title: Effect of clonidine on beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol secretion in essential hypertension and obesity.
abstract: The role of alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation by clonidine on the secretion of beta-endorphin, ACTH, and cortisol in essential hypertension and obesity was studied in 45 subjects: 15 non-obese hypertensives, 10 obese hypertensives, 11 obese normotensives, and 9 healthy subjects. The circadian rhythm of plasma beta-endorphin, ACTH, and cortisol was determined after placebo and after three days on clonidine 0.45 mg daily. Clonidine lowered the blood pressure and blood ACTH and cortisol levels in all the subjects. A significant decrease in beta-endorphin after clonidine occurred in the healthy subjects. In obese normotensives basal beta-endorphin concentrations were significantly higher than in healthy subjects and did not change after clonidine. In about 50% of non-obese and obese hypertensives a significant increase in beta-endorphin secretion after clonidine was noted (responders). In the subgroup of non-obese hypertensive responders no circadian rhythm of beta-endorphin was observed. The results suggest that adrenergic regulation of beta-endorphin secretion is altered in obesity and in certain patients with essential hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Medical Center of Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Słowinska-Srzednicka
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zgliczynski
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Soszynski
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Puciłowska
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wierzbicki
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jeske
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003000:Clonidine; D006854:Hydrocortisone