title: Steroid replacement treatment increases beta-endorphin and beta-lipotropin plasma levels in postmenopausal women.
abstract: The present study shows the effects of two different steroid replacement therapies, with conjugated estrogens or with a new synthetic steroid derivative, ORG OD14, on plasma beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) levels in postmenopausal subjects. Blood samples were collected before treatment and after 1, 2 and 4 months of treatment; a third group of patients was treated with placebo. After 2 months of treatment both groups of patients who underwent steroid supplementation showed circulating levels of beta-EP and beta-LPH higher than basal levels. ORG OD14 treatment increased beta-EP and beta-LPH levels more than conjugated estrogens at the 2nd month of therapy. No further change was found after 4 months. The two drugs were effective in reducing hot flushes and improving physical and psychological symptoms. These data indicate that sex steroids are able to increase beta-EP and beta-LPH secretion in postmenopausal women, with a concomitant relief of climacteric symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Genazzani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petraglia
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchinetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alessandrini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Volpe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*; D008083:beta-Lipotropin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D009652:Norpregnenes; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D008083:beta-Lipotropin; C027385:tibolone