Neurotensin is a tridecapeptide that exhibits antinociceptive, pro-inflammatory, and gastrointestinal motility modulating activities. Neurotensin induces contractions in smooth muscle cells, playing a role in regulating digestive activity in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, neurotensin induces intracellular Ca2+ release, activating nonselective cation channels and altering pacemaker currents involved in gastrointestinal and colonic motility. In animal models, neurotensin displays sympatho-inhibitory activity, decreases blood pressure and heart rate. Neurotensin exerts its actions through activation of neurotensin receptors; activation of these receptors also stimulates orexin neurons, suggesting a role for neurotensin in mediation of reward, feeding, and wakefulness.
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