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)

Three problems were studied on the human and rabbit eye: to what extent the mineralocorticoids contribute to the control of Na+ and K+ transport in the lens epithelium, how do the glucocorticoids influence the concentration of glucose in the aqueous humour and what is the effect of the pituitary-adrenal axis on the hemato-ocular barrier. Specific receptor-like proteins binding aldosterone were found in the lens epithelium. Na+ and K+ concentrations in the aqueous were influenced by both aldosterone and spironolactone administration. The aldosterone concentration in human cataracts was found to be higher in cases of cataracts complicated by arterial hypertension. In spite of some indication of anticataractogenous action of mineralocorticoids, aldosterone did not prevent the formation of cortisol-induced cataract in chick embryos. Glucose concentration in the aqueous was increased by glucocorticoid administration as well as by stimulation of their secretion by ACTH. Further, the contribution of the pituitary-adrenal axis to the breakdown of the hemato-ocular barrier was investigated by measuring the changes of the total protein content in the aqueous. ACTH1-24 caused a partial breakdown of the barrier, as well as ACTH4-10 or alpha-MSH. As the latter two peptides lack the stimulative effect on the corticoid secretion and glucocorticoids themselves fail to increase the protein content in the aqueous, the breakdown of the hemato-ocular barrier seems to be essential for ACTH-linked peptide fragments and is not mediated by corticoids.
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PMID:The role of corticosteroids in the homeostasis of the eye. 300 76

There are several hypothalamic theories of aging, none of which has been validated. An approach to validation is to search for consequences of anatomic ablations of hypothalamic regions that are functional hallmarks of aging, or consequences of ablation that postpone the appearance of hallmarks of aging or extend longevity. Ablation of the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN) in the weanling rat is associated with subsequent increased body fat, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia, and decreased renal function. Each of these consequences is characteristic of aging in humans and in several animal models of aging. Ablation of the hypothalamic dorsomedial nucleus (DMN) in the weanling rat leads to a symmetrically smaller animal with normal glucose and lipid metabolism, decreased body fat for size, and reduced risk of decreased renal function and circulating IGF-I levels. These are findings consistent with calorie restriction models in rodents that significantly extend life span. This review compares outcomes of lesions in the VMN, DMN, and lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) for relevance to aging. To establish a relationship between these anatomic areas of the hypothalamus and aging, it is concluded that the VMN, DMN, and LHA lesions should be examined for impact on longevity and compared with data obtained from simultaneously studied intact ad-lib-fed and 40% calorie-restricted animals. Lesioned animals also should be rigorously studied for neurotransmitters (e.g., neuropeptide Y, beta-endorphin, serotonin, corticotropin-releasing factor, and galanin), and for behavioral changes consistent with aging, for accumulation of specific tissue lipofuscin and amyloid that are associated with normal aging and for other age-dependent findings, such as incidence of tumors and cataract.
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PMID:Aging and the hypothalamus: research perspectives. 870 Sep 56

We measured the concentration of beta-endorphin (beta-End) in plasma, as well as in aqueous humor and crystalline lens removed during cataract surgery. beta-End was detected both in the aqueous humor and in the crystalline lens. The concentration of beta-End in the aqueous humor corresponded to almost the half of the plasma level (2.18 fmol/l and 4.55 fmol/l). Endogenous beta-End is presumed to enter the intraocular structures by passive diffusion.
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PMID:Beta endorphin-like immunoreactivity in human aqueous humor and crystalline lens. 1131 40