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Exploiting endogenous opioids: Lessons learned from endomorphin 2 in the female rat
Alan R Gintzler1, Nai-Jiang Liu1, Emiliya M Storman1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA.
Peptides
|December 18, 2018
Summary
Harnessing the body's natural pain relief (endogenous opioid antinociception) offers a safer way to manage chronic pain in women. Targeting specific molecules based on the menstrual cycle improves treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Opioid analgesics are effective for chronic pain but carry risks of addiction and abuse.
- Developing strategies to utilize endogenous opioid systems could mitigate these risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify signaling molecules for activating endogenous opioid analgesia in women.
- To explore a precision medicine approach for chronic pain management based on the menstrual cycle.
Main Methods:
- Studied endogenous mechanisms regulating spinal endomorphin 2 antinociception in rats across their reproductive cycle.
- Identified key signaling molecules involved in modulating opioid antinociception.
Main Results:
- Discovered specific signaling molecules that can be targeted to activate endogenous opioid analgesia.
- Demonstrated that the stage of the menstrual cycle influences these targets.
Conclusions:
- Precision medicine, considering the menstrual cycle, is crucial for effectively targeting endogenous opioid systems.
- Activating endogenous opioid antinociception tailored to physiological states offers a novel pain management strategy.
Keywords:
AntinociceptionDynorphinEndogenous opioidsEndomorphin 2Estrogenic signalingReproductive cycleSpinal cordMore Related Videos
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