Human Chromosomes and Opiates

Falek, Arthur; Jordan, Rusha B.; King, Barbara J.; Arnold, P J; Skelton, W. Douglas

doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1972.01750280077013

Cited by 42 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Early cytogenetic experiments showed that diacetylmorphine abuse was associated with chromosome aberrations. One study, involving comparisons of 16 opiate addicts on a methadone program with a control group, revealed a significant elevation of chromosome aberrations following 72 h culture of leukocytes from the addictive group (Falek et al, 1972). When the 'street' diacetylmorphine addicts entered a methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP), the elevated levels of chromosome aberrations persisted for three months and then declined to control levels after 1 year in the MMTP (Falek and McFadden.…”

Section: Diacetylmorphine (Heroin)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although only limited information is available, there is evidence that in vivo administration of morphine to mice can increase the frequency of chromosome aberrations in bone marrow cells (Swain et al, 1980) and induce micronuclei in bone marrow cells and lymphocytes (Das and Swain, 1982;Sawant and Couch, 1995). In contrast, in vitro morphine treatment has failed to induce chromosome aberrations in cultured human lymphocytes (Falek et al, 1972) or micronuclei in mitogen-stimulated murine splenocytes (Sawant and Couch, 1995). It is therefore reasonable to assume that metabolic activation is involved in the induction of chromosome aberrations or micronuclei.…”

Section: Opiummentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic toxicology of abused drugs: a brief review

Lin

1998

Mutagenesis

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Although numerous studies have been conducted on abused drugs, most focus on the problems of addiction (dependence) and their neurotoxicities. Now accumulated data have demonstrated that the genotoxicity and/or carcinogenicity of abused drugs can also be detrimental to our health. In this review, commonly abused substances, including LSD, opiates (diacetylmorphine, morphine, opium and codeine), cocaine, cannabis, betel quid and khat, are discussed for their potential genotoxicity/carcinogenicity. The available literature in the field, although not as abundant as for neurotoxicity, clearly indicates the capability of abused drugs to induce genotoxicity.

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Section: Diacetylmorphine (Heroin)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Opiummentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic toxicology of abused drugs: a brief review

Lin

1998

Mutagenesis

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“…Compared to the control population, lymphocytes, but not bone marrow cells, of drug abusers were found to have an increased incidence of chromosome aberrations [Amarose and Schuster, 19711. Other studies with heroin addicts have shown increases in chromosome aberrations [Falek et al, 1972;Falek and Hollingsworth, 1980;Shafer et al, 1990a1, and in both basal and UV-induced sister chromatid exchanges [Shafer et al, 1983[Shafer et al, , 1990bFalek et al, 19911 in lymphocytes. The ability to repair UV-induced DNA damage is also compromised in lymphocytes of heroin abusers [Madden et al, 1979;Madden and Falek, 1991 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Induction of micronuclei in murine lymphocytes by morphine

Sawant

Couch

1995

Environ and Mol Mutagen

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Although individuals who abuse drugs are prone to an increased risk of malignancy, the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of these agents has received relatively little attention. We report here on the potential of morphine to induce micronuclei in murine lymphocytes. Following a single intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg morphine, the frequency of micronucleated binuclear (cytochalasin-blocked) murine T- and B-splenocytes was elevated from 12-36 hr after treatment. The maximum frequencies seen 24 hr after injection were 6.3- and 4.9-fold greater than the respective controls. A dose-dependent induction of micronuclei was observed from 5-20 mg/kg morphine, with no further increases in frequency produced by higher doses. In contrast, incubation of mitogen-stimulated splenocytes with 10(-7)-10(-4) M morphine in vitro produced no change in frequency of micronucleated cells relative to controls. Treatment with the narcotic antagonist naloxone (5 mg/kg) alone had no effect on the frequency of micronuclei, but reduced the clastogenic response of a subsequently administered dose of morphine (20 mg/kg). Thus, in murine lymphocytes morphine indirectly produces genetic damage, which is at least in part opioid receptor-mediated.

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“…Morphine is non-mutagenic in the Drosophila melanogaster sex-linked recessive lethal mutation assay, and in the Salmonella or yeast test systems (reviewed by Madden et al, 1979). It did not induce chromosome aberrations in cultured human lymphocytes (Falek et al, 1972).…”

Section: Genotoxicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific Opinion on the risks for public health related to the presence of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds

2011

EFS2

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Poppy seeds are obtained from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). They are used in bakery products, on top of dishes, in fillings of cakes and in desserts and to produce edible oil. The opium poppy plant contains narcotic alkaloids such as morphine and codeine. Poppy seeds do not contain the opium alkaloids, but can become contaminated with alkaloids as a result of insect damage, or through poor harvesting practices. The European Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to provide a scientific opinion on the risks for public health related to the presence of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds intended for human consumption. Following a call for data, EFSA received the results from analyses of opium alkaloids, primarily morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine and noscapine, in samples of poppy seeds, bakery products and baking ingredients. Based on the relative prevalence of the alkaloids present in poppy seed and food samples analysed, and on their pharmacological potency, the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) concluded that the risk assessment could be based on dietary exposure to morphine alone. The CONTAM Panel applied an uncertainty factor of 3 to establish from the lowest known single oral therapeutic dose of 30 µg morphine/kg body weight (b.w.) an acute reference dose (ARfD) of 10 μg morphine/kg b.w. Estimates of dietary exposure to morphine from foods containing poppy seed demonstrate that the ARfD can be exceeded during a single serving by some consumers, particularly children, across the EU. This risk assessment relates to poppy seed samples with an alkaloid profile comparable to that of the submitted data and should not be extrapolated to poppy seed samples with a qualitatively different alkaloid profile.

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Human Chromosomes and Opiates

Cited by 42 publications

References 17 publications

Genetic toxicology of abused drugs: a brief review

Genetic toxicology of abused drugs: a brief review

Induction of micronuclei in murine lymphocytes by morphine

Scientific Opinion on the risks for public health related to the presence of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds

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