title: Calcitonin induced increase in ACTH, beta-endorphin and cortisol secretion.
abstract: The response of ACTH, beta-endorphin and cortisol to calcitonin administration was investigated in 8 subjects with recent fractures of the vertebrae due to postmenopausal or senile osteoporosis (Ost) and in seven normal healthy controls (NC). A significant increase of the three hormones was observed in 13 subjects. The maximum increase was observed between 15 and 60 min.: the cortisol level (microgram/100 ml) rose from 14.3 +/- 1.9 to 24.8 +/- 3.2 (P less than 0.05) in Ost and from 7.7 +/- 0.6 to 21.7 +/- 1.7 (P less than 0.001) in NC, the beta-endorphin (pmol/l) from 5.8 +/- 0.6 and to 21.2 +/- 1.3 in OST (P less than 0.001) and from 5.9 +/- 0.4 to 21.9 +/- 4.5 (P less than 0.01) in NC and the ACTH levels (pg/ml) from 21.3 +/- 5.7 to 61.7 +/- 3.6 (P less than 0.001) in OST and from 30.0 +/- 6.2 to 58.8 +/- 7.5 (P less than 0.05) in NC. The results indicate a possible role of calcitonin in modulating the anterior pituitary function. It also suggests that the analgesic effect of calcitonin might be mediated by the increase of beta-endorphin. The possibility that this analgesic effect of calcitonin is due to its direct binding to the opiate receptors was excluded in the present study by in vitro binding assay.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000698:Analgesia; D000818:Animals; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D012474:Salmon; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D002116:Calcitonin; D006854:Hydrocortisone