δ-Opioid receptor as a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke
Kalpana Subedi1, Hongmin Wang1
1Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences and Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA.
Insights
Activation of the delta-opioid receptor shows promise for treating ischemic stroke neuronal injury. This approach may also help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's disease linked to stroke by modulating key proteins.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Neurology
Background:
- Ischemic stroke is a major global health issue causing brain damage due to reduced blood flow.
- Current treatments for ischemic stroke have limitations, leaving many patients without effective options.
- Neuronal injury following stroke necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on activating the delta-opioid receptor (DOR) for treating ischemic stroke-induced neuronal injury.
- To explore the potential of DOR activation in mitigating stroke-related dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
- To discuss the role of DOR agonists in modulating amyloid precursor protein and beta-secretase activity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on DOR activation in ischemic stroke models.
- Analysis of research investigating the effects of non-peptidic DOR agonists on neuronal survival and function.
- Examination of studies exploring the impact of DOR modulation on amyloid precursor protein processing and beta-secretase activity.
Main Results:
- Activation of DOR demonstrates neuroprotective effects against ischemic injury in the brain.
- Non-peptidic DOR agonists show potential for therapeutic intervention in stroke recovery.
- DOR activation influences pathways relevant to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis, including amyloid precursor protein metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Delta-opioid receptor activation represents a promising therapeutic strategy for acute ischemic stroke.
- Targeting DOR may offer a dual benefit by addressing both acute neuronal injury and long-term cognitive decline post-stroke.
- Further research into DOR agonists could lead to novel treatments for stroke and associated neurodegenerative conditions.
Abstract:
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 of δ-opioid receptor as a strategy for treating ischemic stroke-caused neuronal injury. Moreover, as activation of δ-opioid receptor by a non-peptidic δ-opioid receptor agonist also modulates the expression, maturation and processing of amyloid precursor protein and β-secretase activity, the potential role of these effects on ischemic stroke caused dementia or Alzheimer's disease are also discussed.
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