title: Effects of branched-chain amino acids on beta-endorphin in the pituitary of the rat.
abstract: Despite evidence that the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) influence brain metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis, there is little information on the neuroendocrine effects of the BCAAs. We now report that administration of a mixture of the BCAAs 3 times daily for 12 days to Sprague-Dawley rats decreased the concentration of beta-endorphin immunoreactivity (BEI) in the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary. In BCAA-treated rats, BEI was 21 +/- 4 compared to control levels of 57 +/- 12 (ng/microgram of protein). The BCAAs had no effect on the level of BEI in the adenohypophysis. These findings suggest that changes in availability of leucine, isoleucine, and valine mediate specific neuroendocrine responses to metabolic perturbations in the rat.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Cobert
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Dewey
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004723:Endorphins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000032:analysis*; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin