Β-Endorphin Modulates Immune Functions

Fischer, Eike G.; Falke, Nora E.

doi:10.1159/000287845

Cited by 49 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Schleifer et al (1984) reported that cortisol levels were elevated in patients with impaired lymphocyte function, a finding consistent with studies reporting suppression of immune processes by corticosteroids (Stein et al 1981). Also, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides are potentially important mediators which may be altered in many depressives and which can influence immunity (Fischer & Falke, 1984).…”

Section: Depressionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Stress, immunity and illness — a review

1987

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SynopsisPsychological factors have long been thought to play a contributing role in either the predisposition, onset or course of various physical illnesses. Recently, rapid advances in immunology have created interest in the interaction between psychosocial factors, behaviour and the immune system. This paper reviews some of the models proposed to explain the relationship between psychological variables and physical illness and presents evidence for a contribution of psychological factors to certain illnesses in which abnormalities in immunologic state are thought to be important. From a somewhat different perspective, animal studies have demonstrated complex effects of stress, on disease susceptibility. Recent human studies have demonstrated consistent immunologic changes in people undergoing acute naturally occurring psychological stress such as bereavement or an important examination. In humans, the effects of chronic stress may be different from acute stress, corresponding to the findings in animals. Abnormalities in immunologic functioning and physical illness are reviewed for different psychiatric disorders — depression, anorexia nervosa and schizophrenia; depression is the only disorder which consistently demonstrated immunologic changes. Possible mechanisms for the stress/immune-change relationship are suggested.

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Section: Depressionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Stress, immunity and illness — a review

1987

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“…During the past several years, the immunodulatory effects of opiates and endogenous opioid peptides have received considerable attention (1)(2)(3)(4). Evidence is accumulating from both in vivo and in vitro sources that points to important interactions between opiates and T lymphocytes (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) and mononuclear phagocytes (13)(14)(15).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opioid-mediated suppression of interferon-gamma production by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Peterson¹,

Sharp²,

Gekker³

et al. 1987

J. Clin. Invest.

192

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Mounting evidence suggests that opiate addiction and stress are associated with impaired cell-mediated immunity. We tested the hypothesis that morphine and the endogenous opioid fl-endorphin (f-END), a pituitary peptide released in increased concentrations during stress, can suppress the production of the key macrophage-activating lymphokine interferon-v (IFN-'y) by cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC). Using a radioimmunoassay to measure IFN-'y, we found that exposure of PBMNC to biologically relevant concentrations of both opioids significantly inhibited IFN-'y generation by cells stimulated with coucanavalin A and varicella zoster virus. Studies of the mechanism of suppression revealed (a) a classical opioid receptor is involved (suppression was antagonized by naloxone and was specific for the NH2 terminus of f-END), (b) monocytes are the primary target cell for opioids (monocyte-depleted lymphocyte preparations showed little suppression), and (c) reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) and prostaglandin E2 are important mediators (scavengers of ROI and indomethacin eliminated the suppression). Based on these findings we suggest that opioid-triggered release of inhibitory monocyte metabolites may play a role in the immunodeficiency associated with narcotic addiction and stress.

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“…Furthermore, in spite of the fact that opioids have immunomodulatory effects [3,4,25,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33], the question regarding the importance of the central effects over the peripheral ones is to some extent unclear. However, the central effects of opioids in immunomodulation seem to have received more emphasis in the last decade [23,24,34,35]. Additionally, the fact that some in vivo experimental findings cannot be reproduced in vitro [29,[36][37][38][39] may be considered as further evidence for the indispensable role of the central nervous system in the immunoregulation and immunomodulation by opioids.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The inhibition by morphine andd-aspartic acid of antibody production against Salmonella typhimurium antigen in rats: its antagonism byl-aspartic acid

et al. 1987

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The changes in the production of antibody against Salmonella typhimurium antigen were investigated in rats by means of the agglutination test after chronic oral administration of the L-asparaginase inhibitors morphine (M) or D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) alone or together with L-aspartic acid (L-Asp) and food restriction, all of which had been started five days before the injections of antigen. The statistical evaluation, carried out after the titers had been defined as -log2 of the highest dilution giving a positive agglutination reaction, showed that M or D-Asp significantly decreased antibody production in comparison with the immunized control or food restricted group. The concomitant administration of L-Asp appeared to significantly antagonize the inhibitory effect of both M and D-Asp. Therefore, the results were considered as further supporting evidence for the fact that the deleterious effect of M on the immune system and its functions might be related to the inhibitory effect of M on L-asparaginase activity.

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Β-Endorphin Modulates Immune Functions

Abstract: The investigation of psychoneuroimmunological pathways represents a growing field of research. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge about a direct correlation of endogenous opioids and immunologically competent cells.

Cited by 49 publications

References 46 publications

Stress, immunity and illness — a review

Stress, immunity and illness — a review

Opioid-mediated suppression of interferon-gamma production by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The inhibition by morphine andd-aspartic acid of antibody production against Salmonella typhimurium antigen in rats: its antagonism byl-aspartic acid

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