title: Beta-endorphin concentrations in the sera of asthmatic patients.
abstract: Recent findings in animals indicate the influence of beta-endorphins on bronchial smooth muscle tone. The purpose of our study was to compare beta-endorphin concentrations in sera of asthmatics during the asymptomatic period and after histamine provocation. The study was performed in a group of 32 asthmatic patients and 12 healthy subjects. Beta-endorphin concentrations were evaluated by radioimmunoassay (J-125 beta-Endorphin Human) twice daily at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., and also before and after histamine provocation. No significant differences were found in endorphin concentrations for both normal controls and asthmatics at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. We demonstrated a statistically significant increase in endorphin concentrations in asthmatics as compared to the controls. We found a statistically significant decrease of beta-endorphin concentrations after histamine provocation in the asthmatic group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Allergology, Wrocław University of Medicine, Poland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jankowska
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Passowicz-Muszyńska
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Halawa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orda
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D006632:Histamine; D006801:Humans; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin; D006632:Histamine