γ3-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Immunoreactivity Is a Component of the Neuroendocrine Response to Maximal Stress (Cardiac Arrest)*

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Abstract
The levels of γ3-MSH immunoreactivity (γ3MSH-IR), β-endorphin immunoreactivity (β-endorphin-IR), ACTH, PRL, and cortisol were determined in 23 patients with cardiac arrest (CA) and in a group of 22 patients consecutively admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU controls). Blood was obtained immediately after CA and at frequent intervals for the next 2 h. In ICU patients, blood was obtained the morning after admission. γ3MSH-IR was consistently elevated after CA; it was present in all 23 patients and was detectable in 113 of 114 samples.The mean peak γ3MSH-IR level was 162± 20 (±SE) pg/ml in CA patients and the mean γ3MSH-IR level was 35± 6 pg/ml inICU controls (P < 0.01). γ3MSH-IR was undetectable (γ3MSH-IR in CA plasma showed a major peak of immunoreactivity with a mol wt of approximately 6,000 daltons and two minor components of approximately 4,000 and 11,000 dalton. No immunoreactivity coeluted with a γ3MSH standard. We conclude that γ3MSH-immunoreactive peptides are a consistent component of the massive release of pituitary and adrenal glandular products after CA.