The delta(1) opioid receptor is a heterodimer that opposes the actions of the delta(2) receptor on alcohol intake.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Opioid receptors are clinically important targets for both pain and alcohol abuse. Three opioid receptors have been cloned: mu, delta, and kappa, all of which effect alcohol consumption in animal models. Naltrexone is a nonselective opioid antagonist used for alcoholism, the clinical utility of which is limited by poor efficacy and adverse side effects. Here, we demonstrate that the therapeutic limitations of naltrexone may reflect its poor selectivity. Despite decades of research, several mysteries surround the pharmacology of these receptors. For example, two pharmacologically defined subtypes of delta receptors exist in vivo.

Methods

Effects of delta subtype-selective ligands (naltrindole, naltriben, tan-67, 7-benzylidene naltrexone) were measured on ethanol co

SUBMITTER: van Rijn RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2757485 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature