RESUMO
Sigma receptor was demonstrated to have at least two subtypes, mediating pharmacological effects of various preparations including psychoactive, neuroleptic, cardioprotector, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive compounds and several steroid hormones. The stimulation of sigma receptor induces transient increase of intracellular calcium and amplifies signals from different stimuli. Pentazocine, SKF 10 047, dextrorphan, and other sigma ligands including phencyclidine and haloperidol were investigated for their potential immunoregulatory properties. We have found, that pentazocine, SKF 10 047, dextrorphan reduce spontaneous secretion of IL-8, IL-6 and IL-10 and selectively changes synthesis of IL-4 by Jurkat human T lymphocyte cells lines. Dextrorphan significantly enhanced, pentazocine, haloperidol and phencyclidine had no effect, while SKF 10 047 suppressed production of IL-4. Spontaneous secretion of IL-4 and IL-8 correlates with synthesis of nitric oxide, suggesting that NO and transitory S-nitrosylation of up-stream proteins participate in the sigma ligand dependent expression of IL-4 and IL-8 genes.
