Beta-Endorphin and Cold Pressor Test in the Aged

Abstract

In 8 young and 8 elderly subjects mean values of plasma beta-endorphin were nearly equal under basal conditions. In all subjects the cold pressor test provoked a marked increase of beta-endorphin, which was more evident in young subjects. Mean values of the areas of endorphin modifications were the same in both young and elderly subjects. These results may suggest that after a short-term stimulus, such as the cold pressor test, no marked differences in pituitary secretion between young and elderly subjects may be evidenced.

Twenty-four-hour beta-endorphin secretory pattern in the elderly

“…The lack of a significant differ¬ ence in the mean 24-h beta-endorphin absolute values between adult and elderly subjects, ob¬ served by us and by others(Casale et al 1985), supports the possibility that peripheral factors compensate for a possible deficiency of beta-en¬ dorphin pituitary secretion in the elderly. In fact, evidence exists that circulating beta-endorphin derives, in part, from peripheral sources such as the gut(Larson et al 1977), pancreas(Bruni et al 1979), and adrenal medulla(Evans et al 1983; Boader & Me Hardie 1985).…”

“…At present, only few data are available regarding beta-endorphin se¬ cretion in the elderly, although it was recently reported that there was no significant difference in the plasma levels of this peptide between young and elderly subjects, either in basal conditions or after the cold pressor test (Casale et al 1985).…”

Aging and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Response to Challenge in Humans*

“…Other challenges used to examine possible age differences in cortisol response have included insulin-induced hypoglycemia (111,152,153), metyrapone (112,154,155), and the cold pressor test (102). These latter studies have generally shown no significant age differences in patterns of initial cortisol response using both hospitalized (111,112,152,154,155) and healthier subjects (102,153). However, all were hampered by relatively small sample sizes.…”

“…0.5-mg dose vs. more "standard" 1-mg dose). Results of studies of exogenous ACTH, metyrapone, and oCRF stimulation also indicate that patterns of cortisol response in both younger and older samples frequently have not returned to baseline by the end of follow-up (102,106,107,112,114,162,163,167), suggesting that the standard doses represent substantial (and perhaps excessive) stimuli. This is not too surprising since these standard doses are designed to elicit maximal responses and tend to reflect more pharmacological than physiological doses.…”

β-Endorphin Concentration in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Elderly Depressed Patients – Effects of Phosphatidylserine Therapy

“…Brain P-endorphin (P-EP) concentrations studied post-mortem are similar to those of young subjects, but values in CSF and plasma of living subjects are either nor-K A R f i F R © 1996 S. Karger AG, Basel I X /-\I \V J C l \ 0302-282X/96/0341-0 0 18S10.00/0 E-Mail kargcr@kargcr.ch F ax+ 41 61 306 12 34 http:// www. karger, ch nral or lower than normal in basal conditions and normal after stimuli, while the circadian secretion of the hormone reveals a reduced coefficient of variation and excursion, probably because of the higher than normal levels in the late evening-early night hours [3][4][5][6]. In a previous study [7], we also observed that wile p-EP values in plasma of elderly normal subjects and elderly depressed patients were not different from those of young healthy subjects, the responses of the opioid to stimulation with corticotro pin-releasing hormone (CRH), the hypothalamic stimula tor of hypophysial opioid secretion, was higher in elderly depressed patients and controls than in young controls, the phenomenon possibly being related to the lack of the well-known inhibitory action of gonadal steroids, de creased because of aging [8].…”