The Effects of Opium Addiction through Different Administration Routes on Inflammatory and Coagulation Factors

Abstract

Background & Aims: Based on an experimental trial, we tried to test the effects of opium addiction through different administration routes on inflammatory and Coagulation Factors. Methods: This study was performed on 30 adult male Syrian golden hamsters allocated to one of three groups: control group which received no opiate; the first study group received oral opiate; and another study group received inhaled opiate. After 4 weeks, all hamsters were anesthetized with diethyl ether and their blood samples were obtained from their hearts for laboratory assessment. Results: The blood level of hs-CRP was significantly higher in group used opium orally compared with the group used opium orally (P < 0.001); other markers were not different between the two experiments groups. The level of hs-CRP was higher in the two study groups than the controls. Blood hemocysteine levels following oral and inhaled opium use were comparable with the controls. Conclusion: Our study confirms the triggering role of opiate dependence through different administration routes on inflammatory process, especially through its oral usage.