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)

Regenerated adrenocortical nodules were obtained by implanting in the musculus gracilis of rats fragments of the capsular tissue of their excised adrenal glands. Five months after operation, transplanted rats showed a slightly elevated blood concentration of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), a moderately reduced plasma level of corticosterone (PBC) and a very low concentration of circulating aldosterone (PAC). Regenerated nodules were well encapsulated, and from the connective capsule some septa dipped into the parenchyma. Subcapsular-outer (OZ) and inner (IZ) cells were similar to those of the zona fasciculata/zona reticularis (ZF/ZR) of the normal gland; juxta-septal (JZ) cells resembled those of the zona glomerulosa (ZG). Prolonged (14 days) ACTH infusion normalized PBC and caused a conspicuous hypertrophy of transplanted tissue, which was coupled with a marked hypertrophy of ZF/ZR-like OZ and IZ cells and a notable rise in the basal in vitro production of corticosterone. Conversely, ACTH infusion strikingly lowered PAC, reduced the number of ZG-like JZ cells, and decreased both basal and stimulated secretion of 18-hydroxylated steroids by transplants in vitro.
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PMID:Effects of prolonged treatment with adrenocorticotropin on the morphology and function of rat adrenocortical autotransplants. 185 75

We have followed the hormonal response to exercise in twelve normal males cycling at a constant moderate load for ten minutes. Plasma concentrations of a variety of hormones were measured at set times before and during exercise and for twenty minutes afterward. The plasma concentration of norepinephrine and epinephrine and plasma activity of renin rose to a maximum at the end of exercise and then declined. The plasma concentrations of neurotensin and atrial natriuretic peptide followed a similar course. Plasma vasopressin rose to a peak at the end of exercise and then fell transiently below the initial value ten minutes after exercise. The plasma concentrations of aldosterone, prolactin and adrenocorticotropin increased during exercise but continued to do so, reaching a peak at ten minutes after exercise. Plasma growth hormone increased during exercise and continued to increase throughout the period of twenty minutes' recovery. Cortisol did not change during exercise but rose progressively during the recovery period. Plasma concentrations of glucagon did not change while that of insulin decreased during exercise. The plasma concentration of bombesin slowly increased during exercise and declined during recovery, reaching a basal value 10 minutes later.
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PMID:Temporal relations of the endocrine response to exercise. 187 87

In a placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover, double-blind study of 17 normal volunteers, we examined the effects of captopril on the concentration of opioid peptides during bicycle exercise and on quality of life after a 2-week treatment period. Two exercise tests (progressive exercise and constant work rate exercise) were performed. Maximum oxygen uptake and blood lactate concentrations were measured in progressive exercise tests. The exercise intensities corresponding to a 1/2 lactate threshold, a lactate threshold, and a 4 mmol/L lactate concentration were determined. Constant work rate exercise at selected work loads for 20 minutes was carried out to measure the concentrations of opioid peptides and other hormones. Quality of life was assessed after the 2-week treatment period. Captopril treatment had no effect on the exercise response of blood pressure, heart rate, maximum VO2, and maximum work loads. The plasma concentrations of lactate, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and aldosterone increased during exercise and captopril did not change them. Beta-endorphin levels and plasma renin activity also increased during exercise, and the increases were greater with captopril treatment. Met-enkephalin and leu-enkephalin concentrations did not increase during exercise. According to responses in the quality of life questionnaires, administration of captopril improved the physiologic state more than the placebo did. These findings suggest that captopril may act on the central nervous system involving an increase in the beta-endorphin level.
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PMID:Effects of captopril on opioid peptides during exercise and quality of life in normal subjects. 195 Oct 4

This study examined the relationship between aldosterone secretion and sleep stages in conjunction with two aldosterone regulating hormone systems, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), and also K+. Nocturnal plasma patterns of aldosterone, plasma renin activity (PRA), ACTH and K+ were established in blood collected at 10-min intervals in two groups of 6 subjects. Both groups underwent two 9 hour overnight-studies, consisting of one control night and one experimental night. The first group was maintained on a low Na diet and the other was given a beta-blocker, atenolol. Polygraphic recordings of sleep were scored according to established criteria. For the control night, REM sleep usually began at peak level or in the descending phase of aldosterone oscillations. As previously described, PRA reflected REM-NREM sleep alteration, levels increased in NREM and decreased during REM sleep. ACTH fluctuations did not oscillate with sleep stages, but levels were very seldom in the ascending phase at REM sleep onset. Plasma K+ remained almost constant throughout the night. The relative importance of the ACTH and the RAS on nocturnal aldosterone secretion and the relationship between aldosterone oscillations and sleep stages remained unclear. Modulating renin levels by either consuming a low Na diet or administration of a beta-blocker enabled this relationship to be clarified. The RAS dominated aldosterone secretion when stimulated by a low sodium diet. Aldosterone oscillations then reflected PRA oscillations with a delay of about 20 min and the relationship of aldosterone to sleep stages was dependent on the relationship of PRA with sleep stages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Nocturnal oscillations of plasma aldosterone in relation to sleep stages. 196 35

E2078, a new analgesic is a dynorphin derivative. E2078 shows strong affinity to kappa receptors and is not rapidly cleaved by peptidases. This analgesic is also considered to be free of tolerance and dependence. In the present study, to determine the effect of E2078 on pituitary-adrenocortical function the author administered E2078 (0.001, 0.05, 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 mg.kg-1) by intramuscular injection to 38 adult mongrel dogs under enflurane anesthesia (1.0%) and then investigated the changes in the plasma concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, beta-endorphin, PRA, aldosterone and ADH. In the animal groups which received E2078 at dosages of 0.001, 0.05, 0.1, and 1.0 mg.kg-1, no significant differences in the plasma concentrations of each hormone were detected compared with the control group which received physiological saline by intramuscular injection. However, in the dog group which received E2078 at 10.0 mg.kg-1, the plasma concentrations of PRA and aldosterone were significantly elevated.
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PMID:[Effects of E2078, a new dynorphin derivative, on pituitary-adrenocortical functions in dogs]. 197 31

Among 436 patients with hypertension unrelated to any renal lesion, renovascular damage, pheochromocytoma, Cushing's syndrome or hyperthyroidism, 15 patients had low plasma renin activity (PRA) and elevated plasma aldosterone concentrations in the upright position and resultant high aldosterone/PRA ratios: 8 with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA; group 1) and 7 with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA; group 2). Thirty-nine patients had suppressed PRA in the presence of normal plasma aldosterone levels and moderately elevated aldosterone/PRA ratios (group 3). Thirty of them had elevated plasma 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC) concentrations (group 3a) and 9 of them had normal levels of those mineralocorticoids (group 3b). The rest of them (382 patients) had low aldosterone/PRA ratios (group 4). Adrenal scintigraphy with dexamethasone pretreatment revealed [13I]-cholesterol accumulation not only in patients with APA (unilateral) or IHA (bilateral), but also in patients of group 3a (bilateral). In patients in groups 3a and 3b adrenal size (especially thickness), as measured by computed tomography (CT scan), was enlarged, as in patients with IHA (group 2), and was significantly greater than in patients of group 4 (p less than 0.001). Spironolactone reduced blood pressure in all tested patients of group 3a, and the removal of adrenal tumor or hyperplastic tissue normalized blood pressure in patients of groups 1, 2 and 3a. Excised adrenal glands exhibited cortical hyperplasia with or without nodular hyperplasia in patients of group 3a. Good agreement was found between the actual size of the excised tissue and the measurement obtained by CT scan. Since beta-endorphin and beta-lipotropin were depressed in patients of group 3a, it is suggested that an unknown pituitary substance stimulates the adrenal cortex to release too large amounts of DOC and 18-OH-DOC and inappropriate secretion of aldosterone.
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PMID:Inappropriate elevation of the aldosterone/plasma renin activity ratio in hypertensive patients with increases of 11-deoxycorticosterone and 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone: a subtype of essential hypertension? 207 Mar 75

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether the pituitary-adrenal responses to human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH) in "non-functioning" adrenocortical adenoma would uncover a functional activity in these adrenal nodules. Eleven patients with incidentally discovered "silent" adrenocortical adenoma and eleven controls were studied. The initial clinical and laboratory examination, including an overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test, revealed no abnormalities in any of the subjects. IR-ACTH and serum steroids (F, S, P, 17OHP, 18OHB, and aldosterone) were normal in both controls and patients. After pulse IV injection of 100 micrograms hCRH, the cortisol response was significantly exaggerated (P = 0.01). Stimulated plasma ACTH levels were, however, significantly lower in patients than in controls (P = 0.01), indicating counter-feedback regulation of cortisol. The peak cortisol/peak ACTH ratio (Fmax/ACTHmax) in the patients was significantly elevated (26.8 +/- 4.37 nmol/ng vs. 14.6 +/- 2.16 nmol/ng, P = 0.02). Two further patients with incidentally discovered "pre-Cushing's" adrenocortical adenoma displayed an even higher ratio (43.5 and 45.5 nmol/ng). In established Cushing's syndrome due to an autonomous adrenocortical adenoma, suppression of ACTH and of the ACTH response to hCRH occurs with a very high basal cortisol/basal ACTH ratio. Our findings suggest some functional activity even in clinically "silent" adrenocortical adenoma. Response to hCRH uncovers a continuous spectrum between adrenocortical adenoma, "pre-Cushing's", and Cushing's syndrome.
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PMID:Endocrine activity of the "silent" adrenocortical adenoma is uncovered by response to corticotropin-releasing hormone. 216 44

A potent and long-acting somatostatin analogue, SMS 201-995 (SMS) is currently employed for the treatment of various diseases with hypersecretion of hormones such as acromegaly and gastrinoma. The suppressive effects of SMS are also reported on the other pituitary and gastrointestinal hormones. The corticotropic-adrenocortical axis is a crucial hormonal complex in maintaining normal activity and life itself. In this study, the effects of SMS on corticotropic-adrenocortical functions were studied, since the effects of SMS on this hormonal axis are not well established. Seven normal males received a sc injection of 100 micrograms SMS or placebo at 0830 h and 100 micrograms synthetic human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH) intravenously (SMS-hCRH study). Five of the 7 subjects were given an injection of a synthetic (1-24) ACTH (250 micrograms or 63 micrograms) at 0900 h after 100 micrograms SMS or a placebo at 0830 h (SMS-ACTH study). Blood samples were drawn at -30, 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after the hCRH injection for the determination of ACTH and cortisol in the SMS-hCRH study, and cortisol and aldosterone in the SMS-ACTH study. Although significant rises in plasma ACTH and cortisol levels were observed regardless of the preinjection of SMS, their responses to hCRH were significantly lower with the pretreatment with SMS than without SMS. A significant increase in plasma cortisol and aldosterone was observed in response to synthetic ACTH with both ACTH alone and the combined administration of SMS and ACTH, at either dose of ACTH. However, no significant difference in cortisol and aldosterone secretion was detected with and without SMS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Effects of a long-acting somatostatin analogue on pituitary-adrenocortical secretion in normal human subjects. 216 54

The aim of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of hypoaldosteronism in diabetes. Endogenous elevation of plasma renin activity and exogenous corticotropin were used to study steroidogenesis. Observations were made over 12 yr on the evolution and treatment of hyperkalemia in a diabetic subject. In 1977, potassium, baseline cortisol, aldosterone, and renin activity were normal; renin activity increased normally with posture; and cortisol responded normally to ACTH infusion. Nine yr later, persistent hyperkalemia was documented. Upright renin activity was elevated to 5.26 ng.L-1.s-1, with concomitant elevation of 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OHB) and a low-normal aldosterone level. One hour after administration of 0.25 mg i.m. cosyntropin, cortisol increased normally, aldosterone increased from 220 to 360 pM, and 18-OHB increased from 3700 to 4800 pM. During treatment with fludrocortisone, fludrocortisone with furosemide, and furosemide alone, improvement of hyperkalemia was noted. Endogenous hyperreninemia and basal elevations of 18-OHB, accompanied by limited aldosterone responsiveness to renin and ACTH, suggest the presence of a partial corticosterone methyl oxidase type II defect. Evolution of hyperkalemia between 1977 and 1986 suggests this defect was acquired.
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PMID:Acquired partial corticosterone methyl oxidase type II defect in diabetes mellitus. Case of hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism. 216 93

To assess whether neuroendocrine dysfunction is present in children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and growth failure, we evaluated the thyroid, adrenal, and growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) axes in nine children with AIDS and failure to thrive. Basal thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and triiodothyronine levels were normal in eight of the nine children and indicated primary hypothyroidism in one child; thyroxine levels were elevated in four and normal in five children. Thyroxine-binding globulin levels were elevated in all children. Serial measurements of thyroid-stimulating hormone, made hourly from 2 to 6 pm and from 10 pm to 2 am, revealed a flat diurnal rhythm of thyroid-stimulating hormone in six children, which may indicate early central hypothyroidism, and a normal nocturnal rise in the remaining three children. Basal plasma corticotropin and aldosterone levels were normal in all children, plasma renin levels were normal in three and elevated in six children, and cortisol levels were normal or elevated in all children. Corticotropin-stimulated cortisol levels exceeded 500 nmol/L (18 micrograms/dl) in all children except one, who was receiving treatment with ketoconazole. Thus adrenocortical function appeared to be grossly intact. The peak growth hormone responses to provocative testing was normal (greater than 7 ng/ml) in eight children and low in one child. The plasma level of insulin-like growth factor I was normal in eight of the nine children and low in one child. We conclude that growth failure in children with AIDS does not usually result from a recognized endocrine cause and that adrenal function is usually normal. However, endocrine deficiency may contribute to morbidity in some children with AIDS.
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PMID:Growth and neuroendocrine dysfunction in children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. 201 47


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