Some effects of morphine on lipid metabolism in normal, tolerant and abstinent rats

Abstract

The effects of morphine on lipid levels of plasma and liver were studied in rats. The first injection of morphine induced a decrease in free fatty acids (FFA) and an increase in the plasma triglyceride level. No changes in phospholipid, cholesterol or cholesterol ester concentrations were observed. In chronic morphinized rats the plasma FFA level was unchanged one hour following the injection of morphine and tolerance developed to the depressive effect of the drug. In contrast, the rise in plasma triglycerides persisted, but to a lesser extent. In these animals, the plasma levels of FFA and of triglycerides were lower than in normal rats, when blood was sampled 24 hours after the last injection of morphine. In abstinent rats, a reversal of action of morphine was noticed. Nalorphine induced an increase in plasma FFA levels in normal and abstinent rats but not in chronically morphine-treated animals. In the liver no significant changes occured in lipids in either acute or chronically morphinized rats. The effects of morphine on plasma lipid levels might be linked to the action of the drug on the secretory activity of the adrenals and also to the depressive effect of the drug on the lipolytic activity of adipose tissue which was demonstrated in vitro.