Abstract
The pathophysiology of mood disorders involves several genetic and social predisposing factors, as well as a dysregulated response to a chronic stressor, i.e. chronic pain. Our present view that depression involves a dysfunction of the monoaminergic system is a result of important clinical and preclinical observations over the past 40 years. In fact, current pharmacological treatment for depression is based on the use of drugs that act mainly by enhancing brain serotonin and noradrenaline neurotransmission by the blockade of the active reuptake mechanism for these neurotransmitters. However, a substantial number of patients do not respond adequately to antidepressant drugs. In view of this, there is an intense search to identify novel targets (receptors) for antidepressant therapy. Opioid peptides and their receptors are potential candidates for the development of novel antidepressant treatment. In this context, endogenous opioid peptides are coexpressed in brain areas known to play a major role in affective disorders and in the action of antidepressant drugs. The actions of endogenous opioids and opiates are mediated by three receptor subtypes (μ, δ and κ), which are coupled to different intracellular effector systems. Also, antidepressants which increase the availability of noradrenaline and serotonin through the inhibition of the reuptake of both monoamines lead to the enhancement of the opioid pathway. Tricyclic antidepressants show an analgesic effect in neuropathic and inflammatory pain that is blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone. A compilation of the most significant studies will illustrate the actual and potential value of the opioid system for clinical research and drug development.
Keywords: Opioid, opiate, μ (MOP receptor), δ (DOP receptor), κ (KOP receptor), antidepressant, depression, monoamines
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Opiates as Antidepressants
Volume: 15 Issue: 14
Author(s): Esther Berrocoso, Pilar Sanchez-Blazquez, Javier Garzon and Juan A. Mico
Affiliation:
Keywords: Opioid, opiate, μ (MOP receptor), δ (DOP receptor), κ (KOP receptor), antidepressant, depression, monoamines
Abstract: The pathophysiology of mood disorders involves several genetic and social predisposing factors, as well as a dysregulated response to a chronic stressor, i.e. chronic pain. Our present view that depression involves a dysfunction of the monoaminergic system is a result of important clinical and preclinical observations over the past 40 years. In fact, current pharmacological treatment for depression is based on the use of drugs that act mainly by enhancing brain serotonin and noradrenaline neurotransmission by the blockade of the active reuptake mechanism for these neurotransmitters. However, a substantial number of patients do not respond adequately to antidepressant drugs. In view of this, there is an intense search to identify novel targets (receptors) for antidepressant therapy. Opioid peptides and their receptors are potential candidates for the development of novel antidepressant treatment. In this context, endogenous opioid peptides are coexpressed in brain areas known to play a major role in affective disorders and in the action of antidepressant drugs. The actions of endogenous opioids and opiates are mediated by three receptor subtypes (μ, δ and κ), which are coupled to different intracellular effector systems. Also, antidepressants which increase the availability of noradrenaline and serotonin through the inhibition of the reuptake of both monoamines lead to the enhancement of the opioid pathway. Tricyclic antidepressants show an analgesic effect in neuropathic and inflammatory pain that is blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone. A compilation of the most significant studies will illustrate the actual and potential value of the opioid system for clinical research and drug development.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Berrocoso Esther, Sanchez-Blazquez Pilar, Garzon Javier and Mico A. Juan, Opiates as Antidepressants, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2009; 15 (14) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209788168100
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209788168100 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
dUTPase in Human Neoplastic Cells as a Potential Target for Therapeutic Intervention
Current Protein & Peptide Science Terpenes with Antitumor Activity: A Patent Review
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Stem Cells and the Side Population Theory: A Critical Review
Current Tissue Engineering (Discontinued) Interactions Between Cholinergic and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors in Brain Trophism and Plasticity
Current Protein & Peptide Science The Immune System in Cancer Prevention, Development and Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry A Novel µ-Opioid Receptor Ligand with High In Vitro and In Vivo Agonist Efficacy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Indole Compounds Against Breast Cancer: Recent Developments
Current Drug Targets Therapeutic Potential of Peptide Toxins that Target Ion Channels
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Design of Magnetic Nanoparticles-Assisted Drug Delivery System
Current Pharmaceutical Design Antidepressants, β-Arrestins and GRKs: From Regulation of Signal Desensitization to Intracellular Multifunctional Adaptor Functions
Current Pharmaceutical Design Radiosensitization Induced by Ultra-stable PVA-coated Gold Nanoparticles: A Study with Fricke Dosimeter, Plasmid DNA and F98 Glioma Cells
Current Nanomedicine Combining Oncolytic Virotherapy and Cytotoxic Therapies to Fight Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Current Issues in the Utility of Blood Oxygen Level Dependent MRI for the Assessment of Modulations in Tumor Oxygenation
Current Medical Imaging Image Fusion of Diagnostic Ultrasound with Other Modalities
Current Medical Imaging Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and its Trafficking Regulation by Acetylation: Implication in Resistance and Exploring the Newer Therapeutic Avenues in Cancer
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Triazole as Potent Anti-cancer Agent- A Pharmacophoric Scaffold
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Hydrolyzed Rutin Decreases Worsening of Anaplasia in Glioblastoma Relapse
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Targeting Poly (ADP) Ribose Polymerase I (PARP-1) and PARP-1 Interacting Proteins for Cancer Treatment
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Anti-Toxoplasma Activity of Natural Products: A Review
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Radiolabeled Imaging Probes Targeting Angiogenesis for Personalized Medicine
Current Pharmaceutical Design