Immunosuppressive effects of intravenous self administration of dihydroetorphine on lymphocyte functions in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of dihydroetorphine (DHE) on lymphocyte functions in rats and to further assess the abuse potential of DHE.


METHODS
An intravenous self administration (SA) procedure in rats was used to determine the SA liability of DHE. Concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and lymphokine production of rat splenocytes were measured.


RESULTS
DHE 178 +/- 13 micrograms established a stable and typical rat model of psychological dependence, suppressed lymphocyte proliferation (129 +/- 11 Bq) compared with control group (620 +/- 36 Bq), and inhibited the activity of interleukin-2 (IL-2) (A570 = 0.28 +/- 0.06) compared with control group (A570 = 0.51 +/- 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
DHE had a high abuse potential and inhibited the Con A-induced lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin-2 production in rats.
Wu
W R
WR
Department of Pharmacology, Xi-an Medical University, China.
Zheng
J W
JW
Li
F Y
FY
Li
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D005048:Etorphine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012646:Self Administration; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D005048:Etorphine; C034765:18,19-dihydroetorphine