Morphine: a protective or destructive role in neurons?
Morphine has received intensive research interest for a long time. However, until recently, the protective versus destructive roles of morphine in the neuronal system have not been studied. There is evidence suggesting that morphine induces apoptotic cell death in neuronal and glial cells, whereas controversial studies support a neuroprotective role for morphine. The exact mechanisms for both protective and destructive pathways are not clear and are still under investigation. Improved understanding of morphine neuroprotection and neurotoxicity will be helpful to control morphine side effects in medical applications and to identify new targets for potential therapies and prevention strategies to opioid addiction.
Zhang
Yan
Y
Laboratory of Neurobiology and State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China. yanzhang@pku.edu.cn
Chen
Qiuyue
Q
Yu
Long-Chuan
LC
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009020:Morphine