Immunotoxicological screening of morphine and methadone in an extended 28 day study in rats.

Drug addicts are prone to infection with viruses including hepatitis-B and HIV. Besides indirect effects as a consequence of lifestyle, heroin and methadone may also enhance the risk of infections by a direct immunotoxic effect affecting resistance. In addition to general toxicological screening, we therefore performed a screening for potential immunotoxicity of morphine and methadone. Rats treated orally with different dosages of morphine or methadone for 6 weeks showed only a minor effect of overt toxicity on liver and spleen at the high dose, whereas at lower doses an increase in the relative weight of the mesenteric lymph nodes and an increase in cell density in the medullary cords were observed histopathologically, indicating a specific effect on humoral immunity. This specific immunotoxic effect was corroborated by an increased IgG concentration in serum (significant for the methadone-treated group). Further immunotoxicological research is needed aimed at revealing the potential risk of opiate use with respect to immune function. In conclusion, the present paper showed the toxicological profile of morphine and methadone in an extended 28 day subchronic study. Specific immunotoxicological effects were observed at doses where no effects were seen in routine toxicological evaluation, suggesting that the immune system is sensitive to opiates.

Chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide (TBTO) in the rat.

In a 106-wk toxicity and carcinogenicity study, groups of 60 male and 60 female weanling Wistar rats were fed 0, 0.5, or 50 mg bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide (TBTO)/kg diet. In males, feed consumption was increased in all treated groups and increased water consumption occurred at 5 and 50 mg/kg. During the second year, body weight decreased in the 50-mg/kg males, while the females in that group showed no weight gain. Excess mortality was confined to the 50-mg/kg group towards the end of the study. Haematological changes, comprising anaemia, lymphocytopenia and thrombocytosis were noted mainly at the high-dose level. Also, signs of decreased kidney function and increased plasma enzyme activities (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) were noted. No effects on serum hormone concentrations (thyrotropin, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone or insulin) were observed, except for a decrease in the free thyroxin:thyroxin ratio in both sexes at the high-dose level. Higher serum IgM and IgA levels were present at 50 mg/kg, while, in females, IgG was decreased. At 50 mg/kg, the ovaries, adrenals, spleen (females), heart (males), pituitary, liver and kidneys were increased in weight, but the thyroid weight was decreased in females. The total tin concentrations in liver and kidneys showed a dose relationship and, in general, the concentrations were similar after 1 and 2 yr. Non-neoplastic histological alterations after 1 yr consisted of a decrease in the cell height of the thyroid follicles in all dose groups, with a reduced number of psammoma bodies at 50 mg/kg, a decrease in splenic iron content at 5 (females only) and 50 mg/kg, and a slight bile-duct activation. After 2 yr, only the thyroid changes were still present. In addition, at 2 yr, vacuolation and pigmentation of the proximal tubular epithelium and nephrosis were enhanced at 50 mg/kg. The incidence of benign tumours of the pituitary was significantly elevated and enhanced at 0.5 and 50 mg/kg. At 50 mg/kg increases in pheochromocytomas in the adrenal medulla and in parathyroid adenomas (males) were noted, while adrenal cortical tumours were decreased (males). There was a low, non-dose-related incidence of pancreatic carcinoma. Other tumour rates were in line with control data. It is concluded that lifetime feeding of 50 mg TBTO/kg diet induces toxicity in various organ systems. An increase in some common tumours was found at the high dose, probably due to hormonal or immunological changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)