Opioids and clonidine modulate cytokine production and opioid receptor expression in neonatal immune cells

摘要

ObjectiveOpioids and clonidine, used in for sedation, analgesia and control of opioid withdrawal in neonates, directly or indirectly activate opioid receptors expressed in immune cells. Therefore, our objective is to study how clinically relevant concentrations of different opioids and clonidine change cytokine levels in cultured whole blood from preterm and full-term infants.