Beta-endorphin in experimental canine spinal ischemia

Stroke. 1989 Feb;20(2):253-8. doi: 10.1161/01.str.20.2.253.

Abstract

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid beta-endorphin concentrations were radioimmunologically assayed in dogs subjected to spinal cord ischemia induced by infrarenal aortic ligature and in control sham-operated dogs. Plasma beta-endorphin levels rose significantly following surgery in control dogs but were unaffected by spinal ischemia. On the other hand, a significant increase in cerebrospinal fluid beta-endorphin concentration occurred after spinal ischemia, while surgical stress had no significant effect. Thus, the origins of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid beta-endorphin may be different, with the former secreted from the hypophysis and the latter from nervous tissue. Observed changes in cerebrospinal fluid beta-endorphin concentration could be related to the ischemic lesion of nervous tissue while the changes in plasma levels may reflect general stressing factors such as the surgery in our experiments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dogs
  • Ischemia / blood
  • Ischemia / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Ischemia / pathology
  • Ligation
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Spinal Cord / blood supply*
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • beta-Endorphin / blood
  • beta-Endorphin / cerebrospinal fluid*

Substances

  • beta-Endorphin