Determining the Effect of Methadone on Lipid Profile, Serum Leptin, and Liver Enzymes Levels in Male and Female Rats

Abstract

Background: Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) isas one of the best evidence-based and the most effective researched opioid substitution treatments however, it may associated with some adverse effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Methadone on lipid profile, serum leptin and liver enzymes levels in male and female rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 41 Wistar rats weighing 200- 300gr were randomly assigned into four groups, including two methadone treatments and two control groups, male and female. They were orally treated with methadonehydrochloride (5mg/kg) or normal saline (1cc) daily for 8 weeks consecutively (6 days in a week). All animals were weighed weekly. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) was measured by glucometer, and blood samples were taken by cardiac puncture for lipid profile (triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and total cholesterol), liver enzymes of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and leptin levels measurement after 12h fasting.

Results: One-way ANOVA showed no significant difference in mean FBS, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels among the four groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, HDL level was significantly lower in male methadone and male control groups than female methadone group (p=0.003), and there was a significant differencein liver enzymes among the four groups (p<0.05).

Conclusion: According to our research, methadone treatment can cause alterations in some metabolic variables that are gender-dependent.