title: Suppression of the induction of delayed hypersensitivity in rats by repetitive morphine treatments.
abstract: Previous in vitro experiments suggest that lymphocyte function may be altered in the presence of opiates. The effect of morphine treatment upon specific T lymphocyte function in vivo was investigated in rats. Following morphine treatment, rats were incapable of responding to immunization with the T-dependent antigens of Mycobacterium bovis, strain BCG. The absence of a delayed hypersensitive skin response to tuberculin in chronic morphine-treated rats supports the hypothesis that opiates may interact with the cells of the immune system. A potential communication between the nervous system and cells of the immune system is proposed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology*; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000378:metabolism; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009020:Morphine