title: Physiology, signaling, and pharmacology of opioid receptors and their ligands in the gastrointestinal tract: current concepts and future perspectives.
abstract: Opioid receptors are widely distributed in the human body and are crucially involved in numerous physiological processes. These include pain signaling in the central and the peripheral nervous system, reproduction, growth, respiration, and immunological response. Opioid receptors additionally play a major role in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. This review discusses the physiology and pharmacology of the opioid system in the GI tract. We additionally focus on GI disorders and malfunctions, where pathophysiology involves the endogenous opioid system, such as opioid-induced bowel dysfunction, opioid-induced constipation or abdominal pain. Based on recent reports in the field of pharmacology and medicinal chemistry, we will also discuss the opportunities of targeting the opioid system, suggesting future treatment options for functional disorders and inflammatory states of the GI tract.
authors: Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215, Lodz, Poland.
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Sobczak
authors: Maciej
authors: M
authors: Sałaga
authors: Martin A
authors: MA
authors: Storr
authors: Jakub
authors: J
authors: Fichna
mesh_terms: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D008024:Ligands; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D011957:Receptors, Opioid
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