Opium induces apoptosis in jurkat cells.
BACKGROUND
The direct effect of some opioids on immune cells has been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to assess the apoptotic effect of opium on Jurkat T lymphocyte cells.


METHODS
Different concentrations of opium (2.86 × 10-3 to 2.86 × 10-11 g/ml) were added to 24-well plates containing 5 × 105 Jurkat cells. Apoptotic events were assessed after 6, 24, and 72 hours by flow-cytometric detection of surface phosphatidylserine.


RESULTS
Significant differences in apoptosis of Jurkat cells were seen at 24 and 72 hours in different concentrations of opium (P < 0.05). After 72 hours, significant increase in necrosis of Jurkat cells was seen in opium concentration of 2.85 × 10-3 g/ml compared to cells without opium (control) (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results showed that opium directly increases apoptosis and necrosis of T lymphocytes. This effect may play a role in immune dysfunction in opium addicts.
MSc Student, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Somayeh
S
Igder
Professor, Physiology Research Center AND Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Gholam Reza
GR
Asadikaram
Assistant Professor, Pasture Institute, Tehran, Iran.
Farzaneh
F
Sheykholeslam
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Ahmad Reza
AR
Sayadi
Professor, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Mehdi
M
Mahmoodi
Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Mohammad
M
Kazemi Arababadi
Professor, Department of Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Javad
MJ
Rasaee
Apoptosis; Jurkat cells; Necrosis; Opium