Drug Etanercept Restores Responsiveness to Morphine

Scientists have identified that etanercept can restore responsiveness to the pain-relieving effects of morphine in rats that have developed morphine tolerance.

The experimental results suggest that etanercept-which blocks the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-could provide a useful new approach to "extend the effectiveness" of morphine and related drugs (opioids) for pain control.

New Painkilling Drug More Effective Than Morphine
In a recent study it has been found that morphine-like drug is more potent and long lasting and less likely to cause constipation than standard morphine.

The authors led by Chih-Shung Wong of Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, designed an experiment to evaluate the effects of etanercept in rats that had been made morphine tolerant.

When these animals were treated with etanercept, it restored up to 60 percent of their responsiveness to morphine.

Morphine tolerance was associated with changes in the levels of certain inflammation-promoting proteins, called cytokines.

Research Says Etanercept Helps Restore Normal Growth in Children With Juvenile Arthritis
A statistically significant increase in mean height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) percentiles in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who were treated with etanercept

When the animals were treated with etanercept, expression of the inflammatory cytokines was significantly reduced, in particular Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, often called TNF.

These changes were accompanied by reduced levels of activation of specialized spinal cord immune cells, called microglia.

Etanercept Reduces Psoriasis
According to a study in the June issue of Archives of Dermatology, Extended exposure to the psoriasis medication etanercept does not appear to cause more infections or adverse events .

Because of its ability to block TNF-?, etanercept is an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory autoimmune diseases.

The new results show that etanercept can restore much of the pain-relieving effect of morphine in morphine-tolerant rats.

New Canadian Practice Guideline Following Improper Use of Opioids
Canadian colleges of physicians and surgeons have created a new guideline for opioid use with chronic non-cancer pain

Etanercept treatment also reduces expression of inflammation-promoting cytokines, as well as activation of the microglia.

The study appeared in the February issue of Anesthesia and Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

Source-ANI