THE RESPONSE OF CIRCULATING EOSINOPHILE CELLS TO MORPHINE AND RELATED SUBSTANCES

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Abstract
In order to investigate the possibility of adrenocorticoid hormones being released by narcotic drugs, the action of morphine, meperidine, and codeine on the number of circulating eosinophile cells was determined. In mice 10 mgm. per kgm. of morphine caused a significantly greater drop in the number of eosinophiles two hours after the injection than did 20 mgm. per kgm. of histamine. Adrenalectomy prevented the decrease following the injection of morphine and histamine. The comparison of the action of 10 mgm. per kgm. of morphine, 20 mgm. per kgm. of meperidine, and 30 mgm. per kgm. of codeine showed the greatest decrease in the number of eosinophiles after meperidine and the smallest after codeine. In humans 10 mgm. of morphine caused the largest (about 50%) decrease in the circulating eosinophiles followed by 50 mgm. of meperidine and 30 mgm. of codeine. The maximal fall occurred two hours after the injection. The possible mechanism of the action of narcotic drugs on the pituitary-adrenocortical system is discussed.