Pain inhibition by blocking leukocytic and neuronal opioid peptidases in peripheral inflamed tissue

Inflammatory pain can be controlled by endogenous opioid peptides. Here we blocked the degradation of opioids in peripheral injured tissue to locally augment this physiological system. In rats with hindpaw inflammation, inhibitors of aminopeptidase N (APN; bestatin) or neutral endopeptidase (NEP; thiorphan), and a dual inhibitor, NH(2)-CH-Ph-P(O)(OH)CH(2)-CH-CH(2)Ph(p-Ph)-CONH-CH-CH(3)-COOH (P8B), were applied to injured paws. Combined bestatin (1.25-5 mg)/thiorphan (0.2-0.8 mg) or P8B (0.0625-1 mg) alone elevated mechanical nociceptive thresholds to 307 and 227% of vehicle-treated controls, respectively. This analgesia was abolished by antibodies to methionine-enkephalin, leucine-enkephalin, and dynorphin A 1-17, by peripherally restricted and by selective μ-, δ-, and κ-opioid receptor antagonists. Flow cytometry and photospectrometry revealed expression and metabolic activity of APN and NEP on macrophages, granulocytes, and sciatic nerves from inflamed tissue. Radioimmunoassays showed that inhibition of leukocytic APN and NEP by bestatin (5-500 μM)/thiorphan (1-100 μM) combinations or by P8B (1-100 μM) prevented the degradation of enkephalins. Blockade of neuronal peptidases by bestatin (0.5-10 mM)/thiorphan (0.1-5 mM) or by P8B (0.1-10 mM) additionally hindered dynorphin A 1-17 catabolism. Thus, leukocytes and peripheral nerves are important sources of APN and NEP in inflamed tissue, and their blockade promotes peripheral opioid analgesia.