title: Beta-endorphin infusion restores acute insulin responses to glucose in type-2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: To address the possibility that an abnormality in pancreatic beta-endorphin activity might contribute to abnormal insulin secretion in diabetes mellitus, we studied the effects of beta-endorphin infusion on islet function in diabetic patients. The iv infusion of human beta-endorphin at a dose of 0.5 mg/h for 2 h in type-2 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients (n = 12) raised plasma insulin and glucagon levels and slightly but significantly lowered plasma glucose concentrations. beta-Endorphin infusion also resulted in reappearance of a clear-cut acute insulin response to glucose, while second phase insulin release was increased and glucose disposal accelerated. Acute insulin and glucagon responses to arginine were not increased by beta-endorphin, suggesting that the effect of the opioid on the B cells of the diabetic patients is specific for glucose. An intraislet abnormality of opioid peptides action and/or secretion may play a role in the disturbances of insulin secretion in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus.
mesh_terms: D001120:Arginine; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004723:Endorphins; D007328:Insulin; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D005934:Glucagon; D001120:Arginine