title: Endogenous morphine and parasitic helminthes.
abstract: The current paper summarizes the findings on endogenous morphine isolated by HPLC and characterized by mass spectroscopy in Schistosoma mansoni, Dracunculus medinensis and Ascaris suum. Morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) has also been found by HPLC and confirmed by mass spectroscopy in Dracunculus medinensis and Ascaris suum. In addition, a morphine like substance has been isolated from Trichinella spiralis by HPLC and mice infected with Trichinella spiralis show a naloxone reversible analgesia. We discuss in greater detail the tissue distribution, course of secretion, and sex differences of morphine in Ascaris suum. Finally, we explore the function of morphine as both an internal signaling molecule and its use in immune evasion in Ascaris suum.
authors.affiliation: State University of New York, Old Westbury Neuroscience Research Institute, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Pryor
authors.forename: Sherwyn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sarfo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017165:Ascaris suum / Q000737:chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006376:Helminths / Q000737:chemistry / Q000469:parasitology*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D051379:Mice; D009020:Morphine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000737:chemistry; D014234:Trichinella / Q000737:chemistry; D014235:Trichinellosis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009020:Morphine