Demonstration of specific binding of cocaine to human spermatozoa

Article Abstract:

Evidence from both animal and human studies demonstrates that males exposed to certain drugs and other toxic substances produce an increased number of offspring with abnormalities. It is known that neurological damage often occurs in the children of cocaine-using fathers, but how this occurs is not understood. Evidence suggests that cocaine increases the number of abnormal spermatozoa. The ability of cocaine to bind to human spermatozoa without destroying them or affecting their motion was examined in test tubes. Fresh semen specimens were obtained and processed, and a cocaine solution was added. Cocaine did bind to the spermatozoa, at a slightly higher rate at 23 degrees Celsius (about 73 degrees Fahrenheit) than at lower or higher temperatures. The highest rate of binding occurred after 20 minutes. There was a dose-response effect, such that there was increasing binding with increased amounts of cocaine. The mechanisms for this are discussed, as are the results of other studies. Whether cocaine is present in the semen of human users is not yet known; however, methadone (a drug given to addicts to prevent craving for illegal narcotics) is present in semen at almost twice its concentration in blood. If this is also true of cocaine, it may then bind to spermatozoa. It is also possible that this binding could occur in the reproductive tract of a female cocaine user. It has already been shown that sperm can carry foreign substances, such as viruses, into the egg. Traditionally it was believed that teratogenic substances (promoting fetal abnormalities) caused damage only during organ development. Now, however, it seems possible that damage can occur in spermatozoa even before fertilization. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Children, Drug abusers, Children of drug addicts, Spermatozoa, Sperm

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When disability benefits make patients sicker

Article Abstract:

Government agencies that pay disability benefits to people with drug addiction and mental illness should work with doctors to help prevent clients from spending the money on drugs. A 1995 study found that cocaine-addicted schizophrenic people spent much of their disability payment on drugs. When their disability check arrived each month, their cocaine consumption, rate of hospitalization, and severity of psychiatric symptoms increased. Treatment of these people may involve managing their spending by giving the payment to a third party, who would arrange to pay the rent and bills. A physician may request that the Social Security Administration (SSA) provide such a payee for certain patients, but such requests may not be readily granted. The SSA and the Veterans Administration (VA) must acknowledge that appointing payees and teaching patients to spend benefits differently are vital to proper care. The VA should act as a payee itself, and both agencies should act to prevent misuse of benefits.

Editorial, Economic aspects, Mentally ill persons, Mentally ill, Drug use, Drug abuse

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Migrainelike headache and cocaine use

Article Abstract:

One aftereffect of cocaine binging is a migrainelike headache. Three cases of this complication are reported. In each case, headaches occurred following cocaine use. The drug user habitually resorted to the drug again to ease the pain. Readministration of cocaine would in fact cause the pain to subside temporarily. Serotonin, a body chemical that causes the constriction of blood vessels, may play a role in causing migraine headaches. Cocaine affects the natural functioning of serotonin. The immediate effect of cocaine is to increase concentrations of serotonin, causing temporary pain relief. Repeated use or cocaine binging, however, suppresses the serotonin system. Each patient in the study cited a desire to avoid the cocaine-induced headaches as their primary motivation for quitting cocaine use.

Causes of, Migraine, Serotonin, column

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