Responses of plasma renin activity, aldosterone, adrenocorticotropin, and cortisol to dermorphin, a new synthetic potent opiate-like peptide, in man.
This study was designed to investigate the effect of dermorphin (D), a new synthetic potent opiate-like peptide (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2), on PRA, plasma aldosterone (PA), plasma cortisol (PC), and plasma ACTH levels in normal men. D infusion (5.5 micrograms/kg X min for 30 min) significantly increased PRA (P less than 0.01) and decreased PC levels (P less than 0.02). D produced a small decrease in ACTH and a small increase in PA. Pretreatment with the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (N) blunted the D-induced PRA increase and completely prevented the D-induced PC decrease, but enhanced PC and ACTH levels. These data indicate that the action of D is mediated through opioid receptors, and are consistent with the conclusion that 1) D, a new opioid peptide, increases PRA levels, perhaps via activation of the sympathetic nervous system, providing evidence that opioid peptides may exert an influence on renin secretion; and 2) D suppresses PC levels, perhaps by affecting ACTH secretion, corroborating previous observations that opioid peptides might affect the function of the pituitary-adrenocortical axis.
D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018847:Opioid Peptides; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood*
D009294:Narcotics; D009842:Oligopeptides; D018847:Opioid Peptides; C030058:dermorphin; D009270:Naloxone; D000450:Aldosterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D012083:Renin; D006854:Hydrocortisone