American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology
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Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. · Sep 2007
The delta-opioid receptor agonist DADLE at reperfusion protects the heart through activation of pro-survival kinases via EGF receptor transactivation.
The specific delta-opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala(2)-D-Leu(5)]enkephalin (DADLE) protects against infarction in the heart when given before ischemia. In rabbit, this protection leads to phosphorylation of the pro-survival kinases Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and is dependent on transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). DADLE reportedly protects rat hearts at reperfusion. ⋯ The DADLE-dependent increases in Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were abolished by either MPI or AG1478, confirming a signaling through the EGFR pathway. Additionally, DADLE treatment increased phosphorylation of EGFR (1.4 +/- 0.2-fold, P = 0.03 vs. control). Thus the delta-opioid agonist DADLE protects rabbit hearts at reperfusion through activation of the pro-survival kinases Akt and ERK and is dependent on the transactivation of the EGFR.