Neuropeptide and kinin antagonists.
Neuropeptides and kinins are important messengers in the nervous system and--on the basis of their anatomical localisation and the effects produced when the substances themselves are administered, to animals or to human subjects-a significant number of them have been suggested to have a role in pain and inflammation. Experiments in gene deletion (knock-out or null mutant) mice and parallel experiments with pharmacological receptor antagonists in a variety of species have strengthened the evidence that a number of peptides, notably substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and the kinins have a pathophysiological role in nociception. Clinical studies with non-peptide pharmacological antagonists are now in progress to determine if blocking the action of these peptides might have utility in the treatment of pain.
Hill
R G
RG
Merck, Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories, Terlings Park, Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR, UK. hillr@merck.com
Oliver
K R
KR
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified / Q000502:physiology; D000077221:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Antagonists; D006801:Humans; D007705:Kinins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D064729:Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000235:genetics; D013373:Substance P / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000077221:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Antagonists; D007705:Kinins; D064729:Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D013373:Substance P