H Zhang1, K R Loughlin. 1. Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: We determined the in vitro effects of cocaine and its 2 major metabolites, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine, on Sertoli cell function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sertoli cells were isolated from 18 to 20-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Sertoli cells were incubated with 4 concentrations (6.25 x 10(-5), 2.5 x 10(-4), 1 x 10(-3) and 4 x 10(-3) M./l.) of cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Transferrin and androgen-binding protein secretion was measured to determine the effect of cocaine and its metabolites on Sertoli cell function. RESULTS: Cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine had the ability to decrease transferrin secretion. The 2 highest doses of cocaine (1 x 10(-3) and 4 x 10(-3) M./l.) significantly decreased transferrin production at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The effects of benzoylecgonine and ecgonine on transferrin production were less pronounced than those of cocaine. Androgen-binding protein secretion was also decreased by exposure to cocaine and its metabolites although the decrease was less marked compared to that of transferrin production. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated in vitro harmful effects of cocaine and its 2 major metabolites on Sertoli cell function, as measured by transferrin and androgen-binding protein production.
PURPOSE: We determined the in vitro effects of cocaine and its 2 major metabolites, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine, on Sertoli cell function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sertoli cells were isolated from 18 to 20-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Sertoli cells were incubated with 4 concentrations (6.25 x 10(-5), 2.5 x 10(-4), 1 x 10(-3) and 4 x 10(-3) M./l.) of cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Transferrin and androgen-binding protein secretion was measured to determine the effect of cocaine and its metabolites on Sertoli cell function. RESULTS:Cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine had the ability to decrease transferrin secretion. The 2 highest doses of cocaine (1 x 10(-3) and 4 x 10(-3) M./l.) significantly decreased transferrin production at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The effects of benzoylecgonine and ecgonine on transferrin production were less pronounced than those of cocaine. Androgen-binding protein secretion was also decreased by exposure to cocaine and its metabolites although the decrease was less marked compared to that of transferrin production. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated in vitro harmful effects of cocaine and its 2 major metabolites on Sertoli cell function, as measured by transferrin and androgen-binding protein production.