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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor (GIMM)
08:15

Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor (GIMM)

Published on: December 1, 2010

Beta-endorphin fragments (DT gamma E and DE gamma E) reduce opiate withdrawal in guinea pig ileum

Anna Capasso1, Alberto Loizzo

  • 1Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Italy. annacap@unisa.it

Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
|January 31, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Two beta-endorphin fragments, DTgammaE and DEgammaE, significantly reduced acute opioid dependence in vitro. These fragments prevented and reversed naloxone-induced contractures, suggesting a key interaction with opioid receptors.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Opioid dependence is a significant health issue.
  • Opioid receptors (mu, kappa, delta) mediate various physiological effects.
  • Beta-endorphins are endogenous peptides with opioid-like activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of beta-endorphin fragments (DTgammaE and DEgammaE) on acute opioid dependence in vitro.
  • To determine if these fragments can prevent or reverse opioid-induced dependence.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro experiments using guinea pig isolated ileum and rabbit isolated jejunum.
  • Exposure to mu, kappa, and delta receptor agonists (morphine, DAGO, U50-488H, beta-endorphin, deltorphin).
  • Assessment of naloxone-induced contracture following agonist exposure and treatment with DTgammaE or DEgammaE.

Main Results:

  • Opioid agonists induced significant naloxone-precipitated contractures in isolated tissues.
  • DTgammaE and DEgammaE treatments prevented and reversed these contractures in a concentration-dependent manner.
  • Both fragments demonstrated significant reduction of opioid dependence in vitro.

Conclusions:

  • DTgammaE and DEgammaE effectively reduce acute opioid dependence induced by mu, kappa, and delta receptor agonists.
  • These findings suggest a significant functional interaction between beta-endorphin fragments and opioid receptor systems.
  • Beta-endorphin fragments may represent a novel therapeutic target for managing opioid dependence.

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