Opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract.
Opium is arguably one of the oldest herbal medicines, being used as analgesic, sedative and antidiarrheal drug for thousands of years. These effects mirror the actions of the endogenous opioid system and are mediated by the principal mu-, kappa- and delta-opioid receptors. In the gut, met-enkephalin, leu-enkephalin, beta-endorphin and dynorphin occur in both neurons and endocrine cells. When released, opioid peptides activate opioid receptors on the enteric circuitry controlling motility and secretion. As a result, inhibition of gastric emptying, increase in sphincter tone, induction of stationary motor patterns and blockade of peristalsis ensue. Together with inhibition of ion and fluid secretion, these effects cause constipation, one of the most frequent and troublesome adverse reactions of opioid analgesic therapy. Although laxatives are most frequently used to ameliorate opioid-induced bowel dysfunction, their efficacy is unsatisfactory. Specific antagonism of peripheral opioid receptors is a more rational approach. This goal is addressed by the use of opioid receptor antagonists with limited absorption such as oral prolonged-release naloxone and opioid receptor antagonists that do not penetrate the blood-brain barrier such as methylnaltrexone and alvimopan. Preliminary evidence indicates that peripherally restricted opioid receptor antagonists may act as prokinetic drugs in their own right.
Research Unit of Translational Neurogastroenterology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 4, A-8010 Graz, Austria. peter.holzer@medunigraz.at
Peter
P
Holzer
D000818:Animals; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009270:Naloxone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; C032257:methylnaltrexone; D009270:Naloxone; D009271:Naltrexone; C419502:alvimopan