Casomorphins

[vortech]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casomorphin

I had this thought as I watch my cat go through what appears to be minor addiction withdrawal from not having any lactose-free milk that we normally give him 2-3 times a day. It's most likely just a psychological withdrawal, but then I thought maybe it isn't...Casomorphins are peptides derived from casein protein in milk.

So my question for the chemists, is it possible to extract these peptides, such as Morphiceptin ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphiceptin ) and others from the casein, and is it feasible to extract it with any sort of effectiveness that would make it worthwhile? Similarly, could they also be synthesized from straight amino acids?

Just a curiosity. It has been 4 days since my cat has had any milk and he still hasn't given it up (agitatedly crying for milk at regular intervals) but he is a lot better than he was a few days ago.

 

[sekio]

Caseomorphins might have opioid activity, but they don't cross the blood brain barrier due to their bulkiness.

The same thing goes for, say, endorphin. It's an effective mu opioid ligand made out of amino acids, 80x more potent than morphine, but people just don't use it because it doesn't make it to the brain reliably.

Cats are known for being picky eaters, I would say he's just used to having a milk treat. My cat gets agitated when we run out of treats to give him, but I wouldn't call him "dependent"...

 

[lolwhatzdrugs]

So would these peptides have activity if injected into the CSF?

 

[Xorkoth]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casomorphin

I had this thought as I watch my cat go through what appears to be minor addiction withdrawal from not having any lactose-free milk that we normally give him 2-3 times a day. It's most likely just a psychological withdrawal, but then I thought maybe it isn't...Casomorphins are peptides derived from casein protein in milk.

So my question for the chemists, is it possible to extract these peptides, such as Morphiceptin ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphiceptin ) and others from the casein, and is it feasible to extract it with any sort of effectiveness that would make it worthwhile? Similarly, could they also be synthesized from straight amino acids?

Just a curiosity. It has been 4 days since my cat has had any milk and he still hasn't given it up (agitatedly crying for milk at regular intervals) but he is a lot better than he was a few days ago.

When I switched my cat 100% to wet food for medical reasons, he FREAKED out for WEEKS, he wanted his dry food. I had a hard time not thinking something was seriously wrong, he carried on so badly. He went on hunger strikes and finally gave up when he realized he wasn't getting it, but it was a huge battle.

 

[sekio]

So would these peptides have activity if injected into the CSF?

Probably, yeah. If there's anything that's considered more risky than IV heroin, it's injecting powdered milk into your spinal column, though.

 

[cdin]

http://books.google.com/books?id=Dm...wXBoYC4Ag&ved=0CHMQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q&f=false this has some interesting information on B-endorphin injection, apparently it's wAY more effective than morphine and for longer for analgesia... crazy.

 

[lolwhatzdrugs]

http://books.google.com/books?id=Dm...wXBoYC4Ag&ved=0CHMQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q&f=false this has some interesting information on B-endorphin injection, apparently it's wAY more effective than morphine and for longer for analgesia... crazy.

The page you linked to talked about using beta endorphin for treating the mentally ill.

Probably, yeah. If there's anything that's considered more risky than IV heroin, it's injecting powdered milk into your spinal column, though.

The thought made me lol

Anyone know where I can buy an Ommaya reservoir?

 

[cdin]

the page i linked also noted that in intractable end of life cancer pain patients beta-endorphin injections provided LONGER LASTING ANALGESIA than morphine. i thought THAT was interesting.