Effects of sweetening agents on morphine-induced analgesia in mice by formalin test

1. There is evidence that sweet-tasting substances such as sucrose and saccharin can interact with endogenous opioid systems. Further evidence showed that feeding mice different concentrations of sucrose and saccharin alter the latency in the tail-flick test. 2. In the current study, the effects of a 12-day regimen of different sweetening agents [sucrose (32%), saccharin (0.08%) and aspartame (0.16%)] on morphine-induced analgesia with the formalin test were investigated. 3. Male albino mice (20-27 g) were used for the experiments. Animals were given 12 days to adapt to dietary conditions. Animals were first given saline or morphine subcutaneously (1.5, 3.0, 6.0, or 9.0 mg/kg) 30 min before the observation period. The recording of the early phase started immediately and lasted for 10 min. The recording of the late response started 20 min after formalin injection and lasted for 10 min. Statistical analysis was performed by using analysis of variance followed by Newman-Keuls test, and P < or = 0.05 was considered significant. 4. Sucrose and aspartame increased morphine analgesia in the early phase, but saccharin had no effect on the early phase. On the other hand, saccharin and sucrose decreased the effect of morphine in the late phase, but aspartame increased the effect of morphine-induced analgesia. 5. In conclusion, the present data provide further evidence for an important role for dietary variables in determining the effects of exogenous opioids on pain sensitivity.