Contribution of Oxidative Metabolism to Cocaine-Induced Liver and Kidney Damage

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Valente, MJ (Author) Other; Carvalho, F (Author) FFUP; d. L. Bastos (Author) FFUP; de Pinho, PG (Author) FFUP; Carvalho, M (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Current Medicinal Chemistry

Vol. 19

Pages: 5601-5606

ISSN: 0929-8673

Publisher: Bentham

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 53 Citations

Scopus - 54 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Basic medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-3S9

DOI: 10.2174/092986712803988938

Abstract (EN): Cocaine is a potent psychoactive illicit substance and its abuse represents a major health burden worldwide. The pharmacodynamics and toxicity of cocaine have been extensively documented, and are generally associated to its affinity towards neurotransmitters transporters and several receptors. However, drug-related formation of reactive compounds, as is the case of pro-oxidant reactive species, and interaction at molecular level is still an understudied matter. The involvement of oxidative stress (OS) in cocaine-induced toxicity has been reported in both human and animal models, in several organs and systems, including heart, liver, kidney, and central nervous system (CNS). Cytochrome P450 (CYP450)-mediated cocaine metabolism yields the reactive pro-oxidant compound norcocaine (NCOC) and further oxidative metabolites. Special emphasis should be given to the stable radical norcocaine nitroxide (NCOC-NO center dot), which plays a key role in cocaine-induced hepatotoxicity, either by entering a futile redox cycle with an N-oxidative metabolite, or by being further oxidized to a highly reactive ion. In fact, cocaine-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consequent OS has been postulated based on the reactivity of cocaine N-oxidative metabolites. Depletion of cellular antioxidant defenses and impairment of mitochondrial respiration have also been considered important causes of ROS production, and subsequent cell death mediated by cocaine. The present review provides a thorough description of the current knowledge on cocaine oxidative metabolism and its role on drug-induced liver and kidney damage.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6