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Morphine and methadone impact on human phagocytic physiology
International Journal of Immunopharmacology
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Morphine severely impairs immune cell functions like phagocytosis in humans, while methadone has a milder effect. This confirms morphine
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Cellular Physiology
Background:
- Opioid analgesics, such as morphine, are widely used for pain management.
- Previous animal studies suggested that morphine can suppress immune function.
- The impact of morphine on human immune cell physiology requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of morphine and methadone on human immune cell functions.
- To assess the impact on phagocytosis, cellular killing, and superoxide production.
- To evaluate effects on polymorphonuclear leukocyte and monocyte functions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of human subjects undergoing treatment with morphine or methadone.
- Assessment of polymorphonuclear leukocyte and monocyte phagocytosis and killing properties.
- Measurement of superoxide production and other immune cell parameters.
Main Results:
- Morphine treatment severely depressed phagocytosis, killing properties, and superoxide production in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes.
- Methadone exhibited a similar, but significantly less pronounced, depressive effect on phagocytosis.
- Other measured functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes were poorly influenced by morphine.
Conclusions:
- Morphine significantly impairs critical functions of human phagocytic cells.
- These findings in humans align with previous animal research.
- Morphine plays a depressive role in phagocytic physiology.