Immunosuppressive effects of intravenous self administration of dihydroetorphine on lymphocyte functions in rats
Abstract
AIM: To study the effects of dihydroetorphine (DHE) on lymphocyte functions in rats and to further assess the abuse potential of DHE.
METHODS: An intravenous self administration (SA) procedure in rats was used to determine the SA liability of DHE. Concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and lymphokine production of rat splenocytes were measured. RESULTS: DHE 178 +/- 13 micrograms established a stable and typical rat model of psychological dependence, suppressed lymphocyte proliferation (129 +/- 11 Bq) compared with control group (620 +/- 36 Bq), and inhibited the activity of interleukin-2 (IL-2) (A570 = 0.28 +/- 0.06) compared with control group (A570 = 0.51 +/- 0.03). CONCLUSION: DHE had a high abuse potential and inhibited the Con A-induced lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin-2 production in rats.
Keywords:
METHODS: An intravenous self administration (SA) procedure in rats was used to determine the SA liability of DHE. Concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and lymphokine production of rat splenocytes were measured. RESULTS: DHE 178 +/- 13 micrograms established a stable and typical rat model of psychological dependence, suppressed lymphocyte proliferation (129 +/- 11 Bq) compared with control group (620 +/- 36 Bq), and inhibited the activity of interleukin-2 (IL-2) (A570 = 0.28 +/- 0.06) compared with control group (A570 = 0.51 +/- 0.03). CONCLUSION: DHE had a high abuse potential and inhibited the Con A-induced lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin-2 production in rats.