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.