The effects of morphine on human articular cartilage of the knee: an in vitro study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the metabolic, histologic, and ultrastructural effects of morphine and its combination with saline and bupivacaine on human articular cartilage.


METHODS
In vitro study.


METHODS
Nonfibrillated human articular cartilage was harvested and transferred into an experimental culture consisting of a control medium, saline, or a combination of morphine/saline or morphine/saline/bupivacaine for 12, 24, or 72 hours. Each sample was radiolabeled to assess proteoglycan synthesis. Histologic and ultrastructural effects were also examined.


RESULTS
We found a significant, dose-related, transient decrease in 35SO4 incorporation in the morphine/saline samples at 12 hours, and in the saline only samples at 24 hours. We found no evidence of histologic or ultrastructural damage to the cartilage.


CONCLUSIONS
Morphine and saline can both produce a transient decrease in 35SO4 incorporation that normalizes by 72 hours. This study does not suggest any contraindication to the use of intra-articular morphine as a postoperative analgesic.
Jaureguito
John W
JW
East Bay Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Specialists, Fremont, California, USA.
Wilcox
Joseph F
JF
Thisted
Ronald A
RA
Phillips
Craig
C
Cunningham
Benjamin
B
Reider
Bruce
B
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000494:pharmacology; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007717:Knee; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013461:Sulfur Oxides / Q000378:metabolism
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D013461:Sulfur Oxides; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D009020:Morphine; D002045:Bupivacaine