THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND METHAMPHETAMINE ADDICTION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CYTOKINES AND IMMUNE CELL CHANGES
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Objective: This study aims to study the interaction between methamphetamine use and the immune system, by analyzing changes in cytokines and the pattern of immune cell distribution in users. Method: The study used a comparative analytical approach that included a group of users and a control group. Blood samples were collected and analyzed using ELISA and flow cytometry techniques. Results: The expected results revealed a significant increase in the levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and a decrease in regulatory cytokines (IL-10), in addition to a decrease in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio and an imbalance between natural killer cells and macrophages. The study also indicates a positive correlation between the duration of use and the severity of immune changes, reflecting a cumulative effect over time. These findings highlight the pivotal role of the immune system in the addiction cycle and suggest the potential for immunological markers to serve as tools for early diagnosis or therapeutic guidance. Novelty: This study provides a new scientific contribution to understanding the immune mechanisms underlying methamphetamine addiction and calls for further applied research to develop therapeutic strategies based on modulating immune pathways, which enhance recovery opportunities and reduce behavioral relapses.
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