Effect of opium on glucose metabolism and lipid profiles in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Abstract

Background: This experimental study was performed to determine the impact of opium use on serum lipid profile and glucose metabolism in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
Material and methods: To determine the effect of opium, 20 male rats were divided into control (n = 10) and opium-treated (n = 10) groups. After diabetes induction, the animals were investigated for daily glucose measurements for 35 days. Serum lipid profile and haemoglobin A1c (HbA_1c) were assayed at the baseline (before induction of diabetes) and at 35-day follow-up.
Results: The glycaemia levels in the rats treated with opium were similar to the levels measured in the control rats (544.8 ± 62.2 mg/dl v. 524.6 ± 50.0 mg/dl, P = 0.434). In addition, there was no difference between the opium-treated rats and control rats in HbA_1c (6.5 ± 0.5% v. 6.6 ± 0.2%, P = 0.714). Compared to the control rats, the serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride and lipoprotein (a) in the test animals were similar.
Conclusion: Opium use has no significant effect on glucose metabolism and serum lipid profile in rats with induced diabetes.