Endorphins (contracted from "endogenous morphine") are endogenous opioid neuropeptides and peptide hormones in humans and other animals. They are produced by the central nervous system and the pituitary gland. The term "endorphins" implies a pharmacological activity (analogous to the activity of the corticosteroid category of biochemicals) as opposed to a specific chemical formulation. It consists of two parts: endo- and -orphin; these are short forms of the words endogenous and morphine, intended to mean "a morphine-like substance originating from within the body". The class of endorphins includes three compounds - ?-endorphin, ?-endorphin, and ?-endorphin - which preferentially bind to ?-opioid receptors. The principal function of endorphins is to inhibit the communication of pain signals; they may also produce a feeling of euphoria very similar to that produced by other opioids.
Video Endorphins
Types
The class of endorphins includes three endogenous opioid peptides:
- ?-Endorphin
- ?-Endorphin, cleaved from proopiomelanocortin
- ?-Endorphin
Maps Endorphins
History
Opioid neuropeptides were first discovered in 1974 by two independent groups of investigators:
- John Hughes and Hans Kosterlitz of Scotland isolated - from the brain of a pig - what some called "enkephalins" (from the Greek ?????????, cerebrum).
- Around the same time, in a calf brain, Rabi Simantov and Solomon H. Snyder of the United States found what Eric Simon (who independently discovered opioid receptors in vertebral brains) later termed "endorphin" by an abbreviation of "endogenous morphine", meaning "morphine produced naturally in the body". Studies have demonstrated that human and diverse animal tissues are capable of producing morphine, which is not a peptide.
Activity
Endorphins are naturally produced in response to pain, but their production can also be triggered by various human activities. Vigorous aerobic exercise can stimulate the release of ?-endorphin, a potent ?-opioid receptor agonist, in the human brain, which contributes to a phenomenon known as a "runner's high". Laughter may also stimulate endorphin production; a 2011 study showed that attendees at a comedy club showed increased resistance to pain.
Depersonalization disorder
Endorphins are suspected to play a role in depersonalization disorder. The opioid antagonists naloxone and naltrexone have both been proven to be successful in treating depersonalization. Quoting a 2001 study involving the drug naloxone, "in [3] of 14 patients, depersonalization symptoms disappeared entirely, and [7] patients showed a marked improvement. The therapeutic effect of naloxone provides evidence for the role of the endogenous opioid system in the pathogenesis of depersonalization."
Etymology
From the words ????? / Greek: éndon meaning "within" (endogenous, ????????? / Greek: endogenes, "proceeding from within") and morphine, from Morpheus (Ancient Greek: ???????, translit. Morpheús), the god of dreams in the Greek mythology, thus 'endo(genous) (mo)rphine'.
Notes
References
External links
- Endorphins at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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