Opioid-modulating peptides:
mechanisms of action
by
Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale du CNRS (UMR 5089),
31077 Toulouse CEDEX 04, France.
Catherine.mollereau-manaute@ipbs.fr
Curr Top Med Chem. 2005;5(3):341-55

ABSTRACT

Opioids are involved in the physiological control of numerous functions of the central nervous system, particularly nociception. It appears that some endogenous neuropeptides, called anti-opioids, participate in an homeostatic system tending to reduce the effects of opioids. Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) and cholecystokinin (CCK) possess these properties and, paradoxically, the opioid peptides nociceptin and dynorphin display some anti-opioid activity. All these peptides exhibit complex properties as they are able to both counteract and potentiate opioid activity, acting rather as modulators of opioid functions. The purpose of this review is to highlight that two different mechanisms are clearly involved in the control of opioid functions by opioid-modulating peptides: a circuitry-induced mechanism for nociceptin and dynorphin, and a cellular anti-opioid mechanism for NPFF and CCK. The knowledge of these mechanisms has potential therapeutic interest in the control of opioid functions, notably for alleviating pain and/or for the treatment of opioid abuse.

Opioids, mood and cognition
Opioids, dopamine and alcohol
Chocolate and endogenous opioids
Opioids, goldfish and the giant toad
Heroin, cocaine and the squirrel monkey
Tolerance, addiction and effectve pain management
Refs
and further reading

HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family