Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid 0-endorphin concentrations were radioimmunologically assayed in dogs subjected to spinal cord ischemia induced by infrarenal aortic ligature and in control sham-operated dogs. Plasma /3-endorphin levels rose significantly following surgery in control dogs but were unaffected by spinal ischemia. On the other hand, a significant increase in cerebrospinal fluid /3-en...

With a number of acute stressors beta-endorphin is released into plasma. It is unclear if beta-endorphin is converted into any other biologically active products, nor is it clear if the rate or pathways of degradation are changed during chronic stress. To explore these issues, we incubated [3H]beta-endorphin h labeled in positions 1 and 27 with plasma from normal and chronically footshocked rat...

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Our approach to the modeling of beta-endorphin has been based on the proposal that three basic structural units can be distinguished in the natural peptide hormone: a highly specific opiate recognition sequence at the N terminus (residues 1-5) connected via a hydrophilic link (residues 6-12) to a potential amphiphilic helix in the C-terminal residues 13-31. Our previous studies showed the valid...

Long known for its anti-nociceptive effects, the opioid -endorphin is also reported to have rewarding and reinforcing properties and to be involved in stress response. In this manuscript we summarize the present neurobiological and behavioral evidence regarding the role of -endorphin in stress-related psychiatric disorders, depression and PTSD. There is existing data that support the importance...

Pachinko is a popular form of recreation in Japan. However, in recent years, along with Pachinko's popularity, "Pachinko dependence" has become topical news. The purpose of this study was to investigate beta-endorphin, catecholamines, immune system responses and heart rate during the playing of Pachinko. The following significant results were observed. (1) Plasma concentration of beta-endorphin...

It is becoming increasingly clear that stressful life events can affect cancer growth and metastasis by modulating nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. The purpose of this review is to briefly describe the process by which stress may potentiate carcinogenesis and how reducing body stress may prevent cancer growth and progression. The opioid peptide β-endorphin plays a critical role in bringi...

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...