Neurohumoral effects of orphanin FQ/nociceptin: relevance to cardiovascular and renal function

Orphanin FQ/Nociceptin (OFQ/N) is a peptide whose structure resembles that of the endogenous opioid peptides (endorphins). OFQ/N and its receptor are distributed in neural tissue and brain regions involved in the regulation o f pituitary hormone release. Functional studies have shown that this peptid e evokes a unique pattern of cardiovascular and renal excretory responses. This review will focus on the neural and humoral effects of OFQ/N and how t his peptide may participate in the regulation of cardiovascular and renal f unction. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.