title: The possible role of beta-endorphin in pathogenesis of obesity and essential hypertension.
abstract: In order to evaluate the role of beta-endorphin in the pathogenesis of obesity and essential hypertension 44 subjects were investigated: 12 nonobese hypertensives, 11 obese hypertensives, 11 obese normotensives and 10 normal subjects. Plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin and cortisol were measured by radioimmunological and ACTH by immunoradiometric methods. The plasma concentrations and the circadian rhythms of ACTH and cortisol secretion were normal in all groups investigated. A circadian rhythm of beta-endorphin secretion was demonstrated in nonobese hypertensives and in normal subjects. The plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin were twice higher than those in nonobese subjects. Also, in all obese patients the circadian rhythm of beta-endorphin secretion was blunted. The increased concentrations and the altered circadian rhythm of beta-endorphin in all obese subjects may point to a role of beta-endorphin in the pathogenesis of obesity rather than in that of essential hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Medical Center of Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slowinska-Srzednicka
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zgliczynski
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Soszynski
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wierzbicki
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jeske
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone