Epinephrine as a potent releaser of immunoreactive beta-endorphin in rats.
The intravenous infusion of catecholamines to rats induced a dose dependent increase of immunoreactive beta-endorphin (beta-Endi) in plasma. The ED50 values of 1-epinephrine and 1-isoproterenol were 110 and 100 ng/kg X min respectively. 1-Propranolol, but not d-propranolol prevented the effect of 1-epinephrine. Infusion of 100 ng/kg X min of 1-epinephrine increased plasma epinephrine to 11 pmol/ml, a concentration that can occur during stress. We conclude that circulating catecholamines can stimulate beta-Endi secretion via a beta-adrenergic receptor mechanism and may play a role in the response of beta-Endi to stress.
D000818:Animals; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D004723:Endorphins; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011433:Propranolol; D007545:Isoproterenol; D004837:Epinephrine