Stress-induced release of pituitary beta-endorphin may be mediated by activation of the brain stem defence areas.
In anaesthetized cats, electrical stimulation within the fore-brain defence areas evoked a marked increase in the plasma level of immunoreactive beta-endorphin which reached a peak after 5 minutes. Multiple immunoreactive peptides including "biologically-active" beta-endorphin-(1-31) were detected. It is suggested that the release of pituitary beta-endorphin during emotional stress results from the natural activation of the defence areas.
D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D002415:Cats; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism*; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin