β-casomorphin, bovine (β-casomorphin-7) is a opioid peptide with an IC50 of 14 μM in an Opioid receptors binding assay.
β-casomorphin(β-casomorphin-7) strongly stimulates mucin secretion in the rat jejunum through a nervous pathway and opioid receptor activation. In rat DHE cells, β-casomorphin(β-casomorphin-7) increases the expression of rat mucin (rMuc)2 and rMuc3 but not rMuc1, rMuc4, and rMuc5AC. In human HT29-MTX cells, β-casomorphin(β-casomorphin-7) also increases MUC5AC mRNA levels (219% after 24 h of stimulation) and the secretion of this mucin. β-casomorphin(β-casomorphin-7) may contribute significantly to mucin production via a direct effect on intestinal goblet cells and the activation of -opioid receptors[2].
Oral administration of β-casomorphin(β-casomorphin-7) for 30 days to rats with STZ-induced diabetes results in a significant increase in serum level of insulin, and a decrease in the level of glucagon. The administration of β-casomorphin(β-casomorphin-7) alters the changes of SOD, GPx, T-AOC, MDA and H2O2 in the kidney of diabetic rats. β-casomorphin(β-casomorphin-7) alleviates high glucose-induced decreasement in SOD and GPx activity, increasement in MDA contents in the NRK-52E cells[3].
[1]. Brantl V, et al. Opioid activities of beta-casomorphins. Life Sci. 1981 Apr 27;28(17):1903-9. [2]. Zoghbi S, et al. β-casomorphin-7-7 regulates the secretion and expression of gastrointestinal mucins through a μ-opioid pathway. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2006 Jun;290(6):G1105-13. [3]. Zhang W, et al. The protective effects of beta-casomorphin-7 against glucose -induced renal oxidative stress in vivo and vitro. PLoS One. 2013 May 3;8(5):e63472.