title: Intact humoral and cell-mediated immunity in chronic marijuana smoking.
abstract: The immune system of 12 healthy chronic marijuana-smoking adults was evaluated while they smoked marijuana daily for 64 consecutive days under controlled hospitalized conditions. Studies included enumeration of B and T cell subpopulations, lymphocyte proliferative responses to PHA and to allogeneic cells, and serum immunoglobulin levels. Percent B cells, initially low in 2 patients, became normal. Baseline total B cells, determined either by surface immunoglobulins (338 cells/mm3 +/- 60 SEM) or complement receptors (162 cells/mms +/- 27) were significantly (p less than 0.05) less than control but increased to normal (485 +/- 97 and 239 +/- 47) over time. Percent T cells, initially low (less than 40%) in 4 patients, became normal. Baseline T cells (951 cells/mm3 +/- 70 SEM), significantly lower than controls (2,010 +/- 210, p less than 0.05), increased to normal by day 63 (1,875 +/- 281). In vitro lymphocyte response to graded doses of PHA and to allogeneic cells was normal initially and did not change over time. Serum IgG (1,064 +/- 33), IgA (166 +/- 13), and IgM (96 +/- 6) were normal. Serum IgE levels increased in 4 subjects without evidence of allergy. Short-term chronic marijuana use does not have a substantial adverse effect on B or T cells of young healthy adults.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002188:Cannabis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E