EVALUATION OF COCAINE-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY

The effect of repeated administrations (1.5 weeks) of cocaine on the liver was studied using two radiopharmaceuticals, Tc-99m sulfur colloid (SC) and Tc-99m DISIDA. Uptake and clearance kinetics as well as liver enzyme determinations and histopathology were compared. In cocaine-treated animals hepatomegaly was noted (36% increase in liver weight over non-treated animals), and SGPT levels were 5 times higher than in non-treated animals. Periportal necrosis, fatty infiltration, and inflammation were noted on histological sections. The total uptake of Tc-99m SC in cocaine-treated mice was 8% higher, but the concentration (%ID/gm) was 18% lower, than in non-treated animals. Decreased uptake and concentration of Tc-99m SC was seen in the spleen. In contrast, the uptake and clearance of Tc-99m DISIDA were not affected by cocaine treatment. It is concluded that in this model Tc-99m DISIDA was not a sensitive agent for evaluation of cocaine-induced hepatotoxicity, and that Tc-99m SC was a more sensitive agent for the determination of hepatic and splenic toxicity due to cocaine. Cocaine-mediated hepato-splenic toxicity warrants further clinical investigations.