title: Plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin in smokers who consume different numbers of cigarettes per day.
abstract: The harmful effects of smoking on health have been widely documented, although it is as yet unclear whether tobacco dependence is only psychological in nature, or both psychological and physical. We studied plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin, cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in healthy persons who consumed different numbers of cigarettes per day, and compared the findings with those in a control group of nonsmokers. Beta-endorphin levels were significantly higher than in controls only in persons who smoked fewer than 10 cigarettes per day. Cortisol levels were significantly higher in smokers who consumed more than 20 cigarettes per day. There were no significant differences between any of the groups in plasma ACTH concentrations.
authors: Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, E-18071, Granada, Spain.
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: del Arbol
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Muñoz
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Ojeda
authors: A L
authors: AL
authors: Cascales
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Irles
authors: M T
authors: MT
authors: Miranda
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Ruiz Requena
authors: J C
authors: JC
authors: Aguirre
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000097:blood; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin; D009538:Nicotine; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone