title: Associations of beta-endorphin with HVA and MHPG in the plasma of prepubertal boys: effects of familial drug abuse and antisocial personality disorder liability.
abstract: It is well-established that the secretion of the opioid neuropeptide beta-endorphin is perturbed by the administration of various drugs of abuse. Several investigators have speculated that variations in beta-endorphin secretory regulation may precede the development of a substance use disorder, and thus be a component of the liability for substance abuse. In order to test this hypothesis, we examined fasting, morning plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin and two catecholamine metabolites in prepubertal boys naive to drugs of abuse and at elevated familial risk for a substance use disorder (SA+), and in controls (SA-). Specifically, the dopaminergic metabolite homovanillic acid (pHVA), and the noradrenergic metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol (pMHPG) were measured. Between-group differences were not found for beta-endorphin, pHVA, or pMHPG. Similarly, such differences did not differentiate sons of fathers with Antisocial Personality Disorder and controls. However, regression analysis revealed that although both pHVA and pMHPG predicted beta-endorphin concentrations to similar degrees, the directions of influence were the opposite. pHVA was found to be positively associated with beta-endorphin while pMHPG was found to be negatively associated with beta-endorphin. No between-group differences in these relationships were found. The results suggest an opponent process in catecholaminergic regulation of beta-endorphin in humans, and are consistent with observations in the central nervous system of animal models.
authors.affiliation: Center for Education and Drug Abuse Research, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15213, USA. CEDARSPR@VMS.CIS.PITT.EDU
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000097:blood*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D006719:Homovanillic Acid