elevation in ICP in the presence of lignocaine or papaverine. 6. The increase in ICP induced by cocaine (160 micrograms, i.c.) was attenuated dose-dependently by prior cavernosal administration of the NO synthase inhibitor, N omega-nitro-L -arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 0.5, 1 or 5 pmol) or NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 2.5, 5 or 10 pmol). The blunting effect of L-NAME or L-NMMA was reversed by co-administration of the NO precursor, L-arginine (1 nmol, i.c.). 7. Pretreatment by local application into the corpus cavernosum of methylene blue (2.5 mumol), an inhibitor of cytosolic guanylyl cyclase, antagonized cocaine-induced penile erection. 8. Direct i.c. administration of a NO donor, nitroglycerin (10 or 20 nmol), mimicked the local action of cocaine by promoting a significant increase in ICP. 9. It is concluded that cocaine may induce penile erection by increasing ICP via a local action on the corpus cavernosum. This process did not appear to involve either dopamine or noradrenaline as the chemical mediator, nor the pharmacological action of cocaine as a local anaesthetic. On the other hand, it is likely that initiation and maintenance of penile erection elicited by cavernosal application of cocaine engaged an active participation of NO and subsequent activation of guanylyl cyclase in the corpus cavernosum.

Power spectral analysis of electroencephalographic desynchronization induced by cocaine in rats: correlation with evaluation of noradrenergic neurotransmission at the medial prefrontal cortex

We applied continuous, on-line and real-time spectral analysis of electroencephalographic (EEG) signals and microdialysis to evaluate the possible participation of noradrenergic neurotransmission at the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in EEG desynchronization induced by cocaine. Male Sprague-Dawley rats that were under chloral hydrate anesthesia were used. Intravenous administration of cocaine (1.5 or 3.0 mg/kg) dose-dependently induced EEG desynchronization, as represented by a decrease in root mean square (RMS) and an increase in mean power frequency (MPF) value of the EEG signals. Power spectral analysis further revealed that whereas both doses of cocaine promoted a reduction in the alpha (8-13 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), and delta (1-4 Hz) components, the lower dose of cocaine decreased, and the higher dose increased the beta band (13-32 Hz). Microdialysis data indicated an elevation in extracellular concentration of norepinephrine at the mPFC that paralleled temporally and correlated positively with the maximal effect of cocaine on EEG activity. Bilateral microinjection of the selective noradrenergic neurotoxin, DSP4 (50 micrograms), or equimolar concentration (500 pmol) of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin, or alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine, into the mPFC significantly blunted the decrease in delta component (prazosin) or both delta and theta components (DSP4 or yohimbine) of EEG activity by the lower dose of cocaine. On the other hand, the same pretreatments appreciably antagonized the increase in beta band by cocaine at 3.0 mg/kg. The potency of the antagonism by yohimbine, however, was higher than prazosin. These results suggest that cocaine may elicit EEG desynchronization via noradrenergic neurotransmission, and that alpha 2-adrenoceptors, and to a lesser extent, alpha 1-adrenoceptors, at the mPFC may be involved in the subtle dose-dependent changes in individual EEG spectral components.

Effects of cocaine on pial arterioles in cats

We used the closed cranial window technique to observe the responses of pial arterioles to topical application of cocaine in 29 anesthetized cats. Alterations in arteriolar diameter were dependent on the concentration of cocaine applied. Cocaine dissolved in artificial cerebrospinal fluid at concentrations of 10(-8) or 10(-7) M was without effect. Concentrations of 10(-6) and 10(-5) M produced dilation (4.9 +/- 1.5% [mean +/- SEM] and 5.9 +/- 2.0%, respectively) in large arterioles (greater than 100 microns) but no significant change in the diameter of small arterioles (less than 100 microns). A concentration of 10(-4) M dilated both large and small arterioles (20.3 +/- 3.1% and 12.0 +/- 7.1%, respectively). Pretreatment with 1 mg/kg i.v. propranolol blocked the increase in pial arteriolar diameter after application of 10(-4) M cocaine and produced significant vasoconstriction in small arterioles (-8.3 +/- 3.1%). Cocaine produces vasodilation of cat cerebral arterioles. This effect appears to be mediated, at least in part, by mechanisms that depend on stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors.

Direct actions of cocaine on cardiac cellular electrical activity

The hypothesis that cocaine has Class I-type antiarrhythmic drug effects was tested in tissues isolated from rabbit heart with standard microelectrode methods. Propranolol (1 microM) was used to block beta-adrenergic effects. The actions of cocaine on cellular electrophysiology were concentration- and time-dependent and were reversible. In paced right atrial (RA) and right ventricular papillary (RVP) tissues, cocaine produced a profound prolongation of the effective refractory period (ERP) assessed by either premature stimulation or minimum pacing interval. ERP was increased up to eightfold in RA tissue and doubled in RVP tissue by 60 microM cocaine. This concentration of cocaine depressed action potential phase 0 depolarization 80% in RA tissue and 53% in RVP tissue but had no effect on resting membrane potentials. Automaticity was moderately depressed in sinus node (34% decrease in rate) but not in tricuspid valve cells. Phase 0 depolarization was not altered in these spontaneously active slow-response cells. Repolarization was depressed in RA, tricuspid valve, and sinus node cells leading to a twofold increase in action potential duration during exposure to cocaine. Evidence from the effects on cellular action potentials suggests that cocaine affects both fast Na+ channels and repolarizing K+ but not Ca2+ channels. We conclude that cocaine has Class I-type activity and the effects on ERP are extreme.

Inhibition of foot intake in the rat

The effects of single oral administrations of tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine and desipramine), an atypical antidepressant (nomifensine), known anorexic agents, haloperidol, and diazepam on food intake were compared in Sprague-Dawley rats over a 4-day test period. The tricyclic antidepressants produced decreases in food intake during the total 4-day test period following their administration. In contrast, the anorexic agents (d-amphetamine, cocaine, mazindol, fenfluramine and quipazine), and nomifensine, and haloperidol produced decreases in food intake only on their administration. Diazepam produced an increase in food intake only on the day of its decrease food intake, this model appears to show some specificity for tricyclic antidepressants.