BW373U86 is a selective agonist for the δ-opioidreceptor, with approximately 15× stronger affinity for the δ-opioid than the μ-opioid receptor.[3] It has potent analgesic and antidepressant effects in animal studies.[4][5] In studies on rats, BW373U86 appears to protect heart muscle cells from apoptosis in conditions of ischemia (oxygen deprivation, such as in heart attack). The mechanism for this is complex and may be separate from its delta agonist effects.[6][7][8]
^Broom DC, Nitsche JF, Pintar JE, Rice KC, Woods JH, Traynor JR (November 2002). "Comparison of Receptor Mechanisms and Efficacy Requirements for δ-Agonist-Induced Convulsive Activity and Antinociception in Mice". Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 303 (2): 723–729. doi:10.1124/jpet.102.036525. PMID12388657. S2CID25978130.
^Patel HH, Hsu A, Moore J, Gross GJ (August 2001). "BW373U86, a δ Opioid Agonist, Partially Mediates Delayed Cardioprotection via a Free Radical Mechanism that is Independent of Opioid Receptor Stimulation". Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. 33 (8): 1455–1465. doi:10.1006/jmcc.2001.1408. PMID11448134.
^Patel HH, Hsu AK, Gross GJ (May 2004). "COX-2 and iNOS in opioid-induced delayed cardioprotection in the intact rat". Life Sciences. 75 (2): 129–140. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2003.10.036. PMID15120566.
^Gross ER, Hsu AK, Gross GJ (July 2007). "GSK3β inhibition and KATP channel opening mediate acute opioid-induced cardioprotection at reperfusion". Basic Research in Cardiology. 102 (4): 341–349. doi:10.1007/s00395-007-0651-6. PMID17450314. S2CID28128170.