ABSTRACT
An ELISA method for detection of specific antibodies to morphine-protein conjugate (MPC) in humans and animals was elaborated. In humans, antibodies could be detected predominantly as the IgM class of immunoglobulins. Elevated levels of such antibodies were found in about 50% of opiate addicts and morphine-treated rats. In the case of prolonged and regular drug use with the time since the last drug intake not exceeding 2 months, elevated levels of antibodies to MPC were detected more frequently (up to 75%). Antibodies to MPC, detected in opiate addicts, were specific to MPC, morphine and beta-endorphin. A similar approach was applied to the detection of antibodies to ephedrone (amphetamine-like derivative of ephedrine) in case of its chronic use.
Subject(s)
Alcoholism/diagnosis , Antibodies/analysis , Morphine/immunology , Narcotics , Substance Abuse Detection/methods , Substance-Related Disorders/diagnosis , Animals , Chronic Disease , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Hair/chemistry , Humans , Immunoglobulin M/analysis , Male , Narcotics/immunology , Rats , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
The phenomenon of induction of antibodies to morphine in morphine-treated animals and opiate addicts was shown by means of ELISA. The reaction of the immune system to injections of a morphine solution had the characteristics of a primary immune response. Opiate addicts differed from normal controls in the level of antibodies to morphine of IgM class. Elevated levels of such antibodies could be detected in about 70-80% of addicts with regular longterm opiate use when the time since the last drug intake did not exceed 60 days. Antibodies to morphine could serve as indicators of chronic opiate use especially in periods long after the last drug intake.
Subject(s)
Antibodies/analysis , Morphine Dependence/immunology , Morphine/immunology , Adult , Animals , Antibody Specificity/immunology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Humans , Immunoglobulins/analysis , Male , Mice , Morphine Dependence/diagnosis , Opioid-Related Disorders/diagnosis , Opioid-Related Disorders/immunology , RatsABSTRACT
The level of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and dopamine (DA) in hypothalamus and blood plasma along with antibodies to NE, DA and serotonin (5-HT) and characteristics of alpha 1-, alpha 2-adrenergic, D2-dopaminergic and S2-serotoninergic receptors in synaptic brain membranes were studied in two groups of rats predisposed or resistant to the formation of physical morphine dependence. The resistant animals were characterized by a significant elevation of DA levels in blood plasma, elevation of antibodies to NE, and by higher concentration of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in the brain cortex and of D2-receptors in striatum. The affinity of D2-receptors to dopamine in resistant rats also was higher than in predisposed animals. The other parameters studied did not differ significantly between the two groups. These findings suggest that the increased activity of DA and NE neurotransmitter systems can be a cause for the genetic resistance of some individuals among Wistar rats to the formation of physical dependence on morphine.
Subject(s)
Antibodies/blood , Biogenic Amines/analysis , Brain Chemistry , Morphine , Receptors, Adrenergic/analysis , Substance-Related Disorders/blood , Animals , Biogenic Amines/immunology , Cerebral Cortex/chemistry , Corpus Striatum/chemistry , Dopamine/analysis , Dopamine/immunology , Epinephrine/analysis , Epinephrine/immunology , Hypothalamus/chemistry , Male , Norepinephrine/analysis , Norepinephrine/immunology , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
The effect of morphine on adenylate cyclase activity in lymphocytes was tested in 20 normal controls, 16 alcoholics in withdrawal and 9 sober alcoholics. Alcoholics in withdrawal were characterized by a significantly increased stimulatory effect of morphine, whereas sober alcoholics showed an inhibitory effect. The morphine effect was abolished by naloxone and correlated with the severity of withdrawal and alcohol intoxication.
