Stress and the endogenous opioid system. I. Physiology and pharmacology of opioid peptides

In this article is given a survey on physiology and pharmacology of the opioid system. Opioid peptides are naturally occurring morphine-like acting metabolites of glycoprotein precursors. Of the opioid peptides proved hitherto in the organism met-, leu-enkephalin, dynorphin and beta-endorphin are characterized more in detail. Opioids react directly with opioid receptors. The opioid receptors are not a homogeneous system. Their distribution is depending on organs and species. Opioid peptides and receptors were proved within as well as outside the central nervous system. The main quantity of the endogenous beta-endorphin is stored in the pituitary gland. High concentrations of met-, leu-enkephalin and dynorphin are present in the gastrointestinal tract and in the adrenal glands. Opioid peptides are inactivated by enzymatic hydrolysis, in which case the splitting of the N-terminal tyrosine is decisive. The inactivation may be performed by amino peptidases, peptidyl dipeptide hydrolases or the angiotensin converting enzyme. The effect of the opioid peptides can be inhibited by opioid antagonists (naloxone, naloxazone). Up to now there are contradictory findings as to the presence of an endogenous opioid antagonist. In general, the presence of different opioid peptides and their different receptor preference indicate multiple functions in the organism. However, their physiological function is up to now only little clarified.