title: Long-term exposure of human blood vessels to HIV gp120, morphine, and anandamide increases endothelial adhesion of monocytes: uncoupling of nitric oxide release.
abstract: Acute exposure of human saphenous vein or internal thoracic artery endothelium to either morphine [27.4 +/- 3.7 and 35.4 +/- 4.1 nM nitric oxide (NO), respectively] or anandamide (18.3 +/- 2.2 and 24.3 +/- 3.0 nM, respectively) results in NO release, whereas exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus envelope protein gp120 does not. After the short-term exposure of the vessel endothelium, monocyte adherence is diminished with morphine and anandamide treatment (jointly by -80%), whereas it is enhanced with that of gp120 (approximately 40%), indicating that gp120 enhances the ability of the endothelium to adhere monocytes. Long-term or continuous exposure of the endothelia to all agents results in a significant enhancement of monocyte adherence (p < 0.05), which is further increased when exposed to either morphine and anandamide plus gp120. This is caused by a desensitization of the endothelium to further NO release after the initial exposure to either anandamide or morphine. The results serve to indicate that in individuals abusing opiates and or cannabinoids, a tissue [i.e., central nervous system (CNS)] viral load may be higher, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) may progress more rapidly because monocyte adherence and mobility is significantly increased, indicating a higher level of transmembrane migration.
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Center for the Study of Aging, Neuroscience Research Institute, State University of New York/College at Old Westbury, 11568, USA.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Stefano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salzet
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Bilfinger
mesh_terms: D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009020:Morphine; C078814:anandamide; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester