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.
De Schepper
H U
HU
Clinical Enteric Neuroscience Translational and Epidemiological Research (CENTER) Program, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Cremonini
F
F
Park
M-I
MI
Camilleri
M
M
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