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RAT VAS DEFERENS: A SPECIFIC BIOASSAY FOR ENDOGENOUS OPIOID PEPTIDES
Author(s) -
LEMAIRE SIMON,
MAGNAN JACQUES,
REGOLI DOMENICO
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1978.tb08653.x
Subject(s) - vas deferens , bioassay , opioid peptide , enkephalin , endogeny , analgesic , opioid , endogenous opioid , chemistry , pharmacology , beta endorphin , endocrinology , narcotic , medicine , biology , anesthesia , receptor , genetics
The electrically‐evoked contractions of the rat vas deferens were selectively inhibited by β‐endorphin, the preparation being much less sensitive to enkephalins and narcotic analgesic drugs. However, introduction of D‐Ala in position 2 of [Leu]‐enkephalin enhanced the activity of the opioid peptide to the order of that of β‐endorphin. It is concluded that the rat vas deferens preparation constitutes a specific bioassay for endogenous opioid peptides and related compounds.