Central and peripheral beta-endorphin response to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
The effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of beta-Endorphin (beta-EP) were studied in 6 groups of pain-free patients. Different modes of TENS were applied for 20 minutes. Regardless of mode and/or frequency of the stimulation plasma and/or CSF beta-EP levels were significantly increased. Plasma and CSF responses were not correlated suggesting that TENS activates different opiatergic pathways at central and peripheral level.
D000368:Aged; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism
D001615:beta-Endorphin