title: beta-Endorphin in human cerebrospinal fluid.
abstract: beta-endorphin is a brain peptide with potent morphine-like activity structurally related to the anterior pituitary hormone beta-lipotrophin (beta-L.P.H.). We have developed a radioimmunoassay for human beta-endorphin in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.). Since the antiserum also reacts with beta-L.P.H., beta-endorphin was distinguished by using a second antiserum which measures beta-L.P.H. alone. With these two immunoassay systems and gel chromatography, we found beta-endorphin in all 20 C.S.F. samples tested at a concentration always higher than, but with no other relationship to, that in plasma. beta-endorphin was found in C.S.F. of patients who had hypopituitarism and undetectable plasma-beta-endorphin, suggesting that it is synthesized in the brain rather in the pituitary.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D004723:Endorphins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D007938:Leukemia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D008083:beta-Lipotropin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D011388:Prolactin; D008083:beta-Lipotropin