title: Beneficial effect of gamma-endorphin-type peptides in anaphylactic shock.
abstract: gamma-Endorphin-type peptides (i.e. gamma-endorphin, des-tyr'-gamma-endorphin [DT gamma E]) result from the processing of the opioid peptide, beta-endorphin. Previous studies have implicated the involvement of beta-endorphin in various types of shock, including anaphylactic shock. In the present experiments the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of gamma-endorphin (10 micrograms) or DT gamma E (3.3-10 micrograms) significantly improved survival in anaphylactic shock in mice. Moreover, DT gamma E (10 micrograms) reversed the effect of i.c.v. beta-endorphin (3.3 micrograms) to exacerbate shock. A similar dose of DT gamma E was ineffective in antagonizing beta-endorphin-induced analgesia. The anti-anaphylactic action of DT gamma E as well as its effect to block the pro-anaphylactic action of beta-endorphin were prevented by pretreatment with the sympathetic ganglionic blocker, chlorisondamine chloride. The results suggest that gamma-endorphin-type peptides may act in the central nervous system (CNS) to physiologically oppose the autonomic pathophysiologic influences of beta-endorphin.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amir
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: van Ree
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D002714:Chlorisondamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004723:Endorphins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009270:Naloxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000276:immunology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D018823:gamma-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D009270:Naloxone; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D018823:gamma-Endorphin; C018903:gamma-endorphin, des-Tyr(1)-; D002714:Chlorisondamine