Changes in neurotensin-like immunoreactivity during menopausal hot flashes.
An elevation of plasma immunoreactive neurotensin (iNT) was found during menopausal hot flashes. The flash-associated increases in iNT were concomitant with several physiological changes, including increased heart rate, finger blood flow, and finger temperature. Plasma iNT during hot flashes increased 245 +/- 65% (+/- SEM; n = 41), peaking 3.6 +/- 0.4 min after the onset of the hot flash. Immunochemical and chromatographic analyses indicated that the components of iNT elevated during a hot flash consisted primarily of C-terminal-related variants of NT, but not NT itself or any of its known metabolites. The three major substances identified using high pressure liquid chromatography and a C-terminal-directed RIA that appeared in women with hot flashes were also present in plasma of women without hot flashes and men. Since NT is a vasoactive and cardioactive peptide that can also affect temperature regulation, our results suggest the active involvement of these variants of NT in hot flashes.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001831:Body Temperature; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002979:Climacteric; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000276:immunology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow
D009496:Neurotensin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone