BACKGROUND Since transport evokes physiological adjustments that include endocrine responses, the objective of this study was to examine the responses of circulating beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels to transport stress in stallions. METHODS Forty-two healthy Thoroughbred and crossbred stallions were studied before and after road transport over distances ...

OBJECTIVE alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), beta-endorphin and other pro-opiomelanocortin-(POMC) derived peptides have been detected in the heart, but it is uncertain whether they are synthesized by cardiomyocytes or by cardiac nerves innervating the heart. The objective of this study was to determine whether POMC peptides are synthesized by cardiomyocytes. METHODS Pro-opiomel...

.............................................................................6 ORIGINAL PAPERS....................................................................7 ABBREVIATIONS.....................................................................8 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................9 The structure of a pancreatic islet................................

Although many endo-ß-1,4-glucanases have been isolated in invertebrates, their cellulolytic systems are not fully understood. In particular, gastropod feeding on seaweed is considered an excellent model system for production of bioethanol and renewable bioenergy from third-generation feedstocks (microalgae and seaweeds). In this study, enzymes involved in the conversion of cellulose and other p...

The term 'endorphin' (a combination of endogenous-morphine) is used to designate the entire group of peptides found in the brain and pituitary that mimic the biological properties of opiates. 'Endogenous opioid peptides', 'endogenous opioids' 'opioid peptide' and 'endopioids' can be considered as synonymous. Since the identification of stereospecific opiate receptors2J and the pentapeptides met...

This paper examines an infinite family of proximity drawings of graphs called open and closed ß-drawings, first defined by Kirkpatrick and Radke [15, 21] in the context of computational morphology. Such proximity drawings include as special cases the well-known Gabriel, relative neighborhood and strip drawings. Complete characterizations of those trees that admit open /^-drawings for 0 < ß < iz...

Recent discoveries established that activation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors (GLP-1Rs) mediates neuroprotection and antinociception through microglial b-endorphin expression. This study aimed to explore the underlying signaling mechanisms of microglial b-endorphin. GLP-1Rs and b-endorphin were coexpressed in primary cultures of microglia. Treatment with the GLP-1R agonist exenatide conce...

Naltrexone and acamprosate are the most effective drugs in reducing alcohol consumption, operating through different pharmacological mechanisms. Some studies have demonstrated that naltrexone and acamprosate in combination have significantly greater effectiveness in alcohol therapy than either agent used alone. We have previously found that beta-endorphin plasma levels are increased after repea...

Recently, there have been advances in the development of new substances effective in managing diabetic disorders. Opioid receptors couple multiple systems to result in various biological effects, although opioids are best known for analgesia. In the present review, we used our recent data to describe the advance in plasma glucose-lowering action of herbal products, especially the mediation of β...

Wound healing is a complex process that relies on proper levels of cytokines and growth factors to successfully repair the tissue. Of particular interest are the members of the transforming growth factor family. There are three TGF-ß isoforms-TGF- ß 1, 2, and 3, each isoform showing a unique expression pattern, suggesting that they each play a distinct function during development and repair. Pr...