[Changes in beta-endorphin and its messenger RNA in pituitary, hypothalamus, lymphocytes and blood plasma during cold acclimation of rats].
Changes of beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and its mRNA in pituitary (P), hypothalamus (HT), lymphocytes (LC) and blood plasma (BP) during cold acclimation of SD male rats were studied by beta-EP mRNA dot blot, RP-HPLC and beta-EP radio-immunoassay (RIA). Experimental results showed: (1) After cold-exposure for 1 week pituitary beta-EP mRNA increased significantly with the appearance of stimulated cellular immune function. (2) beta-EP mRNA in hypothalamic immune center and peripheral LC increased when cold acclimation of animals was established for a cold exposure of 2 weeks (C2W). (3) From C2W onward, plasma beta-EP also continued to increase, indicating an augmented state of cellular immune function. As LC and plasma beta-EP product continued to show increase, pituitary beta-EP mRNA content recovered to control level from C2W onward possibly due to a feedback mechanism through LC-P-HT axis.
Xu
Y
Y
Molecular Biological Laboratory, 4th Military Medical University, Xi'an.
Yang
Z T
ZT
Su
C Z
CZ
D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D003080:Cold Temperature; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001615:beta-Endorphin