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Arzneimittelforschung 2009; 59(2): 72-78
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1296367
CNS-active Drugs · Hypnotics · Psychotropics · Sedatives
Editio Cantor Verlag Aulendorf (Germany)

Effects of α-Lipoic Acid Administration on Plasma Glucose Levels, Total Malondialdehyde Values and Withdrawal Signs in Rats Treated with Morphine or Morphine plus Naloxone

Arnaldo Pinelli
1   Department of Pharmacology, University of Milan, Milan, (Italy)
,
Giuliana Cighetti
2   Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Milan, Milan, (Italy)
,
Silvio Trivulzio
1   Department of Pharmacology, University of Milan, Milan, (Italy)
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 December 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Morphine (CAS 57-27-2) administration or its removal induces alterations in glucose levels and oxidative status or behaviour signs, which may be hypothetically closely related; if this is correct, controlling glucose changes may lead to modifications in peroxide levels and in behaviour profile. It therefore seems important to find a drug able to control alterations of glucose metabolism, peroxide generation and behaviour symptoms in morphine or morphine withdrawal animals.

This paper describes the effects of morphine or morphine plus naloxone (CAS 51481-60-8) on the plasma levels of glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA) (CAS 100683-54-3) and behavioural signs in rats treated or not with α-lipoic acid (CAS 1077-28-7), known to interfere with glucose and peroxide levels.

The administration of morphine or its removal by naloxone alters plasma glucose levels, increases MDA values, and also affects signs such as pain threshold values, fecal excretion and jumping behaviour.

The injection of α-lipoic acid decreases glycemia in rats treated with morphine or morphine plus naloxone. This result may be due to the capacity of α-lipoic acid to facilitate glucose transport and its utilization.

The administration of α-lipoic acid to rats given morphine or morphine plus naloxone lowers total MDA levels because of its peroxide scavenging capacity.

In animals injected with morphine plus naloxone, which show altered pain thresholds, high fecal excretion and jumping behaviour, treatment with α-lipoic acid increases latency times, decreases fecal excretion and reduces jumping. These effects can be attributed to the capacity of α-lipoic acid to interfere with mediators or peroxides involved in the modified behaviour.

The glycemia levels, MDA values and behavioural signs seem to be interconnected in the reported experiments. The administration of α-lipoic acid is demonstrated to control the alterations in plasma glucose levels, peroxide values or behavioural profile in animals receiving morphine or morphine plus naloxone.

Key words

CAS 57-27-2 - CAS 1077-28-7 - CAS 51481-60-8 - α-Lipoic acid, effect on morphine withdrawal signs, plasma glucose levels - plasma total malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species - Morphine - Naloxone
 

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