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Opioids depress in vitro human monocyte chemotaxis
J L Pérez-Castrillón1, J L Pérez-Arellano, J D García-Palomo
1Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Spain.
Immunopharmacology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Opioids like heroin and morphine significantly impair monocyte chemotaxis, a key immune cell function. This research suggests opioid receptors on immune cells contribute to these functional defects in intravenous drug abusers.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Intravenous drug abusers (IDA) often exhibit impaired monocyte function, specifically their chemotaxis.
- Understanding the impact of opioids on immune cell activity is crucial for addressing health complications in IDA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of various opioids on monocyte chemotaxis.
- To determine if opioid receptor interactions mediate the observed functional defects.
Main Methods:
- Monocytes from healthy donors were incubated with heroin and morphine at different concentrations.
- Monocytes were also treated with selective mu (DAGO) and delta (DPDPE) opioid receptor agonists.
- The effect of naloxone, an opioid antagonist, was assessed.
Main Results:
- Heroin and morphine significantly reduced monocyte chemotactic response at all tested concentrations.
- Selective mu and delta opioid receptor agonists also decreased monocyte chemotaxis.
- Naloxone pre-treatment blocked the inhibitory effects of the opioid agonists.
Conclusions:
- Opioids play a significant role in the observed depression of monocyte chemotaxis in individuals abusing intravenous drugs.
- The findings suggest the presence of functional mu and delta opiate receptors on phagocytic mononuclear cells.