Effects of beta-endorphin on rat mast cells.
The endogenous opioid peptide beta-endorphin induced a dose-dependent release of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells. The threshold concentration was around 10(-6) M and the optimal concentration of 2 X 10(-5) M released 35% of the total histamine. The release of histamine was very rapid, complete within 10 s, and very similar to that induced by neurotensin or compound 40/80. The histamine release was temperature dependent and inhibited at increased extracellular calcium concentrations. Taken together, the findings indicate that the release of histamine induced by beta-endorphin is a specific, energy-dependent process. The pattern of release has much in common with that induced by other basic peptides, such as neurotensin, dynorphin and substance P.
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Department of Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
D000818:Animals; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine / Q000494:pharmacology
D009496:Neurotensin; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; D001615:beta-Endorphin