Opioids and the gut: pharmacology and current clinical experience.
This article reviews the pharmacology and physiology of opiate receptors and the current and potential uses of opioid agonists and antagonists in clinical gastroenterology. Mu-receptors are involved in motor and sensory functions, and their modulation is established for treatment of diarrhea. Mu-antagonists have potential to reverse endogenous (e.g., postoperative ileus) or iatrogenic dysmotility (e.g., opioid bowel dysfunction). Modulation of the function of kappa-receptors may be a novel approach to control visceral pain in functional gut disorders. Results of formal testing of novel opioid modulators are keenly awaited.
Clinical Enteric Neuroscience Translational and Epidemiological Research (CENTER) Program, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
H U
HU
De Schepper
F
F
Cremonini
M-I
MI
Park
M
M
Camilleri
D000818:Animals; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D009294:Narcotics