Original scientific paper
Cardiovascular effect of nifedipine in morphine dependent rats: hemodynamic, histopathological, and biochemical evidence
Siyavash Joukar
; Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Mohammad Sheibani
; Kerman Medical Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Farzin Joukar
; Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Aim To investigate whether administration of nifedipine
has considerable therapeutic effect in morphine-dependent
rats.
Methods Sixty animals were randomized into control,
morphine, morphine plus nifedipine, and morphine plus
dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, as nifedipine soluble) groups.
Each group consisted of two subgroups, with and without
heart injury. The groups were treated with incremental
doses of morphine or morphine plus nifedipine daily for 7
days. Myocardial injury was induced by isoproterenol (50
mg/kg i.p.) on the day 7. On the day 8, the heart rate (HR),
blood pressure (BP), rate-pressure product (RPP), and the
plasma level of cardiac troponin I were measured and the
hearts were histopathologically examined.
Results In morphine-dependent rats, nifedipine administration
was associated with a significantly higher decrease
in the plasma level of cardiac troponin I than the administration
of morphine alone. This finding was also significant
in dependent animals that received only DMSO. HR, BP,
RPP, and histopathological indices did not show significant
changes in the presence of nifedipine.
Conclusion Administration of nifedipine failed to show a
significant therapeutic effect in morphine-dependent rats,
especially in the group with myocardial injury.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
85837
URI
Publication date:
15.8.2012.
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