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A preliminary evaluation of the effects of opioids on innate and adaptive human in vitro immune function

Boland, Jason W.; Foulds, Gemma A.; Ahmedzai, Sam H.; Graham Pockley, A.

Authors

Gemma A. Foulds

Sam H. Ahmedzai

A. Graham Pockley



Abstract

Background: Studies have demonstrated that whereas some opioids have little effect on immunity (eg, buprenorphine), others can be immunosuppressive (eg, morphine) or immunostimulatory (eg, tramadol). However, a variety of approaches have been used, especially in vitro and animal models, and the findings are variable. We hypothesised that opioids have differential effects on immunity via direct actions on neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer (NK) and T cells, and this is the first study to systematically evaluate the influence of eight opioids on neutrophil and monocyte phagocytosis and oxidative burst responses, NK cell cytotoxicity and T cell responsiveness in vitro. Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from healthy volunteers, and the effects of clinically relevant concentrations of morphine, tramadol, fentanyl, buprenorphine, methadone, oxycodone, diamorphine and codeine on phagocytosis and oxidative burst responses were determined using whole blood flow cytometry. The influence of opioids on the capacity of resting and IL-2 stimulated isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to kill NK cell-sensitive K562 cells, and the responsiveness of PBMC subpopulations to IL-2 and polyclonal stimulation were also evaluated. Results: Methadone, oxycodone and diamorphine inhibited the production of IL-6 by IL-2 stimulated PBMCs. None of the opioids consistently influenced the other measured immune parameters, although there was a trend for morphine, tramadol, fentanyl and buprenorphine to inhibit phagocytosis and oxidative burst responses to Escherichia coli. Conclusions: Preliminary studies using standardised in vitro methodologies have demonstrated that some therapeutic opioids suppress IL-6 production. Although this might potentially suppress bacterial defence mechanisms, it would have little direct effect on anticancer immunity. These findings should be confirmed in larger in vitro and clinical studies.

Citation

Boland, J. W., Foulds, G. A., Ahmedzai, S. H., & Graham Pockley, A. (2014). A preliminary evaluation of the effects of opioids on innate and adaptive human in vitro immune function. BMJ supportive & palliative care, 4(4), 357-367. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2013-000573

Acceptance Date Oct 11, 2013
Online Publication Date Dec 27, 2013
Publication Date Jan 1, 2014
Deposit Date Aug 25, 2015
Publicly Available Date Nov 23, 2017
Journal BMJ supportive and palliative care
Print ISSN 2045-435X
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 4
Issue 4
Pages 357-367
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2013-000573
Keywords Pharmacology; Supportive care; Symptoms and symptom management
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/377941
Publisher URL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2014/08/18/bmjspcare-2013-000573
Additional Information Author's accepted manuscript of article published in: BMJ supportive and palliative care, 2014, v.4, issue 4.
Contract Date Nov 23, 2017

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