A potential role for Citalopram as an immunoenhancer on morphine-induced immunosuppression (101.9)

Abstract

Abstract Chronic pain patients are often challenged with depression stemming from the long-term physiopsychological effects of their condition. Consequently, chronic pain patients are often treated with morphine, which can induce immunosuppression, along with an antidepressant. The antidepressant, Citalopram, is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor that may have immunomodulatory effects. We investigated whether Citalopram has immunoenhancing effects on morphine-induced immune suppression. Adult mice were pretreated for 7 days with either saline or Citalopram (10 or 30 mg/kg, twice daily intraperitoneal injections), followed by immunosuppression by subcutaneous implantation of a 25 mg morphine pellet for 48 h. Spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes were harvested to analyze total cell numbers. Total splenocyte numbers in all Citalopram-treated animals were significantly higher than saline-treated animals, while no differences were found in the thymus or lymph nodes. More specifically, a high dose of Citalopram (30 mg/kg) resulted in significantly higher B cell numbers in the lymph nodes, where T cell and NK cell numbers were not different. Interestingly, splenic lymphocyte populations did not differ between treatments. In summary, Citalopram may have a specific potential in the attenuation of morphine’s immunosuppressive effect by enhancing splenocyte numbers and lymph node B cell populations.