Serum Beta-endorphin Levels Research Articles

Measuring of serum taurine and beta endorphin in women as a pre-early marker for diagnosis of cancer breast

Objective: Uses of serum level of taurine and beta endorphin as early marker for diagnostic of breast cancer. Method: We selected our patients from Bahia hospital and cancer institute of Cairo university mainly suffered from positive family history of cancer breast ,acute and chronic mastitis and all women presented with benign mass (fibroma/lipoma) and different stages of cancer breast. We measure serum beta endorphin and taurine, beside complete blood picture, liver function ,kidney function and glucose in blood in all of our patients. Result: The data showed highly significant change in liver &kidney function between frank control and stages of cancer(p>0.05) that are clearly at latest stages after doses of chemotherapy, but there are slightly change between inflammation and benign. After we finished all result, we found that there were slightly change of beta-endorphin and taurine at inflammation and benign but further change at stage 1,2 that are continuously change to latest stage Conclusion: Decreasing of serum taurine level &increasing of serum beta endorphin level considered as a highly sensitive per early marker for breast cancer.

The Effect of Non-pharmacological Combine Treatment Methods on Serum Beta-Endorphin Level, Pain, Depression, Sleep Quality and Functional Status in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı FMS tedavisinde kullanılan non-farmakolojik kombine tedavi metodlarının etkinliğini serum β–Endorfin, ağrı, depresyon, uyku kalitesi ve fonksiyonel durumu değerlendirerek karşılaştırmaktır.
 
 Yöntemler: Çalışmaya FMS tanısı almış 60 kadın hasta ve 30 sağlıklı kadın gönüllü dahil edildi. FMS'li hastalar rastgele 30 kişiden oluşan iki eşit gruba ayrıldı. İlk hasta grubuna fizik tedavi ve balneoterapi uygulanırken, ikinci gruba fizik tedavi, balneoterapi ve aerobik egzersiz programı uygulandı. FMS hastaları tedavi öncesi ve sonrası, ağrı için Görsel Analog Skala (GAS), Fibromiyalji Etki Anketi (FEA), Beck Depresyon Ölçeği (BDÖ) ve Pittsburgh Uyku Kalitesi İndeksi (PUKİ) anketleriyle değerlendirildi. Serum β-Endorfin seviyeleri, sağlıklı kontrol grubunda bir kez, FMS hastalarında tedavi öncesi ve sonrası iki kez ölçüldü.
 
 Bulgular: FMS’li hasta gruplarında β-Endorfin düzeyi sağlıklı kontrol grubuna göre daha düşüktü ve bu istatistiksel olarak anlamlıydı (p

Beta-Endorphin and Oxytocin in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder and Comorbid Depression.

Background: The neuropeptides β-endorphin and oxytocin are released into the bloodstream as hormones from the pituitary gland but also have an important function as neuroregulators in the forebrain. The blood levels of both polypeptides have been shown to reflect depressive symptoms. β-Endorphin, in particular, is also involved in abstinence from alcohol. Methods: The serum levels of β-endorphin and oxytocin were measured during the early withdrawal phase in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) with (N = 35) or without (N = 45) depressive comorbidity and compared with those in healthy volunteers (N = 23). In addition to comparing the groups, the study examined whether serum levels correlated with various psychometric measures of dependence, depression and aggression, as well as with clinical characteristics of dependence. Results: Both serum levels of beta-endorphin and oxytocin were significantly lower in patients than those in healthy controls (p = 0.011 for β-endorphin and p = 0.005 for oxytocin, Kruskal–Wallis test). In patients with depressive comorbidity, the significance was greatest (p = 0.005 for β-endorphin and p = 0.004 for oxytocin, U-test). There was no correlation with clinical or psychometric parameters (p > 0.05, Spearman test), but beta-endorphin levels did correlate significantly with physical aggression (p = 0.026, Spearman test). Conclusions: Serum levels of β-endorphin and oxytocin are lower in patients with AUD, particularly in those with depressive comorbidity. β-Endorphin levels correlated with physical aggression according to the Buss–Durkee (BDHI) estimates.

The effect of epidural magnesium sulphate on postoperative nociception and serum B endorphin levels in high tibial osteotomy orthopedic surgery

ABSTRACT Background: Epidural magnesium sulphate provides better analgesia and opioid-sparing effect postoperatively. B-endorphins plasma levels are inversely related to the severity of pain. We investigated the possible relationship between epidural magnesium sulphate, postoperative analgesia and serum beta-endorphin levels in high knee osteotomy orthopedic surgery. Methods: Sixty patients of both sexes, aged between 18 and 65 years, ASA I or II scheduled for high tibial osteotomy were divided to two groups (30 patients each): control group, received epidural bupivacaine 0.5%, lidocaine 2% and saline; and (Mg group) received epidural bupivacaine, lidocaine and magnesium sulphate (50 mg/10 ml saline). Venous blood samples were withdrawn to measure serum b endorphin levels (SBE), at different time intervals. We recorded time to first analgesic requirement, pain numeric rating score (NRS) and postoperative hemodynamic variables and incidence of complications. Results: Time to first analgesic request was significantly longer in Mg group (pain score less than 5) compared to control group (P < 0.05) also the frequency and number of analgesic requests were significantly less in the Mg group than in the control group P = 0.000. B endorphins level was significantly lower in the Mg group than in the control group after 4 h of epidural insertion (P = 0.004). Conclusion: We conclude that the addition of magnesium sulphate 50 mg/10 ml saline to epidural bupivacaine/lidocaine provides better postoperative analgesia as well as reducing serum B endorphins in the postoperative period without increasing the incidence of complications in high knee osteotomy orthopedic surgery postoperatively.

Beta-endorphin levels in both painful and painless diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its relations to pain characters and severity

Introduction. In the peripheral nervous system (PNS), beta-endorphins produce analgesia by binding to opioid receptors (particularly of the mu subtype) at both preand post-synaptic nerve terminals, primarily exerting their effect through presynaptic binding. Aim was to study serum beta-endorphin levels in diabetic patients with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its relations to characters and severity of pain in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Material and methods. The study was a case control study including 88 participants; 73 diabetics and 15 age and sex matched healthy subjects. For all subjects, levels of HbA1c, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL as well as serum levels of beta-endorphin were measured. Pain severity was detected by using visual analogue pain scale. Results. Serum beta-endorphin shows no significant difference between diabetic neuropathic, diabetic non neuropathic and control groups (p = 0.275). Serum beta-endorphin shows negative correlation with age (p = 0.049) and HbA1c (p = 0.048). While it was not correlated with pain severity (p = 0.371), NDS: total score (p = 0.803), BMI (p = 0.801), serum creatinine (p = 0.074) or DM duration (p = 0.607). Serum beta-endorphin shows no significant difference between painful and painless neuropathy subgroups (p = 0.701). Conclusion. In our study serum beta-endorphin levels showed no significant difference between patients with painless diabetic peripheral neuropathy and those with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy with different characters of pain. Also, serum beta-endorphin levels was not correlated with pain severity.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on pain, mood and serum endorphin level in the treatment of fibromyalgia: A double blinded, randomized clinical trial

BackgroundRecent studies have shown that novel neuro-modulating techniques can have pain-relieving effects in the treatment of chronic pain. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in relieving fibromyalgia pain and its relation with beta-endorphin changes. Material and methodsForty eligible patients with primary fibromyalgia were randomized to receive real anodal tDCS or sham tDCS of the left motor cortex (M1) daily for 10 days. Each patient was evaluated using widespread pain index (WPI), symptom severity of fibromyalgia (SS), visual analogue scale (VAS), and determination of pain threshold as a primary outcome. Hamilton depression and anxiety scales (HAM-D and HAM-A) and estimation of serum beta-endorphin level pre and post-sessions were used as secondary outcome. All rating scales were conducted at the baseline, after the 5th, 10th session, 15 days and 1 month after the end of the sessions. ResultsEighteen patients from each group completed the follow-up schedule with no significant difference between them regarding the duration of illness or the baseline scales. A significant TIME × GROUP interaction for each rating scale (WPI, SS, VAS, pain threshold, HAM-A, HAM-D) indicated that the effect of treatment differed in the two groups with higher improvement in the experimental scores of the patients in the real tDCS group (P = 0.001 for WPI, SS, VAS, pain threshold, and 0.002, 0.03 for HAM-A, HAM-D respectively). Negative correlations between changes in serum beta-endorphin level and the changes in different rating scales were found (P = 0.003, 0.003, 0.05, 0.002, 0002 for WPI, SS, VAS, HAM-A, and HAM-D respectively). ConclusionTen sessions of real tDCS over M1 can induce pain relief and mood improvement in patients with fibromyalgia, which were found to be related to changes in serum endorphin levels.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02704611.

Por qué la infusión preventiva de una dosis baja de sulfato de magnesio influye en la percepción del dolor postoperatorio y el nivel sérico de beta-endorfinas en las histerectomías abdominales totales

ObjectiveDue to the known role of preventive low dose magnesium sulphate on postoperative pain management, in this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, we tried to investigate the possible relationship between low dose intra-operative magnesium sulphate infusion, postoperative analgesia and the level of serum beta-endorphin during total abdominal hysterectomy under general anesthesia. MethodsForty women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy were randomly allocated into 2 groups (20 in each arm). Fifteen minutes before induction of anaesthesia, the case group received a continuous intravenous infusion of magnesium sulphate (15mg/kg/h) and placebo control group received the same volume of isotonic saline. Pain scores were assessed at 0, 6, 12, and 24h after operations using Verbal Numeric Rating Scale. Pethidine consumption was recorded precisely. Serum level of beta-endorphin just 15min before the induction and at the end of the operations was determined by ELISA technique. ResultsAt 6 and 12h after the operations, Verbal Numeric Rating Scale in the case group was significantly lower than that of placebo control group (P=.0001). Over 24h after the operations, pethidine consumption was significantly lower in the case group compared with control group (P=.0001). In the case group, serum level of beta-endorphin was significantly decreased at the end of the operations compared with before the induction (P=.04). ConclusionWe illustrated that preventive low dose intra-operative magnesium sulphate infusion reduces postoperative pain, has opioid sparing effect and declines serum beta-endorphin concentration during total abdominal hysterectomy.

Serum Beta-endorphin Changes in Lumbar Facet Syndrome Treated with Radiofrequency Lumbar Facet Denervation – A Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Lumbar facet joint has been considered a significant source of chronic low back pain (LBP). Radiofrequency (RF) lumbar facet denervation is an effective treatment modality for patients with lumbar facet syndrome (LFS). We propose this protocol to study the effect of RF and the change in serum beta-endorphin level in the treatment of LFS. Methods: This open-label, parallel, randomized controlled clinical trial enrolled patients with LFS. The study subjects were randomly assigned equally into two arms. The treatment arm received percutaneous RF and the control arm received medical treatment using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Patients were evaluated at days 0, 7 and 28 after randomization. Primary endpoints were the pain visual analogue scale on day 28. Secondary endpoints were visual analogue scale on day 7, quality of life evaluation using short-form 36 (SF-36) questionnaires and serum beta-endorphin level on days 0, 7 and 28. Results: Until August of 2008, twenty-five patients were enrolled, including eleven in the treatment arm and fourteen in the control arm. Baseline characteristics between these two arms were comparable regarding age, sex, pain intensity, serum beta-endorphin level and short-form 36 score. The mean postoperative 7-day visual analogue pain scale for patients who had LBP in the control and treatment arm was 6.5 and 3.0. The mean postoperative 28-day visual analogue pain scale for patients who had LBP in the control and treatment arms was 6.0 and 2.5. On average, patients in the treatment arm had reduction of serum beta-endorphin compared to the control arm on day 7 (38.5% vs 0, p=0.141) and day 28 (37.9% vs 0, p=0.621). Conclusion: RF lumbar facet denervation is an effective treatment modality and better than NSAIDs for patients with LFS. RF lumbar facet denervation demonstrated a trend to reduce serum beta-endorphin levels, although not statistically significant.

Long-term antalgic effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of motor cortex and serum beta-endorphin in patients with phantom pain

Objectives: To assess the long-term analgesic effect of repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS) on chronic phantom pain using high frequency stimulation and to measure the serum beta-endorphin level pre- and post-rTMS.Material and methods: The study included 27 patients with unilateral amputation; all patients had chronic phantom pain. The patients were classified into two groups. Seventeen patients received 10 minutes real rTMS over the hand area of motor cortex (20 Hz, 10 second trains, intensity 80% of motor threshold) every day for five consecutive days and 10 patients received sham stimulation. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS) scale, before and after the first, fifth sessions, one and two months after the last session. Quantitative determination of serum beta-endorphin before and after five sessions was measured.Results: There was no significant difference between true and sham groups in the duration of illness, VAS, LANSS scores and resting motor threshold in upper and lower limb amputation at the base line. VAS and LANS scores of the patients who received real rTMS decreased more over the course of the treatment through the different points of follow-up (after five sessions, one and two months) than those who received sham stimulation. Serum beta-endorphin was increased significantly after real stimulation with no changes in patients received shame. Serum beta-endorphin showed no significant correlation to Hamilton depression, anxiety, VAS and LANS scores in true or sham groups before or after five sessions for rTMS.Conclusion: These results confirm that five daily sessions of rTMS over motor cortex can produce long lasting pain relief in patients with phantom pain and it might be related to an elevation of serum beta-endorphin concentration.

The efficacy of alum-containing ferrous thermal water in the management of chronic inflammatory gynaecological disorders—A randomized controlled study

Objectives Treatment of gynaecological disorders is a frequent, but only barely substantiated application of balneotherapy. This study investigated potential differences between the clinical symptoms, pelvic blood flow and specific laboratory parameters of patients undergoing balneotherapy with two different types of immersion: alum-containing and tap water. Study design The study population comprised 40 patients (mean age: 39.4 years), randomized into two groups. All subjects took 20 min baths in 38 °C water every other day, for 10 occasions altogether. Study parameters were: pain relief, reduction in tissue growth, hormone levels, psychic status, and pelvic blood flow. Results Thermal water improved the clinical parameters of both groups significantly. In comparison with tap water, treatment with alum-containing water accomplished significantly greater progress, as reflected by the relief of pain elicited by handling the uterus and improvement of psychic status. Laboratory parameters (FSH, LH, prolactin, oestradiol and beta-endorphin serum levels) and the Doppler index did not change in either group. Conclusions As demonstrated by our results, 3-week balneotherapy is a potentially useful adjunct for the management of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, but further, long-term studies are notwithstanding necessary.

Beta-endorphin in serum and seminal plasma in infertile men

To access beta-endorphin levels in serum as well as seminal plasma in different infertile male groups. Beta-endorphin was estimated in the serum and seminal plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in 80 infertile men equally divided into four groups: non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), obstructive azoospermia (OA), congenital bilateral absent vas deferens (CBVAD) and asthenozoospermia. The results were compared to those of 20 normozoospermic proven fertile men. There was a decrease in the mean levels of beta-endorphin in the seminal plasma of all successive infertile groups (mean +/- SD: NOA 51.30 +/- 27.37, OA 51.88 +/- 9.47, CBAVD 20.36 +/- 13.39, asthenozoospermia 49.26 +/- 12.49 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the normozoospermic fertile control (87.23 +/- 29.55 pg/mL). This relation was not present in mean serum level of beta-endorphin between four infertile groups (51.09 +/- 14.71, 49.76 +/- 12.4, 33.96 +/- 7.2, 69.1 +/- 16.57 pg/mL, respectively) and the fertile control group (49.26 +/- 31.32 pg/mL). The CBVAD group showed the lowest seminal plasma mean level of beta-endorphin. Testicular contribution of seminal beta-endorphin was estimated to be approximately 40%. Seminal beta-endorphin showed significant correlation with the sperm concentration (r = 0.699, P = 0.0188) and nonsignificant correlation with its serum level (r = 0.375, P = 0.185) or with the sperm motility percentage (r = 0.470, P = 0.899). The estimation of beta-endorphin alone is not conclusive to evaluate male reproduction as there are many other opiates acting at the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis.

Changes in Serum Leptin and Beta Endorphin Levels with Weight Loss by Electroacupuncture and Diet Restriction in Obesity Treatment

This study aims to investigate the role of changes in leptin and beta endorphin (BE) levels in weight loss following electroacupuncture (EA) application in obesity treatment. EA was applied to 20 females who were 41.45 +/- 4.71 years old and had a body mass index of 36.00 +/- 2.66; and a diet program was applied to 20 females who were 42.30 +/- 4.35 years old and had a body mass index of 34.90 +/- 3.21. There was a 4.5% weight reduction in the patients with EA application, whereas patients on diet restriction had a 3.1% weight reduction. A decrease of loss of body weight was observed in the EA group (p < 0.000) when compared against the diet restricted group. A decrease of serum leptin levels (p < 0.000) and an increase in the serum BE (p < 0.05) levels were observed in the EA group compared to the diet restricted group. In this study, reduced serum leptin levels paralleling to weight loss were observed in the EA group. Furthermore, it is thought that in the EA applied group, increasing serum BE level probably enhanced the lipolitic activity which may have caused weight loss in obese people by mobilizing energy stores. It may be considered that the EA application with diet restriction in obesity treatment is more effective than the diet restriction alone.

Effect of Plasmapheresis on Serum Beta-Endorphin Levels

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of plasmapheresis on serum β-endorphin (BE) levels. Method: The serum BE levels of 12 patients with various autoimmune or hematological disorders were monitored during plasmapheresis therapy. Results: BE levels increased after the initial session in 8 of 12 patients; in the remaining 4 patients no change (n = 2) or a decline (n = 2) in BE levels was found. However, no further changes were observed during subsequent therapy. During the last session, an elevation in the BE level was detected in 5 patients, with no change in 1 and a decrease in BE level in another 5 patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that although plasmapheresis results in an elevation in serum BE levels initially, this change does not persist during subsequent sessions.

Electroacupuncture Therapy for Weight Loss Reduces Serum Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, and LDL Cholesterol Levels in Obese Women

Our purpose in this study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture therapy on body weight and on levels of the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in obese women. Fifty-five women were studied in three groups as follows: (1) control group (n = 12; mean age = 43.3 +/- 4.3, and mean body mass index {BMI} = 32.2 +/- 3.4); (2) electroacupuncture (EA) (n = 22; mean age = 39.8 +/- 5.3, and BMI = 34.8 +/- 3.3); and (3) diet restriction (n = 21; mean age = 42.7 +/- 3.9, and BMI = 34.9 +/- 3.3). EA was performed using the ear points, Sanjiao (Hungry) and Shen Men (Stomach), and the body points, LI 4, LI 11, St 25, St 36, St 44 and Liv 3, once daily, for 30 minutes, for 20 days, whereas patients on diet restriction had a 1425 Kcal diet program, that consisted of 1425 Kcal daily for 20 days. There was a 4.8% weight reduction in patients with EA application, whereas patients on diet restriction had a 2.5% weight reduction. There were significant decreases in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in EA and diet groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05 in both cases). Furthermore, there was a decrease in LDL levels in the EA group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). No significant changes could be found in HDL levels among the three groups. Our results suggest that EA application in obese women may decrease the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol levels by increasing the serum beta endorphin level. This lipolytic effect of EA may also reduce the morbidity of obesity by mobilizing the energy stores that result in weight reduction.

Effects of subcutaneous administration of daidzein on blastocyst implantation in rats

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of phytoestrogen daidzein on blastocyst implantation in rats. Following successful mating, female rats were given daidzein by subcutaneous administration at the dose of 0 (vehicle control, n = 15), 50 mg/kg body weight ( n = 15) and 150 mg/kg body weight ( n = 15) daily on day 1–7 of pregnancy and were sacrificed on day 8 of gestation. The results revealed that high-dose treatment (150 mg/kg body weight) significantly diminished the rate of blastocyst implantation and serum levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), progesterone, and gonadotropins (FSH and LH), meanwhile the serum level of beta endorphin increased significantly. These effects were not observed in the low-dose treatment group (50 mg/kg body weight). The results of this study suggested that the anti-implantation effects of daidzein are probably caused by the interference of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis which is involved in the implantation process.

Prolactin and beta-endorphin serum elevations after ECT in manic patients.

Alterations in prolactin and beta-endorphin serum levels after ECT are well-established findings in depression. The present study focuses on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) response patterns of the mentioned parameters in patients suffering from acute mania. Following the first three ECTs of a treatment series in 19 patients diagnosed according to DSM-III-R criteria as suffering from mania, blood samples were drawn before, and 20, 30 and 40 minutes after ECT. Serum prolactin and beta-endorphin levels were established in order to gain information about the effects of ECT on different neurotransmitter systems. A significant transient increase in serum prolactin after ECT was found. Furthermore, in females but not males, delta(max)prolactin diminished over the course of treatment as prolactin baseline levels increased. beta-endorphin levels showed a stable transient increase after ECT stimulus regardless from sex or treatment. The reported findings reflect those established in depression. This suggests that they are epiphenomenal to ECT.

Peripheral BETA-Endorphin in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Correlation with the Disease Activity

Beta-endorphin is a neuroendocrine peptide, with morphine-like effects, produced by anterior pituitary, cells of the immune system, and synovial cells. The clinical significance of Plasma Beta-endorphin was investigated in a well characterized cohort of 20 RA patients and 10 healthy controls. Beta-endorphin extraction and concentration were carried out according to Wardlaw. Plasma Beta-endorphin assay was measured as described by Naber. Plasma Beta-endorphin levels in severe RA patients were significantly lower (16.1 ±6.2 pg/ml) than in mild RA patients (45.4±2.8 pg/ml), P < 0.0001. The mean serum levels of Beta-endorphin were also significantly lower in both RA groups than those in normal controls (62.1 ±5.7 pg/ml), P < 0,00l. The results indicate that there is an inverse correlation with the plasma Beta-endorphin levels, the rheumatoid disease activity score, and the duration of RA, The depressed plasma Beta-endorphin in patients with RA may be used as an indicator of the disease activity.

Relationship between pain severity and serum beta-endorphin levels in postoperative patients.

To examine the relationship among postoperative pain severity, serum beta-endorphin level, and serum morphine level in pediatric patients after posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation. A prospective study. University-based medical center. Ten patients age 13-17 years admitted for posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation. Each subject was administered an initial dose of intravenous morphine 100 micrograms/kg, followed by a constant infusion of 50 micrograms/kg/hour. The primary physician was allowed to titrate the dosage as required to meet the patient's requirement for analgesia. Whole blood was obtained for the analysis of serum morphine and beta-endorphin levels preoperatively, after the initial morphine dose, 24 hours after initiation of the infusion, and before any change in dosage. At each blood sampling time, pain severity ratings were obtained from the subject, nurse, and parent using a 10-point linear scale. No statistical difference between serum beta-endorphin values preoperatively and after the initial dose of morphine was observed; mean values were 68 and 60 pg/ml, respectively. The relationships between serum beta-endorphin level and pain scores were statistically significant only for self (subject) pain scores (p = 0.014, r = 0.30). Mean serum morphine level was 21.9 ng/ml for patients with self pain scores of 4 or less. The clinical usefulness of serum beta-endorphin as a measure of pain severity was not established under the experimental conditions of this study.

Increase of beta-endorphin serum levels by human corticotropin-releasing factor does not affect beta-cell function in overweight women.

Numerous studies have shown a rise of blood sugar concentrations and serum levels of pancreatic polypeptides after pharmacological doses of beta-endorphin. We tested the yet unknown influence of physiological fluctuations in beta-endorphin serum levels on glucose homeostasis by stimulating the pituitary secretion with CRF. 100 micrograms of human CRF or saline solution were intravenously injected in ten healthy male subjects at least one week apart. beta-endorphin serum levels rose significantly after the injection of CRF, but there was no change in blood sugar concentrations or serum levels of glucagon or insulin at all. We conclude that only a pharmacological dose of beta-endorphin influences glucose homeostasis.

Increase of β-Endorphin Serum Levels by Human Corticotropin-Releasing Factor does not Affect Beta-Cell Function in Normalweight Men

Numerous studies have shown a rise of blood sugar concentrations and serum levels of pancreatic polypeptides after pharmacological doses of beta-endorphin. We tested the yet unknown influence of physiological fluctuations in beta-endorphin serum levels on glucose homeostasis by stimulating the pituitary secretion with CRF. 100 micrograms of human CRF or saline solution were intravenously injected in ten healthy male subjects at least one week apart. beta-endorphin serum levels rose significantly after the injection of CRF, but there was no change in blood sugar concentrations or serum levels of glucagon or insulin at all. We conclude that only a pharmacological dose of beta-endorphin influences glucose homeostasis.