title: The role of endorphins in septicaemic shock: a pilot study in burned patients.
abstract: There is recent evidence that circulating opioid peptides, or 'endorphins', act as chemical messengers responsible for the induction of the complex cardiovascular changes leading to hypotension in septicaemic shock. The pilot study of an investigation of opioid peptides in septicaemia in burned patients is presented. Serial measurements of plasma beta-endorphin and metenkephalin were performed throughout the recovery of six patients with large burns (20-70 per cent BSA). Our preliminary findings concur with previous evidence that opioid peptides may play a role in the hypotension of septicaemic shock.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elliot
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Everitt
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gault
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Quaba
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hackett
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Howlett
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tomlin
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Rees
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000097:blood*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood*; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000097:blood*; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D001615:beta-Endorphin