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Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
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Consideration of immunomodulatory actions of morphine in COVID-19 - Short report

B Hudzik1, J Nowak, B Zubelewicz-Szkodzinska

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Department of Metabolic Disease Prevention, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. justyna.nowak@sum.edu.pl.

European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|December 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Morphine’s effects on severe COVID-19 patients depend on the disease stage. Early cytokine storm mitigation may be beneficial, but late-stage use, particularly with septic shock, could be harmful.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology and Pharmacology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Cytokine storm correlates with severe COVID-19, mortality, and mechanical ventilation needs.
  • Analgesia and sedation are crucial for managing pain, ventilation, and agitation in severe cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of morphine in COVID-19.
  • To determine if morphine could improve or worsen COVID-19 outcomes during cytokine storm.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search for studies on morphine's immunomodulatory effects.
  • Analysis of in vitro and in vivo models (non-COVID-19 conditions).

Main Results:

  • Morphine may mitigate cytokine storm in early stages of severe COVID-19.
  • Morphine could be detrimental in late stages, especially with septic shock.

Conclusions:

  • Morphine's role in COVID-19 is complex, with potential dual effects based on disease progression.
  • Further research is needed to clarify morphine's impact on COVID-19 cytokine storm.

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