Abstract
This review focuses on the physiological roles for kappa opioid receptors (KORs) in adult animals and humans, as well as in the developing newborn animal. Our recent findings have provided new information that under physiological conditions in conscious newborn animals, activation of KORs with the selective agonist, U-50488H, results in an aquaresis, as previously observed in adult animals and humans. In addition, we have shown in conscious lambs that KORs modulate systemic and renal haemodynamics as well as the arterial baroreflex control of heart rate, providing a previously unidentified role for KORs.
Highlights
Endogenous opioid peptides, known as endorphins, are part of the endocrine system, and are involved in numerous physiological processes including feeding, cardiovascular and endocrine function
The known effects of endorphins are elicited through dynorphins, β-endorphins, endomorphins, enkephalins, and nociceptins/orphanin FQ which activate specific receptor subtypes designated as kappa (κ) opioid receptor (KOR), mu (μ) opioid receptor (MOR), and delta (δ) opioid receptor (DOR), as well as the N/OFQ peptide receptor (NOP)
It is apparent that kappa opioids are emerging as an important peptide under physiological conditions throughout life with important functions early in post natal life
Summary
Endogenous opioid peptides, known as endorphins, are part of the endocrine system, and are involved in numerous physiological processes including feeding, cardiovascular and endocrine function. Endorphins are involved in pain, substance abuse, traumatic brain injury, and haemorrhagic shock [1]. The known effects of endorphins are elicited through dynorphins, β-endorphins, endomorphins, enkephalins, and nociceptins/orphanin FQ which activate specific receptor subtypes designated as kappa (κ) opioid receptor (KOR), mu (μ) opioid receptor (MOR), and delta (δ) opioid receptor (DOR), as well as the N/OFQ peptide receptor (NOP). This review focuses on the putative roles for the first class of endorphins – the dynorphins – and their cardiovascular and renal effects through activation of KORs, especially with regard to the physiology of development
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