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Papers of the Week


Papers: 13 Jul 2019 - 19 Jul 2019


Animal Studies, Human Studies, Pharmacology/Drug Development

PAIN TYPE:
Itch


2019 Aug


Anesthesiology


131


2

Cross-talk between Human Spinal Cord μ-opioid Receptor 1Y Isoform and Gastrin-releasing Peptide Receptor Mediates Opioid-induced Scratching Behavior.

Authors

Abstract

The spinal administration of opioids can cause intense pruritisInteractions between specific μ-opioid receptor isoforms and the gastrin releasing peptide receptor in spinal tissues likely mediate morphine-induced pruritus WHAT THIS ARTICLE TELLS US THAT IS NEW: Human spinal cord tissue expresses the 1Y isoform of the μ-opioid receptor, and that isoform functionally interacts with the gastrin releasing peptide receptor to cause cellular calcium influxBlocking interactions between the 1Y isoform and the gastrin releasing peptide receptor does not reduce opioid analgesiaEliminating interactions between the 1Y isoform and the gastrin releasing peptide receptor or reducing 1Y isoform activation may reduce opioid-induced pruritis BACKGROUND:: Although spinal opioids are safe and effective, pruritus is common and distressing. The authors previously demonstrated in mouse spinal cord that interactions between μ-opioid receptor isoform 1D and gastrin releasing peptide receptor mediate morphine-induced scratch. The C-terminal of 1D inhibits morphine-induced scratch without affecting analgesia. The authors hypothesize that human spinal cord also contains itch-specific μ-opioid receptor isoforms which interact with gastrin releasing peptide receptor.