INTACT HUMORAL AND CELL-MEDIATED-IMMUNITY IN CHRONIC MARIHUANA SMOKING

[摘要] The immune system of 12 healthy chronic marihuana-smoking adults was evaluated while they smoked marihuana daily for 64 consecutive days under controlled hospitalized conditions. Studies included enumeration of B [bone marrow-derived] and T [thymus-derived] cell subpopulations, lymphocyte proliferative responses to PHA [phytohemagglutinin] and to allogeneic cells, and serum immmunoglobulin [Ig] levels. Percent B cells, initially low in 2 patients, became normal. Baseline total B cells, determined by surface Ig (338 cells/mm3 .+-. 60 SEM [standard error of the mean]) or complement receptors (162 cells/mm3 .+-. 27) were significantly (P < 0.05) less than control but increased to normal (485 .+-. 97 and 239 .+-. 47) over time. Percent T cells, initially low (< 40%) in 4 patients, became normal. Baseline T cells (951 cells/mm3 .+-. 70 SEM), significantly lower than controls (2010 .+-. 210, P < 0.05), increased to normal by day 63 (1875 .+-. 281). In vitro lymphocyte response to graded doses of PHA and to allogeneic cells was normal initially and did not change over time. Serum IgG (1064 .+-. 33), IgA (166 .+-. 13) and IgM (96 .+-. 6) were normal. Serum IgE levels increased in 4 subjects without evidence of allergy. Short-term chronic marihuana use does not have a substantial adverse effect on B or T cells of young healthy adults.