Thiorphan
Encyclopedia
Thiorphan is the active metabolite
of the antidiarrheal racecadotril
(acetorphan). It prevents the degradation
of endogenous
enkephalin
s by acting as an enkephalinase
inhibitor
.
Metabolite
Metabolites are the intermediates and products of metabolism. The term metabolite is usually restricted to small molecules. A primary metabolite is directly involved in normal growth, development, and reproduction. Alcohol is an example of a primary metabolite produced in large-scale by industrial...
of the antidiarrheal racecadotril
Racecadotril
Racecadotril, also known as acetorphan, is an antidiarrheal drug which acts as a peripherally acting enkephalinase inhibitor. Unlike other medications used to treat diarrhea, which reduce intestinal motility, racecadotril has an antisecretory effect—it reduces the secretion of water and...
(acetorphan). It prevents the degradation
Metabolism
Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
of endogenous
Endogenous
Endogenous substances are those that originate from within an organism, tissue, or cell. Endogenous retroviruses are caused by ancient infections of germ cells in humans, mammals and other vertebrates...
enkephalin
Enkephalin
An enkephalin is a pentapeptide involved in regulating nociception in the body. The enkephalins are termed endogenous ligands, or specifically endorphins, as they are internally derived and bind to the body's opioid receptors. Discovered in 1975, two forms of enkephalin were revealed, one...
s by acting as an enkephalinase
Enkephalinase
Enkephalinases are enzymes which degrade endogenous enkephalin opioid peptides. They include:* Aminopeptidase N * Neutral endopeptidase * Dipeptidyl peptidase 3 * Carboxypeptidase A6 * Angiotensin-converting enzyme...
inhibitor
Enzyme inhibitor
An enzyme inhibitor is a molecule that binds to enzymes and decreases their activity. Since blocking an enzyme's activity can kill a pathogen or correct a metabolic imbalance, many drugs are enzyme inhibitors. They are also used as herbicides and pesticides...
.