Chronic [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin treatment increases the nerve growth factor in adult mouse brain

Eur J Pharmacol. 2003 Mar 19;464(2-3):237-9. doi: 10.1016/s0014-2999(03)01419-5.

Abstract

The delta opioid peptide [D-Ala(2), D-Leu(5)]enkephalin (DADLE) has been shown to enhance the survival of dopaminergic neurons. Here, we found that chronic treatment with DADLE caused a significant increase in nerve growth factor (NGF) in the hippocampus and the midbrain of adult albino Swiss (CD-1) mice, but not in the striatum or frontal cortex. Glia-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was not significantly affected. Thus, the neuroprotective action of DADLE may be mediated in part by NGF.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Corpus Striatum / drug effects
  • Corpus Striatum / metabolism
  • Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine / pharmacology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Frontal Lobe / drug effects
  • Frontal Lobe / metabolism
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Mesencephalon / drug effects
  • Mesencephalon / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Nerve Growth Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Gdnf protein, mouse
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine
  • Nerve Growth Factor