STIMULATION IN VIVO OF THE SECRETION OF PROLACTIN AND GROWTH HORMONE BY β-ENDORPHIN
- 1 January 1977
- journal article
- research article
- Published by The Endocrine Society in Endocrinology
- Vol. 100 (1) , 238-241
- https://doi.org/10.1210/endo-100-1-238
Abstract
Morphine sulfate (MS) and the opioid peptide β-endorphin β-LPH-(61–91) stimulate prolactin and growth hormone release in steroid-primed and non-treated male rats when injected intravenously or intracistemally. On a molar basis β-endorphin is at least 20 times more potent than MS, whereas Met5-enkephalin (β-LPH-(61–65)) and α-endorphin (β-LPH-(61–76)) are devoid of activity at the dose injected (300 μg). The in vivo stimulatory effects of β-endorphin on prolactin secretion are reversed by the opiate antagonist naloxone. The absence of in vitro effect of MS and e-endorphin on prolactin and growth hormone secretion by cultured rat pituitary cells suggest that they have a central nervous system site of action.Keywords
This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit:
- Enkephalin-stimulated prolactin releaseLife Sciences, 1976
- Morphine Inhibition of Ovulation: Reversal by NaloxoneEndocrinology, 1976
- Opiate receptor affinity of peptides related to Leu-enkephalinBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1976
- Opioid activity of a peptide, beta-lipotropin-(61-91), derived from beta-lipotropin.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1976