Beta-endorphin, but not substance-P, is increased by acute stress in humans.
The role of neuropeptides in the psychoneuroendocrinological stress response is largely unknown. In this study the effect of acute psychological stress on beta-endorphin and substance-P plasma concentrations was investigated and further the effect of different anxiety levels or control attributions on beta-endorphin or substance-P levels were determined. Blood samples were obtained from 47 inexperienced tandem-parachutists 2 h before, immediately after, and 1 h after a parachute jump and plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin and substance-P were analysed. Anxiety levels and control attributions were assessed by psychometric scales. Whereas substance-P concentrations seemed to be unaffected by the jump stress, there was a transient but significant increase in beta-endorphin levels immediately after jumping. However, subjects higher in state-anxiety at the point of jumping (exit) displayed higher substance-P values at all three time points compared to the "low-anxiety" jumpers. In addition, stress-induced beta-endorphin secretion was dependent on subjective control attributions.
Schedlowski
M
M
Division of Medical Psychology, Hannover Medical School, Germany.
Flüge
T
T
Richter
S
S
Tewes
U
U
Schmidt
R E
RE
Wagner
T O
TO
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001359:Aviation; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D013373:Substance P / Q000097:blood*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
D013373:Substance P; D001615:beta-Endorphin