title: Alteration of T and null lymphocyte frequencies in the peripheral blood of human opiate addicts: in vivo evidence for opiate receptor sites on T lymphocytes.
abstract: Street opiate addiction produces a significant depression in the absolute number of total T lymphocytes in peripheral blood as measured by the ability of the lymphocytes to rosette sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Associated with the decrease in T cells, there is an increase in the absolute number of null lymphocytes but no significant changes in B lymphocytes or total white blood cell count. The T cell values for 2 different populations of addicts (n = 12 and 32) are 31.8% and 23.1%, whereas the null cell values are 51.1% and 57.6%, respectively. The values for comparable control populations (n = 18 and 10) are: T% = 70.7% and 67.4%, and null % = 9.2% and 14.5%. Self-reported use of marihuana does not significantly alter the distribution of cell populations. A 1- to 3-hr incubation of addicted-derived lymphocytes with 10(-6) to 10(-7) M Naloxone reverses both T cell depression and null cell increase by allowing the null cells to express SRBC receptors. Cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic AMP can also convert the null cells to T cells. The conversion of null to T lymphocytes has additionally been measured by monitoring the increase in PHA-stimulated growth in 72-hr cultures as determined by tritiated thymidine incorporation into DNA. These results support the hypothesis that opiates can alter T lymphocyte number and function in vivo, and that this alteration may produce a significant degeneration in the immune competence of street opiate addicts.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D003994:Bucladesine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009892:Opium; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D009270:Naloxone; D003994:Bucladesine; D009892:Opium; D000242:Cyclic AMP