Drugs of Abuse and Immuno-Modulation
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- Category: Vol. 78, June 2010
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Drugs of Abuse and Immuno-Modulation,NASHWA MAHMOUD RADWAN
Abstract
Introduction: Drugs of abuse are in fact associated with increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, especially opportunistic intracellular microbial infection and HIV infec-tion. The effects of morphine on immune system are mediated through central as well as peripheral mechanisms.
The immune system of drug dependent individuals is known to be suppressed, dysfunctional and hyper stimulated.
Objective: To determine the level of proinflammatory cytokines in opiate, cannabinoid and tramadol addicts.
Subjects and Methods: The studied population comprised 80 individuals divided into 4 groups:
1-20 individuals are opiate addicts.
2-20 individuals are cannabbinoid addicts.
3-20 individuals are tramadol addicts.
4-20 individuals as control group.
They are all males and matched with the control group as regards socioeconomic status and smoking habits. All subjects were interviewed with a detailed questionnaire about presence of respiratory and skin symptoms. Detailed personal, medical examination was done. Determination of the level of interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor alfa and inter leukin 6 (IL1, TNFa, IL6) in the serum was performed. Toxicologic screen was done and total leucocytic count was done as well.
Results: Respiratory and skin manifestations showed a statistically significant difference between addicts and control group.
Level of cytokines (IL6, TNFa, IL1) showed a statistically significant difference between addicts and control group. In correlation with the duration of addiction and age, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between opiate and cannabinoid addicts and control group as regards the level of cytokines. Total leucocytic count of the studied groups showed that addicts had higher values.
Conclusion: The results strengthen the relationship be-tween addictive drugs especially opiates and cannabinoids and immune-modulation documented by low levels of proin-flammatory cytokines (IL6, TNFa, IL1). Tramadol addiction had unique effect on cytokines level.