title: Characterization of circulating pro-opiomelanocortin-related peptides in human septic shock.
abstract: The nature of circulating pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-related peptides was investigated in patients with a diagnosis of septic shock. Also, changes following administration of methylprednisolone were monitored using established chromatographic techniques and three radioimmunoassays directed towards the N-terminal, mid-portion and C-terminal regions of the precursor. Adrenocorticotrophin and beta-endorphin-like peptides were identified in the circulation. By 60 min after a pharmacological dose of methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg) concentrations of these peptides were reduced and continued to fall up to 180 min. beta-Lipotrophin and N-terminal POMC(1-76) were also detected by the beta-endorphin and gamma 3-MSH assays respectively. The concentrations of these peptides were noticeably reduced only after 180 min. The 31,000 Da MSH/ACTH/beta-endorphin (POMC) and the 22,000 Da MSH/ACTH precursors were also present in the circulation in septic shock and their concentrations increased following steroid treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Endocrinology, St Bartholomew's Centre for Clinical Research, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McLoughlin
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hinds
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Rees
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000097:blood; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000097:blood*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D008775:Methylprednisolone