Effects of cholane compounds on the development of morphine tolerance

The present study was undertaken to determine the inhibitory effects of cholane compounds, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) on the development of morphine-induced tolerance and physical dependence, and also to determine the hepatic glutathione contents. UDCA and CDCA inhibited the development of morphine-induced tolerance and physical dependence significantly. UDCA inhibited the hepatic glutathione decrease induced by morphine multiple injections, while this effect was not observed in CDCA treated mice. It was throught that the inhibitiory effects of hepatic glutathione decrease in morphine-treated mice by UDCA and CDCA showed a tendency of inhibitory effects of development of morphine tolerance and dependence.