Suppression of the induction of delayed hypersensitivity in rats by repetitive morphine treatments.
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.
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
D009020:Morphine