Opiod Receptors Flashcards
What proves that the opioid pain pathway has been arround for a while?
Components of the innate opioid pain defence mechanism can be found in jawless fish
Idicates that it has evolved for >450 million years
What are examples of opium alkaloids (opiates)?
Morphine
Codeine
Thebaine
Oripavaine
What is the link betweem opium and heroin?
Opium can be refined to produce heroin (dacetyl-morphine, aka diamorphine)
What are examples of endogenous opioids?
Endorphins (beta-endorphin)
Enkephalins (met-enkephalin, dynorphin, endomorphins)
What is the structure of an opioid receptor?
GPCR: has 7 alpha-helix transmembrane domains
What is the function of an opioid receptor?
Ligand binds, inhibitory Gi/o protein is activated > transduces effect to effector proteins > adenylyl cyclase decreases, decreased Ca entry, increased K exit > reduces function of the cell/neuron the receptor is located on > effect is based on location of receptor
Name 4 opioid receptors
Their gene
Selective agonist
G protein
MOP (mu)
OPRM1
DAMGO (synthetic peptide)
Gi/o
DOP (delta)
OPRD1
DPDPE (synthetic peptide)
Gi/o
KOP (kappa)
OPRK1
U50,488-H (synthetic peptide)
Gi/o
NOP (not an opioid receptor, but very much like one)
ORL1
Nociceptin (endogenous)
Gi/o
What kind of receptors do opioids activate?
Metabotropic receptors (GPCRs) only
G proteins are the second messengers
What effects do opioids have on behaviour?
Analgesic (decreases pain)
What is the ascending pain pathway?
Injury > primary afferent nociceptors >
What is hyperalgesia?
Great sensitivity to pain
Opioids and tolerance
The body develops a tolerance to opioids
Using opioid analgesics causes a tolerance to develop
- The curve of analgesia (y) against opioid concentration (x) shifts to the right after weeks of opioid use (more is opioid is needed for the same analgesic effect)
- Shows a loss of potency
What is an analgesic?
A medication that reduces or eliminates pain
What is Opioid Induced Hyperalgesia (OIH)?
The pain worsens after the opioid effect wears off
Plotting a graph of pain intensity (y) against stimulus intensity (x) shows that after weeks of opioid use, the graph shifts to the left (people feel pain sooner than they used to)
What are some side effects of opioid use?
Reward pathway leads to addiction
Respiratory depression
Immunosuppression
Constipation
Hyperalgesia
Tolerance/dependence