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The effect of endurance exercise and methadone on μ-opioid receptor gene expression in morphine-dependent rats following withdrawal syndrome

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Abstract

Background

Opiate dependence (e.g., morphine) is one of the most important problems affecting human health. Morphine reduces the irritability of neurons in the pain pathway by attaching to some such opioid receptors such as μ receptor (MOR). Exercise can improve destructions due to opiate dependence in many of the body organs including nerve systems. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance exercise training (8 weeks of moderate exercise) and methadone on μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) expression in morphine-dependent rats following withdrawal syndrome.

Methods

48 male Wistar rats (9 weeks; weight: 295 ± 20 g) were kept as four animals per cage. The animals were selected and divided randomly into six subgroups of eight individuals: control (C), healthy exercise (TN), control addicts (CTM), addicts treated with methadone (MM), addicts treated with exercise (TM), and addicts treated with methadone plus exercise (TMM). In the present study, oral administration of morphine was used to induce dependence. Interventional therapy protocol also included a combination of methadone and a chronic aerobic exercise program. Changes in MOR gene expression levels were evaluated by RT-qPcR.

Results

Results showed a significant increase in MOR gene expression in the treatment with endurance training (TM) compared to the control group (C) (p < 0.05).Also, a significant increase in MOR gene expression was observed in the treatment group with methadone (MM) versus the normal group (C) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

It seems that physical activity, especially running on treadmill (endurance exercise) in animal model, can be considered as a non-medication and complementary therapy at various stages of dependence and addiction processes. However, further studies are needed especially in human sample.

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Acknowledgements

This article was extracted from a PhD dissertation on exercise physiology at Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch. The author hereby would like to appreciate the guidance and advice of respected professors who helped to proceed this thesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Mahmoud Moezie, Maghsoud Peeri & Hasan Matin Homaee

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  1. Mahmoud Moezie
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  2. Maghsoud Peeri
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  3. Hasan Matin Homaee
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Correspondence to Maghsoud Peeri.

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We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving animal participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the Declaration of Helsinki. All procedures were approved by the University Research Ethics Committee.

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Moezie, M., Peeri, M. & Matin Homaee, H. The effect of endurance exercise and methadone on μ-opioid receptor gene expression in morphine-dependent rats following withdrawal syndrome. Sport Sci Health 16, 183–188 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-019-00596-4

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