RATIONALE: Buprenorphine may be a useful alternative option to methadone in addicts. Opioids can produce severe changes in the immune system. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to compare the effect of sublingual buprenorphine and methadone on the immune system and to compare the two substances on the drying-out program compliance. METHODS: We studied 62 randomized outpatients for a period of 12 months. Subjects (55 males and 7 females; mean age 25+/-4 years; average history of heroin abuse being 2 years) on maintenance treatment were assigned in two groups (A and B). Methadone chloride (medium dose 100 mg/day) was administered to group A, whereas group B received sublingual buprenorphine (32.40+/-2.8 mg/day). Urine toxicological screening, plasma levels of TNF-alpha interleukin-1, interleukin-beta, lymphocyte CD14 and a self-rating depression questionnaire were measured. RESULTS:Urine screening was negative for opiates in 17.6% of group A and in 10.7% of group B (p<0.001; r = 0.62). Depression score was 62+/-2 in group A and 55+/-3 in group B (p < 0.01). Cytokine and CD14 revealed higher concentrations both in groups A and B without significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of buprenorphine and methadone tested on the immune system were overlapping in our patients. The elevated cytokine levels observed may suggest that the two drugs stimulate immunologic hyperactivation of an immune system that was formerly inhibited by heroin. Furthermore, our data suggest that buprenorphine can be a valid alternative to methadone in maintenance treatment of chronic heroin abuse and referred a marked decline in depression.
RCT Entities:
RATIONALE: Buprenorphine may be a useful alternative option to methadone in addicts. Opioids can produce severe changes in the immune system. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to compare the effect of sublingual buprenorphine and methadone on the immune system and to compare the two substances on the drying-out program compliance. METHODS: We studied 62 randomized outpatients for a period of 12 months. Subjects (55 males and 7 females; mean age 25+/-4 years; average history of heroin abuse being 2 years) on maintenance treatment were assigned in two groups (A and B). Methadone chloride (medium dose 100 mg/day) was administered to group A, whereas group B received sublingual buprenorphine (32.40+/-2.8 mg/day). Urine toxicological screening, plasma levels of TNF-alpha interleukin-1, interleukin-beta, lymphocyte CD14 and a self-rating depression questionnaire were measured. RESULTS: Urine screening was negative for opiates in 17.6% of group A and in 10.7% of group B (p<0.001; r = 0.62). Depression score was 62+/-2 in group A and 55+/-3 in group B (p < 0.01). Cytokine and CD14 revealed higher concentrations both in groups A and B without significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of buprenorphine and methadone tested on the immune system were overlapping in our patients. The elevated cytokine levels observed may suggest that the two drugs stimulate immunologic hyperactivation of an immune system that was formerly inhibited by heroin. Furthermore, our data suggest that buprenorphine can be a valid alternative to methadone in maintenance treatment of chronic heroin abuse and referred a marked decline in depression.
Authors: Mark K Greenwald; Chris-Ellyn Johanson; David E Moody; James H Woods; Michael R Kilbourn; Robert A Koeppe; Charles R Schuster; Jon-Kar Zubieta Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2003-11 Impact factor: 7.853
Authors: Hinta Meijerink; Agnes Indrati; Fitri Utami; Suharyani Soedarmo; Bachti Alisjahbana; Mihai G Netea; Reinout van Crevel; Rudi Wisaksana; Andre Jam van der Ven Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-04-01 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Brittany B Dennis; Pavel S Roshanov; Leen Naji; Monica Bawor; James Paul; Carolyn Plater; Guillaume Pare; Andrew Worster; Michael Varenbut; Jeff Daiter; David C Marsh; Dipika Desai; Zainab Samaan; Lehana Thabane Journal: Trials Date: 2015-10-21 Impact factor: 2.279
Authors: Brittany B Dennis; Monica Bawor; Leen Naji; Carol K Chan; Jaymie Varenbut; James Paul; Michael Varenbut; Jeff Daiter; Carolyn Plater; Guillaume Pare; David C Marsh; Andrew Worster; Dipika Desai; Lehana Thabane; Zainab Samaan Journal: Subst Abuse Date: 2015-09-10