title: Age-related changes in central nervous system beta-endorphin and ACTH.
abstract: Aging is associated with alterations in mood, thermoregulation, pain threshold, and stress response. Because these functions may be modulated by endogenous opiates, we measured immunoreactive ACTH with beta-endorphin in discrete brain areas and pituitary glands from rats aged 6 weeks (young), 6 months (mature), and 20-24 months (senscent). Beta-Endorphin and ACTH declined significantly with aging in the hypothalamus and corpus striatum. Beta-Endorphin and ACTH increased in the frontal lobe during early life; however, no change was noted after maturity. A discordant response with age was noted in the pituitary in that (ACTH did not change, while beta-endorphin increased early in life without change after maturity. Cerebellar tissue exhibited no immunoreactive ACTH or beta-endorphin. Age-related changes in brain and pituitary beta-endorphin and ACTH must be considered in the evaluation of the physiological aging process and when comparing studies of these neuropeptides.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone