Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P01189 (beta-endorphin)
 21,003 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We describe a sensitive beta-endorphin (beta-EP) radioimmunoassay specific for beta-EP 1-31 applied to human ventricular and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Specificity was documented by reversed-phase HPLC of CSF pools. Simultaneous ventricular and lumbar CSF samples from 13 patients suspected of having normal-pressure hydrocephalus showed median beta-EP values of 2.2 (range 1.7-4.0) and 4.8 (2.8-14.6) pmol/L, respectively. Ventricular and lumbar beta-EP concentrations were positively correlated (Spearman r = 0.72, P = 0.013). The beta-EP rostral-caudal gradient was closely related to the CSF protein gradient. HPLC profiles of beta-EP immunoreactivity were similar in ventricular and lumbar CSF with both C- and N-terminal antisera. beta-EP concentrations did not vary in the first 12 mL of lumbar CSF, tapped in 3-mL portions [F(3,32) = 0.42, P = 0.74]. The beta-EP concentration in lumbar CSF from 15 children in remission from acute leukemia [23.4 (15.0-27.1) pmol/L] was higher than in 54 healthy adults [11.7 (10.9-13.3) pmol/L; P less than 0.01]. There was no effect of sex or age on CSF beta-EP in adults. beta-EP in lumbar human CSF may indicate di- and mesencephalic beta-EP neuronal activity.
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PMID:Radioimmunoassay of beta-endorphin in ventricular and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid. 159 10

Endogenous opiates have been implicated in pain and stress experiences. In order to directly assess the relationship between endorphin activity and acute behavioral distress, beta-endorphin immunoreactivity (beta-EPI) was measured by radioimmunoassay in cerebrospinal fluid of 75 children with acute leukemia undergoing routine lumbar puncture. These data were related to four measures of behavioral distress collected during the procedure. For children 4 years of age and above, beta-EPI correlated inversely with age (r = -.31,p less than or equal to .05). All behavioral measures also inversely correlated with age (r = -.26 to -.67,p less than or equal to .05 to .001). Females had a significantly lower mean beta-EPI than males (p less than or equal to .01), and exhibited greater behavioral distress. beta-EPI and behavioral measures interacted with the use of specific antileukemia agents. L-Asparaginase was associated with lower beta-EPI (p less than or equal to .05), while prednisone was associated with lower behavioral distress on three of the four measures (p less than or equal to .05 to .01). After controlling for age, sex, and chemotherapy, beta-EPI and nurse ratings of anxiety were positively correlated (partial correlation coefficient = .31, p less than or equal to .05). Correlations between beta-EPI and other behavioral measures demonstrated positive trends. Results of this study are interpreted as support for the reactive nature of beta-EPI in cerebrospinal fluid to acute distress, and may help explain documented sex differences in distress behavior. Potential clinical implications and directions for further research are discussed.
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PMID:beta-Endorphin immunoreactivity and acute behavioral distress in children with leukemia. 627 5