title: Plasma immunoreactive proopiolipomelanocortin-derived peptides in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism, idiopathic hyperaldosteronism with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, and dexamethasone-suppressible hyperaldosteronism.
abstract: Immunoreactive plasma levels of the proopiolipomelanocortin-derived peptides, ACTH, beta-endorphin-lipotropin, and gamma 3MSH, were measured in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism, idiopathic hyperaldosteronism with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, and dexamethasone-suppressible hyperaldosteronism. Plasma peptide concentrations in patient groups were not different from those in normal controls. Removal of aldosterone-producing adenomas in three patients and of an aldosterone-producing adrenocortical carcinoma in one patient did not affect plasma peptide concentrations. Furthermore, infusion of the opiate antagonist naloxone (0.2 mg/min) in one patient with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia had no effect on either plasma aldosterone or cortisol. These results suggest that the proopiolipomelanocortin-derived peptides are not overproduced in states of hyperaldosteronism.
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000097:blood; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000097:blood; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000473:pathology*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000097:blood; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000097:blood*; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000097:blood; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000097:blood; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior; D011498:Protein Precursors; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones