Diclofenac increases beta-endorphin plasma concentrations.
Plasma and ventricular cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) Beta-endorphin concentrations were evaluated after chromatographic separation in patients carrying a ventricular shunt before and after the administration of diclofenac or placebo. In the same subjects the ventricular CSF concentrations of the serotonin and the catecholamine metabolites 5-hydroxyindole-acetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and MOPEG were also evaluated. Plasma, but not ventricular, Beta-endorphin concentrations increased significantly after diclofenac, while placebo was ineffective. No significant changes in ventricular 5-HIAA, HVA or MOPEG levels were observed. These data suggest a role for Beta-endorphin in the analgesic effect of diclofenac.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008875:Middle Aged; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D004723:Endorphins; D010648:Phenylacetates; D004008:Diclofenac; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D006719:Homovanillic Acid