Effects of voluntary and forced exercise on morphine withdrawal signs in morphine dependent rats

Background and Objective: Drug abstinence in human opioid addicts can result in a number of well-characterized autonomic and somatic symptoms of opioid withdrawal. but also includes emotional or affective symptoms such as depressed mood/dysphoria, restlessness, hyperirritability, and anxiety. These negative emotional states resulting from withdrawal may contribute to escalation to compulsive use, maintenance of use, and relapse after periods of abstinence. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of forced and voluntary exercise on spontaneuse withdrawal signs after morphine deprivation. Materials and Methods: In this study thirty two male Wistar rats divided into four groups (n=8 in each group). 1) dependence-sedentary,2) dependence-forced exercise, 3)dependence-voluntary exercise, 4) saline-sedentary. All rats received subcutaneous injection of saline or morphine (10 mg/kg) twice per day at 12 hr intervals for 10 days. After induction of dependency rats were individually housed in cages with a free access to a running wheel and treadmill Animals in exercised groups ran on treadmill half an hour daily ten consecutive days. Spontaneous Withdrawal signs counted during 30 minutes each day by experimenter until sings abolished. Findings: The results showed that both voluntary and forced exercise decrease significantly spontaneous morphine withdrawal sings in days of abstinence but effects of voluntary exercise is better. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the physical activity is a appropriate tool for abate of morphine withdrawal syndrome in dependent rats.

Keywords:

Addiction , exercise , Withdrawal signs