Antinociceptive potency of enkephalins and enkephalinase inhibitors in the mouse model of colorectal distension - proof of concept

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disease characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. Patients with IBS comprise a significant portion of attendants at the outpatient clinics. Targeting intestinal opioid receptors was found successful in alleviating pain and diarrhea – two major symptoms of IBS. In this study we aimed to evaluate a novel potential pharmacological option: the use of enkephalinase inhibitors in therapy of visceral pain occurring in the course of IBS. We thus assessed the antinociceptive efficacy of enkephalins: Leu-enkephalin and Met-enkephalin, and enkephalinase inhibitors: opiorphin and sialorphin in the mouse model of visceral pain induced by colorectal distension.Leu-enkephalin, Met-enkephalin and sialorphin, but not opiorphin, at the dose of 1 mg/kg injected subcutaneously potently decreased the visceromotor response to colon distension as compared to control. To conclude, enkephalinase inhibitors are worth being considered as potential therapeutics in patients with chronic abdominal pain and/or changed bowel habits, i.e. suffering from IBS.

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The antinociceptive efficacy of enkephalins:Leu-enkephalin and Met-enkephalin,and enkephalinase inhibitors: opiorphin and sialorphinwas assessedin the mouse model of visceral pain induced by colorectal distension

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