Biomaterial Database

Endocrine control of hypothalamic and pituitary met-enkephalin and beta-endorphin contents. 1991

F Tang

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong.

This review summarizes the recent findings on the effects of endocrine manipulation on the hypothalamic and pituitary contents of met-enkephalin and beta-endorphin. In the pituitary, gonadectomy decreases beta-endorphin content in both the anterior lobe and neuro-intermediate lobe. Orchidectomy results in a decrease while ovariectomy leads to an increase in anterior lobe met-enkephalin contents. Adrenalectomy only lead to an increase in beta-endorphin contents in the anterior pituitary lobe. Hypothyroidism induced by propylthiouracil treatment is accompanied by a decrease of beta-endorphin in the neuro-intermediate lobe and a decrease in met-enkephalin in the anterior lobe while thyroidectomy entails a decrease in met-enkephalin in the anterior lobe only. Chemically induced diabetes mellitus results in a decrease in beta-endorphin content in the hypothalamus and the neuro-intermediate lobe, and a reduction in met-enkephalin level in the anterior and neuro-intermediate lobes. All these changes are reversible with appropriate hormone treatments. These results indicate the importance of hormones in the regulation of the synthesis and/or release of the opioid peptides in the hypothalamus and the pituitary.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007031	Hypothalamus	Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE.	Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D010902	Pituitary Gland	A small, unpaired gland situated in the SELLA TURCICA. It is connected to the HYPOTHALAMUS by a short stalk which is called the INFUNDIBULUM.	Hypophysis,Hypothalamus, Infundibular,Infundibular Stalk,Infundibular Stem,Infundibulum (Hypophysis),Infundibulum, Hypophyseal,Pituitary Stalk,Hypophyseal Infundibulum,Hypophyseal Stalk,Hypophysis Cerebri,Infundibulum,Cerebri, Hypophysis,Cerebrus, Hypophysis,Gland, Pituitary,Glands, Pituitary,Hypophyseal Stalks,Hypophyses,Hypophysis Cerebrus,Infundibular Hypothalamus,Infundibular Stalks,Infundibulums,Pituitary Glands,Pituitary Stalks,Stalk, Hypophyseal,Stalk, Infundibular,Stalks, Hypophyseal,Stalks, Infundibular
D004744	Enkephalin, Methionine	One of the endogenous pentapeptides with morphine-like activity. It differs from LEU-ENKEPHALIN by the amino acid METHIONINE in position 5. Its first four amino acid sequence is identical to the tetrapeptide sequence at the N-terminal of BETA-ENDORPHIN.	Methionine Enkephalin,5-Methionine Enkephalin,Met(5)-Enkephalin,Met-Enkephalin,5 Methionine Enkephalin,Enkephalin, 5-Methionine,Met Enkephalin
D006728	Hormones	Chemical substances having a specific regulatory effect on the activity of a certain organ or organs. The term was originally applied to substances secreted by various ENDOCRINE GLANDS and transported in the bloodstream to the target organs. It is sometimes extended to include those substances that are not produced by the endocrine glands but that have similar effects.	Hormone,Hormone Receptor Agonists,Agonists, Hormone Receptor,Receptor Agonists, Hormone
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001615	beta-Endorphin	A 31-amino acid peptide that is the C-terminal fragment of BETA-LIPOTROPIN. It acts on OPIOID RECEPTORS and is an analgesic. Its first four amino acids at the N-terminal are identical to the tetrapeptide sequence of METHIONINE ENKEPHALIN and LEUCINE ENKEPHALIN.	Endorphin, beta,beta-Endorphin (1-31),beta Endorphin
D051381	Rats	The common name for the genus Rattus.	Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus