Impaired ACTH and beta-endorphin response to sauna-induced hyperthermia in heroin addicts.
To evaluate the responses of circulating beta-endorphin, met-enkephalin and ACTH to sauna-induced hyperthermia, 8 male heroin addicts recently admitted to a therapeutic community and 8 age-matched normal subjects were examined. Compared with control subjects, heroin addicts showed 1. A decrease of the basal levels of beta-endorphin; 2. Absence of the normal increase of beta-endorphin and ACTH after sauna; 3. A lower increase in systolic blood pressure. It is concluded that an impairment of the adaptive response to stress may be present in heroin addicts, even after a relatively short drug-free period (14 days).
Vescovi
P P
PP
Instituto di Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Università di Parma, Italy.
Pedrazzoni
M
M
Gerra
G
G
Pioli
G
G
Maninetti
L
L
Michelini
M
M
Passeri
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D029002:Steam Bath / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone