1
|
García-Domínguez M. Enkephalins and Pain Modulation: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Perspectives. Biomolecules 2024; 14:926. [PMID: 39199314 PMCID: PMC11353043 DOI: 10.3390/biom14080926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Enkephalins, a subclass of endogenous opioid peptides, play a pivotal role in pain modulation. Enkephalins primarily exert their effects through opioid receptors located widely throughout both the central and peripheral nervous systems. This review will explore the mechanisms by which enkephalins produce analgesia, emotional regulation, neuroprotection, and other physiological effects. Furthermore, this review will analyze the involvement of enkephalins in the modulation of different pathologies characterized by severe pain. Understanding the complex role of enkephalins in pain processing provides valuable insight into potential therapeutic strategies for managing pain disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario García-Domínguez
- Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Canis M, Guo SW. In the thicket of fears, doubts, and murky facts: some reflections on treatment modalities for endometriosis-associated pain. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:1245-1252. [PMID: 37023473 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis-associated pain can be managed by either surgery or hormonal therapy. The final decision as to which treatment modality to take is based on efficacy and possible complications of different treatment modalities, risk of recurrence, and the patient's wishes and preferences. But in the thicket of fears, doubts, and murky facts, the choice may ultimately be the trade-off between irrational fears and ignorance versus scientific evidence. We elaborate some pros and cons of the two treatment modalities and highlight some notable downsides of hormonal therapy, in particular the possible yet unquantified risk of long-term hormonal therapy for malignant transformation, perhaps with the only exception of combined oral contraceptives. Thus, when discussing with patients, we advocate the approach of discussing the advantages and disadvantages of all treatment options in detail, accounting for the known pros and cons with a full understanding of the predictive irrationality of human beings. For endometriosis-associated pain, surgery is definitely not a failure of medicine but, rather, a viable option, especially given the recently surfaced undercurrent of wariness and dissatisfaction with the current hormonal drugs among patients with endometriosis. Above all, there is a pressing need to fill the knowledge gap of perioperative interventions intended to reduce the risk of recurrence and to fulfill the demand for the development of safe and efficacious non-hormonal therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michel Canis
- Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, CHU Clermont Ferrand, Clermont Ferrand, France
| | - Sun-Wei Guo
- Research Institute, Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Weisman A, Lin E, Yona T, Gottlieb U, Impellizzeri FM, Masharawi Y. Healthcare providers have insufficient up-to-date knowledge of lower limb sports injuries, and their knowledge is similar to that of athletes. Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2023; 65:102750. [PMID: 37003161 DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Being up-to-date with evidence-based knowledge of lower limb sports injuries is essential for Healthcare professionals (HCPs). PURPOSE To assess whether HCPs possess up-to-date knowledge of lower limb sports injuries by comparing their knowledge to that of athletes. METHODS With an expert panel, we developed an online quiz of 10 multiple-choice questions on various topics related to lower-limb sports injuries. Maximal score was 100. We used social media to invite HCPs (5 groups: Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Medical Doctors, Trainers, and Other therapists) and athletes of all levels (amateur, semi-pro, and pro) to participate. We drafted the questions according to conclusions from the latest systematic reviews and meta-analyses. RESULTS 1526 participants completed the study. Final quiz scores ranged from zero (n = 28, 1.8%) to 100 (n = 2, 0.1%) and were distributed normally with a mean score of 45.4 ± 20.6. None of the 6 groups' means surpassed the set threshold of 60 points. Multiple linear regressions of covariates indicated that age, gender, engagement in physical activity, learning hours per week, reading scientific journals, reading popular magazines and blogs, trainers, and other therapists' groups explained 19% of the variances (-5.914<β < 15.082, 0.000<p < 0.038). CONCLUSIONS HCPs have insufficient up-to-date knowledge of lower limb sports injuries, and their knowledge is similar to that of athletes of all levels. HCPs probably do not possess the proper tools to assess scientific literature Academic and sports medicine societies should look into ways to improve the scientific knowledge integration of HCPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asaf Weisman
- Spinal Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Eshed Lin
- School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Tomer Yona
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Uri Gottlieb
- Neuromuscular and Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, Ariel University, Israel
| | - Franco M Impellizzeri
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Youssef Masharawi
- Spinal Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Synergistic effect of cannabidiol and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on neuropathic and inflammatory pain in mice. Neuroreport 2023; 34:165-169. [PMID: 36719831 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pain is the most common cause of seeking healthcare and the leading cause of disability worldwide. Although cannabidiol and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are effective and safe strategies for treating chronic pain, the combined effect of these interventions remains overlooked. To compare the isolated and combined effect of cannabidiol and TENS in the treatment of experimental neuropathic and inflammatory pain. METHODS Swiss mice were subjected to chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic or carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain models. Cannabidiol or TENS alone and the combination of these therapies were administered once. The nociceptive threshold was measured by the von Frey test. IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10 cytokine levels were measured by ELISA from spinal cord samples. RESULTS Combined, cannabidiol and TENS potentiate antinociception only in neuropathic pain. IL-1β and TNF-α levels were similarly reduced when TENS or cannabidiol were administered alone or in combination. However, only cannabidiol and TENS combined increased IL-10 levels. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicated TENS and cannabidiol combined were effective in potentiating antinociception in a neuropathic pain model, an effect potentially associated with spinal IL-10 upregulation.
Collapse
|
5
|
Straatman LN, Lukacs MJ, Lee JY, Ghodrati M, Lalone EA, Walton DM. Are people good prognosticators of their own pain? An exploration of the relationship between sex-specific pain beliefs and clinical pain evaluation. Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2022; 62:102667. [PMID: 36198201 DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Under-explored to date are the interacting influences of patient sex on multi-modal evaluation techniques that tap different domains of the pain experience. OBJECTIVES The primary aim of Study 1 was to explore the accuracy of sex-specific personal pain beliefs in relation to quantitative pain indicators within sexes, and the secondary objective was to compare the accuracy of sex-specific personal pain beliefs in relation to quantitative pain indicators between sexes. The primary objective of Study 2 was to explore the accuracy of sex-specific personal pain beliefs and self-rated pain severity within sexes, and the secondary objective was to compare sex-specific personal pain beliefs and pain severity ratings between sexes. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis on two datasets was performed (Study 1, n = 50; Study 2, n = 111). For both studies, independent samples t-tests were used to identify differences in clinical pain evaluations based on sex-specific pain beliefs. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the predictive accuracy of males and females clinical pain evaluations based on their ability to handle pain. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in clinical pain evaluations based on self-rated pain beliefs in either study. In Study 2, males were descriptively more accurate predictors of their clinical pain evaluations than were females, though none of the between sex comparisons were statistically significant. CONCLUSION This work highlights the importance of considering all available clinical pain evaluations as one technique is unlikely to represent the patients pain experience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren N Straatman
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Bone and Joint Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Michael J Lukacs
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Bone and Joint Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joshua Y Lee
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maryam Ghodrati
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emily A Lalone
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Bone and Joint Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David M Walton
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Bone and Joint Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Guo SW. Cracking the enigma of adenomyosis: an update on its pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Reproduction 2022; 164:R101-R121. [PMID: 36099328 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief Traditionally viewed as enigmatic and elusive, adenomyosis is a fairly common gynecological disease but is under-recognized and under-researched. This review summarizes the latest development on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of adenomyosis, which have important implications for imaging diagnosis of the disease and for the development of non-hormonal therapeutics. Abstract Traditionally considered as an enigmatic disease, adenomyosis is a uterine disease that affects many women of reproductive age and is a contributing factor for pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), and subfertility. In this review, the new development in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of adenomyosis has been summarized, along with their clinical implications. After reviewing the progress in our understanding of the pathogenesis and describing the prevailing theories, in conjunction with their deficiencies, a new hypothesis, called endometrial-myometrial interface disruption (EMID), which is backed by extensive epidemiologic data and demonstrated by a mouse model, is reviewed, along with recent data implicating the role of Schwann cells in the EMI area in the genesis of adenomyosis. Additionally, the natural history of adenomyotic lesions is elaborated and underscores that, in essence, adenomyotic lesions are fundamentally wounds undergoing repeated tissue injury and repair (ReTIAR), which progress to fibrosis through epithelial-mesenchymal transition, fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation, and smooth muscle metaplasia. Increasing lesional fibrosis propagates into the neighboring EMI and endometrium. The increased endometrial fibrosis, with ensuing greater tissue stiffness, results in attenuated prostaglandin E2, hypoxia signaling and glycolysis, impairing endometrial repair and causing HMB. Compared with adenomyosis-associated HMB, the mechanisms underlying adenomyosis-associated pain are less understood but presumably involve increased uterine contractility, hyperinnervation, increased lesional production of pain mediators, and central sensitization. Viewed through the prism of ReTIAR, a new imaging technique can be used to diagnose adenomyosis more accurately and informatively and possibly help to choose the best treatment modality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nie J, Zhao C, Laganà AS, Liu X, Guo SW. Identification of lesional attributes of dysmenorrhea severity and the serum antimüllerian hormone levels in women with ovarian endometriomas. Fertil Steril 2022; 118:191-202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
|