Methionine-enkephalin and beta-endorphin levels in brain, pancreas, and adrenals of db/db mice.
Levels of methionine-enkephalin immunoreactivity (MEI) and beta-endorphin immunoreactivity (BEI) were measured by means of a specific RIA in pituitary, hypothalamus, pancreas, and adrenal glands of db/db and control mice. We found significantly higher levels of MEI in the pituitaries of db/db mice than in either littermate or background strain controls. There was no significant difference in MEI levels in pancreas, adrenal glands, and hypothalamus. There was a significant difference in the BEI levels in the pituitaries of db/db mice compared with those in controls. No significant difference in BEI levels was observed between db/db and control mice in any of the other regions examined. We conclude from the above data that the opiate peptide system in the hypophyseal-hypothalamic axis of the db/db mouse is abnormal and warrants further investigation. The significance of this finding with respect to the possible etiology of diabetes mellitus is discussed.
Greenberg
J
J
Ellyin
F
F
Pullen
G
G
Ehrenpreis
S
S
Singh
S P
SP
Cheng
J
J
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000378:metabolism*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004723:Endorphins; D007328:Insulin; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D001615:beta-Endorphin