@article { author = {Esmaeili, F and Moshtaghi-Kashanian, Gh}, title = {Activity of T-Helper Lymphocytes in Opium Dependent and Non-dependent Individuals}, journal = {Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {39-49}, year = {2005}, publisher = {Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {1023-9510}, eissn = {2008-2843}, doi = {}, abstract = {Opium derivatives affect the function and differentiation of peripheral leucocytes, directly or indirectly. Previous researches have shown that these cells respond to the endorphins through their opioid receptors (σ, µ and κ). There are many reports about the effect of morphine and heroin on immune system of dependent people, but there is no report on the functions of T-helper lymphocytes in opium dependent individuals. For this reason, this study was designed to survey (in-vivo and ex-vivo) the effect of opium smoking on immune system of dependent male individuals. To carry out the investigation, 5 ml of heparinized peripheral blood was collected from each of the 23 opium dependant males (28.44±4.05 years old) and 12 males (26.50±4.30 years old) who served as control group. Individuals in both groups were smoking cigarettes (15-25 cigarettes per day). Part of the collected blood was used for blood cell count (CBC) and preparation of 0.5 ml plasma for evaluation of IL-2, IL-10 and TGFβ1 and the rest was used for stimulation of the whole blood with a mixture of LPS (10 µg/ml) and PHA (10µg/ml) for 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours. According to the results, in the dependent group plasma concentration of IL-10 and TGF-β1 were higher (P<0.05), while IL-2 concentration was lower (P<0.05) comparing to the control group. Evaluation of TGF-β1 in the supernatant of stimulated whole blood of both groups showed similar pattern for TGF-β1 (non- significant), while synthesis and release of IL-10 were less and concentration of IL-2 was higher (P<0.001) in the opium dependent group. In conclusion opium dependent cigarette smokers have higher numbers of circulating TH2 and TH3 lymphocytes and lower number of TH1 than non-dependent cigarette smokers. However, due to lower activity of TH2 and higher activity of TH1 lymphocytes, dependent individuals may be at higher risk during infections.}, keywords = {T-helper lymphocytes,IL-2,IL-10,TGF-β1,opium dependency}, url = {https://jkmu.kmu.ac.ir/article_32030.html}, eprint = {https://jkmu.kmu.ac.ir/article_32030_602c1a7c948c5a173d75aa3abdeae870.pdf} }