Effects of tramadol on activity of peritoneal phagocytes in Balb / C mice

Morphine would impair the immune system which particularly in patients with pain or stress might deteriorate the disease process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tramadol on phagocytic activity of mouse peritoneal phagocytes.

Seventy Balb/c mice were selected and divided into two equal control and treatment groups. The mice in treatment group were received 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/kg tramadol twice daily from day 1 to 5 respectively and 100 mg/kg from day 6 to 30 once daily. The mice in control group received normal saline. Six mice were euthanized at days 3, 5, 10, 20 and 30 from each group and the samples were obtained from peritoneal cavity. The rate and intensity of phagocytosis were measured by evaluation of sheep red blood cells phagocytosis by phagocytes in peritoneal samples.

There was not any significant difference between the two groups in the rate and intensity of phagocytosis during the first five days of the study, although they increased in both groups up to day 10. Thereafter, they increased only in treatment group. The rate of phagocytosis in the first to third samples were 20  4, 23 8, 498 in treatment group and 189, 1911, 321 in control group, respectively. This activity was significantly different in the third sample. Evaluation of sheep red blood cells phagocytosis by phagocytes in peritoneal samples. Phagocytosis intensity in treatment group was higher than control group throughout the study.

The results indicate that tramadol can enhance the activity of immune system and in cases that suppose to have immune deficiency, tramadol can be the preferred analgesic.