ETHANOL ALTERS HEMODYNAMIC-RESPONSES TO COCAINE IN RATS

Cocaine is often used while consuming ethanol despite evidence that th is combination may enhance the toxicity of cocaine. In the present stu dy, we examined the cardiovascular effects of ethanol (475 or 950 mg/k g, i.v.) alone and in combination with cocaine (5 mg/kg, i.v.) in cons cious rats. Ethanol or cocaine administration produced a consistent pr esser response but highly variable cardiac output and systemic vascula r resistance responses. The hemodynamic response patterns in individua l rats to either drug were similar and related within rats. After etha nol pretreatment, cocaine produced greater decreases in cardiac output . We have proposed that this pattern of responses may reflect a predis position in individual rats to cocaine-induced cardiomyopathies and hy pertension. Furthermore, these data suggest that ethanol administratio n elicits a similar pattern of hemodynamic responses as previously rep orted for cocaine or amphetamine administration or acute behavioral st ress. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.