Impact of tramadol and morphine abuse on the activities of acetylcholine esterase, Na+/K+-ATPase and related parameters in cerebral cortices of male adult rats

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of the most commonly abused drugs (tramadol and morphine), on acetylcholine esterase (AChE), Na+/K+-ATPase activities and related parameters, Na+ and K+ as biomarkers of neurotoxicity. METHODS Tramadol - as a weak μ opioid receptor agonist- and morphine - as opiate analgesic drugs, were chosen for the present study. Four series of experimental animals were conducted for either tramadol or morphine: control series; repeated single equal doses (therapeutic dose) series; cumulative increasing doses series and delay (withdrawal) series (96 hours withdrawal period after last administration), at time period intervals 7, 14 and 21 days. Acetylcholine esterase (AChE), Na+/K+-ATPase activities and related parameters, Na+ and K+ were measured in cerebral cortices of experimental rats. RESULTS Acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity in the brain cerebral cortex increased after the administration of therapeutic repeated doses of either tramadol (20 mg/kg b.w.) or morphine (4 mg/kg b.w.) in different groups. The daily intraperitoneal injection of cumulative increasing dose levels of either tramadol 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg or morphine 4, 8 and 12 mg/kg revealed a significant increase in the mean of acetylcholine esterase activities. The withdrawal groups of either tramadol or morphine showed significant decreases in their levels. Na+/K+ ATPase activity in the brain cerebral cortex of either repeated therapeutic doses of tramadol (20 mg/kg) or morphine repeated therapeutic doses (4 mg/kg) for 21 consecutive days at different intervals 7, 14 and 21 days, induced a significant decrease in the levels of Na+/K+-ATPase in all groups. Withdrawal groups showed a significant decrease in Na+/K+-ATPase level. Furthermore, the daily intraperitoneal injection of cumulative increasing dose levels of either tramadol (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg b.w.) or morphine (4, 8 and 12 mg/kg b.w.) induced significant decreases in Na+/K+-ATPase levels in all studied groups. Regarding Na+ and K+, concentrations of either repeated therapeutic doses or cumulative increasing doses at different time intervals, showed different fluctuations in their levels. CONCLUSION The recorded data suggest that both drugs exert potent effects on AChE and Na+/K+-ATPase activities which could contribute to cerebral cortex malfunction including, memory deficits and the decline in cognitive function observed in chronic users.