期刊名称：Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
印刷版ISSN：0027-8424
电子版ISSN：1091-6490
出版年度：1990
卷号：87
期号：15
页码：5935-5939
DOI：10.1073/pnas.87.15.5935
语种：English
出版社：The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
摘要：Exogenous opioids can produce localized opioid receptor-mediated antinociception in peripheral inflamed tissue. Previous studies show that activation of endogenous opioids by a cold water swim in rats with hind paw inflammation results in a similar local antinociceptive effect but suggest that pituitary-adrenal opioid pools are not directly involved in producing this effect. Here we show increased amounts of opioid peptides in immune cells infiltrating the inflamed tissue. Furthermore, we demonstrate immunoreactive opioid receptors on peripheral terminals of sensory neurons. The local administration of antibodies against opioid peptides or receptors or systemic pretreatment with the immunosuppressant cyclosporine blocks cold water swim-induced antinociception. These findings suggest that antinociception in inflammation can be brought about by endogenous opioids from immune cells interacting with opioid receptors on peripheral sensory nerves.
