L-alpha-acetylmethadol-induced tissue alterations in mice

Histopathological study of liver tissue due to methadone consumption and its effect on liver enzymes and inflammatory indices in rat

Background

Methadone (MET)-based treatment is currently one of the best known approaches in the treatment of opioid dependence. It is claimed that MET use exerts adverse effects on the performance of some organs, especially liver. Thus, the present study aims to investigate MET effects on the hepatic tissue as well as its effect on the hepatic enzyme levels and inflammatory markers in rats.

Materials and methods

Twenty-eight mature male Wistar rats underwent an 8-week treatment in four equal groups including the control group (an ordinary daily dietary regime) as well as the experimental groups 1, 2, and 3 (an ordinary daily dietary regime and gavage-fed on MET syrup for 5, 20, and 40 mg/kg body weight per day). Blood samples were collected from all rats in the beginning and end of the study to measure their hepatic enzyme levels and inflammatory markers. In the end, their livers were subjected to histological examinations.

Results

The mean serum levels of hepatic enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase) increased considerably across all the three groups that had received various dosages of MET (5, 20, and 40 mg/kg) in the end of the study as compared to the beginning of the study (P<0.001). It was also found that the inflammatory indicators (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and C-reactive protein) rose significantly in the groups that had received various dosages of MET in contrast to the control group (P<0.01, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). The histopathological images of the liver cross-sections revealed dosage-dependent tissue changes in the groups that had received various dosages of MET.

Conclusion

The present study tried to prove the adverse effects of MET in the development of liver damage. Since MET-based treatment is frequently prescribed by physicians for curing the addiction to narcotics, better strategies are required for its correct usage.

Toxicological evaluation of mu-agonists. Part II: Assessment of toxicity following 30 days of repeated oral dosing of male and female rats with levo-alpha-noracetylmethadol HCl (NorLAAM)

This study evaluated levo-alpha-noracetylmethadol (NorLAAM), the first N-demethylated metabolite of levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM), a long-acting morphine-like (mu) agonist, approved in 1993 to treat opiate dependence. After acute and 7-day pilot studies to define dose levels appropriate for use in longer term evaluations, Sprague-Dawley rats (20 of each sex per group) were gavaged with doses of 4.4-25.9 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 30 days followed by a 14-day recovery period. Treatment-related effects included dose-dependent CNS depression paralleled by changes in food consumption, body weight gain and fecal output, as well as reddish urine and abdominal staining. Tolerance developed by day 7. The spectrum of activity observed differed from the parent compound primarily in its time course. Cage-biting and gnawing behavior were observed only with NorLAAM. Mortality was dose-dependent, with deaths occurring predominantly during the first week. At day 30, all male-treated groups exhibited statistically significant, dose-dependent decreases in body weight gain and increases in serum cholesterol that returned to the control range following recovery. Increases in brain/body weight and testes/body weight ratios and decreases in kidney/brain, liver/brain, spleen/brain and heart/brain ratios, as well as decreases in kidney, liver, spleen and heart absolute weights, achieved statistical significance only for males. At terminal sacrifice, histological findings in the kidneys included increased incidences of tubular mineral deposition in mid- and high-dose groups of both sexes and of corticomedullary mineral deposition in females. Hepatic centrilobular hypertrophy was evident in male and female mid- and high-dose groups. Histopathological changes abated following the recovery period. In summary, acute and repeated administration of NorLAAM produced a pharmacodynamic profile commensurate with its role as the primary N-demethylated metabolite of LAAM, which is more potent and less lipophilic than the parent compound; this was reflected in the toxicological outcomes observed. Like LAAM, NorLAAM's overall pattern of activity is consistent with its activity as a mu-agonist, which stimulates hepatic microsomal enzymes in rodents.

Toxicological evaluation of mu-agonists. Part I: Assessment of toxicity following 30 days of repeated oral dosing of male and female rats with levo-alpha-acetylmethadol HCl (LAAM)

This study evaluated levo-alpha-acetylmethadol hydrochloride (LAAM), a long-acting morphine-like (mu) agonist approved in 1993 to treat opiate dependence. Sprague-Dawley rate (20/sex/group) were gavaged with doses of 3.0-33.5 mg kg-1 for 30 days followed by a 14-day drug-free recovery period. Treatment-related effects included dose-dependent CNS depression, decreased food consumption and body weight gain, reddish urine and abdominal staining. Tolerance developed by day 7. Mortality was dose-dependent; deaths occurred predominantly during the first week. Increased alanine aminotransferase (SGOT, AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), observed only in high-dose males, were associated with findings in liver. Decreases in spleen/brain weight and increases in brain/body weight ratios were seen in both sexes. Decreases in weights of heart, liver and kidney achieved statistical significance only for high-dose groups. Kidneys of mid- and high-dose groups displayed intertubular mineral/crystal deposition, focal corticomedullary mineralization and focal regenerative tubular epithelium. Centrilobular hypertrophy was observed in livers of high-dose males and mid- and high-dose females. Following the recovery period, decreased body weights and increased brain/body weight ratios occurred in mid-dose males and low-dose females. Weights of liver and kidney and organ/brain weight ratios were decreased in mid-dose males. Histopathological findings observed in kidneys and livers had abated. In summary, acute and repeated administration of LAAM produced a spectrum of activity consistent with its profile as a long-acting pure mu-agonist which stimulates microsomal enzymes in rodents. Renal and hepatic effects seen in initially drug-naive rats treated with morphine-type agonists are not observed in tolerant individuals stabilized on mu-agonists to treat opiate dependence.