Establishment of kappa opioid receptor agonists pharmacophore with molecular modeling method

目的：建立非肽类κ阿片受体激动剂的药效基团．方法：从ＭＤＬＭＤＤＲ数据库中选出五个高活性非肽类κ阿片受体激动剂，以四氢吡咯环Ｎ原子和乙酰胺基团为叠加点，用分子模构法建立非肽类κ阿片受体激动剂的药效基团．结果：四氢吡咯环、乙酰胺的羰基和与乙酰胺相连的疏水基团为非肽类κ阿片受体激动剂共同结构特征．推测受体Ａｓｐ１３８与四氢吡咯环的Ｎ原子构成氢键，Ｓｅｒ１８７可能与激动剂的乙酰胺羰基以氢键形式相作用．与乙酰胺相连接的疏水性基团可能与受体有疏水作用．

Molecular modeling of μ opioid receptor and receptor-ligand interaction

目的：构建μ阿片受体（μＯＲ）的三维结构模型并研究它与芬太尼衍生物的相互作用．方法：以细菌视紫红质为模板，模拟μＯＲ的三维结构；然后，将芬太尼衍生物对接到μＯＲ的七个α螺旋束之内，并计算结合能．结果：（１）得到受体－配基作用模型．（２）模型中，基本结合位点可能是Ａｓｐ１４７和Ｈｉｓ２９７．Ａｓｐ１４７与配基的正电性铵基形成强的静电和氢键相互作用，这种作用在Ｈｉｓ２９７和配基的羰基Ｏ原子之间较弱．受体、配基间还存在某些π－π相互作用．（３）受体配基结合能与芬太尼衍生物的镇痛活性间有良好的相关性．结论：模型有助于理解受体配基的相互作用和设计新的阿片μ选择性配基．

Molecular modeling on kappa opioid receptor and its interaction with nonpeptide kappa opioid agonists

目的：研究κ阿片受体及其与非肽类激动剂的作用机制．方法：以细菌视紫红质为模板，模建κ阿片受体七个跨膜区的三维结构；将五个高活性非肽类激动剂对接到螺旋区内，研究作用机制．结果：（１）四氢吡咯环氮原子与Ａｓｐ１３８羧基成氢键；（２）乙酰胺羰基氧与受体Ｓｅｒ１８７间存在氢键作用；（３）与乙酰胺相连的疏水基团处于由Ｖａｌ２３９、Ｖａｌ２３６、Ｐｈｅ２３５、Ｖａｌ２３２、Ｌｅｕ１８６和Ｔｒｐ１８３构成的疏水区域内；（４）激动剂的四氢吡咯环为Ｉｌｅ２９０、Ａｓｐ１３８、Ｉｌｅ１９４、Ｉｌｅ１３５和Ｃｙｓ１３１残基包围．结论：模型将有助于设计新型高效安全的κ阿片受体激动剂．

Binding properties of C-truncated delta opioid receptors

目的：研究δ阿片受体Ｃ末端在受体结合配体的亲和力及选择性中的作用．方法：在中国苍鼠卵巢细胞（ＣＨＯ细胞）中分别稳定表达Ｃ末端截短３１个氨基酸残基及野生型δ阿片受体，用受体结合分析法研究表达产物与配体的结合特征．结果：表达得到典型突变受体克隆ＣＨＯＴ及野生型受体克隆ＣＨＯＷ．ＣＨＯＴ结合［３Ｈ］ｄｉｐｒｅｎｏｒｐｈｉｎｅ（Ｄｉｐ）及［３Ｈ］［ＤＡｌａ２，ＤＬｅｕ５］ｅｎｋｅｐｈａｌｉｎ（ＤＡＤＬＥ）的Ｋｄ值与ＣＨＯＷ一致，δ选择性激动剂对二者与［３Ｈ］Ｄｉｐ的结合均有很强的抑制作用，且Ｋｉ相似；而μ及κ选择性激动剂则对二者均无抑制作用．结论：δ阿片受体的Ｃ末端与受体结合配体的亲和力及选择性无关．

Human μ-opioid receptor overexpressed in baculovirus system and its pharmacological characterizations

目的：高效表达具有类似哺乳动物特性的人μ阿片受体．方法：人μ阿片受体表达在重组杆状病毒感染的Ｓｆ９昆虫细胞中，用受体结合分析和ｃＡＭＰ分析研究表达产物的药理学特征．结果：［３Ｈ］二丙诺啡及［３Ｈ］羟甲芬太尼（Ｏｈｍ）的最大结合能力分别是９．１±０．７，６５２±０．２３ｎｍｏｌ／ｇ蛋白．μ选择性激动剂对［３Ｈ］二丙诺啡或［３Ｈ］Ｏｈｍ与表达受体的结合均有很强的抑制作用，而δ及κ激动剂则均无抑制作用．μ选择性激动剂有效抑制ｆｏｒｓｋｏｌｉｎ刺激的ｃＡＭＰ聚集，这种作用能被拮抗剂纳洛酮阻断．

Expression of mu-opioid receptors in human chronic inflamed knee joint synovium tissue

Objective: To examine the changes of mu-opioid receptors (MORs) expression in human chronic inflamed knee joint synovium tissue. Methods:Knee joint synovium tissues were taken from 21 patients with chronic arthritis (inflamed group) and 6 fresh bodies with normal knee joints (control group). And the expression of MORs was detected by using immunohistochemistry. flow cytometry(FCM) and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The expression of MORs in the inflamed group was significantly higher than that in the normal group by using the 3 techniques(P<0. 05). Conclusion: Chronic inflammation enhances the up-regulation of MORs in human knee joint synovium tissue.

δ-Opioid receptor as a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is a global epidemic condition due to an inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to a specific area of brain either by arterial blockage or by narrowing of blood vessels.Despite having advancement in the use of thrombolytic and clot removal medicine,significant numbers of stroke patients are still left out without option for treatment.In this review,we summarize recent research work on the activation ofδ-opioid receptor as a strategy for treating ischemic stroke-caused neuronal injury.Moreover,as activation ofδ-opioid receptor by a non-peptidicδ-opioid receptor agonist also modulates the expression,maturation and processing of amyloid precursor protein andβ-secretase activity,the potential role of these effects on ischemic stroke caused dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are also discussed.

Determination of structure-activity relationships between fentanyl analogs and human μ-opioid receptors based on active binding site models

Fentanyl is a potent and widely used clinical narcotic analgesic, as well as a highly selective IJ-opioid agonist. The present study established a homologous model of the human μ-opioid receptor; an intercomparison of three types of μ-opioid receptor protein sequence homologous rates was made. The secondary receptor structure was predicted, the model reliability was assessed and verified using the Ramachandran plot and ProTab analysis. The predictive ability of the CoMFA model was further validated using an external test set. Using the Surflex-Dock program, a series of fentanyl analog molecules were docked to the receptor, the calculation results from Biopolymer/SitelD showed that the receptor had a deep binding area situated in the extracellular side of the transmembrane domains （TM） among TM3, TM5, TM6, and TMT. Results suggested that there might be 5 active areas in the receptor. The important residues were Asp147, Tyr148, and Tyr149 in TM3, Trp293, and His297 in TM6, and Trp318, His319, Ile322, and Tyr326 in TM7, which were located at the 5 active areas. The best fentanyl docking orientation position was the piperidine ring, which was nearly perpendicular to the membrane surface in the 7 TM domains. Molecular dynamic simulations were applied to evaluate potential relationships between ligand conformation and fentanyl substitution.

Molecular characterization and functional expression of opioid receptor-libe_1 receptor

The opioid receptor-libel receptor (ORL), an orphan receptor whose human and murine complementary DNAs,has been characterized recently. ORL transcripts are particularly abundant in the central nervous system. We demonstrated that ORL expressed in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y cell lines by radioligand binding assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern analysis in the present study. Stimulation with ORL1 specific agonist, nociceptin/orphanin Fo, increased [34S]GTPrγS binding to SK-N-SH cell membranes (EC50 = 14 ±0.45 nM), and attenuated forskolin-stimulated accumulation of cellular cAMP (EC50= 0.80 ±0.45 nM, indicative that activation of ORL1 activates G proteins and inhibits adenylyl cyclase. Activation of ORL1 receptor was also accessed using CHO:hORL1 cell line by microphysiometer. Treatment of nociceptin/orphanin FQ increased extracellular acidification rate significantly.

Low-dose morphine elicits ventilatory excitant and depressant responses in conscious rats: Role of peripheral <i>µ</i>-opioid receptors

The systemic administration of morphine affects ventilation via a mixture of central and peripheral actions. The aims of this study were to characterize the ventilatory responses elicited by a low dose of morphine in conscious rats;to determine whether tolerance develops to these responses;and to determine the potential roles of peripheral μ-opioid receptors (μ-ORs) in these responses. Ventilatory parameters were monitored via unrestrained whole-body plethysmography. Conscious male Sprague-Dawley rats received an intravenous injection of vehicle or the peripherally-restricted μ-OR antagonist, naloxone methiodide (NLXmi), and then three successive injections of morphine (1 mg/kg) given 30 min apart. The first injection of morphine in vehicle-treated rats elicited an array of ventilatory excitant (i.e., increases in frequency of breathing, minute volume, respiratory drive, peak inspiratory and expiratory flows, accompanied by decreases in inspiratory time and end inspiratory pause) and inhibitory (i.e., a decrease in tidal volume and an increase in expiratory time) responses. Subsequent injections of morphine elicited progressively and substantially smaller responses. The pattern of ventilatory responses elicited by the first injection of morphine was substantially affected by pretreatment with NLXmi whereas NLXmi minimally affected the development of tolerance to these responses. Low-dose morphine elicits an array of ventilatory excitant and depressant effects in conscious rats that are subject to the development of tolerance. Many of these initial actions of morphine appear to involve activation of peripheral μ-ORs whereas the development of tolerance to these responses does not.

Subtype of Opioid Receptor in Airway SmoothMuscle and the Role of the Receptor in Asthmatic Attacks

In order to elucidate the behavior of opioid receptor in the airway smooth muscle (ASM) and potential role of the receptor in asthmatic attacks electrical field stimulation (EFS) was used to evaluate the effects of different narcotics and naloxine (Nal) on isolated rabbit ASM and biochemical methods were used to assay the influences of morphine (Mor) and pethidine(Pet) on the activities of adenylcyclase (AAC) and phosphodiesterase(APDE) in homogenate derived from rabbit ASM.Nal was used to treat the bronchospasm during anesthesia. It shows that Mor increased the rabbit ASM contraction and Nal reversed this effect, while Nal itself did not affect ASM. Fentanyl(Fen) decreased the contraction and Pet not only decreased the contraction but relaxed the ASM. Mor decreased the AAC in the rabbit ASM but didn't affect the APDE in the rabbit ASM. Pet had no influence on both the AAC and the APDE. Nal effectively relieved the bronchospasm which failed to the traditional treatment during anesthsia. These indicate that the opioid receptor in the ASM is a new subtype one.Mor exhibits satuable binding the subtype receptor and exerts strong agonistic activity to induce bronchospasm, while Nal antagonizes this effect. Yet Fen and Pet don's bind this subtype receptor. Endogenous opioid-like peptides may also bind this subtype receptor. In patients with airway hyperreactivity (PAHR) Mor is contraindicated, Fen and Pet may be used. and the latter may be the best choice.Asthma or bronchospasm may be treated with Nal.

MODULATION OF A δ-AND C-FIBER EVOKED RESPONSES OF NOCICEPTIVE NEURONS IN THE SUPERFICIAL AND THE DEEPER DORSAL HORN OF THE MEDULLA:ROLE OF OPIOID RECEPTORS(μ, δ_1, δ_2)

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of intravenously administered agonists and antagonists at μ(DAMGO, naloxone,)δ1 (DPDPE,BNTX)andδ2(DELT, NTB)opioid receptors on the Aδ-and C-fiber evoked responses of nociceptive neurons in the superficial and the deeper dorsal horn of the rat medulla.Extracellular single unit recording were made from 70 nociceptive neurons(28 NS,42 WDR) in the superficial dorsal horn and 37 nociceptive neurons(4 NS,33 WDR)in the deeper dorsal horn.All these neurons had an ipsilateral orofacial mechanoreceptive field and majority of these neurons had no spontaneous activity. The latencies for the C fiber evoked responses ranged from 34～105 msec whereas for Aδfiber-evoked responses it ranged from 3～22msec. A clear separation was observed between early and late responses of evoked by Cand Aδ-fiber.Application of DPDPE,DELT and DAMGO produced inhibitory effects on the Aδ-and C-fiber evoked responses of nociceptive neurons in the superficial and thedeeper dorsal horn.By comparison,the inhibition was more pronounced on the C-fiber evoked response than on the Aδ-fiber evoked response,and DAMGO produced a stronger inhibitory action than both DELT and DPDPE. Additionally,DPDPE produced facilitation, or inhibition followed by facilitation on the Aδ-and C-response and the effect had longer latency and longer time course.DPDPE also induced completely oppsite effects on the Aδ-and C-fiber evoked responses.Although the facilitation was observed,the effect was not dose-dependent. Application of BNTX (0.4～1mg/kg),a δ1 receptor antagonist,produced antagonism of DPDPE in 88%(7/8) neurons. Application of the doses (0.7～1mg/kg) of BTB,δ2-receptor antagonist,resulted in antagonism of both DELT and DPDPE. The inhibition of DELT on Aδ-response was antagonized by doses (0.3～1mg/kg)of NTB in 100% (14/14)neurons while the antagonism on C-response was in 79%(11/14) neurons.The effect produced by DPDPE was antagonized by the doses (0.7～1mg/kg) of NTB in 100%(4/4) neurons. However,a smaller dose of NTB(0.3mg/kg)which and antagonize the effect of DELT,did not antagonize the effect of DPEPE in 100%(4/4) neurons. The inhibitory action of DAMGO on Aδ-and C-fiber evoked responses was completely antagonized by naloxone(0. 2mg/kg) in 100% (6/6) neurons. These results suggest that:①μ-and δ-opioid receptors play an important role in modulating Aδ-and Cfiber evoked responses of nociceptive neurons in the superficial and the deeper dorsal horn of the rat medulla; ② The inhibitory action produced by DPDPE, DELT and DAMGO was more pronounced on the C-fiber evoked excitation and indicates that the agonists produce more predominant inhibition on the responses of dorsal horn neurons to noxious stimuli; ③ activation of either δ1-orδ2-opioid receptors produces inhibitory actions on Aδ- and C-response of nociceptive neurons in the superficial and the deeper dorsal horn of the medullal;DPDPE and DELT act at different δ-opioid receptor subtypes in the rat rnedulla; ⑤i.v.-administered NTB can distinguish δ-opioid receptor subtypes in a limited dose range.When administered i. v., 0. 3mg/kg of NTB is selective for δ2-opioid receptor.

YFa and analogs:Investigation of opioid receptors in smooth muscle contraction

AIM:To study the pharmacological profile and inhibition of smooth muscle contraction by YFa and its analogs in conjunction with their receptor selectivity. METHODS:The effects of YFa and its analogs (D-Ala2) YFa, Y (D-Ala2) GFMKKKFMRF amide and Des-Phe-YGGFMKKKFMR amide in guinea pig ileum (GPI) and mouse vas deferens (MVD) motility were studied using an isolated tissue organ bath system, and morphine and DynA (1-13) served as controls. Acetylcholine was used for muscle stimulation. The observations were validated by specific antagonist pretreatment experiments using naloxonazine, naltrindole and norbinaltor-phimine norBNI. RESULTS:YFa did not demonstrate significant inhibition of GPI muscle contraction as compared with mor-phine (15% vs 62%, P = 0.0002), but moderate inhibition of MVD muscle contraction, indicating the role of κ opioid receptors in the contraction. A moderate inhibition of GPI muscles by (Des-Phe) YFa revealed the role of anti-opiate receptors in the smooth muscle contraction. (D-Ala-2) YFa showed significant inhibition of smooth muscle contraction, indicating the involvement of mainly δ receptors in MVD contraction. These results were supported by specific antagonist pretreatment assays. CONCLUSION:YFa revealed its side-effect-free analgesic properties with regard to arrest of gastroin-testinal transit. The study provides evidences for the involvement of κ and anti-opioid receptors in smooth muscle contraction.

Corelation Between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Mu Opioid Receptor Exon 2 and Stereotypic Behaviour in Sows

Three breeds of sows were observed to investigate the relationship between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms（SNPs） in Mu Opioid Receptor（MOR）and stereotypic behaviour,such as,sham-chewing,bar biting and standing still in order to better understand the mechanism of stereotypic development of the animals in restrained conditions.MOR exon 2 partial sequences were amplified to analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms by PCR-SSCP.One SNP,a silence mutant was found.A significant difference （P〈0.01）was found in the frequency of genotypes in these 3 breeds where only the BB genotype,which was identical to that published in GenBank,was found in the Duroc breed,while no AA genotype was found in Landrace,3 genotypes AA,BB and AB were found in Yorkshire.The result also indicated that the individuals with AA and AB genotypes tended to be more active in sham-chewing than those with the BB genotype（P〈0.05）.The overall results of this study suggested that sham-chewing of sows may be subjected to both genetic control and environmental conditions,but activity level was more likely to be affected by their environment.We can putatively draw the conclusion that MOR gene has effect on the sham-chewing behavioral traits of sow.

Immunohistochemical identification of dynorphin A and Kappa opioid receptor-1 in the digestive system of scallop Chlamys farreri

Little is known about the roles of dynorphin and Kappa opioid receptor(KOR) in mollusks. In this study, we aim to determine the distribution of dynorphin A and KOR-1 in the digestive system of the scallop Chlamys farreri. Using immunohistochemical staining, we confirmed the expression of dynorphin A and KOR-1 in the digestive system of C. farreri. Dynorphin A immunopositive cells were identified in intestine and hepatopancreas. In intestine, small and spherical dynorphin A immunopositive cells(4–9 μm in diameter) were scattered among the long columnar epithelial cells(ECs). In hepatopancreas, cells containing masses(5–14 μm in diameter) of dynorphin A immunopositive products were observed in epithelium of acinis. These immunopositive cells may be synthetic and/or secretory cells of dynorphin A. Dynorphin A immunoreactive products were commonly observed in epithelium and connective tissue(CT) of labial palps, mouth labia and stomach, which presented in forms of grains, fibers or flakes. KOR-1 immunoreactive material was observed in ECs and CTs of labial palps, mouth labia and stomach, intestine and hepatopancreas. The distribution of both dynorphin A and KOR-1 in the digestive organs suggests an involvement of dynorphin via KOR-1 in the functional regulation of the digestive system of C. farreri.

Thienorphine induces analgesia by binding κ -and δ-, or by partially binding μ-opioid receptor,thus further regulating cAMP-PKA activity

OBJECTIVE Thienorphine,a new oripavine derivative,has shown to possess stronger antinociceptive effects and better oral bioavailability compared to buprenorphine.The present study examines the effect of thienorphine on c AMP-dependent protein kinase A(PKA) activity in CHO cells expressing μ-,κ-,δ-and ORL1 receptors.In addition,we further examined its analgesic effect in vivo.METHODS The effect of thienorphine on cA MP-dependent PKA redistribution and cA MP inhibition were analyzed in CHO-PKAcatEGFP cells.PKA redistribution assays in CHO-PKAcatEGFP cells stably expressing μ-,κ-,δ-and ORL1 receptors were analyzed by high-throughput screening system to elucidate the efficacy of agonists or antagonists on opioid receptors.Moroever,the antinociceptive effects of thienorphine in vivo were examined using hot plate test.RESULTS Briefly,the maximum inhibition of thienorphine on PKA activity was about 36%,100%,100%and 12% in CHO-μ/κ/δ/ORL1-PKAcatE GFP cel s,respectively.In addition,thienorphine concentrationdependently inhibited the PKA activity with EC50 value of(22.7±18.1) nmol·L^(-1) in CHO-κ-PKAcatE GFP cels and(12.4±7.7) nmol·L^(-1) in CHO-δ-PKAcatE GFP cells.Thienorphine induced approximately 50%antinociceptive effect in mice lacking μ receptors compared to their wild-type controls(P<0.05).Also,the κ and δ selective antagonist nor-binaltorphimine,naltrindole decreased approximately 50%-60% in % MPE of theinorphine in μ-KO mice,respectively.The ORL1 receptor selective antagonist J113397 had no effect in %MPE of theinorphine in μ-KO mice.CONCLUSION Thienorphine induces analgesia through bindingκ-and δ-,or by partially binding μ-opioid receptor,thus further regulating the cAMP-PKA activity.Therefore,thienorphine may be used in acute or chronic pain with minimal addictive potential.

Changes of mu and kappa opioid receptors in cathartic colon of rat

Objective: To observe the changes of mu and kappa opioid receptors in the cathartic colon of rat, and to clarify that whether opioid receptors accounts for the occurrence of slow transit constipation (STC). Methods: The cathartic colon model of rat was made by feeding with laxatives. The activity of mu and kappa opioid receptors in the cathartic colon of rat was measured by radio-ligand binding assay. Results: Compared with the control group, the maximal binding capacity (Bmax) and affinity(Kd) of mu opioid receptor in cathartic colon group were significantly increased (207.00±22.90 fmol/mg·p vs 82.00±14.23 fmol/mg·p, P < 0.01;3.30±0.45 mmol/L vs 2.40±0.57 mmol/L,P < 0.05). The maximal binding capacity of kappa opioid receptor also showed a great increase (957.00±102.41 fmol/mg·p vs 459.00±52.41 fmol/mg·p, P<0.01), but no significant difference of affinity was found between the two groups. Conclusion: The mu and kappa opioid receptors may be involved in the functional disorders of cathartic colon.

Effects of Peripherally Acting Opioid Ligands on Central Opioid Receptors and <i>β</i>-Endorphin Release in Stressed Rats

Using the radioreceptor binding assay, μ-opioid receptor (MOR) affinity in the midbrain of stressed rats was higher than in naive controls. MOR density in the rat frontal cortex was reduced after stress. Intragastric administration of the MOR antagonist naloxone methiodide was followed by an increase in the number of MORs in the frontal cortex. However, the MOR agonist loperamide significantly decreased the density of MORs in the frontal cortex and midbrain of naive animals. Loperamide and naloxone methiodide were shown to prevent an increase in MOR affinity and a decrease in MOR density in the midbrain of rats after restraint stress. The restraint stress was accompanied by an increase in the release of β-endorphin (BE) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of control rats. After administration, loperamide slightly decreased the release of BE, naloxone methiodide significantly increased the release of BE in the cingulate cortex (CC) of untreated animals, while drugs had no effect on the release of BE in the VTA. The drugs significantly increased the extracellular level of BE in the CC of stressed animals. Loperamide abolished the increase in the stress-induced release of BE in the VTA. By contrast, naloxone methiodide significantly increased the release of BE in the VTA of stressed rats. Our data indicated that activation of peripheral MORs induces depression of the central part of the μ-opioid system, but suppression of peripheral MOR activity induces activation of the central μ-opioid system, the interaction of which can be modulated by stress.

Regulation of vascular function by opioid receptor in the arterial wall during hemorrhagic shock in rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the action of the arterial wall opioid receptor in vascular function regulation during shock in rats. Metbods : Experiments were performed on rat model of hemorrhagic shock in vivo and arterial strips in vitro. Results: The mean arterial pressure of the rat was reduced rapidly to 3. 99 kpa by bleeding and was managed to maintain at that level. The mean maximum bleeding volume of the naloxone group was 25. 90±4. 23 ml/kg. It was significantly more than that of the control group which was 20. 26 ± 4. 43 ml/kg (P<0. 05). The vasoconstrictive phase of shock was 50. 00± 11. 53 min in the naloxone group and 31. 68 ± 9. 98 min in the control group. The differences between the two groups were considered significant (P<0. 05). The contents of leucine enkephalin (L-ENK) in the rat's arteries were measured by radioimmunoassay , which increased greatly during hemorrhagic shock. We found that the contractions of the rat's thoracic aorta strip evoked by electric field stimulation decreased significantly in the hemorrhagic shock group as compared with the control's. After giving naloxone (1. 37 ×10-5mol/L) , the enhancement rates of contraction of the shocked rat's artery strips increased greatly as compared with the control strips (P<0.01). Conclusion : The results indicated that opioid receptors in the arterial wall played a role in the decrease of vasoconstriction during hemorrhagic shock. The increasing content of enkephalin in the artery wall during hemorrhagic shork could be one of the important causes why vasoconstriction declined in hemorrhagic shock.Naloxone could act directly on the opioid receptors to block the inhibitory effects of opioid peptide on vasoconstriction and so to increase blood pressure and defy shock.

Functional expression of opioid receptor-like receptorand its endogenous specific agonist nociceptin/orphanin FQ during mouse embryogenesis

Expression of opioid receptor-like receptor (ORL1)and its endogenous peptide agonist nociceptin/orphaninFo (N/OFQ) during mouse embryogenesis have been investigated. Transcripts of ORL1 and N/OFQ were detected by RT-PCR in mouse brain of day 8 embryo (E8)and the expression continued afterwards. Northern blotanalysis revealed abundant expression of ORL1 at postnatal day 1 (P1) and N/OFQ at E17 and P1 in the brain butnone was detected in other embryonic tissues. The presence of functional ORL1 in mouse embryonic brain wasalso confirmed by specific binding of [3H] N/OFQ (kd=1.3±0.5 nM and Bmax = 72±9 fmol/mg protein) as wellas by N/OFQ-stimulated G protein activation.