Liver Function Tests in Morphine-Addicted and in Nonaddicted Rhesus Monkeys

Liver disease in narcotic addicts I. The role of the drug

“…The results of the present study in man support the general conclusion of Brooks and colleagues. 3 No significant changes were found in mean levels of SGOT, SGPT, 01' TI, or in the relative incidence of abnormal CF determinations during a 7 to 9 month period of addiction to morphine. Although all hut one of the suhjects had at least one abnormal liver function test, the occurrence of these abnormalities did not follow any pattern and appeared to have no relation to the administration of morphine.…”

Morbidity and mortality from heroin dependence. 3. Relation of hepatitis to self-injection techniques.

“…The possible causes of liver damage in this group are: (1) a direct hepatotoxic effect of heroin and cocaine or heroin and amphetamine when taken together in large doses and by the intravenous route; (2) hepatotoxicity due to contaminants-for example, bacterial pyrogens, old blood clots-unwittingly injected at the same time; (3) injections of living bacteria of low pathogenicity which form temporary septic foci in the liver; (4) serum hepatitis-the majority of heroin users being infected at some time even if they do not have clinical jaundice; and (5) malnutrition, alcoholism, or other causes. Experimental evidence suggests that pure heroin alone does not cause liver damage (Brooks, 1963) and, though heroin addicts may be underweight, malnutrition alone is unlikely to account for the findings. The relative importance of the injection of cocaine, amphetamines, bacteria, and viruses is still uncertain.…”

Morphologische Aspekte des Leberschadens bei Rauschmittelsucht und -mißbrauch

“…Einige der interlobulären Gallengänge führten Epitheizylinder im Lumen und zeigten eine mäßige pericholangioläre zelluläre Reaktion (Abbildung 5). Viermal (Fall 4,5,6,8) war eine schüttere, staubförmige Verfettung einzelner Hepatozyten nachzuweisen.…”