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Phytohemagglutinin-dependent T-cell proliferation is not impaired by morphine
1Clinic of Anaesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany.
Abstract:
Opioids have been reported in the literature to have immunosuppressive properties. Thus, we investigated the influence of morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide in vitro on phytohemagglutinin-stimulated proliferation of peripheral mononuclear cells from healthy humans. Furthermore, the effects of a 1-week treatment with morphine in a range of 30-240 mg/day on proliferation of lymphocytes from patients with chronic pain syndromes were evaluated. In addition, human peripheral mononuclear cell membranes were tested for specific opioid radioligand binding. The results show that i) morphine and its main metabolites do not influence mitogen-induced T-cell proliferation, ii) treatment of patients with sustained release morphine for 1 week did not impair the lymphocyte proliferative response, and iii) no specific binding of mu-, delta- and kappa-radioligands could be demonstrated to membranes of peripheral lymphocytes obtained from healthy humans. These results do not indicate an impairment of phytohemagglutinin-induced T-cell proliferation during pain treatment with sustained release morphine.
Insights
Morphine and its metabolites do not affect T-cell proliferation in healthy individuals or patients with chronic pain. This study suggests that pain treatment with morphine does not impair immune cell function.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Opioids are known to possess immunosuppressive properties.
- Morphine is a commonly prescribed opioid for pain management.
- The impact of morphine on T-cell proliferation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro effects of morphine and its metabolites on human peripheral mononuclear cell proliferation.
- To evaluate the impact of chronic morphine treatment on lymphocyte proliferation in patients with pain syndromes.
- To determine the presence of specific opioid receptor binding on human peripheral lymphocytes.
Main Methods:
- In vitro assays using phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral mononuclear cells.
- Analysis of lymphocyte proliferation in patients undergoing morphine treatment.
- Radioligand binding assays to detect opioid receptor interactions on lymphocytes.
Main Results:
- Morphine and its metabolites (morphine-3-glucuronide, morphine-6-glucuronide) did not inhibit mitogen-induced T-cell proliferation.
- One-week morphine treatment (30-240 mg/day) did not impair lymphocyte proliferative responses in chronic pain patients.
- No specific binding of mu-, delta-, or kappa-opioid radioligands was observed on peripheral lymphocyte membranes.
Conclusions:
- Morphine and its primary metabolites do not appear to suppress T-cell proliferation.
- Sustained-release morphine treatment for pain management does not seem to impair T-cell immune responses.
- Peripheral lymphocytes lack specific binding sites for common opioid radioligands.