The effect of μ-and σ-opiate receptor agonists on cell division of corneal and tongue epithelium in albino rats

The effect of μ- and σ-opiate receptor agonists at 10 μg/kg on the processes of cell division in corneal and tongue epithelium of albino rats is studied using the method of autoradiography with3H-thymidine. The ligand of the μ-receptors causes the inhibition of DNA synthesis in corneal epithelium 4, 12, and 24 h later and lowers the mitotic index after 4 and 24 h. In contrast, in the tongue epithelium stimulation of the proliferative processes occurs. Ligand of the σ-receptors stimulates DNA synthesis in corneal epithelium after 12 and 24 h and cell division after 12 h. In the tongue epithelium DNA synthesis is activated after 4, 12, and 24 h and cell division after 12 h.