title: Neuroendocrine changes in patients undergoing whole body hyperthermia.
abstract: A phase I study of whole body hyperthermia (WBH) (52 treatments/12 patients) utilizing a radiant heat device has been completed. This study incorporated a temperature escalation scheme from 39.5 to 41.8 degrees C for up to 150 min. Pain relief or a sense of well being was observed post-WBH in the first three patients entered in this study. We postulated that WBH might result in increases in the opiate peptide beta-endorphin. Therefore we elected to study prospectively the next six patients entered in this study to test the hypothesis that WBH stimulates the neuroendocrine axis. Results are reported which show thermal-induced increases in plasma levels of beta-endorphin as well as prolactin, ACTH and cortisol.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D009020:Morphine; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D005283:Fentanyl; D006854:Hydrocortisone