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Effect of morphine on interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha production from mouse peritoneal macrophages in
1Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
Aim:
To study the influence of morphine on lymphokine production from mouse peritoneal macrophages (PM phi).
Methods:
The productions of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) from PM phi under various concentrations of morphine with or without naloxone were measured by testing thymocyte proliferation and L929 cell lysis in vitro.
Results:
Both morphine (1 x 10(-8) - 1 x 10(-3) mol L-1) and naloxone (50 mumol L-1) inhibited IL-1 production from mouse PM phi primed by sodium thioglycolate. Naloxone did not block the inhibitory effect of morphine. TNF-alpha production from PM phi was inhibited by only high concentration (1 mmol L-1) of morphine which was not blocked by naloxone.
Conclusion:
Morphine had a direct inhibitory effect on PM phi, which was not mediated by opioid receptor of PM phi.
Insights
Morphine directly inhibits interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in mouse macrophages, independent of opioid receptors. This effect on immune cells suggests non-opioid mechanisms are involved.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Macrophages play a crucial role in immune responses through lymphokine production.
- Opioid receptors are known to modulate immune cell function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct impact of morphine on lymphokine production by mouse peritoneal macrophages.
- To determine if morphine's effects on macrophages are mediated through opioid receptors.
Main Methods:
- Mouse peritoneal macrophages were stimulated and treated with varying concentrations of morphine and naloxone.
- Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production were quantified using in vitro assays.
Main Results:
- Morphine significantly inhibited IL-1 production across a range of concentrations.
- High concentrations of morphine also inhibited TNF-alpha production.
- Naloxone did not block the inhibitory effects of morphine on either lymphokine.
Conclusions:
- Morphine exerts a direct inhibitory influence on macrophage lymphokine production.
- The observed effects of morphine are not mediated by classical opioid receptors on macrophages.