Abstract
Rats of the LC-2-HI strain, selected for high rates of self-stimulation, were supplied with a 3 mM saccharin solution. Within 1 week they developed markedly prolonged latencies to painful stimuli on a hot-plate. In contrast, a similar effect became manifest in LC-2-LO rats only after 3 weeks. Both strains of rats were made diabetic by injection of streptozotocin. LO rats showed more polydipsia and hyperglycemia than HI rats and, when drinking saccharin solution, developed cross-tolerance to morphine within about 2 weeks. It is assumed that saccharin consumption stimulates the release of endogenous opioid peptides, probably via stimulation of gustatory sweet receptors. The opioid peptides exert a biphasic effect: initially they raise the pain threshold, but at a later stage they cause chronic crosstolerance to morphine.
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Bergmann, F., Cohen, E. & Lieblich, I. Biphasic effects of chronic saccharin intake on pain responses of healthy and diabetic rats of two genetically selected strains. Psychopharmacology 82, 248–251 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00427783
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00427783