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. 2020 Nov-Dec;34(6):3285-3289.
doi: 10.21873/invivo.12166.

Cocaine Reduces Ciliary Beat Frequency of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells

Alexander Nastev  1 , J Ulrich Sommer  2 , Wieland Behr  1 , Boris A Stuck  1 , C Emika Mueller  1 , Angela Schell  3 , Benedikt Kramer  3 , Daniel Haeussler  3 , Karl Hoermann  3 , Richard Birk  4
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Cocaine Reduces Ciliary Beat Frequency of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells

Alexander Nastev et al. In Vivo. 2020 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Background/aim: Cocaine is a widely used recreational drug and is known for its nasal complications including epithelial, cartilage and bone damage. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of cocaine on ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of human nasal epithelial cells and therefore better understand its side effects on nasal mucosa.

Materials and methods: Nasal epithelial cells of 21 healthy subjects were harvested and exposed in vitro to cocaine hydrochloride solutions ranging from 0.875% to 7%. High-speed video footage was acquired with phase contrast microscopy and CBF was analyzed with Sissons-Ammons Video Analysis (SAVA) software.

Results: All tested concentrations led to a significant reduction in CBF compared to the control. Effects increased over time and with concentration. A mechanical inhibition of cilia by cocaine crystals was also observed.

Conclusion: We assume that CBF reduction is part of the pathomechanism leading to nasal complications in cocaine abuse. Considering these results, clinical usage of cocaine should be critically evaluated and restricted to select cases only.

Keywords: Cocaine; ciliary beat frequency (CBF); human nasal epithelial cells.

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Conflict of interest statement

The Authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Phase contrast microscopy of cocaine crystals showing after 1 min in 3.5% cocaine hydrochloride solution and settling on nasal epithelial cell cluster (400-fold magnification).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Wireframe surface plot showing changes of ciliary beat frequency (CBF) depending on time and concentration of cocaine hydrochloride (CHCL) solution.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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