Characterization of circulating pro-opiomelanocortin-related peptides in human septic shock

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Abstract
The nature of circulating pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-related peptides was investigated in patients with a diagnosis of septic shock. Also, changes following administration of methylprednisolone were monitored using established chromatographic techniques and three radioimmunoassays directed towards the N-terminal, mid-portion and C-terminal regions of the precursor. Adrenocorticotrophin and β-endorphin-like peptides were identified in the circulation. By 60 min after a pharmacological dose of methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg) concentrations of these peptides were reduced and continued to fall up to 180 min. β-Lipotrophin and N-terminal POMC(1–76) were also detected by the β-endorphin and γ3-MSH assays respectively. The concentrations of these peptides were noticeably reduced only after 180 min. The 31 000 Da MSH/ACTH/β-endorphin (POMC) and the 22 000 Da MSH/ACTH precursors were also present in the circulation in septic shock and their concentrations increased following steroid treatment. J. Endocr. (1988) 119, 159–165

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