Tmp8a04 TMP
Tmp8a04 TMP
Tmp8a04 TMP
I J D T INTERNATIONAL
1(1) (2010): 11-22
International Science Press
ABSTRACT
The effect of pentazocine on endocrine organs like ovary,uterus, thyroid and adrenal
glands, there estrous cycle, gravimetrical changes, histological changes and biochemical
changes has been evaluated. Three groups of healthy adult female albino rats having
six rats in each group were taken. The rats of groups II and III were administered
pentazocine at the dose level 0.5mg and 1.0mg/100g body weight respectively
intraperitoneally/daily for 30 days. However, the rats of group I (Control) were given
saline alone. After the experimental periods, the rats were sacrificed and the histological
study of ovary and uteri, thyroid and adrenal gland were performed. Estrous cycle and
ovarian components are not elevated significantly and histometrical changes of uterine
parameters like diameter, thickness of myometrium and endometrium and surface
epithelial cell height were increased significantly. Biochemical changes of endocrine
glands are parallel to the gravimetrical changes, the protein and glycogen contents are
increased significantly and reduced cholesterol content significantly with respective
administration of both the dose level of pentazocine. Although, the gravimetric analysis
of thyroid and adrenal gland were increased significantly due to pentazocine
administration.
Keywords: Pentazocine, Endocrine, Estrous cycle, Rat
INTRODUCTION
The principle of CNS influencing drugs are the anticonvulsants, antiparkinsonism
drugs, opioid and non-opioid analgesics, appetite suppressants, antiemetics,
analgesics, antipyretics, certain stimulants, neutolectics, transquilizers sedatives
and hypnotics.
These drugs are known to interfere with the functions of CNS including
hypothalamus there by modify the activity of hypophysis and gonads. The secretion
and release of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone
(LH) and prolactin (PRL) are directly dependent on hypothalamic releasing
1. Department of Zoology, L. V. D. College, Raichur -584103, Karnataka, India
2. Toxicology Laboratory, Bioenergetics and Environmental Science Division, National Institute of Animal
Nutrition & Physiology (NIANP), Adugodi, Bangalore -560030, Karnataka, India
3. Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Gulbarga University Gulbarga-585106,
Karnataka, India
hormones-GnRH. Therefore, the drugs which modify the functions of CNS may
also effect the pituitary functions. As a result, the function of gonads may also be
modified. Therefore, the structure and biological activities of some CNS influencing
drugs, the actions of which modify the reproductive and endocrine activities is
briefly summarized below. The effect of these drugs on female endocrine activities
were undertaken.
PENTAZOCINE
Pentazocine was synthesized as part of deliberate effort to develop an effective
analgesic with little or no abuse potential. The pharmacology of pentazocine has
been reviewed by Brogden and associates. Pentazocine a benzomorphine derivative
has the analgesic activity of the recemate mainly due to the 1-isomer [1].
OH
Systematic (IUPAC) name (1S,9S,13S)-1,
13-dimethyl-10-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)10-azatricyclo[7.3.1.0]trideca-2,4,6-trien-4-ol
CH3
H3C
N-CH2 CH = C
CH3
CH3
Molecular Structure
Pentazocine is an opioid with mixed agonist and antagonist properties [2]. Gilbert
and Martin [3] proposed that pentazocine is antagonist at -receptor and an agonist
at both the K and -receptor. Bouchard and Quirion[4] have described the binding
sites for pentazocine in the rat brain at various sites including thalamic and
hypothalamic nuclei. Though pentazocine produces significantly greater analgesia
among females than in males, no significant difference was observed in analgesic
among females during different phases of the menstrual cycle [5, 6]. Tifluadom,
selective K-agonist elevates the 5-hydoxytryptophine (5-HT) and norepinephrine
content, which have both facilitator and permissive role on LH secretion and
ovulation[7, 8] .
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Animals
Healthy, sexually matured, regularly cycling, colony bred virgin female rats of
Wistar strain (Rattus norvegicus) aged three months and weighing 150-200 gm were
13
purchased from National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad. The rats were housed
in polypropylene cages measuring 12"x10"8", under well ventilated animal house
conditions (temperature: 28-31 C, photoperiod: 12 hours natural light and 12 hours
natural dark, humidity: 50-55%). The rats were fed with balanced diet as per CFTRI
formula and tap water ad libitum. They were maintained as per the principles of
laboratory animals care (NIH Publication No. 85-88, 1985).
The animals were divided into five groups, each consisting of six rats in each
group and treated as follows.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
The treatment was started when the animals were in estrous phase. The group I
received vehicle only (0.2ml saline) and served as control. Group II and III received
pentazocine at dose level of 0.5 and 1.0mg for 100g body weight in 0.2ml saline
respectively. The treatment was given for 30 days intraperitoneally between 10:00
to 11:00AM to cover 6 regular estrous cycles and vaginal smear from the
experimental animals was observed every morning.
AUTOPSY SCHEDULE
On day 31st, 24h after last treatment, all the animals from each groups sacrificed,
the ovary, uterus, thyroid and adrenal gland were dissected out, freed from extra
depositions of adherent tissue and weighed to the nearest mg on an electronic
balance. One side of ovaries, uterus, thyroid and adrenal gland from each animals
were fixed in Bouins fluid for histological, cytological and histometrical studies.
The histometric measurement like diameter of uterus, thickness of endometrium
and myometrium and height of endometrial epithelial cells were made from
randomly chosen 20 sections from each group using ocular and stage micrometer[9]
as well as diameter of ovarian follicles were made. Ovaries and uterus from other
side were used for biochemical estimations like protein [10], glycogen [11] and
cholesterol [12] .
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
All the values were statistically analysed by Students-t test using SPSS(11.0.1.)[13].
Data are expressed as the Mean + S.E. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05,
p<0.01 and p<0.001.
RESULTS
General Observations
Behavior: The rats which received the chronic treatment of pentazocine were as
active as the control rats and the total intake of feed/day is not much altered due
to drug administration.
Control
Pentazocine (0.5mg)
Pentazocine (1.00mg)
Initial Body
Weight
Final Body
Weight
Percent
Change
150.00 3.66
168.30 4.80
165.00 4.47
160.00 3.32
178.33 4.44
175.00 4.27
6.66
6.68
10.06
Control
(0.2ml Saline)
Pentazocine
(0.5mg)
Pentazocine
(1.00mg)
No. of
Length of
cycles/rat cycle (days)
5.400.21
5.410.30
6.810.19
6.340.10 10.210.68
4.410.31
5.330.10
5.490.40
6.910.31
6.300.24 10.000.45
5.320.21
5.330.26
5.320.96
7.210.43
5.920.32 10.000.56
5.640.30
15
Table 3
Effect of Pentazocine on Ovarian Gravimetric and Biochemical Parameters in
Female Albino Rats
Sl. No. Treatment
1
Pentazocine (0.5mg)
Pentazocine (1.00mg)
Ovary mg/100gm
body weight
Cholesterol
g/mg
Protein g/mg
Glycogen
g/mg
42.53 2.2
4.16 0.23
3.61 0.14
1.89 0.09
47.40** 2.09
3.26* 0.32
4.02* 0.21
2.13** 0.10
4.68*** 0.17
2.22** 0.12
Figure 1 & 2
Developing
follicles
Antral
follicles
Graafian
follicles
Atretic
follicles
Corpus
luteum
1
2
3
Developing
follicles (m)
Antral
follicles
(m)
Graafian
follicles
(m)
Atretic
follicle
(m)
Corpus
luteum
(m)
9.06 0.48 25.42 0.55 33.48 0.24 34.21 0.32 48.21 0.57
9.02 0.42 26.21 0.48 32.21 0.39 35.21 0.42 47.48 0.62
9.21 0.45 28.42 0.63 34.29 0.38 33.93 0.71 50.48 0.60
17
Uterus Wt.
mg/100g body wt.
Cholesterol
g/mg
Protein g/mg
Glycogen
g/mg
205.91 8.59
204.22 1.82
208.25 2.51
4.18 0.09
3.70* 0.08
3.90* 0.06
8.18 0.2
9.50* 0.2
10.17** 0.31
1.98 0.05
2.29* 0.03
2.50* 0.06
1
2
3
Uterus diameter
(m)
Thickness of
Myometrium
(m)
Thickness of
Endometrium
(mm)
Height of
epithelial cell
(m)
390.78 7.56
429.33 5.15
435.67 4.01
32.33 1.40
34.83 1.73
35.01 1.41
Figure 3 & 4
Figure 5 & 6
19
Figure 7 & 8
Table 8
Effect of Pentazocine on Gravimetric Changes of Thyroid and Adrenal Gland in
Female Albino Rats
Sl. No.
Treatment
1
2
3
Thyroid
mg/100g
Per cent
body Wt.
change
10.68 0.52
10.80 0.63
11.04 0.33
3.08
4.09
4.12
Adrenal
mg/100g
Per cent
body Wt.
change
26.88 0.57
25.1 1.16
25.18 0.87
4.50
5.89
5.95
Pentazocine is a competitive antagonist at the -receptor and against at the Kand -receptors[2]. It produces a type of analgesia that differs from morphine[1]. The
analgesic effects of pentazocine are mainly due to agonistic actions at K-opioid
receptors[18].
There is a paucity of information regarding the direct effect of mixed opioid
like pentazocine on GnRH release or pituitary gonadotrophins secretion and release.
Therefore, it may be attributed that the stimulatory effects of this mixed opioid
might have been mediated through its antagonistic activity at -receptor, which
has caused an increased release of pituitary gonadotrophins, as evidenced in the
case of another -receptor antagonist naloxone[17] (Chang et al., 1990). The action of
other opioids like morphine and pethidine is also mediated through the
hypothalamohypothphyseal axis[19-24]. However, these studies are limited to our
laboratory condition.
The folliculogenesis depends upon the pituitary FSH and LH surge is essential
for the[25-28]. Increased availability of pituitary FSH and LH supports the growth of
21
[10] Lowry O. H. N., Rosenbrough J., Farr N. L., Randall R. J. Protein Measurement with Folic
Phenol Reagent. J. Biol Chem. 1951; 193: 265-275.
[11] Carrol N. V., Langelly R. W., Row R. H. Glycogen Determination in Liver and Muscle by use of
Anthrone Reagent. J. Biol. Chem. 1956; 20: 583-593.
[12] Peters J., Vanslyke D. D. Qualitative Chemical Chemistry: Vol. I, 1946, Baltimore, Williams and
Wilkins eds. Patil SB, Rao AP. Retardation of Ovarian Compensatory Hypertrophy by
Pentazocine in Unilaterally Ovariectomized Rats. 1992; 18: 87-91.
[13] SPSS for Windows, Rel. 11.0.1. 2001. Chicago: SPSS Inc.
[14] Kalra S. P. Neural Loci Involved in Naloxone Induced Luteinizing Hormone Release: Effects of
a Norepinephrine Synthesis Inhibitor. Endocrinol 1981; 117: 1874.
[15] Horton R. J. E., Francis H., Clarke I. J. Naloxone Evokes Large amplitude GnRH Pulses in
Lutcal Phase Ewes. J. Reprod Fertil. 1987; 81: 277.
[16] Mahmoud A. I., Thompson F. N., Peck D. D., Mizinga K. M., Leshin L. S., Rund L. A.,
Stuedemann H. A., Kiser T. E. Difference in Luteinizing Hormone Response to an Opioid
Antagonist in Beef Heifers and Cows. Biol Reprod 1989; 41:431.
[17] Chang W. J., Barb C. R., Leshin L. S., Kracling R. R., Reampacek G. B. Inhibition of Naloxone
(N) Induced Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) Release from the
Hypothalamic Preoptic Area (HYP POA) of Gilts Bymoprhine (M) in vitro. J Anim Sci. 1990;
68: 416 (abstract 448).
[18] Tripathi K. D. Opioid Analgesics. In: Essentials of Medical Pharmacology Tripathi, K.D. (Ed).
New Delhi, JayPee Brother, 1995, 3 rd Edn., pp. 388.
[19] Kordon C., Drouva S. B., Escalera G. M., Weiner R. U. Role of Classic and Peptide
Neuromediators in the Neuroendocrine Regulation of Luetinizing Hormone and Prolactin. In
the Physiology of Reproduction, Second edition, Knobil, E. and Neill, J.D. (Eds), 1994, New
Delhi, Raven Press, Ltd., pp. 1621.
[20] Patil S. R., Patil S. R., Londonkar R., Patil S. R., Patil S. B.: Effect of Pathidine on Spermatogenesis
in Albino Rats. Ind. J. Pharmacol. 1998; 30: 243.
[21] Patil S. R., Sonar A., Londonkar R., Patil S. R., Patil S. B. Efficacy of Exogenous Gonadotrophins
on the Maintenance of Spermatogenesis in Pethidine Treated Albino Rats. Ind. J. Physiol
Pharmacol. 1998; 42: 509.
[22] Malshetty V. B., Patil S. R., Patil S. B. Pethidine Induced Changes in Ovarian Follicular Kinetics
and Biochemical Parameters in Albino Rats. Ori Pharm Exp. Med. 2006; 6, 300-305.
[23] Londonkar R., Sharangouda, Patil Sb. Morphine Induced Inhibition of the Activities of Accessory
Reproductive Ducts in Male Rats. Ori Pharm Exp. Med. 2008; 8: 67-72.
[24] Patil M., Patil S. J., Patil S. B. Atropine Sulphate Induced Changes in Uterine, Adrenal, Liver
and Thyroid Gland in Female Albino Rats. J. Pharm. Toxicol. 2009; 4: 236-45.
[25] Wang X., Greenwald G. S. Hypophysectomy of the Cyclic Mouse. Effects on Folliculogenesis,
Oocyte Growth, and Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin
Receptors. Biol Reprod 1993; 48: 585.
[26] Greenwlad G. S., Roy S. K. Follicular Development and its Control. In : The Physiology of
Reproduction, Second edition, Knobil, E. and Neill, J. D. (Eds), 1994, New York, Raven Press,
Ltd., pp. 629.
[27] Greenwald G. S. Preovulatory Changes in Ovulating Hormone in the Cyclic Hamster. Endocrinol
1971; 88: 671.
[28] Sanjay V. S., Joshi B. N. Melatonin and Exposure to Constant Light/Darkness Affects Ovarian
Follicular Kinetics and Estrous Cycle in Indian Deseart Gerbil Meriones hurricane (Jordon). Gen
Comp Endocrinol 1997; 108, 352-357.