Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

Opioid Receptors: Overview

714
Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2,...
714
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

575
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
575
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners01:20

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

231
Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
231
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

275
Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
275
Nociception01:44

Nociception

27.8K
Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain.
27.8K
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents01:17

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents

189
Diarrhea, a condition marked by frequent loose or watery bowel movements, can be triggered by multiple factors such as viral or bacterial infections, food intolerances, anxiety, medications, and digestive disorders. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and cramping. Severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to complications like electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, and dehydration if left untreated.
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...
189

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Dihydroartemisinin inhibits the Raf/ERK/MEK and PI3K/AKT pathways in glioma cells.

Oncology letters·2016
Same author

Rapid three-dimensional microfluidic mixer for high viscosity solutions to unravel earlier folding kinetics of G-quadruplex under molecular crowding conditions.

Talanta·2016
Same author

[A review on microRNAs regulation in osteoclast differentiation and function].

Hua xi kou qiang yi xue za zhi = Huaxi kouqiang yixue zazhi = West China journal of stomatology·2015
Same author

Two-Way Fluid-Gas Exchange Syringe for Postvitrectomy Patients in Outpatient Setting.

Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2015
Same author

[Progress and prospect of biodiesel industry in China].

Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology·2015
Same author

SCO2 Mediates Oxidative Stress-Induced Glycolysis to Oxidative Phosphorylation Switch in Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Stem cells (Dayton, Ohio)·2015
Same journal

Correction to: Recent Structural Insights into the Molecular Architecture of Synapses.

Advances in neurobiology·2026
Same journal

Roles of Glia in Synapse Nano-organization.

Advances in neurobiology·2026
Same journal

Visualizing Postsynaptic Density in Excitatory Synapses with Electron Tomography.

Advances in neurobiology·2026
Same journal

Optical Approaches to Dissect the Structure and Dynamics of the Synapse at Nanoscale Resolution.

Advances in neurobiology·2026
Same journal

Functional Nano-segregation of Distinct Forms of Neurotransmission.

Advances in neurobiology·2026
Same journal

Scales of Postsynaptic Nanostructure: Molecules, Nanoclusters, and Nanodomains.

Advances in neurobiology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2025

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
07:23

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities

Published on: July 29, 2014

33.3K

Interactions Between Endogenous Opioids and the Immune System.

Wei Du1

  • 1Clinical Sciences Research, CAMC Institute for Academic Medicine, Charleston, WV, USA. wei.du@camc.org.

Advances in Neurobiology
|June 14, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The body’s natural opioid system regulates immune cells, influencing their function and contributing to pain relief. Immune cells also produce opioid peptides, playing a role in local pain management.

Keywords:
CytokinesEndogenous opioidsImmunologyOpioid receptors

More Related Videos

Teasing Out the Interplay Between Natural Killer Cells and Nociceptor Neurons
09:40

Teasing Out the Interplay Between Natural Killer Cells and Nociceptor Neurons

Published on: June 30, 2022

2.2K
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

18.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2025

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
07:23

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities

Published on: July 29, 2014

33.3K
Teasing Out the Interplay Between Natural Killer Cells and Nociceptor Neurons
09:40

Teasing Out the Interplay Between Natural Killer Cells and Nociceptor Neurons

Published on: June 30, 2022

2.2K
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

18.2K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • The endogenous opioid system, comprising receptors and ligands, is present in both the nervous and immune systems.
  • Endogenous opioid peptides are key regulators of immune system functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the immunoregulatory roles of central endogenous opioids.
  • To examine the involvement of opioid peptide-containing immune cells in peripheral analgesia.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on the endogenous opioid system and immune function.
  • Analysis of studies detailing the effects of opioids on immune cell behavior.
  • Examination of research on immune cell-derived opioid peptides and their role in pain.

Main Results:

  • Endogenous opioids influence immune cell activation, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, phagocytosis, and cytokine production.
  • Immune cells, such as macrophages and lymphocytes, are targets of opioid regulation.
  • Immune cells synthesize and secrete endogenous opioid peptides, contributing to peripheral analgesia.

Conclusions:

  • The endogenous opioid system significantly modulates immune responses.
  • Immune cells actively participate in pain modulation through the production of opioid peptides.