Journal of Translational Medical Research

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Background and Aim: Methadone and buprenorphine are agonist and partial agonist of opioid receptors respectively. Opiates have side effects on various organs specially kidneys. In this study, effects of buprenorphine and methadone on volumetric changes of male rat kidney were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 15 male Wistar rats each weighing 250±15 gr were selected and randomly were divided into three groups (n=5). The first group received 0.5 mg/kg/day methadone and second group received 30 ng/kg/day buprenorphine, intraperitoneally for 15 days. The third group (control) received normal saline injection. After the last injection, the animals were anaesthetized, and the right kidney removed. Then suprarenal gland and renal capsule were separated and the kidneys were fixed in 7% buffered formalin solution for 72 hours. The specimens were embedded in 3.5% agar and 1mm coronal slices were prepared by means of a tissue slicer. Afterward using Cavalier’s point counting method, the volumes of the kidneys were calculated. Comparison between the groups performed using nonparametric statistical test of Kruskal-Wallis. P<0.05 was taken as the significant level. Results: Mean volume of kidney (mm3) in methadone treatment, buprenorphine and control group were 602.4±44.8, 566.4±8.4 and 566.4±16.3, respectively. Comparison of these groups using Kruskal-Wallis statistical test showed that there were not any significant differences in kidney volume between the 3 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Methadone and buprenorphine during this period of time and with this dosage had not any significant effects on volumetric changes of kidney although, relative increase in the volume of kidney in methadone group in comparison to buprenorphine and control groups may reflect primitive pathologic changes of kidney due to this opiate.

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Background and Aim: Today, one of the mostly used medicines to treat opioid abuse is methadone maintenance treatment. Some studies have reported that this treatment has cognitive side-effects. But, it is important to study the extent of the negative effects of methadone, compared to opium and Norjizak in normal individuals. The reason why there two narcotic drugs were chosen was the high prevalence of taking them in the community in terms of their unknown neuropsychological effects. Materials and Methods: The present research was a descriptive - analytical investigation. The sample of the study consisted of 119 men (32 methadone, 30 norjizak, 27 opium abusers and 30 individuals as the control group) who were all selected through access method. Tools used for data collection were: Rey’s auditory verbal learning test, Trail making test,and Stroop colors-word test. The obtained data was analysed by means of SPSS software (V:13) using one-way variance analysis and Tukey at the significant level α=0.05. Results: Our study showed that there was a significant difference between the groups in short term memory (F=2.87, P=0.01), learning ability (F=5.09, P=0.002), delayed memory (F=4.26, P=0.007), and trial making test (F=3.68, P=0.01).The test following revealed that Norjizak -dependent subjects performed significantly worse than others with respect to short-term memory (P=0.03), learning ability (P=0.003), recognition (P=0.01) , and trial making tests (P=0.02). Conclusion: The current study confirmed that opium and Norjizak abusing had destructive effects mainly in the functions of specific brain regions supporting memory, learning, and executive functions. However, methadone can minimize these negative effects.