Beta-endorphin and the endocrine pancreas. Studies in healthy and diabetic human beings.
Beta-endorphin is present in the endocrine pancreas, suggesting that endorphins may have a role in islet-cell function. To evaluate this possibility, we infused synthetic human beta-endorphin intravenously in healthy volunteers and in insulin-dependent diabetic patients. In both groups, beta-endorphin increased plasma glucagon concentrations, and this rise was accompanied by a significant increase in plasma glucose concentrations. In nondiabetic subjects, beta-endorphin also increased plasma insulin concentrations. The threshold dose of beta-endorphin for producing increased plasma concentrations of glucose and glucagon was 0.005 mg--a dose that acutely increased plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin by approximately 40-fold. Glucose, glucagon, and insulin responses to beta-endorphin could not be blocked by intravenous naloxone. These studies suggest that endorphins may be involved in gluco-regulation, that their hyperglycemic action is mediated at least in part by glucagon, and that the effect of beta-endorphin on islet-cell function is relatively resistant to naloxone.
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004723:Endorphins; D007328:Insulin; D009270:Naloxone; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D005934:Glucagon