title: Evidence for a role of beta-endorphin in activity of nigrostriatal neurons in the rat.
abstract: The effects of icv administration of beta-endorphin on secretory activity of dopaminergic neurons is described. Homovanillic and dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid levels in cerebrospinal fluid and extracts of brain tissue were determined after administration of beta-endorphin to animals pretreated or not with naloxone. The results suggest that beta-endorphin interferes with formation of dopaminergic metabolites by acting on opioid receptors.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lebrun
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Lebrun
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Aizenstein
mesh_terms: D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D000818:Animals; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000378:metabolism*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D009270:Naloxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D051381:Rats; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000378:metabolism*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D010648:Phenylacetates; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D009270:Naloxone; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid