Opioids and the skin: "itchy" perspectives beyond analgesia and abuse.
Opioids are intimately linked to central pain inhibition and their abuse potential. Thus, peripheral opioid receptors in the skin have been studied initially with a focus on their peripheral analgesic properties. Recent results, however, clearly indicate that opioids play a specific role in skin homeostasis by modulating keratinocyte differentiation, wound healing, and inflammatory responses.
Schmelz
Martin
M
Department of Anesthesiology-Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. Martin.schmelz@anaes.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
Paus
Ralf
R
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000502:physiology*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D011957:Receptors, Opioid