$beta;-ENDORPHIN AND PARTURITION

Fletcher, J.E.; Thomas, T.A.; Hill, R. G.

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(80)90803-x

Cited by 53 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…This agrees with the observation that B-EP and B-LPH are syn thesized by a common precursor together with ACTH, pro-opiomclanocortin (POMC) [li lt has been shown that circulating B-EP is slightly increased throughout pregnancy [2][3][4] with significant rise of B-EP and B-LPH during labor [5], At this moment, a direct relationship between the 2 hormone plasma levels and the duration, number and strength of uterine contractions has been demon strated [6]. These observations enhance the concept that opioids may participate in the physiological response to labor stress.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Prostaglandin-Induced Mid-Pregnancy Abortion Increases Plasma and Amniotic Fluid Levels of β-Lipotropin and β-Endorphin

Genazzani¹,

Meo²,

Santoro³

et al. 1987

Gynecol Obstet Invest

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The continuous and progressive rise of Β-endorphin (B-EP), Β-lipotropin (B-LPH) and cortisol plasma levels during labor in term-pregnant women represents one of the most relevant maternal hormonal responses to the stress of parturition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes of these hormones, both in plasma and amniotic fluid (except cortisol), in a group of pregnant women undergoing prostaglandin-induced therapeutic abortion at the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. B-EP, B-LPH and cortisol were measured by radioimmunoassay. Both plasma and amniotic fluid samples were purified through extraction and chromatography (Sephadex G-75 columns). The prostaglandin derivative, 16-phenoxy-PGE₂-methylsulfonylamide (sulprostone, Schering, Berlin) (500 µg, i.m., every 4 h), caused a rapid and significant rise of plasma B-EP, B-LPH and cortisol levels in all subjects. The relative increase of the 3 hormones was less relevant after the 2nd and absent after the 3rd injection of PGE₂. The amniotic fluid concentrations of B-EP and B-LPH were also raised 2h after the 1st injection. These data indicate that sulprostone-induced abortion activates both maternal and fetoplacental release of opioids independently of the trend of uterine contractions. The pattern of pro-opiomelanocortin-related labor differs from spontaneous labor and can probably be linked to a direct effect of the drug.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Prostaglandin-Induced Mid-Pregnancy Abortion Increases Plasma and Amniotic Fluid Levels of β-Lipotropin and β-Endorphin

Genazzani¹,

Meo²,

Santoro³

et al. 1987

Gynecol Obstet Invest

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“…A further increase has been observed in the first and second stages of labour (7,9,13), when PLPH plasma levels also rise in parallel.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…In adults, ACTH, PLPH, and Pendorphin (PEP) (C-terminal residue of PLPH; PLPH 61-91) are secreted concomitantly in stressful situations (14,21). On this basis, and considering the very high amounts of ACTH (7,11,39), PLPH and PEP (7,9,12,13,27) which circulate in the maternal and cord plasma at delivery, we investigated the changes occurring in PLPH and PEP plasma levels during the first few hours of life.…”

Section: Speculationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma Opioids in the First Hours of Life

Facchinetti¹,

Bagnoli

Bracci

et al. 1982

Pediatr Res

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SummaryHigh concentrations of ACTH are present in the neonatal circulation in response to birth stress. Since ACTH and P-lipotropin (PLPH) have a common precursor, and ACTH and P-endorphin .(PEP) are released in parallel in stressful situations, we measured plasma levels of PLPH and PEP in the first 24 hours of life.Blood samples were taken from the umbilical cord at birth in 27 neonates, subdivided into four groups.A further blood sample was obtained from the jugular vein after 30 min in nine cases (group A), after 6 hours in six (group B), and after 12 hours in six (group C), and after 24 hours in six (group D).PLPH and PEP were measured by specific radioimmunoassays after silicic acid extraction of the plasma and Sephadex G-75 column chromatography.In cord plasma, the mean (2S.E.) PLPH concentrations (pg/ ml) varied between 219.5 + 84.5 (group D) and 241 + 43.3 (group B), while those of PEP ranged between 70.2 f 8.2 (group C) and 54.6 + 14.4 (group D). The PLPH/PEP ratio on a molar basis ranged from 1.12 + 0.73 (group A) to 1.37 f 0.60 (group C).Plasma PLPH concentrations determined at 30 min were 199.1 2 50.4, and these declined slightly in group C (after 12 hours:168.2 + 30.2), but only showed a significant fall after 24 hours (88.5 f 27.0; P < 0.01 in comparison with the previous groups), reaching normal adult levels (71.7 + 25.1).The pattern of PEP plasma levels (pg/ml) was very similar to that reported for PLPH. PEP plasma levels only showed a significant decrease after 24 hours (22.7 f 8.9; P < 0.01) when compared to the 12-hour age groud C. PEP cohcentratiot& at 30 min (76.1 + 47.7), 6 hours (68.6 f 29.3), and 12 hours (51.8 + 18.1) of life did not differ significantly from those found in mixed cord blood and were constantly higher than normal adult levels [24.5 rt 12.31.Since the half-life of PLPH and PEP is respectively 45 and 37 min, the present data demonstrate that neonates are able to release PLPH and PEP during the first hours of life. Both these molecules may contribute to help the newborn in the transition from a close dependence on the mother, to an autonomous existence. SpeculationAlthough the physiologic role of circulating PLPH and PEP has not been fully clarified, the presence of these peptides in neonatal plasma could represent an important analgesic factor in overcoming birth stress. Thus, an abnormal presence of these substances could be related to pathological situations. However, the source, the regulatory mechanisms and the biologic effects of circulating opioids in neonatal life are still unclear and require further investigation.In particular, an early activation of the hypothalamus-pituitaryadrenal axis is necessary.The significantly lower plasma cortisol levels found in newborn babies delivered by elective caesarian section, when compared with vaginally delivered neonates, demonstrates the relation between stimulation of the adrenal gland and the stressful events of labour and delivery (5, 35).Furthermore, it has recently been demonstrated that ACTH plasma levels are elevated du...

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“…The study found a significant decrease of maternal plasma ß-EP levels in response to epidural anesthesia during labor and at the same time no apparent effect of maternal analgesia upon umbilical cord plasma ß-EP concentrations; it was suggested, thus, that labor pain is a likely stimulus for maternal circulating ß-EP levels in contradistinction to ß-EP concentrations in the fetoplacental circulation, which appear to respond primarily to hypoxia. Moreover, previous studies demonstrated that plasma opioid concentrations increase during pregnancy [8], with a significant further increase in the first and second stages of labor [9]. On the other hand, Goland et al [10], who found that plasma ß-EP levels peak at delivery, reported a significant increase in the later stages of labor, after a cervical dilatation of 14 cm.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Previous studies have shown that plasma concentrations of ß-EP increase during pregnancy, the highest levels being found at term [8]; a further increase in maternal plasma has been observed in the first and second stages of labor [8][9][10]. In humans, in particular, suckling is another known stimulus able to induce ß-EP release [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Labor Pain Effects on Colostral Milk Beta-Endorphin Concentrations of Lactating Mothers

Zanardo¹,

Nicolussi²,

Giacomin³

et al. 2001

Neonatology

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β-Endorphin (β-EP) levels of colostral milk are approximately two-fold higher than in plasma of lactating women, in who concentrations peak at term, after the first and second stages of labor. We investigated the effect of labor pain and vaginal parturition on colostral β-EP concentrations (β-endorphin ¹²⁵I RIA, Incstar Corp., Stillwater, Minn., USA) of at-term nursing mother, in comparison to those having undergone elective cesarean section. Our results show that colostral milk β-EP concentrations of mothers who delivered vaginally are significantly higher on the 4th postpartum day (6.0 ± 0.5 vs. 4.3 ± 0.4 pmol/l, respectively; p < 0.01) than colostral levels of mothers who underwent cesarean section. These data indicate the important influence of the labor process on the colostral opioid galactopoiesis. It is suggested that labor and parturition pain may increase colostral milk β- EP concentrations of lactating mothers in order to help the newborn overcome the stressful perinatal events of natural labor and delivery.

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$beta;-ENDORPHIN AND PARTURITION

Cited by 53 publications

References 4 publications

Prostaglandin-Induced Mid-Pregnancy Abortion Increases Plasma and Amniotic Fluid Levels of β-Lipotropin and β-Endorphin

Prostaglandin-Induced Mid-Pregnancy Abortion Increases Plasma and Amniotic Fluid Levels of β-Lipotropin and β-Endorphin

Plasma Opioids in the First Hours of Life

Labor Pain Effects on Colostral Milk Beta-Endorphin Concentrations of Lactating Mothers

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