Dietary influences on morphine-induced analgesia in rats

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1991 Mar;38(3):681-4. doi: 10.1016/0091-3057(91)90034-y.

Abstract

Morphine-induced analgesia was examined using a tail-flick apparatus in 36 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were given ad lib access to Purina Chow alone (N = 9) or given a choice of Purina Chow and either a 0.15% saccharin solution (N = 9), a 32% sucrose solution (N = 9), or hydrogenated vegetable fat (Crisco) (N = 9). Analgesic testing was conducted immediately preceding and at 30, 60 and 90 minutes following intraperitoneal administration of morphine sulfate (0.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg). No differences in analgesic responsiveness were observed as a function of diet preceding morphine administration. However, dietary variables did alter morphine-induced analgesia. At 30 minutes following injections of the highest dose of morphine, animals fed saccharin, sucrose or Crisco had significantly longer tail-flick latencies than rats given only Purina Chow. Sixty minutes following injections, rats fed Crisco continued to display a significantly longer tail-flick latency than rats fed only Chow. These data demonstrate that palatable substances can enhance the analgesic properties of exogenous opioids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / pharmacology*
  • Dietary Fats / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Feeding Behavior / drug effects
  • Male
  • Morphine / pharmacology*
  • Pain / physiopathology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Reaction Time / drug effects
  • Taste

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats
  • Morphine