title: beta-Endorphin immunoreactive material and authentic beta-endorphin in the plasma of males undergoing anaerobic exercise on a rowing ergometer.
abstract: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), beta-endorphin immunoreactive material (beta-endorphin IRM), and authentic beta-endorphin (1 -31) have been determined in the plasma of 23 volunteers undergoing anaerobic exercise on a rowing ergometer. The volunteers had different histories of training from occasional physical activities up to intensive preparation for international rowing competitions. ACTH and beta-endorphin-IRM were determined using commercially available immunometric assays; for determination of beta-endorphin (1-31) a highly specific two-site fluid phase immunoprecipitation radioimmunoassay was developed, which did not cross-react with any beta-endorphin derivative or any other opioid peptide tested. In agreement with reports from the literature ACTH and beta-endorphin-IRM concentrations in the plasma rose upon anaerobic exercise in all 23 subjects; this increase in the ACTH and beta-endorphin IRM levels was significantly correlated with the increase of lactate levels observed upon anaerobic exercise. Authentic beta-endorphin (1-31) was only found in two plasma samples containing minor concentrations of the peptide. We conclude that the beta-endorphin immunoreactive material released into blood under anaerobic exercise is identical with authentic beta-endorphin (1-31) only to a minor extent and thus should not be called "beta-endorphin". The major part of the material in fact released into the blood upon anaerobic exercise is probably identical with beta-lipotropin and further components so far unknown.
authors.affiliation: Rudolf-Buchheim-Institute for Pharmacology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harbach
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Geiger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Teschemacher
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D003429:Cross Reactions; D016552:Ergometry; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone