title: Exercise- and cold-induced changes in plasma beta-endorphin and beta-lipotropin in men and women.
abstract: The plasma beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) response of men, eumenorrheic women, and amenorrheic women (n = 6) to 1 h of rest or to a bicycle ergometer test [20 min at 30% maximum O2 uptake (VO2max), 20 min at 60% VO2max, and at 90% VO2max to exhaustion] was studied in both normal (22 degrees C) and cold (5 degrees C) environments. beta-EP and beta-LPH was measured by radioimmunoassay in venous samples collected every 20 min during rest or after each exercise bout. Exhaustive exercise at ambient temperature (Ta) 22 degrees C induced significant increases in plasma beta-EP and beta-LPH in all subjects as did work at 60% VO2max in amenorrheic and eumenorrheic women. During work at Ta 5 degrees C, the relative increase in beta-EP and beta-LPH was suppressed in eumenorrheic women and completely prevented in amenorrheic women. Although significant lowering of beta-EP and beta-LPH was observed in men and eumenorrheic women during rest at 5 degrees C, amenorrheic women maintained precold exposure levels. These findings suggest that plasma beta-EP and beta-LPH may reflect a thermoregulatory response to heat load. There appears to be a sexual dimorphism in exercise- and cold-induced release of beta-EP and beta-LPH and amenorrhea may be accompanied by alterations in these responses.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000097:blood; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012146:Rest; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D008083:beta-Lipotropin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D008083:beta-Lipotropin