The effects of smoked nicotine on measures of subjective states and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones in women during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.

Objectives: To determine the acute effects of cigarette smoking on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormones and subjective states as a function of the menstrual cycle in nicotine-dependent women.

Methods: Seventeen healthy nicotine-dependent women were studied during the follicular and/or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Because of observation of a possible bimodal distribution of progesterone levels within the luteal phase group, we performed a set of a posteriori analyses.

Opioid and cocaine combined effect on cocaine-induced changes in HPA and HPG axes hormones in men.

Nalbuphine, a mixed micro-/kappa-opioid analgesic, may have potential as a new medication for the treatment of cocaine abuse. Kappa-opioid agonists functionally antagonize some abuse-related and locomotor effects of cocaine, and both kappa-selective and mixed micro-/kappa-opioids reduce cocaine self-administration by rhesus monkeys. Because cocaine's interactions with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and (HPA) hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes may contribute to its reinforcing properties, we examined the effects of cocaine alone and in combination with nalbuphine.

Progesterone: review of safety for clinical studies.

Progesterone is a steroid hormone that is important for reproductive function. Progesterone is used in a number of clinical applications and has been investigated as a possible novel approach for treatment of stimulant drug abuse. Extensive clinical studies have been conducted to examine the subjective and physiological effects of exogenous progesterone administration and to evaluate its side effects.

Effects of nalbuphine on anterior pituitary and adrenal hormones and subjective responses in male cocaine abusers.

Nalbuphine (Nubain) is a mixed action mu-kappa agonist used clinically for the management of pain. Nalbuphine and other mu-kappa agonists decreased cocaine self-administration in preclinical models. Cocaine stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, but the effects of nalbuphine on the HPA axis are unknown.

Effects of intravenous cocaine and cigarette smoking on luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and prolactin in men.

Cocaine and nicotine have a number of similar behavioral and neurobiological effects. This study compared the acute effects of cocaine and cigarette smoking on luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), and prolactin. Twenty-four men who met American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual criteria for cocaine abuse or nicotine dependence were given intravenous cocaine (0.