Abstract
BackgroundCodeine, a common drug of abuse, has been reported to induce organ damage; however, there are scanty available data on the effects of codeine on the brain. ObjectiveThus, we tested the hypothesis that redox dysregulation and inflammation of the brain induced by codeine exposure is 8-OHdG and/or caspase 3-dependent. MethodsNew Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) received vehicle (control; n = 7), low-dose codeine (4 mg/kg/day p.o; n = 6), or high-dose codeine (10 mg/kg/day p.o; n = 6) for six weeks. Body weight was checked before and after the study. ResultsFindings showed that codeine exposure resulted in redox dysregulation (evident by elevated MDA and H2O2 accompanied by reduced enzymatic antioxidant activities), elevated MPO activity, and distorted cytoarchitecture of the brain tissue. The observed codeine-induced redox imbalance and brain inflammation was accompanied by depletion of neuronal and purkinje cells, reduced AchE activity, and elevated 8-OHdG levels and caspase 3 activity. ConclusionsThe current study demonstrates that chronic codeine use induces oxido-inflammatory response and apoptosis of the brain tissue that is associated with neuronal and purkinje cells injury, and impaired AchE activity through 8-OHdG and/or caspase 3-dependent pathway.
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