Beta-endorphin processing in pituitary and brain is sensitive to haloperidol stimulation.
Chronic administration of haloperidol (1 mg/Kg) into rats led to a marked increase in the level of beta-endorphin related peptides in the pars intermedia and brain stem. Using a combination of ion-exchange chromatography and radioimmunoassay, the increase in beta-endorphin under haloperidol treatment was confined to the acetylated derivatives: alpha,N-acetyl beta-endorphin 1-26, alpha,N-acetyl beta-endorphin 1-27 and alpha,N-acetyl beta-endorphin 1-31; there was no change in the level of the NH2-peptides. Haloperidol had no effect on the beta-endorphin related peptides in the anterior pituitary or hypothalamus. These findings suggest that haloperidol can influence not only the level of beta-endorphin related peptides in pituitary and brain, but also their posttranslational processing, possibly serving to regulate the level of biologically active beta-endorphin 1-31.
Ham
J
J
Smyth
D G
DG
D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000378:metabolism*; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D004723:Endorphins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D006220:Haloperidol