The effect of naloxone on ATCH and β-endorphin in patients with Cushing's disease

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Abstract
Endogenous opiates may be important in the control of ACTH secretion in men. The effect of opiate receptor blockade by naloxone on ACTH, .beta.-endorphin-like substance and cortisol release was studied in healthy women and in 9 patients with Cushing''s disease. In the healthy subjects, ACTH, .beta.-endorphin and cortisol levels were increased in response to naloxone. However, in 3 our of the 9 patients with Cushing''s disease, a paradoxical decrease in serum ACTH, cortisol and .beta.-endorphin concentrations was observed after naloxone administration. In the patients with a paradoxical response to naloxone, transsphenoidal microadrenomectomy was ineffective.