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Endocrine effects of methadone in rats; acute effects in adults.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Bartolome, MB; Kuhn, CM
Published in: Eur J Pharmacol
November 25, 1983

The effects of methadone (METH) on serum levels of prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), corticosterone (CS), TSH and T4 were determined in male and female rats. METH initially (15-45 min after injection) decreased TSH and increased PRL, GH and CS in both male and female rats. These changes were followed by a rebound decrease in CS and increase in TSH 4 h after METH administration. METH decreased GH at 0.1 mg/kg, but increased secretion with doses of 0.5 mg/kg and higher. Changes in PRL, CS and TSH were only seen with 1 mg/kg and higher. Naloxone blocked increases in serum GH, PRL and CS and the decrease in TSH caused by METH. Serum PRL increased significantly more in females than in males, although other endocrine actions of METH were the same in males and females. Pretreatment of animals with METH 4 h before a second challenge dose did not affect TSH, PRL or GH responses to METH. However, peak CS levels were lower in pretreated animals than in controls. These findings demonstrate that METH elicits a complex profile of endocrine response which probably reflects actions at multiple receptor and/or anatomical sites, and suggest that reported sex differences in METH metabolism are not limiting in determining the hormonal response to this drug. These results also suggest that single-dose tolerance develops to the effects of METH on CS but not on other endocrine parameters.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Eur J Pharmacol

DOI

ISSN

0014-2999

Publication Date

November 25, 1983

Volume

95

Issue

3-4

Start / End Page

231 / 238

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Thyrotropin
  • Sex Factors
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Rats
  • Prolactin
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy
  • Naloxone
  • Morphine
  • Methadone
  • Male
 

Citation

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Bartolome, M. B., & Kuhn, C. M. (1983). Endocrine effects of methadone in rats; acute effects in adults. Eur J Pharmacol, 95(3–4), 231–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-2999(83)90639-8
Bartolome, M. B., and C. M. Kuhn. “Endocrine effects of methadone in rats; acute effects in adults.Eur J Pharmacol 95, no. 3–4 (November 25, 1983): 231–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-2999(83)90639-8.
Bartolome MB, Kuhn CM. Endocrine effects of methadone in rats; acute effects in adults. Eur J Pharmacol. 1983 Nov 25;95(3–4):231–8.
Bartolome, M. B., and C. M. Kuhn. “Endocrine effects of methadone in rats; acute effects in adults.Eur J Pharmacol, vol. 95, no. 3–4, Nov. 1983, pp. 231–38. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/0014-2999(83)90639-8.
Bartolome MB, Kuhn CM. Endocrine effects of methadone in rats; acute effects in adults. Eur J Pharmacol. 1983 Nov 25;95(3–4):231–238.
Journal cover image

Published In

Eur J Pharmacol

DOI

ISSN

0014-2999

Publication Date

November 25, 1983

Volume

95

Issue

3-4

Start / End Page

231 / 238

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Thyrotropin
  • Sex Factors
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Rats
  • Prolactin
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy
  • Naloxone
  • Morphine
  • Methadone
  • Male