effect of opium on glucoregulatory factors

ABSTRACT

Effects of opium, morphine and demorphinized opium were studied on the blood sugar, liver glycogen and serum insulin level in rats. Demorphinized opium as well as morphine increased blood sugar levels and the results were similar to those of rats receiving opium. Rats receiving opium or morphinehydrochloride showed a severe terminal hypoglycemia, which was not seen in those receiving demorphinized opium. The liver glycogen contents and serum insulin levels were higher in opium or demorphinized opium treated rats compared to the controls. The above results suggest that the other opium alkaloids might differ from morphine in their effects on the glucoregulatory factors