title: Raloxifene treatment increases plasma levels of beta-endorphin in postmenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of the selective estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene hydrochloride (Evista, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN) on plasma levels of beta-endorphin, and to determine whether beta-endorphin levels and menopausal symptoms are related.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endocrinology outpatient department.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The women received raloxifene, 60 mg/d, or placebo for 3 months. A questionnaire on climacteric symptoms was administered before and after treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Circulating levels of beta-endorphin, climacteric symptom score, and correlation with beta-endorphin levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Raloxifene treatment significantly increased levels of beta-endorphin and did not significantly affect climacteric symptoms, with the exception of worsening vasomotor symptoms. No significant relation was seen between plasma levels of beta-endorphin and climacteric symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Raloxifene modulates plasma levels of beta-endorphin without concomitantly relieving climacteric symptoms, as seen with hormone replacement therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Simone J M
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Neele
authors.forename: Reinder
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Evertz
authors.forename: Andrea R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Genazzani
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luisi
authors.forename: Coen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Netelenbos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002979:Climacteric / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D001615:beta-Endorphin