Met-enkephalin peptide is also known as:
- Methenkephalin
- Opioid growth factor (OGF)
- Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met
- YGGFM
Met-enkephalin is a naturally occurring opioid peptide that has a variety of potential therapeutic uses. It is being investigated as a potential treatment for pain, addiction, mood disorders, cognitive impairments, gastrointestinal disorders, and other conditions.
Met-enkephalin was first discovered in 1975 by two independent groups of researchers: John Hughes and his colleagues at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, and Hans Kosterlitz and his colleagues at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Hughes and his colleagues named the peptide “enkephalin” after the Greek word for “in the head,” because they believed that it was produced in the brain. Kosterlitz and his colleagues named the peptide “metenkephalin” because it was the first enkephalin to be discovered.
Met-enkephalin is a pentapeptide, which means that it is made up of five amino acids: tyrosine (Tyr), glycine (Gly), glycine (Gly), phenylalanine (Phe), and methionine (Met). Met-enkephalin is produced in a variety of tissues throughout the body, including the brain, spinal cord, gastrointestinal tract, and adrenal glands.
Met-enkephalin works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. Opioid receptors are a family of G protein-coupled receptors that are involved in a variety of physiological functions, including pain modulation, stress response, mood regulation, and reward and motivation.
When met-enkephalin binds to an opioid receptor, it triggers a cascade of events that leads to the inhibition of pain signaling. Met-enkephalin also has a number of other effects in the body, including reducing stress, improving mood, and regulating gut function.
Met-enkephalin is being investigated as a potential treatment for a variety of conditions, including:
- Pain: Met-enkephalin is thought to play a major role in pain modulation. It is released in response to pain and helps to reduce the perception of pain. Met-enkephalin levels are also increased in response to exercise and sexual activity, which may help to explain why these activities can reduce pain.
Met-enkephalin is being investigated as a potential treatment for a variety of pain conditions, including chronic pain, cancer pain, and neuropathic pain. Animal studies have shown that met-enkephalin can be effective in relieving pain. Met-enkephalin is also being tested in human clinical trials for the treatment of pain.
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Addiction: Met-enkephalin levels are decreased in people with addiction. This may contribute to the cravings and withdrawal symptoms that are experienced by people who are trying to quit using drugs. Met-enkephalin is being investigated as a potential treatment for addiction. Animal studies have shown that met-enkephalin can reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol. Met-enkephalin is also being tested in human clinical trials for the treatment of addiction.
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Mood disorders: Met-enkephalin levels are also decreased in people with depression and other mood disorders. This may contribute to the symptoms of these disorders. Met-enkephalin is being investigated as a potential treatment for mood disorders. Animal studies have shown that met-enkephalin can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Met-enkephalin is also being tested in human clinical trials for the treatment of mood disorders.
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Cognitive impairments: Met-enkephalin is being investigated as a potential treatment for cognitive impairments, such as those seen in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Animal studies have shown that met-enkephalin can improve memory and learning. Met-enkephalin is also being tested in human clinical trials for the treatment of cognitive impairments.
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Gastrointestinal disorders: Met-enkephalin plays a role in regulating gut motility, and it is being investigated as a potential treatment for gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. Animal studies have shown that met-enkephalin can improve gut function. Met-enkephalin is also being tested in human clinical trials for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
Met-enkephalin is a promising new therapeutic agent with a variety of potential uses. However, more research is needed to develop safe and effective ways to deliver met-enkephalin to the body and to investigate its long-term safety and efficacy.
