Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the hypothalamus are direct targets of the adipostatic hormone leptin and contribute to energy homeostasis by integrating peripheral and central information. The melanocortin and -endorphin neuropeptides are processed from POMC and putatively coreleased at axon terminals. Melanocortins have been shown by a combination of pharmacological and genetic methods ...

It is becoming increasingly clear that stressful life events can affect cancer growth andmetastasis by modulating nervous, endocrine, and immunesystems.Thepurposeof this review is tobrieflydescribe theprocess bywhich stress may potentiate carcinogenesis and how reducing body stress may prevent cancer growth and progression. The opioid peptide b-endorphin plays a critical role in bringing the st...

PURPOSE The chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a clinically defined symptom complex of unclear etiology. We have noted increased oxidative stress in the prostatic fluid of these patients, implying an active inflammatory response. Immune cells can produce the natural opioid beta-endorphin at the site of injury, which may modulate pain. We measured beta-endorphin and the inflammatory marker prostagl...

The content of acetylcholine (ACh) in nerve terminals or the dorsal hippocampus was examined after intraventricular, intraseptal, or intrahippocampal administration of a variety of endorphin/corticotropin neuropeptides. beta-Lipotropin, alpha-endorphin, gamma-endorphin, alpha-melanotropin, beta-melanotropin, adrenocorticotropin-1-39 (ACTH1-39), and ACTH4-10 (1, 3, 10, or 30 micrograms each) did...