In this study, we evaluated the molecular mechanisms involved in morphine-induced macrophage apoptosis. Both morphine and TGF-β promoted P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, and this phosphorylation was inhibited by SB 202190 as well as by SB 203580. Anti-TGF-β Ab as well as naltrexone (an opiate receptor antagonist) inhibited morphine-induced macrophage P38 MAPK phosphorylation. Anti-TGF-β Ab also attenuated morphine-induced p53 as well as inducible NO synthase expression; in contrast, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of NO synthase, inhibited morphine-induced P38 MAPK phosphorylation and Bax expression. Morphine also enhanced the expression of both Fas and Fas ligand (FasL), whereas anti-FasL Ab prevented morphine-induced macrophage apoptosis. Moreover, naltrexone inhibited morphine-induced FasL expression. In addition, macrophages either deficient in FasL or lacking p53 showed resistance to the effect of morphine. Inhibitors of both caspase-8 and caspase-9 partially prevented the apoptotic effect of morphine on macrophages. In addition, caspase-3 inhibitor prevented morphine-induced macrophage apoptosis. These findings suggest that morphine-induced macrophage apoptosis proceeds through opiate receptors via P38 MAPK phosphorylation. Both TGF-β and inducible NO synthase play an important role in morphine-induced downstream signaling, which seems to activate proteins involved in both extrinsic (Fas and FasL) and intrinsic (p53 and Bax) cell death pathways.

SUMMARYClinical reports suggest that acute ethanol intoxication is often associated with lymphopenia. Previously, ethanol was reported to invoke thymocyte apoptosis. We studied the effect of ethanol on T cell apoptosis. In addition, we evaluated the molecular mechanism of ethanol-induced T cell apoptosis. Human T cells harvested from healthy subjects after an alcohol drinking binge showed enhanced T cell apoptosis (before, 0Á4 AE 0Á2% versus after, 19Á6 AE 2Á5% apoptotic lymphocytes/ field; P < 0Á001). In in vitro studies, ethanol in a concentration of 50 mM and higher enhanced the apoptosis of Jurkat cells. DNA isolated from ethanol-treated Jurkat cells displayed integer multiples of 180 base pairs. Ethanol decreased Jurkat cell expression of Bcl-2, whereas ethanol increased Jurkat cell expression of Bax. Jurkat cells treated with ethanol also showed translocation of cytochrome C into cytosol. Moreover, a caspase-9 inhibitor partially inhibited ethanol-induced Jurkat cell apoptosis. In in vivo studies, after binge drinking, T cell expression of Bcl-2 also decreased. In addition, binge drinking induced the cleavage of caspase-3, suggesting activation of caspase-3 in T cells. These results suggest that ethanol promotes T cell apoptosis through the activation of intrinsic or mitochondrial pathway.Excessive use of alcohol is a serious problem in our society. Its chronic use affects health in the form of cirrhosis, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, trauma and cancer. Moreover, chronic alcoholics are prone to develop bacterial infections.

Opiate addiction has been reported to contribute to the progression of renal injury. In addition, opiate addiction is a major risk factor for the development of human immunodeficiency virus-associated nephropathy. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of morphine, an active metabolite of heroin, on glomerular epithelial cell (GEC) growth and the involved molecular mechanism. At lower concentrations, morphine promoted GEC proliferation; however, at higher concentrations, morphine triggered apoptosis. Antioxidants inhibited morphine-induced proliferation as well as apoptosis. Similarly, free radical scavengers prevented morphine-induced GEC proliferation and apoptosis. Because proliferative and proapoptotic effects of morphine were inhibited by free radical scavengers as well as antioxidants, it appears that these effects of morphine are mediated through oxidative stress. Hemin, an inducer of heme oxygenase (HO) activity, inhibited GEC proliferation and promoted GEC apoptosis under basal and morphine-stimulated conditions. On the other hand, zinc protoporphyrin, an inhibitor of HO activity, promoted GEC proliferation and inhibited GEC apoptosis under basal as well as morphine-stimulated conditions. These findings suggest that HO activity is directly related to GEC apoptosis and inversely related to GEC proliferation. Morphine, de novo, had bimodal effects on HO activity: lower concentrations increased and higher concentrations decreased HO activity. It appears that HO activity may be modifying morphine-induced GEC growth.

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