title: Clinical concentrations of morphine are cytotoxic on proliferating human fibroblasts in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Morphine and other opioids are routinely used systemically and as wound infusions in the postoperative period. Their effect on wound and fracture healing remains unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The primary outcome was to assess the potential cytotoxicity of clinically relevant concentrations of morphine on human fibroblasts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory in-vitro study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institute of Physiology, Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich.
  
  
  METHODS
  Monolayers of human fibroblasts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exposure of human fibroblast monolayers to several concentrations of morphine, for different periods of time, with and without an artificially induced inflammatory process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cell count, cell viability, cell proliferation and apoptosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A concentration, time and exposure-dependent cytotoxic effect of morphine-mediated apoptosis was observed. Simulated inflammatory conditions seemed to lessen toxic effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cytotoxic effects of morphine are exposure, time and concentration dependent. Simulating aspects of inflammatory conditions seems to increase resistance to morphine cytotoxicity especially in the presence of higher concentration and longer exposure times.
authors: From the Department of Anaesthesiology, Balgrist University Hospital Zurich (JA, AB), Institute of Physiology, Zurich Centre for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich (MH, PB), and Institute of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (JMB).
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Aguirre
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Borgeat
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Hasler
authors: Philipp
authors: P
authors: Bühler
authors: John M
authors: JM
authors: Bonvini
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000633:toxicity*; D002452:Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009020:Morphine / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D003603:Cytotoxins; D009020:Morphine