Searching for a "Blood Print" of Opioid Use: A New Look at Oxycodone

Olivier George
2 days ago
2 min read

The ongoing opioid crisis remains a critical public health emergency, and understanding how these drugs change the body is vital for developing better diagnostics and treatments. While we know much about how opioids affect the brain, their impact on the rest of the body, specifically the chemicals circulating in our blood, is less clear. In our latest study in collaboration with the Saba and Kechris Labs, we used an advanced technique called untargeted metabolomics to identify a unique chemical "blood print" left behind by oxycodone use.

The Big Question

We wanted to know if exposure to oxycodone causes consistent, measurable changes in the metabolites, small molecules like sugars, amino acids, and lipids, found in the blood. Specifically, we set out to identify which specific chemicals change during active drug use and whether these changes could help us identify individuals at high risk for developing addiction.

The Study: Mapping the Blood's Chemistry

To find these markers, we studied genetically diverse rats that had extended access to oxycodone for several weeks. We collected plasma samples at three different stages: before they ever took the drug, during the peak of their drug use, and after a period of withdrawal. By comparing these samples, we could see exactly which chemicals "spiked" or "dropped" in response to the drug.

What We Discovered

Our findings revealed a dynamic shift in the body's internal chemistry:

Dozens of Changes: We identified 70 specific metabolites that changed significantly during oxycodone exposure.
A "High Addiction" Signature: We discovered a specific group of 14 metabolites that were different only in the rats that showed the most severe addiction like behaviors. This suggests that addiction might leave a unique chemical mark in the blood even before physical symptoms become obvious.
Fuel and Energy: Many of the altered chemicals were related to how the body processes energy, including carbohydrates and amino acids. This confirms that opioids like oxycodone don't just affect the brain; they significantly disrupt the body’s metabolic "engine".
Specific Markers: We identified several key metabolites, such as glucose and specific amino acids like tryptophan, that were consistently altered across the different groups.

Why It Matters

This research is an important step toward a future where we might use simple blood tests to support addiction treatment. By identifying these "metabolic fingerprints," we can:

Improve Diagnostics: Develop tests that identify individuals who are biologically more vulnerable to addiction.
Monitor Recovery: Use blood markers to see how well a person’s body is healing during abstinence.
Target Treatments: Discover new ways to treat addiction by addressing the metabolic disruptions the drug causes in the body.

We believe that looking beyond the brain and into the blood provides a more complete picture of the biological toll of opioid use, ultimately helping us find more effective ways to support long term recovery.

Reference: Vu, T., Godbole, S., Carrette, L.L.G., Maturin, L., George, O., Saba, L.M., & Kechris, K. (2025). Identification of Plasma Metabolites Responding to Oxycodone Exposure in Rats. Metabolites, 15(2), 95. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15020095