Enkephalins and Immune Inflammatory Reactions.

[Garnet]

Link to Article Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez
PMID: 1663693

Acta Neurol (Napoli). 1991 Oct;13(5):433-41.

Enkephalins and Immune Inflammatory Reactions.

Jankovic BD.

Immunology Research Center, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk) and leucine-enkephalin (Leu-Enk) belong to family of opioid peptides. In vivo studies on immunomodulating activity of enkephalins performed in the rat revealed the following: (a) both neuropentapeptides showed a dual, dose-dependent effect, i.e., high doses suppressed while low doses potentiated immune responses; (b) Met-Enk is more potent immunomodulator than Leu-Enk; (c) high doses of Met-Enk suppressed immune inflammatory reactions, such as systemic anaphylactic shock, Arthus and delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions to protein antigen, allograft rejection, adjuvant arthritis, and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Met-Enk is more efficient when applied intracerebroventricularly. A preliminary clinical trial showed that intrathecally given Met-Enk exerted a beneficial effect on 13 patients with chronic severe progressive multiple sclerosis.

PMID: 1663693 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]