ABSTRACT
Opium derivatives affect the function and differentiation of peripheral leucocytes, directly or indirectly. Previous researches have shown that these cells respond to the endorphins through their opioid receptors [delta, micro and kappa]. There are many reports about the effect of morphine and heroin on immune system of dependent people, but there is no report on the functions of T-helper lymphocytes in opium dependent individuals. For this reason, this study was designed to survey [In vivo and ex vivo] the effect of opium smoking on immune system of dependent male individuals. To carry out the investigation, 5 ml of heparinized peripheral blood was collected from each of the 23 opium dependent males [28.44 +/- 4.05 years old] and 12 males [26.50 +/- 4.30 years old] who served as control group. Individuals in both groups were smoking cigarettes [15-25 cigarettes per day]. Part of the collected blood was used for blood cell count [CBC] and preparation of 0.5 ml plasma for evaluation of IL-2, IL-10 and TGF beta1 and the rest was used for stimulation of the whole blood with a mixture of LPS [10 microg/ml] and PHA [10 micro g/ml] for 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours. According to the results, in the dependent group plasma concentration of IL-10 and TGF-beta1 were higher [P<0.05], while IL-2 concentration was lower [P<0.05] comparing to the control group. Evaluation of TGF-beta1 in the supernatant of stimulated whole blood of both groups showed similar pattern for TGF-beta1 [Non-significant], while synthesis and release of IL-10 were less and concentration of IL-2 was higher [P<0.001] in the opium dependent group. In conclusion opium dependent cigarette smokers have higher numbers of circulating TH2 and TH3 lymphocytes and lower number of TH1 than non-dependent cigarette smokers. However, due to lower activity of TH2 and higher activity of TH1 lymphocytes, dependent individuals may be at higher risk during infections