title: Plasma beta-endorphin levels in primary aldosteronism.
abstract: Excessive production of an as yet unidentified aldosterone-stimulating factor may cause idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). This putative factor may be related to proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides, some of which have aldosterone-stimulating properties. The present study evaluated plasma beta-endorphin, ACTH, cortisol, and aldosterone levels in patients with IHA (n = 10), aldosterone-producing adenomas (n = 4), essential hypertension (n = 11), and normal subjects (n = 10). Plasma and urinary hormone measurements were obtained at timed intervals during an isocaloric, fixed electrolyte intake (Na+, 128 meq/day; K+, 80 meq/day) in a metabolic unit. Plasma for beta-endorphin assay was preincubated with sepharose-bound anti-beta-lipotropin to remove beta-lipotropin that cross-reacted with the beta-endorphin RIA. Mean +/- SE plasma beta-endorphin levels at 0800 h were elevated in IHA patients (47 +/- 13 fmol/ml) compared to those in aldosterone-producing adenoma (25 +/- 9), essential hypertension (16 +/- 1), and normal control (20 +/- 2; P less than 0.05) subjects. Plasma ACTH, plasma cortisol, and urinary cortisol levels were not different in these four groups. These data support the hypothesis that excess production of either beta-endorphin or related proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides may function as aldosterone secretogogue(s) in IHA.
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Griffing
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McIntosh
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berelowitz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salzman
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Manson
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Melby
mesh_terms: D015069:18-Hydroxycorticosterone / Q000097:blood; D000236:Adenoma / Q000097:blood; D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000097:blood; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000097:blood*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D000450:Aldosterone; D015069:18-Hydroxycorticosterone; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D012083:Renin