Effects of morphine on gastric ulceration, barrier mucus and acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats.

The effects of intraperitoneal (IP) or intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of morphine on acid and pepsin secretion, gastric ulceration and gastric bound mucoproteins were investigated in pylorus-ligated rats. Morphine, administered IP, produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the gastric secretion volume, acidity, pepsin output and bound mucoproteins. By contrast, the effect of morphine on gastric ulcers was not dose-dependent: a significant increase in gastric lesions was obtained with morphine 5 mg/kg IP. Naloxone IP prevented the effects of morphine on gastric secretory volume, acidity and pepsin output, but not on gastric mucus and ulcer score. ICV administration of morphine induced a dose-dependent inhibition of secretory volume, acidity and ulcer score, whereas no modification of gastric mucus was observed. Naloxone ICV prevented the effects of ICV morphine. Overall results suggest that morphine inhibits gastric secretion through both central and peripheral opioid receptors, whereas the inhibitory effect of morphine on bound mucus appears to be exerted on mucus synthesis through peripheral opioid receptors. This inhibitory effect on barrier mucus accounts at least in part for the gastric ulcerogenic action of morphine.