Haloperidol increases plasma beta endorphin-like immunoreactivity and cortisol in normal human males.
To investigate possible central dopaminergic regulation of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta E-LI) and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) release in humans, we gave the dopamine antagonist haloperidol or placebo intravenously to twelve normal male subjects and measured beta E-LI and cortisol for 120 minutes following injection. Haloperidol, but not placebo, produced significant increases in plasma beta E-LI and cortisol. These findings suggest that central dopaminergic pathways such as the tuberohypophyseal system may participate in regulation of the secretion of beta E and ACTH from the human pituitary.
D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013997:Time Factors; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D006220:Haloperidol; D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone