beta-endorphin and Hyperprolactinemia

Responses of LH, TSH, PRL, beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity, ACTH and cortisol to metoclopramide were evaluated in hyperprolactinemic-amenorrheic women and normal women. Augmented TSH responses and blunted PRL responses to metoclopramide were found in hyperprolactinemic women compared to normal women. A significant increase in serum LH levels was found only in hyperprolactinemic women after metoclopramide. Thus, the hyperprolactinemic women showed hormonal changes compatible with increased central dopaminergic tone. A significant increase in circulating levels of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity, ACTH and cortisol was found in hyperprolactinemic women but not in normal women after metoclopramide administration. Thus, beta-endorphin and ACTH secretion appear to be tonically inhibited by increased central dopaminergic tone in hyperprolactinemic-amenorrheic women.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Adult; Amenorrhea; beta-Endorphin; Dopamine Antagonists; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Hyperprolactinemia; Metoclopramide

Topics: Adenoma; Adult; beta-Endorphin; Bromocriptine; Cushing Syndrome; Female; Humans; Hyperprolactinemia; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Pituitary Neoplasms; Time Factors

1. Plasma levels of beta-endorphin were not significantly different in women with normal plasma prolactin or women with hyperprolactinemia. 2. A bromocriptine induced decrease in plasma prolactin was not accompanied by a decrease in beta-endorphin. 3. This study suggests that no direct link exists between plasma prolactin levels and endogenous beta-endorphin.

Topics: Adult; beta-Endorphin; Bromocriptine; Female; Humans; Hyperprolactinemia; Prolactin

Aim of the present study was the evaluation of ACTH and beta-endorphin-like-immunoreactivity (beta-ELI) in the inferior petrosal sinuses (IPS's) and in the peripheral blood of patients with Cushing's disease (Group 1), with GH- or PRL-secreting adenomas or nontumoral hyperprolactinemia (Group 2). These patients had undergone selective and bilateral simultaneous IPS sampling for diagnostic purposes or for neurosurgical indications. In the patients of Group 1, ACTH and beta-ELI levels were higher in the IPS ipsilateral than in the contralateral to the adenoma and in the periphery (p < 0.001). In the patients of Group 2 ACTH and beta-ELI levels were higher in the IPS's than in the peripheral blood (p < 0.001) and, in the 9 patients with GH- or PRL-secreting adenomas, they were higher in the IPS ipsilateral than in the contralateral to the adenoma and in the periphery (p < 0.05). A significant correlation exists between ACTH and beta-ELI in the periphery (p < 0.01; r = 0.72), in the IPS ipsilateral (p < 0.05; r = 0.54) and contralateral (p < 0.01; r = 0.66) to the adenoma in Group 1, but not in Group 2. In conclusion, higher beta-ELI levels were detected in the IPS's than in the peripheral blood not only in patients with Cushing's disease but also in those with other pituitary diseases not involving ACTH secretion. The absence of correlation between ACTH and beta-ELI in patients not bearing Cushing's disease suggests that in these conditions corticotrophs release ACTH and beta-endorphin in an independent manner.

Topics: Adenoma; Adolescent; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Adult; beta-Endorphin; Cranial Sinuses; Cushing Syndrome; Female; Humans; Hyperprolactinemia; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Phlebography; Pituitary Diseases; Pituitary Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Topics: Adenoma; Adolescent; Adult; Amenorrhea; Anorexia Nervosa; beta-Endorphin; Female; Gonadotropins, Pituitary; Humans; Hyperprolactinemia; Pituitary Neoplasms; Thinness

Topics: beta-Endorphin; Endorphins; Female; Humans; Hyperprolactinemia; Naloxone

Pituitary adenomas containing adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in one case, and ACTH, beta-lipotropin, and beta-endorphin in the other, were demonstrated in two patients who had amenorrhea-galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia with no manifestation of Cushing's disease. Neither adenoma contained prolactin (PRL). Initial bromocriptine therapy resulted in cessation of amenorrhea-galactorrhea and normalization of PRL levels. However, there was radiologic evidence of tumor enlargement in both patients. After pituitary adenomectomy, the two patients resumed regular menses and normal PRL dynamics. These patients illustrate the need for bromocriptine therapy for possible enlargement of their pituitary adenomas. The diagnosis of silent corticotroph adenoma should be kept in mind.

Topics: Adenoma; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Adult; beta-Endorphin; beta-Lipotropin; Endorphins; Female; Humans; Hyperprolactinemia; Pituitary Neoplasms

Topics: Adult; beta-Endorphin; Endorphins; Female; Humans; Hyperprolactinemia; Luteinizing Hormone