FIND ARTICLE

OPIOID SYSTEM AND INNATE IMMUNITY – COMPARATIVE STUDIES. II. OPIOIDS AND INFLAMMATION

Homeostasis is critically dependent on communication between the immune, endocrine and nervous systems, and also the opioid system. Opioids can affect immune processes directly through the activation of opioid receptors on leukocytes or indirectly through the stimulation of the corticosteroid and catecholamine release. Leukocytes can also synthesize and release opioid peptides, which act as analgesic factors during inflammatory process. Many data indicate that opioids are also immunomodulators, and can affect leukocyte migration, killing activity and apoptosis.

THE INFLUENCE OF OPIOIDS ON STEROIDOGENESIS IN GRANULOSA AND THECA INTERNA CELLS FROM PORCINE OVARIAN FOLLICLES; THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF OPIOID AGONIST FK 33-824

Opioid peptides belong to a group of agents, produced in porcine ovarian follicles, which affect functions of granulosa and theca interna cells. During short incubation of the cells with opioids (µ δ or κ agonists) inhibition of steroidogenesis prevails, while in the presence of LH, trophic agent for these cells (from large follicles), stimulation of steroid hormones under influence of opioids predominates. The mechanism of inhibitory action of opioids on follicular steroidogenesis was investigated using the agonist of mainly µ receptors, FK 33-824.

The Editorial Board
Andrzej Łukaszyk - przewodniczący, Zofia Bielańska-Osuchowska, Szczepan Biliński, Mieczysław Chorąży, Aleksander Koj, Włodzimierz Korochoda, Leszek Kuźnicki, Aleksandra Stojałowska, Lech Wojtczak

Editorial address:
Katedra i Zakład Histologii i Embriologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Poznaniu, ul. Święcickiego 6, 60-781 Poznań, tel. +48 61 8546453, fax. +48 61 8546440, email: mnowicki@ump.edu.pl

PBK Postępby biologi komórki