Ethanol increases opioid activity in plasma of normal volunteers.
The effect of acute ethanol administration on plasma levels of beta-endorphin-immunoreactivity and opioid activity was measured in 4 normal volunteers. 60 min following ethanol consumption opioid activity levels, measured by radioreceptorassay, increased significantly with peak rises of more than 400%; levels of beta-endorphin-immunoreactivity did not change significantly. These results are compatible with the effect of the opiate-antagonist naloxone, reversing ethanol-induced coma.
D000328:Adult; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013997:Time Factors; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D004723:Endorphins; D000431:Ethanol; D001615:beta-Endorphin