Opium Induces Apoptosis in Jurkat Cells

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 MSc Student, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

2 Professor, Physiology Research Center AND Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Pasture Institute, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Psychology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

5 Professor, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

6 Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

7 Professor, Department of Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

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. Findings: 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). Conclusion: 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.Keywords: Opium, Apoptosis, Necrosis, Jurkat cells