The Effect of Passive Opium Smoking on Cardiovascular Indices of Rabbits with Normal and Ischemic Hearts

Abstract

Some Asian people believe that opium can protect the cardiovascular system. To assess this belief, we investigated the effect of passive opium smoking (POS) on cardiovascular indices in rabbits with ischemic and non-ischemic hearts.Rabbits (n = 43) were divided into control (CTL), short term opium (SO) and long term opium (LO) groups. SO and LO groups were exposed to opium smoking for 3 days and 4 weeks, respectively. ECG, blood pressure (BP), left ventricular pressure and cardiac troponin I levels were recorded. Isoproterenol (ISO) was injected to induce cardiac ischemia and after 4 h the above variables were measured along with cardiac histopathology assessment.All groups showed significant increments in troponin I level (P < 0.05) except the CTL group. This trend was more obvious in ISO-treated groups. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) significantly decreased in all groups (p< 0.05) except the LO group. Opium exposure attenuated ISO-induced myodegeneration but augmented tissue congestion and hemorrhage.In conclusion, higher troponin I serum level and ECG changes were found in passive opium smoking groups. This evidence is against the belief that opium can protect the cardiovascular system.

Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus, pre‐diabetes, undiagnosed and uncontrolled diabetes and its predictors in general population aged 15 to 75 years: A community‐based study (KERCADRS) in southeastern Iran;

“…Regarding the effect of cigarette smoking and opium consumption, the results of this study showed almost no statistically significant effects on control of diabetes or odds ratio of predictors of diabetes (Tables 2,3). However, based on the effect on some other risk factors such as the increase in basal mean arterial pressure and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein (LDL/ HDL) ratio, 24 increase in prevalence of high systolic blood pressure and reduction in HDL, 25 and more ECG abnormalities found in long term opium exposure, 26 the findings are in contrast to the belief of many opium consumers in Iran that opium may have an ameliorating effect on diabetes or other CVD risk factors.…”

Effects of testosterone replacement on metabolic and inflammatory markers in men with opioid‐induced androgen deficiency

“…Damage to the beta cells and desensitization of insulin receptor signalling by opiates have been posited as potential mechanisms . In addition to their effects in causing metabolic dysregulation, recent studies in men have also implicated opioid use as a risk factor for coronary artery disease . Whether this effect of opiates is a direct effect on the arterial wall or via their influence on metabolic and inflammatory mediators remains unclear and requires further investigation.…”

“…26,29 In addition to their effects in causing metabolic dysregulation, recent studies in men have also implicated opioid use as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. 21,30,31 Whether this effect of opiates is a direct effect on the arterial wall or via their influence on À0Á04 (À0Á06, À0Á01) 0Á003 À0Á01 (À0Á02, À0Á03) 0Á01 Fasting glucose À0Á05 (À1Á3, 1Á2) 0Á93 0Á01 (À0Á4, 0Á43) 0Á94 Fasting insulin À0Á01 (À0Á7, 0Á8) 0Á97 À0Á03 (À0Á31, 0Á25) 0Á83…”

The promising effect of barberry (Zereshk) extract against experimental pulmonary microvascular remodeling and hypertension: A comparison with sildenafil

“…A polyethylene cannula containing saline-heparin solution (15 l/mL) was inserted into the isolated right carotid artery and then was connected to a pressure transducer to measure the arterial blood pressure (Joukar et al, 2010). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was calculated by ''MAP ¼ Pd + (PsÀPd)/3 formula'', in which Pd is the diastolic arterial pressure and Ps is the systolic arterial pressure.…”