The effect of morphine on lymphocyte viability in vitro.

The effect of morphine on viability of the lymphocytes in peripheral blood, thymus and spleen of laboratory rats of the inbred Wistar strain was studied. Blood mononuclear cells for lymphocyte separation were obtained from the interface after Ficoll-Verografin gradient centrifugation. Lymphocyte suspension from the thymus and spleen was acquired by means of the Potter-Elvehjem homogenizer in icy Tyrod solution. Cell viability was studied by a simple method according to Hanks and Wallace after 6 hours incubation in normal oxygen atmosphere at 37 degrees C. Morphine reduced viability of the blood lymphocytes by 34%, of the spleen lymphocytes by 14% and the viability of the thymus lymphocytes was reduced by 18% in contrast to viability of the control group.