title: Brain beta-endorphin and spinal-cord enkephalin concentrations in experimental arachnoiditis.
abstract: Arachnoiditis was produced experimentally in male albino ICR mice by intrathecal injection of meglumine iocarmate . A control group received intrathecal injection of an electrolyte solution resembling CSF. Eight weeks after injection, the brains and spinal cords were removed for brain beta-endorphin and spinal cord met-enkephalin measurement by radioimmunoassay, and the dural sacs were removed for histologic examination to confirm the presence or absence of arachnoiditis. Brain beta-endorphin content was significantly reduced and spinal-cord enkephalin concentration was significantly elevated in iocarmate-treated animals. The dura and arachnoid in the treated mice were thickened and infiltrated with lymphocytes. These studies indicate that arachnoiditis alters endogenous polypeptide concentrations.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001100:Arachnoiditis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000378:metabolism; D007483:Iothalamic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine; D008578:Meninges / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D007483:Iothalamic Acid; C025504:iocarmate meglumine; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D008536:Meglumine