Bifemelane hydrochloride reduces plasma beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity levels in rats.
The effect of bifemelane hydrochloride on plasma beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta-En-LI) levels in rats was studied. Bifemelane hydrochloride (25 mg/kg) was injected i.p., and the animals were decapitated at various times after the administration. The plasma beta-En-LI levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The effect of bifemelane hydrochloride on beta-En-LI release from the anterior pituitary was also investigated by means of an in vitro experiment. The beta-En-LI content in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland did not change significantly after bifemelane hydrochloride injection. The plasma beta-En-LI levels decreased significantly in a dose-related manner with a nadir at 40 min after the injection. The beta-En-LI release in vitro from the anterior pituitary was inhibited with the addition of bifemelane hydrochloride. The findings suggest that bifemelane hydrochloride acts on the anterior pituitary to inhibit beta-En-LI release.
Mitsuma
T
T
Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Japan.
Hirooka
Y
Y
Yuasa
K
K
Nogimori
T
T
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D001615:beta-Endorphin; C031906:bifemelane