Intravenous infusion of beta-endorphin increases serum prolactin, but not growth hormone or cortisol, in depressed subjects and withdrawing methadone addicts.
In a randomized, double blind, cross-over study, human beta-endorphin or saline was infused iv over 30 min into six depressed psychiatric patients and four methadone addicts. All depressed subjects showed prompt, 2- to 4-fold increases in serum PRL levels, which lasted at least 2 h. The addicts, who were undergoing acute methadone withdrawal, showed similar PRL increases, which were dose dependent. beta-Endorphin did not increase serum levels of cortisol or GH in either group of subjects. These results suggest that iv beta-endorphin has potent but selective neuroendocrine effects in depressed patients and subjects withdrawing from methadone.
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004723:Endorphins; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood
D004723:Endorphins; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D008691:Methadone; D006854:Hydrocortisone