Immune system alterations in cannabis and heroin users

ABSTRACT

The immune system alterations were tested in 40 male addicts who were admitted in a mental hospital in Cairo over a period of one year. They were divided into two groups, the first group represents chronic heroin users and the second group represents chronic cannabis users, each of 20 subjects, while a third group represents age and sex matched control and all subjects had no history of immunological disorders. These groups were investigated as regard population of lymphocytes [T and B], the functional activity of T-lymphocytes [CMI] as assessed by the lymphocyte blastogenesis, the chemotactic indices and phagocytic activity, while humoral immunity [HI] was tested by levels of IgA, IgM and IgG. It was found that both heroin and cannabis users got significantly lower number of T-lymphocytes compared to control group, as regard the functional activity of T-lymphocytes, it was significantly lowered in both groups with more suppression of phagocytic activity and blastogenesis in heroin users. Finally, there were significant lower levels of IgG, IgM and IgA with more suppression of IgG in heroin users together with a cumulative inhibitory effect of both heroin and cannabis on the immune system. As a conclusion, chronic heroin and cannabis exposure are immune system suppressants with more hazardous effect of heroin abuse