September 2010 in “European Urology Supplements” Opioid use may lower PSA levels, suggesting a possible role in prostate cancer control; PSA testing is useful for detecting prostate cancer; serum triglycerides are not linked to prostate cancer risk; and higher urethral PSA levels may be associated with local hormone activity.
140 citations
,
February 2014 in “Neuron” This study found that the opioid system, particularly via the delta opioid receptor, broadly regulates cutaneous mechanosensation, including touch, and suggests targeting this receptor could alleviate injury-induced mechanical hypersensitivity.
1 citations
,
June 2021 in “Biomolecules & Therapeutics” In this study, researchers found that activating the delta opioid receptor with a specific agonist significantly promoted hair growth in mice, suggesting potential for developing new hair-loss treatments.
This study found that activation of delta-opioid receptors in keratinocytes may delay the expression of the PER2 gene, suggesting a possible link to cancer development through circadian rhythm disruption.
October 2020 in “Authorea (Authorea)” This review discusses the influence of androgens on opioid-mediated effects and calls for further research into their role in sex differences and potential therapeutic options for chronic pain and substance use disorders.