Abstract

Introduction: Oxymorphone is similar in structure to morphine. It is used for the relief of pain and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006. But may have some side effects. Aim: To illustrate the changes in biochemical parameters in response to the injection of oxymorphone in adult male rats. Materials and Methods: This research was carried out on 50 male adult Wistar rats which were divided into five groups that included 2, 4 and 6 mg/kg of Oxymorphone received groups, control group and normal saline received group. Injections were administered intraperitoneally via a catheter once a week for 56 days. After eight weeks, blood samples were collected using cardiac puncture method. Following serum preparation, enzymes and hormones levels were quantified using standard automated spectrophotometer especially photometric kinetic methods. All values were presented as mean +/- SEM. Statistical significance was evaluated by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA, t-test) using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0 for Windows. Results: The results demonstrate that serum levels of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), cortisol, aldosterone and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) increased in all groups which received oxymorphone. The serum levels of Creatine Kinase (CK) had significant decrease in all exposed groups. Oxymorphone had no statistically significant impact on the serum levels of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP). Serum levels of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), T3 and T4 had a significant change in group which received 6 mg/kg of oxymorphone. No definite changes in other groups. Conclusion: Exposure to 2, 4 and 6 mg/kg of oxymorphone may lead to short and long-term side effects. These effects can be therapeutic for a range of patients and can also be very deadly for a group of patients with unbalanced serum levels of special enzymes or hormones.