Effect of the co-administration of glucose with morphine on glucoregulatory hormones and causing of diabetes mellitus in rats

BACKGROUND: Morphine is related to dysregulation of serum hormone levels. In addition, addict subjects interest to sugar intake. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of co-administration of glucose with Mo on the glucoregulatory hormones and causing of diabetes mellitus in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats were randomly divided into four groups including, control, morphine, Morphine-Glucose and diabetes groups. Morphine was undergone through doses of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 mg/kg, respectively on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Then, dose of 60 mg/kg was used repeated for 20 extra days. The Morphine-Glucose group received the same doses of morphine plus 1 g/kg glucose per day. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin. At the end of experiment, the serum insulin, glucagon, growth hormone (GH), cortisol, and glucose levels were measured. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) indexes concluding the HOMA-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and HOMA-β were evaluated. RESULTS: Morphine insignificantly induced a hyperglycemia condition and insulin resistance. Whereas, the beta-cell functions significantly (P < 0.05) decreased only in morphine group. The co-administration of glucose slightly increased the GH, and increased insulin and cortisol levels significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01; respectively) in the Morphine-Glucose group. Furthermore, the co-administration of glucose with morphine could nearly modulate the morphine effects on body weight, glucose, and glucagon levels. CONCLUSION: It is probable that the co-administration of glucose with morphine modulate the serum glucose levels by stimulating the beta-cell functions and to increase insulin secretion.