EFFECT OF MORPHINE ON THE CLEARANCE OF ENDOGENOUS CREATININE AND BLOOD CLINICAL CHEMICALS IN THE RAT

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 237  (1) , 31-41
Abstract
The effect of morphine on urine and blood serum concentration of Na+, K+, Cl- and other chemicals was determined using Sprague Dawley rats, previously hydrated with 50 ml/kg of 0.5% NaCl to provoke an increased diuresis. Morphine caused about a 90% decrease in the urine concentration of Na+, K+ and Cl-. This reduction in the urine electrolyte excretion was associated with a small but significant increase in the concentration of the blood Na+ and Cl-. The anti-diuresis and the decrease in urine electrolytes caused by morphine was paralleled by a 50% reduction of the endogenous creatinine clearance. An acute dose of 7.5 mg/kg morphine i.p. did not alter the concentration of 13 other clinical blood chemicals with the exception of urea. After 18 h of morphine pellet implantation, a significant increase was found in the blood urea and in the activity of serum transaminases. Lactic dehydrogenases isoenzymes 1 and 2 were significantly increased in the blood of rats chronically administered with morphine.