Association of enkephalin catabolism inhibitors and CCKB antagonists: A potential use in the management of pain and opioid addiction

The overlapping distribution of opioid and cholecystokinin (CCK) peptides and their receptors (μ and δ opioid receptors; CCK-A and CCK-B receptors) in the central nervous system have led to a large number of studies aimed at clarifying the functional relationships between these two neuropeptides. Most of the pharmacological studies devoted to the role of CCK and enkephalins have been focused on the control of pain. Recently the existence of regulatory mechanisms between both systems have been proposed, and the physiological antagonism between CCK and endogenous opioid systems has been definitely demonstrated by coadministration of CCK-B selective antagonists with RB 101, a systemically active inhibitor, which fully protects enkephalins from their degradation. Several studies have also been done to investigate the functional relationships between both systems in development of opioid side-effects and in behavioral responses. This article will review the experimental pharmacology of association of enkephalin-degrading enzyme inhibitors and CCK-B antagonists to demonstrate the interest of these molecules in the management of both pain and opioid addiction. Special issue dedicated to Dr. Eric J. Simon.     

Computer Modeling of the Solution Conformation of Cyclic Enkephalins

The probable conformations of two cyclic enkephalin analogs, DNS-cyclo[D-Dab-Gly-Trp-Leu] (I) and DNS-cyclo[D-Dab-Gly-Trp-D-Leu] (II) (DNS = dansyl), were determined by combining the results of NOE, vicinal coupling constant and fluorescence energy transfer measurements with theoretical calculations. The common feature of the conformations for both peptides is the presence of a -turn at residues 2 and 3.     

Computer Modeling of the Solution Conformation of Cyclic Enkephalins

Summary The probable conformations of two cyclic enkephalin analogs, DNS-cyclo[d-Dab-Gly-Trp-Leu] (I) and DNS-cyclo[d-Dab-Gly-Trp-d-Leu] (II) (DNS=dansyl), were determined by combining the results of NOE, vicinal coupling constant and fluorescence energy transfer measurements with theoretical calculations. The common feature of the conformations for both peptides is the presence of a β-turn at residues 2 and 3.     

Microdialysis and mass spectrometric monitoring of dopamine and enkephalins in the globus pallidus reveal reciprocal interactions that regulate movement

Pallidal dopamine, GABA and the endogenous opioid peptides enkephalins have independently been shown to be important controllers of sensorimotor processes. Using in vivo microdialysis coupled to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and a behavioral assay, we explored the interaction between these three neurotransmitters in the rat globus pallidus. Amphetamine (3 mg/kg i.p.) evoked an increase in dopamine, GABA and methionine/leucine enkephalin. Local perfusion of the dopamine D(1) receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (100 μM) fully prevented amphetamine stimulated enkephalin and GABA release in the globus pallidus and greatly suppressed hyperlocomotion. In contrast, the dopamine D(2) receptor antagonist raclopride (100 μM) had only minimal effects suggesting a greater role for pallidal D(1) over D(2) receptors in the regulation of movement. Under basal conditions, opioid receptor blockade by naloxone perfusion (10 μM) in the globus pallidus stimulated GABA and inhibited dopamine release. Amphetamine-stimulated dopamine release and locomotor activation were attenuated by naloxone perfusion with no effect on GABA. These findings demonstrate a functional relationship between pallidal dopamine, GABA and enkephalin systems in the control of locomotor behavior under basal and stimulated conditions. Moreover, these findings demonstrate the usefulness of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as an analytical tool when coupled to in vivo microdialysis.     

Copper deficiency in rats increases pancreatic enkephalin-containing peptides and insulin

Free enkephalins (enk) and higher molecular weight enkephalin-containing peptides (enk-c-p) are present in the endocrine pancreas of rats, presumably in B cells. To determine whether these opioid peptides show dynamic alterations as insulin content of pancreas changes, we utilized a copper deficient rat model, in which the exocrine pancreas atrophies and the endocrine pancreas is “intact” and insulin (IRI) content increases. Dietary copper deficiency (−C) was produced in weanling male rats for 4 and 7 weeks. The deficient and copper supplemented (+C) groups were further subdivided to receive all dietary carbohydrate as either 62% fructose (F) or 62% starch (S). −CF rats showed the most severe deficiency. After 7 weeks, total units of pancreatic IRI in −CF were 7.5, +CF 2.1, −CS 7.9 and in +CS 2.8 (p<0.001). Pancreatic content of Met⁵- and Leu⁵-enk was measured in extracts which were purified on C-18 Seppaks with and without prior treatment with trypsin and carboxypeptidase B. −C animals showed progressive, significant increases in pancreatic content of Leu-enk-c-p, with a decrease in free Leu- and Met-enk (p<0.02-0.01). The pancreatic findings are compatible with a co-localization of enkephalins and insulin in the endocrine pancreas and are suggestive of co-regulation.     

Comparative Studies of the Binding of Dimeric and Monomeric Enkephalins to Neuroblastoma-Glioma NG108–15 Cells

Binding activity of the enkephalin dimer [D-Ala2, Leu5-NH-CH2-]2 (DPE2) to NG108-15 hybrid cells was compared to that of the monomer [D-Ala2, Leu5]enkephalin amide (DALEA). At 25 degrees C, the values of the apparent affinity constant for DPE2, measured to intact and lysed cells and membranes, was 5.0 (+/- 0.09) X 10(9) M-1 for n = 28 experiments, as compared to 0.9 (+/- 0.08) X 10(9) M-1 (n = 16) for DALEA. At 4 degrees C, the binding affinity of DPE2 decreased by 43% and that of DALEA by 33%. An important difference between the binding of DPE2 and DALEA was that, after necessary corrections for difference in maximal "bindability" of the respective tritiated enkephalins, the molar binding capacity for DALEA was twofold higher than for DPE2, although mutual cross-displacement studies indicated that binding occurred to one class of noninteracting homogeneous receptors. The binding capacity for intact and lysed cells and membranes was 20 (+/- 2) X 10(-11) M for DPE2 and 43 (+/- 2) X 10(-11) M for DALEA. The enkephalin monomers [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) and [D-Ala2, Met5]enkephalin amide (DAMEA) showed binding characteristics similar to those of DALEA.     

电针刺激加速大鼠中枢脑啡肽的合成

应用放射免疫分析法测定大鼠纹状体、下丘脑、丘脑、桥延脑内甲啡肽和亮啡肽样免疫活性物质(Ir-MEK,Ir-LEK)的含量。脑室注射氨基肽酶抑制剂 bestatin(B)或“脑啡肽酶”抑制剂 thiorphan(T)各50μg 并不影响脑内 Ir 脑啡肽含量,合并应用 B T 各50μg 仅引起下丘脑 Ir-MEK 含量轻度上升。这说明安静状态下中枢脑啡肽的更新率不高。给大鼠电针30min 使纹状体和下丘脑 Ir-MEK 和 Ir-LEK 含量升高约40%(33—52%)(P<0.01)。在脑室注射 B T 各100μg 以及腹腔注射非特异性肽酶抑制剂 D-苯丙氨酸250mg/Kg的基础上电针,则使 Ir-MEK 和 Ir-LEK 含量升高约120%(94—147%)(P<0.01)。以上结果说明30min 电针刺激既促进脑啡肽的合成,也促进其释放。由于前者超过后者,因此静态含量升高。在中枢脑啡肽含量升高的同时,电针镇痛效果加强。说明由于肽酶抑制剂的保护作用而积聚于脑内的脑啡肽是具有功能意义的。     

Solution Conformation of [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin in Water: A NMR and Molecular Dynamics Study

The solution conformation of [D -Pen²,D -Pen⁵] enkephalin (DPDPE), a highly potent δ-selective opioid agonist, was examined by means of NMR, molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics methods. The structural information in the solvent water was obtained employing one- and two-dimensional methods of ¹H and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. Based on the distance geometry technique using the ROE data as input, 400 conformers were obtained and considered in the structure analysis. Alternatively, about 2000 conformers were stochastically generated and related to the NMR data after energy minimization. The structure analysis provides one conformer in agreement with all NMR data, which belongs to the lowest energy conformation group. This structure may serve as a reference conformer for DPDPE analogues synthesized with the aim of activity increase.     

Detection of the messenger RNA coding for preproenkephalin A in bovine adrenal by in situ hybridization

The messenger RNA (mRNA) coding for the adrenal precursor of enkephalins (preproenkephalin-A) has been detected in bovine adrenal medulla cells using in situ hybridization with 32P-labelled preproenkephalin A (PPA) complementary DNA. In formaldehyde- and Carnoy-fixed tissue sections, an intense elective labelling restricted to the cells located at the periphery of the adrenal medulla can be detected after hybridization procedure, using X-ray film and classical autoradiographic procedure. Adequate controls show that this labelling is obtained only using PPA complementary DNA, inserted or not in its vector. Distribution of PPA mRNA appears identical to that of its immunoreactive end products, namely Met-enkephalin and BAM22 peptide, detected by immunohistochemistry. Norepinephrine, detectable using monoamine histofluorescence, appears restricted to the cells of the center of the gland unlabelled for PPA mRNA and its end-products. Cultured bovine adrenomedullary cells that exhibited enkephalin immunoreactivity also contain PPA mRNA located in their cytoplasm.     

Effects of morphine andd-Ala2-d-Leu5-enkephalin in the seizure-susceptible El mouse

Opioid agonists were used to investigate the modulation of seizures in the seizure-susceptible El mouse. Morphine andd-Ala²-d-Leu⁵-enkephalin (DADLE) were injected subcutaneously or intracisternally as prototypic agonists for and opioid receptors. Systemic or intracisternal injection of both morphine and DADLE decreased the incidence of seizures and the seizure score in El mice in a dose-dependent manner. The anticonvulsant effects of morphine and DADLE were reversed by naloxone (2 mg/kg, s.c.). This implies that opioid agonists have anticonvulsant properties which are mediated by and opioid receptors. In conclusion, a deficit in endogenous opioid peptides, which act as anticonvulsants may play a significant role in the etiology or pathophysiology of seizures in the El mouse.