Preliminary studies on the use of plasma β-endorphin in horses as an indicator of stress and pain

The role of beta-endorphin in horses: a review

“…The levels of opioid in plasma rises in the case of colic with endotoxemia, probably by means of serotoninergic mediation, as a shock effect (Niinisto et al, 2009). The obtained results may confirm the notion that measuring the concentration of plasma beta-endorphin is beneficial in monitoring visceral pain (McCarthy et al, 1993) and orthopaedic pain in horses (Raekallio et al, 1997), as beta-endorphin is an endogenous pain relieving substance secreted in response to stress, similarly to ACTH (Niinisto et al, 2009). …”

Changes of circulating β-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophin and cortisol concentrations during growth and rearing in Thoroughbred foals

“…Moreover, elevated concentrations of cortisol and β-endorphin in plasma following various forms of stresses have been reported in many species including horses (McCarthy et al, 1993;Foreman and Ferlazzo, 1996;Ferlazzo and Fazio, 1997;Ferlazzo et al, 2007).…”

O papel dos antagonistas periféricos dos opióides no tratamento da dor e nos cuidados perioperatórios

“…First, an animal model of postoperative ileus, equine colic, supports the role of endogenous opioids in GI motility 27 . Levels of endorphins in this syndrome are elevated 100-fold.…”

“…Há três fontes de evidência sobre o papel dos opióides endógenos no desenvolvimento do íleo pós-operatório. Em primeiro lugar, um modelo animal do íleo paralítico pós-operatório, a cólica eqüina, confirma o envolvimento dos opiói-des endógenos na motilidade GI 27 . Os níveis de endorfina nessa síndrome exibem elevação de 100 vezes acima de seu valor normal.…”