Dynorphins (dyn) are a major class of endogenous opioid peptides that modulate the functions of immune cells. However, the effects of dyn on the immune functions of glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) have not been well characterized. Because nitric oxide (NO) and the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) produced by glial cells are involved in various phy...

This in vitro study of the wall lizard Hemidactylus flaviviridis demonstrates the role of the opioid peptide dynorphin A((1-17)) [dyn A((1-17))] in the regulation of the phagocytic activity of splenic phagocytes. Dyn A((1-17)) in a concentration-dependent manner inhibited the phagocytic activity, and the maximum inhibition was recorded at a concentration of 10(-9) mol l(-1). To explore the rece...

Pharmacological and behavioral studies suggest that spinal delta- and kappa-opioid antinociceptive systems are functionally associated with ovarian sex steroids. These interactions can be demonstrated specifically during pregnancy or hormone-simulated pregnancy (HSP). The analgesia associated with both conditions can be abolished by blockade of either spinal kappa-opioid receptors or delta-opio...

The role of dynorphin A (1-17; Dyn) and its associated kappa opioid receptor (KOR) in nociception represents a longstanding scientific conundrum: Dyn and KOR (Dyn/KOR) have variously been reported to inhibit, facilitate, or have no effect on pain. We investigated whether interactions between sex and pain type (which are usually ignored) influenced Dyn/KOR-mediated antinociception. Blockade of t...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the different role of neuronal constitutive nitric oxide synthase (nc-NOS) in dynorphin (Dyn) A(1-17) spinal neurotoxicity and analgesia. METHODS The cNOS activity in ventral and dorsal spinal cord in rats was measured with H-L-arginine conversion, and ncNOS immunoreactivity(IR) was observed with strepavidin-peroxidase immunohisto-chemistry. RESULTS Intrathecal admi...

Opioids inhibit release of primary afferent transmitters but it is unclear whether the converse occurs. To test the hypothesis that primary afferent transmitters influence opioid-ergic tone, we studied the functional and anatomical relationships between pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and dynorphin 1-17 (Dyn) in spinal cord. We found that activation of the PACAP-specif...

We here report on the immunolocalization of Dynamin I (Dyn I) in neurons of the visual system of the cat. The lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) complex displayed abundant Dyn I immunoreactivity in typical relay cells of the X-, Yand W-pathway. The superficial and deep layers of the superior colliculus were also populated by Dyn I-immunoreactive projection neurons of the Wand Y-cell system. In pr...

A web-based dynamic simulation system, called O-DYN, for multibody systems is developed. All the interfaces of the system are accessible via web browsers, such as Netscape or Explorer. The system uses a block-diagram type ODYN/Modeler developed in JAVA Applet as a preprocessor. The O-DYN postprocessor composed of O-DYN/Plotter and O-DYN/Animator is developed in JAVA Applet. The O-DYN/Solver for...

Dynorphin A (Dyn A) is an endogenous opioid ligand that possesses neuroinhibitory (antinociceptive) effects via μ, δ, and κ opioid receptors. However, under chronic pain conditions, up-regulated spinal Dyn A can also interact with bradykinin receptors (BRs) to promote hyperalgesia through a neuroexcitatory(pronociceptive) effect. These excitatory effects cannot be blocked by an opioid antagonis...