A series of new nociceptin analogues containing cysteine was tested for their nociceptive effects in tail-flick test on mice after icv injection. The cysteines were introduced in order to get irreversibly binding analogues based on the assumption that the cysteines in the ligand can interact with the cysteines from the receptor to form an S-S bridge. In vivo tests revealed that CysX-nociceptin (1-13)-NH2 (Cys1-NC) is an antagonist, whereas Cys7-NC is an agonist. Gly1 ,[Phe(p-NO2)]4 -NC was less active indicating that the antagonist properties of Cys1-NC are associated with the presence of the sulfhydryl group of cysteine. The analogues D-Cys2 and Cys3 were also almost inactive.
Nociceptin is the endogenous ligand of the opioid OP4 or ORL1 (opioid receptor-like1) receptor. It decreases blood pressure and heart rate in anesthetized and conscious rats and mice after its intravenous and intracerebroventricular injection in a manner sensitive to OP4 but not to OP1-3 (or , and µ opioid) receptor antagonists. OP4 receptors involved in the cardiovascular effects of nociceptin were identified on sensory afferent fibres, in brain areas including the nucleus tractus solitarii and the rostral ventrolateral medulla, on preganglionic and/or postganglionic sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibres innervating blood vessels and heart or directly on these target organs. These receptors do not seem to be tonically activated but may play a role in the pathophysiology of inflammation, arterial hypertension and cardiac or brain circulatory ischemia.
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