title: Effects of a dopamine antagonist (metoclopramide) on the release of beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol in hyperprolactinemic-amenorrheic women.
abstract: Responses of LH, TSH, PRL, beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity, ACTH and cortisol to metoclopramide were evaluated in hyperprolactinemic-amenorrheic women and normal women. Augmented TSH responses and blunted PRL responses to metoclopramide were found in hyperprolactinemic women compared to normal women. A significant increase in serum LH levels was found only in hyperprolactinemic women after metoclopramide. Thus, the hyperprolactinemic women showed hormonal changes compatible with increased central dopaminergic tone. A significant increase in circulating levels of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity, ACTH and cortisol was found in hyperprolactinemic women but not in normal women after metoclopramide administration. Thus, beta-endorphin and ACTH secretion appear to be tonically inhibited by increased central dopaminergic tone in hyperprolactinemic-amenorrheic women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seki
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mitsui
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nagata
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000378:metabolism*; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D008787:Metoclopramide; D006854:Hydrocortisone