Toxicity of liver and kidney induced by different concentrations of tramadol in young and adult mice

Abstract

It is thought that Tramadol TM, a synthetic opioid analgesic agent, is low in abuse and has no side effects if its total daily dose doesn't exceed 400mg. This work aims to study the pathohistological and physiological toxicity effect of tramadol in different concentrations, equivalent to less than 400 mg, on liver and kidney. Forty-eight male Balb/c mice were used in this study and divided into two age groups (n=24 mice); the first was an adult aged 8-9 weeks and the other was young aged 4-5 weeks. Every age group was divided into three subgroups (n=8 mice). The first group consumed a high concentration of TM, 40 mg TM/ kg body weight daily which equivalent about 421.2 mg TM/ 65kg body weight. The second group was consumed a low concentration of TM, 20 mg/kg daily. The last group consumed only water ad libtum and served as a control group. After one month, the mice were sacrificed. Blood samples were collected to separate the serum and used to determine; kidney function tests (S.Cr and B.U) and liver function tests (GOT, GPT, and ALP). Kidney and liver were collected and put in 10% formalin for pathohistological study. GPT, ALP, B.Ur and S.Cr levels were significantly higher in the young and adult mice consumed TM compared to control while there was no different in GOT level. Comparable results were found in the pathohistological study of kidney and liver section. The infiltration of inflammatory cells and its aggregation were detected within the kidney and liver tissue of adult and young mice group that consumed TM. These changes were severing in the mice consumed TM high concentration compared to lower concentration. As a conclusion, Tramadol could have dangerous side effects even when its total dose doesn't exceed 400mg daily. These side effects didn't interact with age.