Effect of methamphetamine on cortisone concentration, NK cell activity and mitogen response of T-lymphocytes in female cynomolgus monkeys

As a model for studying methamphetamine (MAP) abuse, which has become a social problem in Japan, we investigated the changes in serum cortisone, NK cell activity and mitogenic response of T-lymphocytes after a single injection of MAP (3.0 mg/kg) in female cynomolgus monkeys. Serum cortisol concentration was significantly elevated to 2.66 times pre-injection levels at 6 h post-injection, and the effect was still observed 24 h later. NK cell activity was significantly elevated at 6 h after MAP injection, but at 24 h after injection had dropped markedly to 49.5% of baseline. Mitogen (PHA) response of lymphocytes was elevated when MAP was injected, and this increased level continued up to 24 h. We speculate that the transient increase in NK cell activity followed by a distinct drop, as well as the changes in T-lymphocytes, may be strongly related to the cortisone concentration.