Neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels play a pivotal role in the conversion of electrical signals into calcium entry into nerve endings that is required for the release of neurotransmitters. They are under the control of a number of cellular signaling pathways that serve to fine tune synaptic activities, including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and the opioid system. Besides modulating channel activity via activation of second messengers, GPCRs also physically associate with calcium channels to regulate their function and expression at the plasma membrane. In this mini review, we discuss the mechanisms by which calcium channels are regulated by classical opioid and nociceptin receptors. We highlight the importance of this regulation in the control of neuronal functions and their implication in the development of disease conditions. Finally, we present recent literature concerning the use of novel μ-opioid receptor/nociceptin receptor modulators and discuss their use as potential drug candidates for the treatment of pain.
- Klíčová slova
- G-protein coupled receptors, Mu opioid receptor, Nociception opioid receptor, Voltage-gated calcium channels,
- MeSH
- agonisté vápníkových kanálů farmakologie MeSH
- blokátory kalciových kanálů farmakologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- neurony účinky léků fyziologie MeSH
- opioidní analgetika farmakologie MeSH
- receptory opiátové agonisté fyziologie MeSH
- vápníková signalizace účinky léků fyziologie MeSH
- vápníkové kanály fyziologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Názvy látek
- agonisté vápníkových kanálů MeSH
- blokátory kalciových kanálů MeSH
- opioidní analgetika MeSH
- receptory opiátové MeSH
- vápníkové kanály MeSH
Orofacial pain disorders are frequent in the general population and their pharmacological treatment is difficult and controversial. Therefore, the search for novel, safe and efficient analgesics is an important but still elusive goal for contemporary medicine. In the recent years, the antinociceptive potential of endocannabinoids and opioids has been emphasized. However, concerns for the safety of their use limit their clinical applications. the possibility of modulating the activity of endocannabinoids by regulation of their synthesis and/or degradation offers an innovative approach to the treatment of pain. A rat model of trigeminal pain, utilizing tongue jerks evoked by electrical tooth pulp stimulation during perfusion of the cerebral ventricles with various neurotransmitter solutions can be used in the pharmacological studies of nociception in the orofacial area. The aim of this review is to present the effects of pharmacological activity of opioids and endocannabinoids affecting the transmission of the sensory information from the orofacial area on the example of trigemino-hypoglossal reflex in rats.
- MeSH
- agonisté kanabinoidních receptorů terapeutické užití MeSH
- endokanabinoidy metabolismus terapeutické užití MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- obličejová bolest farmakoterapie metabolismus patofyziologie MeSH
- opioidní analgetika terapeutické užití MeSH
- opioidní peptidy metabolismus MeSH
- práh bolesti účinky léků MeSH
- receptory kanabinoidní účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- receptory opiátové agonisté metabolismus MeSH
- reflex účinky léků MeSH
- signální transdukce účinky léků MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Názvy látek
- agonisté kanabinoidních receptorů MeSH
- endokanabinoidy MeSH
- opioidní analgetika MeSH
- opioidní peptidy MeSH
- receptory kanabinoidní MeSH
- receptory opiátové MeSH
