Combined immunomodulating properties of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and cannabis in humans.
OBJECTIVE
Cell-mediated immune function and the occurrence of mild infectious diseases was investigated. Participants Polydrug consumers of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and cannabis (n = 37) compared to cannabis users only (n = 23) and control group (n = 34).


METHODS
A longitudinal prospective study with three cross-sectional evaluations at time 0 and at 6 months and 1 year was performed.


RESULTS
At baseline, a significant decrease in interleukin (IL)-2 and an increase in anti-inflammatory transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, together with a decrease in the number of total lymphocytes, CD4 and natural killer (NK) cells were observed in the MDMA-cannabis group, with intermediate alterations in the cannabis group. Immune alterations observed at baseline were sustained over time. No differences were found between regular and occasional MDMA users. A significantly higher rate of mild infections in regular MDMA-cannabis users compared with occasional MDMA-cannabis users and the remaining groups was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The present data confirm that long-term alterations in immunological homeostasis may result in general health status impairment and subsequent increased susceptibility to infection and immune-related disorders.
Pacifici
Roberta
R
Dipartimento del Farmaco, Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, Rome, Italy.
Zuccaro
Piergiorgio
P
Farré
Magí
M
Poudevida
Sandra
S
Abanades
Sergio
S
Pichini
Simona
S
Langohr
Klaus
K
Segura
Jordi
J
de la Torre
Rafael
R
D000328:Adult; D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000276:immunology; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood
D006213:Hallucinogens; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007376:Interleukin-2; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine