The opioid systems and the role of glial cells in the effects of opioids

Understanding of the molecular mechanisms in the opioid systems in chronic pain should produce new, more effective methods of the pharmacotherapy of pain. Pharmacological suppression of glial activation in combination with morphine, methadone, fentanyl and buprenorphine may be an important aspect of pain therapy. Long-term use of the classical opioid analgesics in patients with chronic pain processes results in tolerance, and the search of new treatment strategies based on the recognised mechanisms of pain is an important clinical and scientific issue.Understanding of the molecular mechanisms in the opioid systems in chronic pain should produce new, more effective methods of the pharmacotherapy of pain. Pharmacological suppression of glial activation in combination with morphine, methadone, fentanyl and buprenorphine may be an important aspect of pain therapy. Long-term use of the classical opioid analgesics in patients with chronic pain processes results in tolerance, and the search of new treatment strategies based on the recognised mechanisms of pain is an important clinical and scientific issue