title: Plasma beta-endorphin is not affected by treatment with imipramine or paroxetine in patients with diabetic neuropathy symptoms.
abstract: To determine the possible role of endogenous opioid peptides in the action of imipramine and paroxetine in painful diabetic neuropathy, beta-endorphin concentrations in plasma were measured in 20 patients during a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized three-way crossover trial. Despite a significant reduction in neuropathy symptoms during both imipramine and paroxetine treatment, the beta-endorphin level was unaltered throughout the study. The plasma concentration of beta-endorphin was not related to plasma drug concentrations. Thus, this study does not provide evidence of a role of endogenous opioid peptides in the mechanism of action of imipramine and paroxetine in painful diabetic neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Biology, Odense University, Denmark.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Sindrup
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Gram
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D017374:Paroxetine; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D007099:Imipramine