Enhancement of μ-opioid receptor desensitization by orexin-A in rat locus coeruleus neurons
Opioids have always been used in clinical practice for pain management. However, development of tolerance to their effects following long term administration, seriously restricts further clinical use of these drugs. In this regard, μ-opioid receptor (MOR) desensitization, as an initial step in development of opioid tolerance, is of particular significance. Previous studies support the involvement of orexinergic system in development of opioid tolerance. Locus coeruleus (LC) nucleus has been shown to modulate pain and developm ent of tolerance.
Source: Neuropeptides - Category: Neuroscience Authors: S. Mohammad Ahmadi Soleimani, Hossein Azizi, Narges Pachenari, Javad Mirnajafi-Zadeh, Saeed Semnanian Source Type: research