The oxidation metabolites of endomorphin 1 and its fragments induced by free radicals.

Endomorphin 1 (EM1), an endogenous micro-opioid receptor agonist, acts as a free radical scavenger in vitro and an antioxidant in vivo. The modification of EM1 by ROS and the properties of the OM attracted our attention. In vitro assays were performed via RP-HPLC, spectrophotometric measurements, EPR and amino acid analysis, Schmorl's reaction to define the formation of melanin-like compounds transformed from EM1, collectively named EM1-melanin and by solubility assay, radioligand-binding assay, NADH oxidation, superoxide anion scavenging assay to study some physical and chemical properties of EM1-melanin. Possible pathways of the formation of EM1-melanin were proposed.