beta-endorphin and Liver-Diseases

Chai Hu (Radix Burpleuri), a major ingredient in many traditional Chinese medicine formulas, such as Xiao Yan Wan, is used in the treatment of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome (LSSDS). The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of Xiao Yao Wan containing Chai Hu on the changes of plasma indices in patients with LSSDS. Fifty-eight cases of LSSDS were randomly divided into two groups: 41 cases in the experimental group were treated with Xiao Yao Wan containing Chai Hu and 17 cases in the control group were treated with Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan for one consecutive month in a single blind design. Before and after treatment, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to determine the changes of plasma norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and dopamine (DA). Radioimmunoassay was performed to measure the amount of plasma beta-endorphin (beta-EP), adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T), and laser nephelometry was also conducted to measure plasma immunoglobulin A (Ig A) and G (Ig G). Compared to baseline levels, plasma beta-EP was significantly increased (p < 0.01), while E and DA were markedly decreased (p < 0.01) after the administration of Xiao Yao Wan in the experimental group. The other indices did not change. This is the first evidence showing that the effect of Xiao Yao Wan containing Chai Hu on the treatment of patients with LSSDS may be through enhancing plasma beta-EP and decreasing E and DA release. We conclude that Xiao Yao Wan containing Chai Hu regulates nervous and endocrine systems and contributes to the improvement of the clinical status of patients with LSSDS.

Topics: Adult; Aged; beta-Endorphin; Bupleurum; Depression, Chemical; Dopamine; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Endocrine System; Epinephrine; Female; Humans; Liver Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Nervous System; Phytotherapy; Splenic Diseases; Stimulation, Chemical; Syndrome

The plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin was determinated by radioimmunoassay in 75 patients with Wetness-Heat Zheng of Liver and Gallbladder, 23 patients with Insufficient Liver Zheng, 13 patients with Insufficient Spleen Zheng and 30 healthy subjects (control group). Compared with the control group, the plasma beta-EP levels were increased in Wetness-Heat Zheng of Liver and Gallbladder and Insufficient Liver Zheng. The patients with different diseases that were diagnosed to be Wetness-Heat Zheng of Liver and Gallbladder presented high levels of plasma beta-EP. It is suggested that the plasma beta-EP is an important change in the syndrome of Wetness-Heat Zheng of Liver and Gallbladder, and may be used as a diagnostic index.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; beta-Endorphin; Cholecystitis; Cholelithiasis; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Liver Diseases; Male; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Middle Aged

Increased activation of lymphocytes in inflammatory bowel disease is reflected by alterations of various immunological functions including enhanced spontaneous secretion of rheumatoid factor by mononuclear cells. since in rheumatic diseases increased secretion of rheumatoid factor is associated with decreased levels of beta-endorphin in circulating blood mononuclear leukocytes, we investigated levels of leukocyte beta-endorphin in inflammatory bowel disease and compared them with those in hepatobiliary disorders and in healthy subjects. Levels of beta-endorphin were measured in extracts from peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes by radioimmunoassay. beta-Endorphin levels ranged from 0 to 67 pg/10(6) cells. Mononuclear leukocytes from ulcerative colitis patients contained as much beta-endorphin as those from healthy control subjects. In patients with Crohn's disease, levels of beta-endorphin were reduced by as much as roughly 50%. An inverse relationship was found between leukocyte beta-endorphin on the one hand and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood granulocyte or thrombocyte counts, and C-reactive protein levels in plasma on the other. In patients with various hepatobiliary disorders including fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and cryptogenic or alcoholic cirrhosis, beta-endorphin levels were not significantly different from the normal range values. Data indicate that leukocyte beta-endorphin may be involved in regulation of the systemic inflammatory activity of Crohn's disease.

Topics: Adult; Aged; beta-Endorphin; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Female; Humans; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Liver Diseases; Male; Middle Aged

Topics: Alcoholism; beta-Endorphin; Brain; Chlordiazepoxide; Circadian Rhythm; Endorphins; Enkephalin, Methionine; Female; Fetal Blood; Humans; Liver Diseases; Male; Postoperative Period; Pregnancy

Topics: Aminooxyacetic Acid; Animals; beta-Endorphin; Brain Chemistry; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Chronic Disease; Endorphins; Ethanolamines; Liver Diseases; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains