Evaluation of Oxidative Markers, Apoptosis and Reproductive Efficiency in Heroin Addicted Rats

Abstract

:Background and Objective: Heroin abuse and addiction represent one of the major problems globally. The objective of this study is to evaluate the oxidative stress enzyme markers, apoptosis, sperm quality and testosterone of heroin administered rats via intraperitoneal injection.

Effects of Brown Heroin and Tramadol Dependency on Reproductive Axis in Adult Male Albino Rats

“…In agreement with our results, several researchers reported significant reduction of testosterone concentrations in heroin treated mice for forty days and heroin treated rats for seven successive days in both low and high dose; respectively (Simin andZahra, 2007 andOthman, 2013). Other studies reported significant serum reduction of LH, FSH, Testosterone and elevated prolactin and E2 serum levels after tramadol administration in male rats for 4 weeks and 8 weeks, respectively (El-Gaafarawi, 2006 andAhmed andKurkar, 2014).…”

“…Preparation of heroin according to the protocol of Othman (2013) where the brown heroin powder (250 mg) was mixed with citric acid (25 mg), then the mixture dissolved in 1ml normal saline solution 0.9% and mixed well and heated over flame until production of bubbles, the last obtained solution (after heating) was drawn by wide bore needle in 1ml syringe then diluted with normal saline solution 0.9% to 5 mg/ml.…”

Repeated Administration of Clinical Doses of Tramadol and Tapentadol Causes Hepato- and Nephrotoxic Effects in Wistar Rats

“…The association between opioid exposure and oxidative stress is well documented. Multiple studies report increased MDA levels in liver, kidney and serum upon opioid repeated administration, such as those from Awadalla, El-Gaafarawi, Elkhateeb, Ibrahim and their respective colleagues, who orally administered rats with 30 to 150 mg/kg tramadol, for 20 to 30 days [ 75 , 76 , 84 , 88 , 89 ], as well as similar studies with morphine [ 80 , 82 ] and heroin [ 90 ]. These studies have also associated tramadol exposure with decreased levels of antioxidant defenses, such as reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in liver and kidney tissues [ 76 , 84 , 88 ], as well as in serum [ 89 ].…”

“…While human studies are inconsistent, animal assays with opium, morphine, heroin and tramadol have proven to be more conclusive towards a deleterious impact of opioid use on lipid profile and dyslipidemia [ 115 , 116 , 117 ]. Although El-Gaarafawi, Youssef and Othman and respective colleagues have reported decreased serum cholesterol, triglycerides and lipid-derived hormones [ 75 , 81 , 90 ], Ezzeldin and co-workers have reported increased cholesterol [ 77 ]. Also, while assays with healthy, hypercholesterolemic and diabetic rodents, mostly comprising oral opium administration for 1 to 3 months, have shown no major effects on serum lipid parameters [ 118 , 119 , 120 ], others have reported increased serum triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol, and decreased HDL cholesterol [ 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 ].…”

“…), intramuscular, subcutaneous), exposure periods ranging from acute to chronic, and doses ranging from therapeutic ones to overdoses. All have shown liver and kidney commitment, evidenced through increased liver enzyme activities, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine [ 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 ], tissue oxidative markers (e.g., increased liver and kidney malondialdehyde (MDA) levels) [ 75 , 76 , 80 , 82 , 84 , 88 , 89 , 90 ], as well as through decreased antioxidant activity (e.g., decreased catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, decreased glutathione levels) [ 76 , 80 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 ]. Hepato- and nephrotoxicity were also observed at the histological level.…”