Targeting peripheral opioid receptors to promote analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions

Abstract

Mechanisms of endogenous pain control are signicant. Increasing studies have clearl produced evidence for the clinical usefulness of opioids in peripheral analgesia. The immun system uses mechanisms of cell migration not only to ght pathogens but also to contro pain and inammation within injured tissue. It has been demonstrated that periphera inammatory pain can be effectively controlled by an interaction of immune cell-derive opioid peptides with opioid receptors on peripheral sensory nerve terminals. Experimenta and clinical studies have clearly shown that activation of peripheral opioid receptors wit exogenous opioid agonists and endogenous opioid peptides are able to produce signican analgesic and anti-inammatory effects, without central opioid mediated side effects (e.g respiratory depression, sedation, tolerance, dependence).This article will focus on the rol of opioids in peripheral inammatory conditions and the clinical implications of targetin peripheral opioid receptors.