The Role of Glycinergic Transmission in the Pathogenesis of Alcohol Abuse
Journal Title: Advances in Hygiene and Experimental Medicine - Year 2018, Vol 72, Issue
Abstract
Alcoholism is a severe social and medical problem. Inadequate ethanol (EtOH) consumption results in acute and chronic conditions, which lead to many hospitalizations and generate considerable costs in healthcare. Alcoholism undoubtedly needs to be thoroughly described, especially in relation to the molecular mechanism of addiction. The current opinion about the pathogenesis of EtOH abuse is mainly based on the dopaminergic theory of addiction, connected with the impaired function of the dopaminergic transmission in the brain’s reward system. Moreover, recent evidence suggests that the potential role in alcohol activity is played also by glycinergic transmission, based inter alia on inhibitory glycine receptors (GlyRs) sensitive to this simplest amino acid. GlyRs are pentameric, ionotropic receptors from ligand-gated ion channel family and facilitate membrane permeability to chloride ions. The receptors are widely present in the human body and spread to the peripheral and central nervous system, where they are engaged in several processes, especially in the regulation of nociception, movement control and, possibly, also they are responsible for controlling the brain’s reward system involved in the pathogenesis of addiction. The last localization seems to be really important and consists of a new insight into the search for novel substances to prevent or cure the consequences of EtOH abuse. In this paper describes recently discovered and animal-tested ligands, which may be an interesting tool in the treatment of alcohol-related syndromes.<br/><br/>
Authors and Affiliations
Przemysław Zakowicz, Radosław Kujawski
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP343211
- DOI 10.5604/01.3001.0012.1736
- Views 163
- Downloads 0
Searching for new antibiotics – inhibitors of bacterial chromosome replication
The excessive and often unreasonable use of antibacterial drugs leads to rise of antibioticresistant strains. To overcome this problem, new antibiotics are searched and the new drug targets are investigated. The proteins...
Why humans and Catarrhini lack the Galα1-3Gal epitope, related to xenograft rejection?
The Galα1-3Gal epitope (Galβ1-3Galα1-4GlcNAc-R) is an oligosaccharide determinant present on the cell surface of most mammalian species with the exception of the higher primates, including Old World monkeys, apes, and hu...
Rodzina białek ERM (ezrin/radixin/moesin) – rola i znaczenie w procesach polaryzacji, adhezji i mobilności komórkowej
Ezryna, radyksyna i moezyna, tworzące rodzinę białek ERM, pełnią funkcję molekularnych łączników pomiędzy filamentami aktynowymi i białkami zakotwiczonymi w błonie komórkowej. Uczestnicząc w złożonej wewnątrzkomórkowej...
Role of endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol in the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system
Cannabinoids, the active ingredients of Cannabis sativa var. indica, have been used by humans as recreational and therapeutic agents for thousands of years. This group of substances also includes synthetic ligands and, s...
Receptor GPR120 - mechanizm działania, znaczenie i możliwości zastosowań terapeutycznych
Receptory błonowe sprzężone z białkami G (GPR) tworzą rodzinę transmembranowych białek pośredniczących w licznych, zachodzących w komórce procesach. W ostatnich latach duże zainteresowanie wzbudza należący do tej rodziny...