Non-opioid induction of morphine-6-glucuronide synthesis is elicited by prolonged exposure of rat hepatocytes to heroin.
BACKGROUND
Liver metabolism of morphine leads to the formation of morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) and morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G), the latter possessing strong opioid activity that however differs from that of the parent compound. In previous studies conducted in rats we have shown that repeated in vivo exposure to phenanthrene class of mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonists or antagonists (heroin, morphine, and naltrexone), but not to non-phenanthrene class of MOR agonist methadone, affects morphine glucuronidation by liver microsomes.


METHODS
In the present study, we measured the in vitro formation of M3G and M6G by rat hepatocytes incubated for 120 min with morphine (0.1-1.0 mM) after 72h pre-incubation with one of the following MOR agonists: heroin (3.3 or 6.6 microM), morphine (7.8 microM), or methadone (12 microM). The MOR antagonist naltrexone (10 or 25 microM) was also tested, alone or in combination with heroin. The amount of M3G and M6G synthesized was then measured by HPLC method.


RESULTS
Heroin inhibited M3G synthesis and induced the formation of M6G, which under basal conditions is not synthesized in rats. Heroin effects were not blocked by naltrexone. Morphine, but not methadone, produced effects similar to those of heroin but more modest in intensity. Pre-incubation with naltrexone alone slightly increased M3G synthesis, but had no effect on M6G formation.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are in agreement with those of previous ex vivo studies and indicate that exposure to heroin or, to a lesser extent, morphine, can affect morphine glucuronidation via direct non-opioid actions on the hepatocytes.
Graziani
Manuela
M
Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology Vittorio Erspamer, University of Rome Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, Italy.
Antonilli
Letizia
L
Togna
Anna Rita
AR
Brusadin
Valentina
V
Viola
Stefania
S
Togna
Giuseppina
G
Badiani
Aldo
A
Nencini
Paolo
P
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006207:Half-Life; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003932:Heroin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009022:Morphine Derivatives / Q000378:metabolism*; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009022:Morphine Derivatives; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone; C035349:morphine-6-glucuronide; D003932:Heroin