The effect of sucrose consumption on eating behavior and depression during morphine withdrawal period in rats

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sugary drink and junk food consumption increases during the withdrawal period, leading to subsequent psychological and metabolic alterations. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the relationship of sucrose consumption with serum insulin levels, leptin levels, brain Dopamine-2 receptor (D2R) expression, food consumption, and anxiety-depression findings in morphine-withdrawal rats. METHODS: Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups: Control, sucrose-free, 5% sucrose, 10% sucrose, 20% sucrose, and an addiction test. Saline was intraperitoneally injected to the control group, and morphine was intraperitoneally injected to the other groups for 14 days. After 14 days, naloxone was administered to the addiction test group, and addiction symptoms were observed and this group was sacrificed on the same day. Other groups were fed ad libitum with different concentrations of sucrose solution for one week. Behavioral parameters were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Leptin and insulin concentrations in serum and D2R levels in brain tissues were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. D2R concentrations in brain tissues were evaluated utilizing immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We observed decreased food consumption and increased fluid consumption in rats that consumed sucrose water during the withdrawal period. The level of depression and binge eating behavior was elevated in groups consuming sucrose, and the 10% sucrose group had the highest carbohydrate consumption and anxiety levels. In addition, the 10% sucrose group had the lowest brain D2R expression. The leptin level was highest in the 20% sucrose group. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the possible effects of sugary drinks consumed during the withdrawal period.