INTRODUCTION: Regular cocaine use has been associated with hormonal dysfunction including hypogonadism, which can lead to fatigue, reduced stamina, sexual dysfunction, and impaired quality of life. However, cocaine's endocrine effects are largely under-reported in the scientific addiction literature and, in many cases, are not addressed within treatment services. The low profile of these adverse effects might be attributable to a lack of awareness and linkage with cocaine use, such that they are recognized only when an acute/emergency problem arises. METHODS: We assessed endocrine diurnal function (adrenocorticotrophic hormone [ACTH], cortisol, and testosterone) in 26 healthy and 27 cocaine-dependent men and examined changes in hormone levels in response to a single 40 mg dose of the noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor atomoxetine in a double-blind, placebo-controlled experimental medicine study. RESULTS: When compared with healthy controls, diurnal and atomoxetine-induced changes in ACTH and cortisol showed greater variability in cocaine-dependent men. Interestingly, despite an exaggerated rise in ACTH following atomoxetine, an attenuated cortisol response was observed, and one-third of cocaine-dependent men had subnormal testosterone levels. CONCLUSION: Our findings point to a potential disconnection between the pituitary and adrenal responses in cocaine-dependent men, a higher rate of hypogonadism, and a pressing need for more research into the endocrine effects of cocaine and their clinical implications.

• Klíčová slova
• Adrenocorticotrophic hormone, Cortisol, Hypogonadism, Opioids, Testosterone,
• MeSH
• adrenokortikotropní hormon MeSH
• atomoxetin farmakologie   MeSH
• hydrokortison MeSH
• hypogonadismus * MeSH
• kokain * MeSH
• kvalita života MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním kokainu * MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek * MeSH
• systém hypofýza - nadledviny MeSH
• systém hypotalamus-hypofýza MeSH
• testosteron MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
• zprávy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• adrenokortikotropní hormon MeSH
• atomoxetin MeSH
• hydrokortison MeSH
• kokain * MeSH
• testosteron MeSH