Analgesic activity of the naturally occurring heptapeptide [Met]enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • [Met]Enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7 is an opiate-like peptide normally found in the the adrenal gland and brain that has analgesic (antinociceptive) activity when administered directly into the cerebral ventricles of mice. On a molar basis, [Met]-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7, with a median effective dose (ED50) of 38.5 nmol/mouse, is 8 times more potent than [Met]enkephalin. As with [Met]enkephalin, analgesic activity is blocked by naloxone and intravenous administration does not produce characteristic opiate effects in tests for analgesic, antidiuretic, or antidiarrheal activity. These findings suggest that [Met]enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7 may be at least as important as the enkephalins in the postulated enkephalin system mediating pain and analgesia.

publication date

  • September 1, 1980

Research

keywords

  • Analgesics
  • Endorphins
  • Enkephalin, Methionine
  • Enkephalins

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC350091

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0001613867

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1073/pnas.77.9.5512

PubMed ID

  • 6933569

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 77

issue

  • 9