Immunosuppressive effects of intravenous self administration of dihydroetorphine on lymphocyte functions in rats
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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
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Published on: February 2, 2014
Aim:
To study the effects of dihydroetorphine (DHE) on lymphocyte functions in rats and to further assess the abuse potential of DHE.
Methods:
An intravenous self administration (SA) procedure in rats was used to determine the SA liability of DHE. Concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and lymphokine production of rat splenocytes were measured.
Results:
DHE 178 +/- 13 micrograms established a stable and typical rat model of psychological dependence, suppressed lymphocyte proliferation (129 +/- 11 Bq) compared with control group (620 +/- 36 Bq), and inhibited the activity of interleukin-2 (IL-2) (A570 = 0.28 +/- 0.06) compared with control group (A570 = 0.51 +/- 0.03).
Conclusion:
DHE had a high abuse potential and inhibited the Con A-induced lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin-2 production in rats.
