Enkephalins and immune inflammatory reactions.
Methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk) and leucine-enkephalin (Leu-Enk) belong to family of opioid peptides. In vivo studies on immunomodulating activity of enkephalins performed in the rat revealed the following: (a) both neuropentapeptides showed a dual, dose-dependent effect, i.e., high doses suppressed while low doses potentiated immune responses; (b) Met-Enk is more potent immunomodulator than Leu-Enk; (c) high doses of Met-Enk suppressed immune inflammatory reactions, such as systemic anaphylactic shock, Arthus and delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions to protein antigen, allograft rejection, adjuvant arthritis, and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Met-Enk is more efficient when applied intracerebroventricularly. A preliminary clinical trial showed that intrathecally given Met-Enk exerted a beneficial effect on 13 patients with chronic severe progressive multiple sclerosis.
Jankovic
B D
BD
Immunology Research Center, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001183:Arthus Reaction / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D004745:Enkephalins; D011957:Receptors, Opioid