Effect of beta-endorphin on calcium uptake in the brain.
The uptake of 45Ca2+ by nerve-ending fractions from brains of mice was inhibited in vitro by 10(-9)M concentrations of beta-endorphin and in mice injected intraventricularly with 7 picomoles of beta-endorphin. That the effect was a specific opiate agonist response of beta-endorphin was demonstrated by use of the opiate antagonist, naloxone, which reversed the action. A role for beta-endorphin in the regulation of calcium flux and neurotransmitter release should be considered.
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004723:Endorphins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013574:Synaptosomes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D004723:Endorphins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D009270:Naloxone; D002118:Calcium