Cocaine administration induces human splenic constriction and altered hematologic parameters

Abstract

Cocaine is a potent vasoconstrictor that has been shown to alter hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell counts in both animals and humans. The present study evaluated whether cocaine administration induces splenic constriction in men and whether spleen-volume changes temporally correlate with altered hematologic parameters. Spleen volume was assessed at baseline and after cocaine administration (0.4 mg/kg) by using magnetic resonance imaging. A group of five healthy men, aged 31 ± 2 (SE) yr and reporting occasional cocaine use (13 ± 5 lifetime exposures), participated. Cocaine reduced spleen volume by 20 ± 4% ( P < 0.03) 10 min after drug administration. Spleen volume returned to normal (101 ± 3% baseline) within 35 min after cocaine administration, indicating that the reduction is a transient phenomenon. In subjects administered cocaine from whom blood samples were obtained ( n = 3), cocaine increased hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, and red blood cell count to 104.5 ± 0.9, 105.6 ± 1.2, and 106.5 ± 1.0% of baseline levels, respectively ( P < 0.03), but it did not alter white blood cell and platelet counts. Placebo administration ( n = 5) did not alter hematologic parameters. These results suggest that cocaine induces splenic constriction in humans, and this may contribute to temporally concordant hematologic parameter changes. These events may help to preserve or increase tissue oxygenation in periods of high oxygen demand and/or increased vascular resistance.