title: Opioid-induced immunosuppression: is it centrally mediated or peripherally mediated?
abstract: Opioid compounds are commonly used pain medications. However, their administration is associated with a number of side-effects. Among them, opioid-induced immunosuppression is a significant medical problem, which is evidenced by a strong association between the use of opioids and exacerbated infections, including AIDS. Research data have demonstrated the effects of opioids to be suppressive on phagocytic, natural killer (NK), B and T cells. However, these immunosuppressive effects may be mediated by mechanisms different from those for antinociceptive actions. This article reviews possible central and peripheral mechanisms of opioid-induced immunosuppression. To the extent that peripherally mediated immunosuppressive effects play a significant role in opioid-induced immunosuppression, novel peripheral opioid antagonists may have a therapeutic role in attenuating opioid-induced immunosuppression without affecting analgesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 4028, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: Chun Su
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D005544:Forecasting; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009294:Narcotics