δ-Opioid Receptor Induced Neuroprotection against Hypoxic/Ischemic Injury: Regulation of Ionic Homeostasis

Aim of review: δ-opioid receptor (DOR) is a member of opioid receptor superfamily, and is widely distributed throughout the central nervous system and plays diverse functions. Accumulated evidence has demonstrated that activation of DOR is neuroprotective against hypoxic/ischemic insults and DOR signaling may be one of the key factors determining neuronal survival during hypoxic/ischemic stress.Method: In this review, we summarized the research progress of DOR-mediated neuroprotection against hypoxic/ischemic injury, and then discussed the underlying mechanisms.Recent findings: We have made a special focus on DOR action against hypoxic/ischemic disruption of ionic homeostasis since it is an initial and key step in hypoxic/ischemic neuronal injury and death. DOR stabilization of ion homeostasis against hypoxic/ischemic stress involves multiple strategies such as ionic interplays, protein kinase mechanism, and decrease in excitability and excitatory transmission-associated ionic derangement.Summary: The findings of DOR stabilization of hypoxic/ischemic disruption of ionic homeostasis provide us a new concept of neuroprotection against neurological disorders and have potentially significant impacts on the prevention and treatment of some serious neurological conditions, such as stroke. Citation: Dongman Chao, Ying Xia. δ-opioid receptor induced neuroprotection against hypoxic/ischemic injury: regulation of ionic homeostasis. J Anesth Perioper Med 2015; 2: 325-35. doi: 10.24015/JAPM.2015.0043This is an open-access article, published by Evidence Based Communications (EBC). This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format for any lawful purpose. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.