Today, we’ll be focusing on the Delta Opioid Receptors (DORs). To see what does support a healthy skin from the inside and out, do feel free to check out 9 Nutrients That Nourish Our Skin From The Inside And Out as well.
Our body is indeed an interesting collection of different cells, enzymes and receptors.
Previously, I did touch on how one enzyme can have an influence on multiple bodily functions, as in the case of:
Today, I’ll be looking at the delta opioid receptor (DOR).
What is an opioid?
We know of opioids and opiates as chemicals that can provide potent pain relief, such as morphine, heroin and oxycodone. These drugs are able to bind to the opioid receptors in the opioid system. It is known that:
The opioid system plays a central role in pain control, and is a key player in hedonic homeostasis, mood and well-being. This system also regulates responses to stress, and a number of peripheral physiological functions including respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrine and immune systems.
Hence, the binding of these analgesic drugs to the opioid receptors as dummy keys (Unlocking The Lock And Key Mechanism That Governs Our Body’s Cellular Functions) prevents the real pain-causing keys (or agonists) from unlocking the receptors and triggering the symptoms of pain that we can feel.
There are 3 types of opioid receptors:
1. Delta (Preclinical data have confirmed that delta opioid receptor activation reduces persistent pain and improves negative emotional states; clinical trials have been initiated to assess the effectiveness of delta opioid agonists in chronic pain and depression. Further, a possible role for these receptors in neuroprotection is being investigated.)
2. Mu (Mu opioid receptor activation strongly inhibits severe acute pain, and is a major target for post-operative and cancer pain management.)
3. Kappa (Kappa agonists are strongly aversive and potentially hallucinogenic, which limits the therapeutic potential of centrally-acting kappa opioid agonists in pain treatment. Recently, mounting preclinical evidence supports the notion that kappa receptor blockade may beneficially alleviate stress responses, reduce drug craving and remediate depressive states.)
The mu receptors are the ones that are most commonly targeted by painkiller drugs such as morphine.
It is interesting to note that the activation of the different opioid receptors will not only help to reduce the intensity of physical pain that one feels, but other side effects can be observed — for example, kappa receptor activation can stimulate the cravings for drugs, which is one reason why opiate drugs such as heroin and morphine keep addicts desiring more of the substance to feed their addictions.
But what roles do the DORs play? More researchers are attempting to unravel their functions, though we do know for sure that their activities do play a part in skin function and brain function.
The DORs in our brain
We do have a good amount of DORs in our brain. In fact, according to this article: Beneficial effects of DOR agonists are now well established in the context of emotional responses and mood disorders. DOR activation also regulates drug reward, inhibitory controls and learning processes, but whether delta compounds may represent useful drugs in the treatment of drug abuse remains open.
We see how DOR activity can help to regulate emotional responses and mood disorders. In fact, there can also be a link between DOR activity and depression, as DOR agonists can also affect serotonin production, and I have examined how serotonin makes us happy in The Biochemistry Behind Anxiety And Depression — Mental Health Issues That We Wouldn’t Wish Anyone Would Go Through.
DOR activity also aids in the synthesis of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which helps to support neuron cell survival and encourage the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses. As Alzheimer’s is a result of premature neuron cell death (Brain Degeneration Ain’t All That It’s Cracked Up To Be), perhaps DOR activity may help to preserve brain function and prevent the early onset of Alzheimer’s.
The DORs on our skin
The DORs on our skin are responsible for regulating:
Trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), or skin hydration.
Gene and protein expression.
Wrinkle depth.
However, that is only feasible if the DORs were externalised on the surface of the skin cells. Under periods of high chronic stress and chronically elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling, the cytokine signals do force an internalisation of the DORs.
When the DORs are internalised, their ability to regulate skin hydration, gene expression and wrinkles are much reduced. Add to that the fact that stress does also promote the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Four Ways That Our Lifestyle Affects Our Immune System) and reactive oxygen species (Vanity and Aging As Linked By The Same Chemical, Really) and it’s easier to see why chronically stressed people tend to age faster.
Of course, as we also have seen, the development of various chronic inflammatory conditions can also contribute to an increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These include:
Is it possible, then, that a person with a chronic inflammatory illness ends up aging more rapidly then?
It’s also highly possible, then, that these chronic inflammatory problems, if left unchecked for the long term, can also contribute to a heightened intensity and sensation of neuropathic pain now, doesn’t it?
For vanity’s sake…
Using skincare products to help take care of one’s skin may be desirable for people who wish to preserve a youthful image.
However, beauty is not only maintained externally via the application of creams and lotions — a lot of it also comes from what we put into our digestive systems.
And of course, using skincare products that also contains parabens (The Lowdown On Parabens) can also be detrimental to the health of our skin!
Would it be surprising to notice, therefore, that most people with some form of brain degeneration wouldn’t have much in the way of good, healthy skin either?
It’s the same type of receptor, after all!
To see what does support a healthy skin from the inside and out, do feel free to check out 9 Nutrients That Nourish Our Skin From The Inside And Out as well.
This article was originally published on Medium.
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