title: Effect of ACTH, beta-endorphin, morphine and naloxone on the release of cortisol by isolated adrenal glands.
abstract: The release of cortisol (determined by RIA) from isolated slices of adrenal glands of guinea pigs is stimulated by ACTH, by beta-endorphin, and by morphine in a concentration-dependent way; naloxone gives a small stimulation which is not related to its concentration. Naloxone inhibits the effect of ACTH (1.11 X 10(-11) M) in a competitive manner with an IC50 of about 3.10(-9) M. Also morphine and beta-endorphin inhibit the effect of ACTH, but not in competitive manner. Naloxone (10(-9)-10(-7) M) gives a concentration-related inhibition of the increase of cortisol release produced by morphine (10(-8) M) and by beta-endorphin (1.44 X 10(-10) M). These data suggest a similarity in the conformation of ACTH, beta-endorphin, morphine and naloxone towards the binding sites of ACTH of the guinea pig adrenal glands.
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004723:Endorphins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D009270:Naloxone; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D009020:Morphine; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone