Glucose homeostasis and endogenous opioid peptides.

The primary objective of this review is to give an overview of the relationship between opioid peptides and glucose homeostasis. Although extensive work has been done regarding the role of endogenous opioid peptides, the existing evidences seem preliminary. The probability of endogenous opioid systems representing a part of an integrated system involving different neurotransmitters appears to be the basis for some of the discrepant data. Much research work remains to be done before a clear understanding of the physiological and/or pathophysiological role of endogenous opioids in glucose homeostasis could emerge.