Menopausal syndrome: Plasma levels of β-endorphin in post-menopausal women measured by a specific radioimmunoassay

Aleem, Fatma A.; McIntosh, Tracy K.

doi:10.1016/0378-5122(85)90056-8

Cited by 25 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The present results confirm that post menopausal subjects have circulating P-EP and p-LPH levels lower than those in fertile subjects [7,12]. Treatment with either con jugated estrogens or ORG OD14 induced a significant and stable rise of P-EP and P-LPH plasma concentrations after 2 and 4 months indicating that these steroids posi tively influence the control mechanisms of p-LPH and P-EP circulating levels.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

“…Previous studies showed that gonadal ste roids may have a role to play in the modula tion of P-EP secretion: in menstruating women plasma P-EP levels increase in the preovulatory stage [5] while they decrease in postmenopausal women and in fertile ovariectomized women [6,7], Similarly, in rats of both sexes long-term gonadectomy is fol lowed by a reduction of circulating P-EP lev els, which are restored to normal after chronic treatment with estradiol benzoate in female rats or testosterone propionate in male rats [8], The pituitary content of P-EP showed the same change as plasma levels, suggesting that gonadal steroids affect the synthesis as well as the secretion of p-EP [8],…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Steroid Replacement Treatment Increases Beta-Endorphin and Beta-Lipotropin Plasma Levels in Postmenopausal Women

Genazzani

Petraglia

Facchinetti

et al. 1988

Gynecol Obstet Invest

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The present study shows the effects of two different steroid replacement therapies, with conjugated estrogens or with a new synthetic steroid derivative, ORG OD14, on plasma Β-endorphin (Β-EP) and Β-lipotropin (Β-LPH) levels in postmenopausal subjects. Blood samples were collected before treatment and after 1 2 and 4 months of treatment; a third group of patients was treated with placebo. After 2 months of treatment both groups of patients who underwent steroid supplementation showed circulating levels of Β-EP and Β-LPH higher than basal levels. ORG OD14 treatment increased Β-EP and Β-LPH levels more than conjugated estrogens at the 2nd month of therapy. No further change was found after 4 months. The two drugs were effective in reducing hot flushes and improving physical and psychological symptoms. These data indicate that sex steroids are able to increase Β-EP and Β-LPH secretion in postmenopausal women, with a concomitant relief of climacteric symptoms.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Steroid Replacement Treatment Increases Beta-Endorphin and Beta-Lipotropin Plasma Levels in Postmenopausal Women

Genazzani

Petraglia

Facchinetti

et al. 1988

Gynecol Obstet Invest

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“…In ovariectomized monkeys it has been reported that progesterone is necessary for the release of hypothalamic betaendorphin into portal blood, suggesting that cyclic changes in sex steroids may affect anterior pituitary function in part via a mechanism involving beta-endorphin [65]. A high percentage of beta-endorphin neurons in the hypothalamus have progesterone receptors [66] and the distribution of beta-endorphin overlaps that of progesterone receptors in the arcuate nucleus [63]. It has been recently reported that progesterone acts in the arcuate nucleus through beta-endorphin neurons to affect preoptic area GnRH neurons [67].…”

Section: Progesterone and Progestins Affect The Opioid Systemmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that variations in central and circulating ␤-EP levels may be considered as one of the markers of neuroendocrine functions [61,62]. Experimental evidences show that ␤-EP reduces circulating LH levels by inhibiting LH-RH secretion and decreases sexual activity [63]. Changes in hypothalamic and pituitary ␤-EP content and serum levels has been related to the estrous cycle in rats, thus suggesting a role for estrogens and progesterone in the control of the peptide synthesis and release.…”

Section: Progesterone and Progestins Affect The Opioid Systemmentioning

confidence: 98%

Progesterone and progestins: Effects on brain, allopregnanolone and β-endorphin

Pluchino

Luisi

Lenzi

et al. 2006

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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“…Progesterone receptors are expressed in the β-endorphin neurons in the arcuate nucleus of monkeys, which indicates a direct action of progesterone on these neurons (Bethea & Widmann, 1996). In addition, during menopause there is a significant decrease of serum β-endorphin concentrations (Aleem & McIntosh, 1985). Together, these data suggest that estradiol and/or progesterone stimulate the β-endorphin system, which has been shown in primates (Wardlaw et al, 1982).…”

Section: - Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Progesterone increased β-endorphin innervation of the locus coeruleus , but ovarian steroids had no effect on noradrenergic neurodegeneration

et al. 2017

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With the decline of ovarian steroids levels at menopause, many women experience an increase in anxiety and stress sensitivity. The locus coeruleus (LC), a central source of noradrenaline (NE), is activated by stress and is inhibited by β-endorphin. Moreover, increased NE has been implicated in pathological anxiety syndromes. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in menopause appears to decrease anxiety and vulnerability to stress. Therefore, we questioned the effect of HRT on the inhibitory β–endorphin innervation of the LC. In addition, we found that progesterone protects serotoninergic neurons in monkeys, leading us to question whether ovarian steroids are also neuroprotective in LC neurons in monkeys. Adult Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were ovariectomized, and either treated with Silastic capsules that contained estradiol, estratiol + progesterone, progesterone alone or that were empty (ovariectomized;control). After 1 month, the LC was obtained and processed for immunohistochemistry for β-endorphin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase -mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL). The density of β–endorphin axons was determined with image analysis using ImageJ. The TUNEL-positive neurons were counted in the entire LC. progesterone-alone significantly increased the density of the β-endorphin axons in the LC (p<0.01). No significant differences between groups in the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the LC were found. In conclusion, we found that HRT increases the inhibitory influence of β–endorphin in the LC, which could, in turn, contribute to reduce anxiety and increase stress resilience. In addition, we did not find compelling evidence of neurodegeneration or neuroprotection by HRT in the LC of Rhesus monkeys.

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Menopausal syndrome: Plasma levels of β-endorphin in post-menopausal women measured by a specific radioimmunoassay

Cited by 25 publications

References 12 publications

Steroid Replacement Treatment Increases Beta-Endorphin and Beta-Lipotropin Plasma Levels in Postmenopausal Women

Steroid Replacement Treatment Increases Beta-Endorphin and Beta-Lipotropin Plasma Levels in Postmenopausal Women

Progesterone and progestins: Effects on brain, allopregnanolone and β-endorphin

Progesterone increased β-endorphin innervation of the locus coeruleus , but ovarian steroids had no effect on noradrenergic neurodegeneration

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