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Endokrynologia Polska 2021Thoracic surgeries are associated with intense postoperative pain. General opioid analgesia is still the main anaesthetic method. Due to the large number of... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
An assessment of the effectiveness of regional analgesia after VATS measured by an objective method for assessing testosterone, cortisol, α-amylase, sIgA, and β-endorphin levels - a randomised controlled trial.
INTRODUCTION
Thoracic surgeries are associated with intense postoperative pain. General opioid analgesia is still the main anaesthetic method. Due to the large number of opioid-induced side effects, alternative methods of pain relief are sought. One of them is the use of balanced analgesia, which consists of regional analgesia, non-opioid painkillers, and small doses of opioids.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of preoperative thoracic paravertebral block (ThPVB) in the treatment of postoperative pain after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) by measuring hormone levels in blood serum or saliva. It was a randomised, open-label study conducted in a single university hospital setting between May 2018 and September 2019. In total, 119 patients were scheduled for elective video-assisted thoracic surgery. Performed interventions included: preoperative thoracic paravertebral block with 0.5% bupivacaine, followed by postoperative oxycodone combined with nonopioid analgesics. Follow-up period comprised first 24 hours and one, two, and six months after surgery. Main outcomes were measured by pain intensity assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the levels of the following hormones: testosterone, cortisol, α-amylase activity, sIgA, and β-endorphin.
RESULTS
A total of 119 patients were randomised into two groups and, of these, 49 were subsequently excluded from the analysis. The final analysis included 37 patients from the study group and 33 from the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in the analysed parameters the relative change T1-T0. There was a tendency towards statistical significance in the relative change T2-T0 in testosterone levels. At rest, no statistically significant differences were found between groups and time in the percentage of patients with NRS ≥ 1. During cough, the percentage of patients with NRS ≥ 1 was higher at T1 and T2 time points in the ThPVB group. Of the factors considered, only α-amylase levels statistically significantly increased the chance for higher NRS score after a month [OR = 1.013; 95% PU: 1.001-1.025; p < 0.01].
CONCLUSIONS
ThPVB is effective and safe for patients undergoing VATS. It can be an effective alternative for general anaesthesia using high doses of opioids.
Topics: Analgesia; Analgesics, Opioid; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Pain, Postoperative; Testosterone; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; alpha-Amylases; beta-Endorphin
PubMed: 33619708
DOI: 10.5603/EP.a2021.0004 -
Cancer Prevention Research... Jan 2015β-Endorphin (BEP)-producing neuron in the hypothalamus plays a key role in bringing the stress axis to a state of homeostasis and maintaining body immune defense...
β-Endorphin (BEP)-producing neuron in the hypothalamus plays a key role in bringing the stress axis to a state of homeostasis and maintaining body immune defense system. Long-term delivery of BEP to obtain beneficial effect on chemoprevention is challenging, as the peptides rapidly develop tolerance. Using rats as animal models, we show here that transplantation of BEP neurons into the hypothalamus suppressed carcinogens- and hormone-induced cancers in various tissues and prevented growth and metastasis of established tumors via activation of innate immune functions. In addition, we show that intracerebroventricular administration of nanosphere-attached dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) increased the number of BEP neurons in the hypothalamus, reduced the stress response, enhanced the innate immune function, and prevented tumor cell growth, progression, and metastasis. BEP neuronal supplementation did not produce any deleterious effects on general health but was beneficial in suppressing age-induced alterations in physical activity, metabolic, and immune functions. We conclude that the neuroimmune system has significant control over cancer growth and progression, and that activation of the neuroimmune system via BEP neuronal supplementation/induction may have therapeutic value for cancer prevention and improvement of general health.
Topics: Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Bucladesine; Carcinogens; Cell Differentiation; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Glucose Tolerance Test; Hypothalamus; Immune System; Immunohistochemistry; Killer Cells, Natural; Male; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Neurons; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Rats, Nude; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; beta-Endorphin
PubMed: 25403848
DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-14-0254 -
Translational Psychiatry Feb 2024Recent studies have implicated the endogenous opioid system in the antidepressant actions of ketamine, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We used a...
Recent studies have implicated the endogenous opioid system in the antidepressant actions of ketamine, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We used a combination of pharmacological, behavioral, and molecular approaches in rats to test the contribution of the prefrontal endogenous opioid system to the antidepressant-like effects of a single dose of ketamine. Both the behavioral actions of ketamine and their molecular correlates in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are blocked by acute systemic administration of naltrexone, a competitive opioid receptor antagonist. Naltrexone delivered directly into the mPFC similarly disrupts the behavioral effects of ketamine. Ketamine treatment rapidly increases levels of β-endorphin and the expression of the μ-opioid receptor gene (Oprm1) in the mPFC, and the expression of gene that encodes proopiomelanocortin, the precursor of β-endorphin, in the hypothalamus, in vivo. Finally, neutralization of β-endorphin in the mPFC using a specific antibody prior to ketamine treatment abolishes both behavioral and molecular effects. Together, these findings indicate that presence of β-endorphin and activation of opioid receptors in the mPFC are required for the antidepressant-like actions of ketamine.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Ketamine; Analgesics, Opioid; beta-Endorphin; Naltrexone; Antidepressive Agents; Prefrontal Cortex
PubMed: 38346984
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02796-0 -
Andrology Jan 2016The acrosome reaction occurs in vivo following sperm capacitation and is essential for the acquisition of sperm fertilization ability. However, little is known about the...
The acrosome reaction occurs in vivo following sperm capacitation and is essential for the acquisition of sperm fertilization ability. However, little is known about the molecular identity of the physiological acrosome reaction regulators. In addition to progesterone, which is produced by cumulus oophorus cells and known to regulate acrosome reaction by activating the specific calcium channel CatSper, endogenous opioid peptides such as beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin are present at high concentrations in the follicular fluid suggesting that the opioid system may be involved in the mechanisms regulating the acrosome reaction in humans. By using Reverse Transcription-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence approaches, we described the presence and localization of the beta-endorphin precursor, pro-opiomelanocortinin the middle section and in flagellum of human spermatozoa, and inside the seminiferous tubules of human testis. Flow cytometry and intracellular calcium analyses showed that beta-endorphin causes an inversely dose-dependent increase in the percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm cells by a calcium-independent protein kinase C pathway. These findings are important for future studies of sperm physiology and provide new insight into the function of the opioid system as a target of fertility management.
Topics: Acrosome Reaction; Humans; Male; Pro-Opiomelanocortin; Progesterone; Protein Kinase C; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Seminiferous Tubules; Signal Transduction; Sperm Capacitation; Spermatozoa; beta-Endorphin
PubMed: 26663709
DOI: 10.1111/andr.12133 -
Fertility and Sterility May 1989Opioid peptides and calcitonin are found in high concentrations in the male reproductive tract. To further elucidate their role in sperm physiology, we studied semen...
Opioid peptides and calcitonin are found in high concentrations in the male reproductive tract. To further elucidate their role in sperm physiology, we studied semen samples from 49 infertile men and 25 men with proven fertility. beta-endorphin and calcitonin were measured in each sample by radioimmunoassay and then were correlated with seminal plasma testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone levels as well as sperm count, total motile sperm/milliliter, and percentage of penetrated hamster eggs. The levels of beta-endorphin (308 +/- 22 pg/ml) and calcitonin (331 +/- 32 pg/ml) in seminal plasma were 10 and 20 times higher than levels found in venous plasma (32 +/- 2 and 14.5 +/- 1.2 pg/ml, respectively) (P less than 0.001). There was no difference between the levels of beta-endorphin and calcitonin in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men. However, seminal plasma T was significantly higher in fertile than infertile men (19.4 +/- 2 versus 11.5 +/- 1 ng/dl; P less than 0.05). No correlation could be demonstrated between either beta-endorphin or calcitonin and any of the parameters studied. In conclusion, beta-endorphin and calcitonin are produced locally in the male reproductive tract; however, their role in male reproduction remains to be elucidated.
Topics: Calcitonin; Humans; Male; Radioimmunoassay; Regression Analysis; Semen; Spermatozoa; beta-Endorphin
PubMed: 2523323
DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)60684-2 -
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.) Jun 2016Animal models have long been used to study the mechanisms underlying the complex association between alcohol and stress. Female mice prevented from running on a...
Animal models have long been used to study the mechanisms underlying the complex association between alcohol and stress. Female mice prevented from running on a home-cage activity wheel increase voluntary ethanol consumption. β-endorphin is an endogenous opioid involved in negatively regulating the stress response and has also been implicated in the risk for excessive drinking. The present study investigates the role of β-endorphin in moderating free-choice consumption of ethanol in response to a blocked activity wheel. Female, transgenic mice with varying levels of the opioid peptide were given daily 2-h access to 20% ethanol with rotations on a running wheel blocked on alternate days. Subjects with low β-endorphin exhibited enhanced stress sensitivity by self-administering larger quantities of ethanol on days when wheel running was prevented. β-endorphin levels did not influence voluntary activity on the running wheel. There were genotypic differences in plasma corticosterone levels as well as corticotropin-releasing hormone mRNA content in multiple brain regions associated with the stress response in these free drinking and running subjects. Susceptibility to stress is enhanced in female mice with low levels of β-endorphin, and better understanding of the role for this opioid in mitigating the response to stressors may aid in the development of interventions and treatments for excessive use of alcohol in women.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Animals; Brain; Female; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Motor Activity; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Self Administration; beta-Endorphin
PubMed: 27286936
DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2016.04.003 -
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental... Jun 2010The opioid peptide beta-endorphin (beta-E) is synthesized and released in response to stressful stimuli as well as acute alcohol administration. The release of beta-E...
BACKGROUND
The opioid peptide beta-endorphin (beta-E) is synthesized and released in response to stressful stimuli as well as acute alcohol administration. The release of beta-E following exposure to an inescapable aversive situation may mediate behaviors that contribute to allostasis of the stress response. The present study examines the effects of beta-E on immobility in assays involving inescapable stress, both under basal conditions and after acute administration of EtOH.
METHODS
Female and male transgenic mice with varying capacities to translate beta-E were subjected to either the forced swim (FST, Experiment 1) or the tail suspension test (TST, Experiment 2). In Experiment 3, mice were divided into three groups based on hormonal status (male, female-estrous, and female-nonestrous) and injected with either 1 g/kg EtOH or equivolume saline 14 minutes prior to behavioral assessment on the TST.
RESULTS
Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrated a direct relationship between beta-E levels and immobility. There were also sex differences in behavior in these tests, with males displaying more immobility than females. A main effect of genotype in Experiment 3 replicated findings in Experiments 1 and 2. There was also an effect of EtOH (increasing immobility) and a significant interaction reflecting a particularly robust effect of the drug in mice with low beta-E. In addition, there were interactions between beta-E, EtOH effects, and hormonal status.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the contention that beta-E moderates behavioral responses to stressful stimuli and suggest a role for this peptide in coping behavior. Furthermore, the effects of EtOH on the response to stress may be mediated by beta-E. Sex differences in this influence may contribute to sex differences in disease susceptibility and expression.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Central Nervous System Depressants; Depression; Ethanol; Female; Hindlimb Suspension; Male; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Models, Animal; Sex Characteristics; Stress, Psychological; beta-Endorphin
PubMed: 20384608
DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01182.x -
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Feb 2020Several studies evidenced significant increase of cortisol is the consequence of UV or emotional stress and leads to various deleterious effects in the skin.
BACKGROUND
Several studies evidenced significant increase of cortisol is the consequence of UV or emotional stress and leads to various deleterious effects in the skin.
AIM
The well-aging, a new concept of lifestyle, procures an alternative to the anti-aging strategy. We demonstrated that Tephrosia purpurea extract is able to stimulate well-being hormones while reducing cortisol release. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the extract could positively influence the global skin homeostasis.
METHOD
We evaluated the impact of the extract on cortisol, β-endorphin, and dopamine, released by normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). A gene expression study was realized on NHEKs and NHDFs. The protein over-expression of HMOX1 and NQO1 was evidenced at cellular and tissue level. Finally, we conducted a clinical study on 21 women living in a polluted environment in order to observe the impact of the active on global skin improvement.
RESULTS
The extract is able to reduce significantly the cortisol release while inducing the production of β-endorphin and dopamine. The gene expression study revealed that Tephrosia purpurea extract up-regulated the genes involved in antioxidant response and skin renewal. Moreover, the induction of HMOX and NQO1 expression was confirmed on NHDFs, NHEKs and in RHE. We clinically demonstrated that the extract improved significantly the skin by reducing dark circles, represented by an improvement of L*, a*, and ITA parameters.
CONCLUSION
Tephrosia purpurea extract has beneficial effects on skin homeostasis through control of the well-being state and antioxidant defenses leading to an improvement of dark circles, a clinical features particularly impacted by emotional and environmental stress.
Topics: Aging; Cell Line; Dopamine; Fibroblasts; Healthy Aging; Heme Oxygenase-1; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Keratinocytes; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone); Plant Extracts; Skin; Stress, Physiological; Stress, Psychological; Tephrosia; beta-Endorphin
PubMed: 31232507
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.13047 -
Complementary Therapies in Clinical... May 2018Reflexology is used for various pregnancy related complaints. A three-armed, pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted to test changes in physiological and... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Reflexology is used for various pregnancy related complaints. A three-armed, pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted to test changes in physiological and biochemical stress parameters. Ninety primiparous volunteers experiencing low back and/or pelvic girdle pain (LBPGP) were recruited to receive either six reflexology or footbath treatments or usual care. Primary outcome data included pain intensity and frequency measured on a visual analog scale (VAS), and salivary beta-endorphin and cortisol levels. 61 (68%) women completed the intervention. A clinically important reduction of 1.63 cm occurred for VAS pain frequency following reflexology. Beta-endorphin levels increased by 8.8% and 10.10% in the footbath and usual care groups respectively and decreased by 15.18% for the reflexology group. Cortisol increased by 31.78% for footbath participants, 31.42% in usual care and 18.82% in the reflexology group. Reflexology during pregnancy may help reduce LBPGP, and associated stress. However, antenatal reflexology is under researched and requires further investigation.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Low Back Pain; Massage; Pain Measurement; Pelvic Pain; Pilot Projects; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Stress, Physiological; Stress, Psychological; Visual Analog Scale; beta-Endorphin
PubMed: 29705485
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.01.018 -
Psychopharmacology Apr 2008Opioid receptor antagonists have been shown to attenuate the rewarding and addictive effects of cocaine. Furthermore, cocaine has been shown to cause the release of...
RATIONALE
Opioid receptor antagonists have been shown to attenuate the rewarding and addictive effects of cocaine. Furthermore, cocaine has been shown to cause the release of beta-endorphin, an endogenous opioid peptide.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed whether this neuropeptide would play a functional role in cocaine-induced motor stimulation and conditioned place preference (CPP).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Mice lacking beta-endorphin and their wild-type littermates were habituated to motor activity chambers for 1 h, then injected with cocaine (0, 15, 30, or 60 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) or morphine (0, 5, or 10 mg/kg, subcutaneously), and motor activity was recorded for 1 h. In the CPP paradigm, mice were tested for baseline place preference on day 1. On days 2 and 3, mice received an alternate-day saline/cocaine (15, 30, or 60 mg/kg) or saline/morphine (10 mg/kg) conditioning session and then tested for postconditioning place preference on day 4.
RESULTS
Cocaine-induced motor stimulation and CPP were both reduced in mice lacking beta-endorphin. On the other hand, motor stimulation and CPP induced by morphine were not altered in mutant mice.
CONCLUSION
The present results demonstrate that the endogenous opioid peptide beta-endorphin plays a modulatory role in the motor stimulatory and rewarding actions of acute cocaine.
Topics: Animals; Association Learning; Cocaine; Cocaine-Related Disorders; Conditioning, Operant; Crosses, Genetic; Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Genetic Carrier Screening; Genotype; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Injections, Subcutaneous; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Mutant Strains; Morphine; Motivation; Motor Activity; Pro-Opiomelanocortin; Reward; Social Environment; beta-Endorphin
PubMed: 18176854
DOI: 10.1007/s00213-007-1053-z