Effects of Cocaine on Plasma Adrenocorticotropic

Luteinizing Hormone and Prolactic Levels in CocaineDependent

Cocaine dependence appears to be increasing in the United States (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 505). Furthermore, disorders of endocrine function associated with abuse of the drugsuch as hyperprolactinemiahave been observed in both men and women (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 505). Although studies have been performed on cocaine's effects on reproductive hormones, prior to Mendelson et al., these analyses had all been conducted primarily in animal models (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 505).

Mendelson et al., sought to reveal the mechanisms underlying cocaine's toxic effects on reproductive function in humans (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 505). They accomplished this by injecting a group of men with cocaine and then measuring the subjects' hormone levels at selected time intervals (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 505). The primary focus of the research was the effect of acute cocaine administration on the secretion of hormones by the anterior pituitary (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 505). The relatively small amount of work done in this area had been performed primarily in either rhesus monkey or Sprague Dawley rat models (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 508). The research seemed to suggest that acute cocaine administration stimulated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), but, at least initially, suppresse

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that the subjects' ACTH levels increased significantly during the first 60 minutes after i.v. cocaine administration (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 506). These plasma ACTH levels were also significantly above both baseline and levels measured subsequent to placebo administration (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 506). In addition, a direct correspondence was elucidated between plasma levels of ACTH and cocaine (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 507508). This observed plasma ACTH elevation paralleling increased plasma cocaine levels in humans was consistent with prior studies performed on rats (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 508). Mendelson et al., concluded that these results were due to cocaine's affect on the dopaminergic systems which control corticotropinreleasing factor (CRF) (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 508). The data showed additionally that plasma LH increased significantly after cocaine administration (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 506). These elevations, however, took place somewhat earlier than the ACTH elevations: occurring at only 5 and 15 minutes after cocaine injection (Mendelson et al., 1992, p. 506). However, a Spearman correlation coefficient analysis did indicate that there was a positive relationship between the increase in p
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)