Abstract
Inadequate blood flow in the retina (ischemia) is a common cause of visual impairment and blindness. Retinal ischemia plays a pivotal role in a number of ocular degenerative diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and retinal artery occlusion. The sequence of events by which ischemia leads to retinal degeneration are not completely understood, but likely involve both necrotic and apoptotic processes. A variety of diverse chemical mediators (e.g., glutamate, oxygen free-radical, nitric oxide, and proinflammatory cytokines) have been implicated as participants in ischemic retinal injury. In the eye, experimental and/or clinical evidence has suggested roles for endogenous opioids and their receptors in the regulation of iris function, aqueous humor dynamics, corneal wound healing, and retinal development and neuroprotection. In numerous vital organs, opioid receptor activation prior to ischemia or severe hypoxia is neuroprotective. Recently, activation of opioid-receptors, particularly δ-opioid-receptors (DOR), has been demonstrated to suppress several steps in the deleterious cascade of events during ischemic/hypoxic stress. In providing neuroprotection against ischemia, opioid-receptor activation appears to block proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, and glutamate excitotoxicity. Depending on duration and severity of cellular stress, DOR activation can trigger different mechanisms at multiple levels to preserve neuronal survival, including: stabilized ionic homeostasis, augmented pro-survival signaling (e.g., PKC, ERK, PI3K/Akt) and enhanced anti-oxidative capacity. This review will summarize the potential roles of opioids in protecting the viability of ocular tissues. Special emphasis will be focused on enhancing the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of opioid actions in protecting the retina against ischemic/hypoxic injury.
Keywords: Opioid, retina, ischemia, TNF-α, opioid-receptor, blood flow, blindness, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinal artery occlusion.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Non-Analgesic Effects of Opioids: Neuroprotection in the Retina
Volume: 18 Issue: 37
Author(s): Shahid Husain, Yasir Abdul and David E. Potter
Affiliation:
Keywords: Opioid, retina, ischemia, TNF-α, opioid-receptor, blood flow, blindness, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinal artery occlusion.
Abstract: Inadequate blood flow in the retina (ischemia) is a common cause of visual impairment and blindness. Retinal ischemia plays a pivotal role in a number of ocular degenerative diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and retinal artery occlusion. The sequence of events by which ischemia leads to retinal degeneration are not completely understood, but likely involve both necrotic and apoptotic processes. A variety of diverse chemical mediators (e.g., glutamate, oxygen free-radical, nitric oxide, and proinflammatory cytokines) have been implicated as participants in ischemic retinal injury. In the eye, experimental and/or clinical evidence has suggested roles for endogenous opioids and their receptors in the regulation of iris function, aqueous humor dynamics, corneal wound healing, and retinal development and neuroprotection. In numerous vital organs, opioid receptor activation prior to ischemia or severe hypoxia is neuroprotective. Recently, activation of opioid-receptors, particularly δ-opioid-receptors (DOR), has been demonstrated to suppress several steps in the deleterious cascade of events during ischemic/hypoxic stress. In providing neuroprotection against ischemia, opioid-receptor activation appears to block proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, and glutamate excitotoxicity. Depending on duration and severity of cellular stress, DOR activation can trigger different mechanisms at multiple levels to preserve neuronal survival, including: stabilized ionic homeostasis, augmented pro-survival signaling (e.g., PKC, ERK, PI3K/Akt) and enhanced anti-oxidative capacity. This review will summarize the potential roles of opioids in protecting the viability of ocular tissues. Special emphasis will be focused on enhancing the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of opioid actions in protecting the retina against ischemic/hypoxic injury.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Husain Shahid, Abdul Yasir and E. Potter David, Non-Analgesic Effects of Opioids: Neuroprotection in the Retina, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2012; 18 (37) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212803582441
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212803582441 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
?Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: Nano-Therapeutics Targeting Tumor Microenvironment?
This thematic issue explores the forefront of cancer treatment, centering on the groundbreaking potential of nano-therapeutics meticulously designed to target the tumor microenvironment. At its core, the issue aims to unravel the latest advancements in nanotechnology, showcasing innovative materials, formulations, and delivery systems that hold promise for redefining cancer therapeutics. ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Coagulation and Sepsis
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Cardio-vascular Activity of Catestatin: Interlocking the Puzzle Pieces
Current Medicinal Chemistry TiO2-Nanowired Delivery of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Thwarts Diabetes- Induced Exacerbation of Brain Pathology in Heat Stroke: An Experimental Study in the Rat Using Morphological and Biochemical Approaches
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Chemistry and Structural Evaluation of Different Phospholipase A2 Inhibitors in Arachidonic Acid Pathway Mediated Inflammation and Snake Venom Toxicity
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT)-Mediated Methylation Metabolism of Endogenous Bioactive Catechols and Modulation by Endobiotics and Xenobiotics: Importance in Pathophysiology and Pathogenesis
Current Drug Metabolism Angiogenic Growth Factors in the Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease
Current Vascular Pharmacology Disentangling the Intricacies of Migraine: A Review
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Achieving Detumescence of Ischemic Priapism with Intra-Cavernosal Injection of entanyl: An Unexpected Outcome of Miscommunication Error
Current Drug Safety Arginine Deprivation as a Targeted Therapy for Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design In vitro and in silico Evaluation of Non-Quaternary Reactivators of AChE as Antidotes of Organophosphorus Poisoning - a New Hope or a Blind Alley?
Medicinal Chemistry Systematic Review on Infusion Reactions Associated with Chemotherapies and Monoclonal Antibodies for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Current Clinical Pharmacology Cardiac Remodeling and Exercise Training in Hypertension
Current Hypertension Reviews Drugging Cell Cycle Kinases in Cancer Therapy
Current Drug Targets Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides: Effectiveness and Toxicity
Current Drug Targets Severe Preeclampsia
Current Women`s Health Reviews Alpha-2 Agonists: Can they Modify the Outcomes in the Postanesthesia Care Unit?
Current Drug Targets An Update on Clinical Drug Interactions with the Herbal Antidepressant St. Johns wort
Current Drug Metabolism Pain Management in Hematological Patients with Major Organ Dysfunctions and Comorbid Illnesses
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Role of Perindopril in the Prevention of Stroke
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Total Lipids and Fatty Acid Methyl Esters of Germinated Seeds of Mangrove Wild Legume
Current Nutrition & Food Science