[Effect of an opioid peptide on the healing of experimental myocardial infarct]

The effect of an opioid hormone (Leu-enkephalin analog Tyr-Dala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg) on the healing of myocardial infarction caused by the ligation of the descending branch of the rabbit left coronary artery has been investigated. The peptide was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 micrograms/kg daily. Using light and electron microscopy, the peptide has been shown to exert a pronounced stimulating effect on the healing of the necrotic zone on days 3 and 7 of the experiment. Opioid peptides are suggested to take part in the healing of various disorders.