Effects of nicotine on the concentration of native and cryptic Met- and Leu-enkephalin in peripheral tissues
Pierzchała-Koziec, K.; Van Loon, G.R.
Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology An Official Journal of the Polish Physiological Society 45(2): 319-330
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0867-5910 PMID: 7949240 Document Number: 430205
The distribution of the native pentapeptides, Met- and Leu-enkephalin, and their cryptic forms (larger enkephalin-containing peptides) in adrenal medulla, spleen, lung, salivary gland, vas deferens, heart, duodenum and jejunum were determined by radioimmunoassay. The proportion of total Met- and Leu-enkephalin represented by native pentapeptide varied markedly among these tissues. Also, the distribution of native and cryptic Met-enkephalin was distinct from that of Leu-enkephalin. Repeated short-term administration of nicotine, 0.1 mg/kg i.p. six times at 30 min intervals, produced significant changes in native and cryptic Met-enkephalin in adrenal medulla, jejunum, vas deferens, spleen and heart. This regimen of nicotine also affected the concentration of Leu-enkephalin in adrenal medulla, jejunum and spleen.