The effects of glucose ingestion and fasting on plasma immunoreactive beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotropic hormone and Cortisol in obese subjects

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that opioid peptides are involved in the stimulation of food intake in rats and that the circulating beta-endorphin levels are increased in genetically obese rodents. Therefore, to assess whether the changes in food intake may influence circulating beta-endorphin levels in obese subjects, plasma beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol concentrations were determined in obese patients after an oral glucose load and during a 7-day total starvation. Baseline plasma beta-endorphin concentrations were significantly higher in obese patients than in control normal-weight subjects, while ACTH and cortisol levels were similar in both groups. Plasma beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol concentrations were not affected by the ingestion of 75 g glucose, neither were plasma beta-endorphin concentrations modified during prolonged starvation. Moreover, the lack of nycthemeral variations in beta-endorphin levels, documented before and during starvation while plasma ACTH and cortisol were significantly reduced in the evening, suggests that some extra anterior pituitary sources or some obesity-related changes in beta-endorphin metabolism may contribute to the pool of circulating beta-endorphin in obese subjects. On the other hand, even the extreme changes in nutritional conditions, such as total food deprivation or glucose ingestion, are devoid of any detectable influence on circulating beta-endorphin levels.

The Effect of Vertical Banded Gastroplasty on Glucose-Induced β-Endorphin Response

“…In our study, fasting ␤-endorphin levels under basal conditions as well as total ␤-endorphin response during OGTT in obese patients were higher than in normal-weight subjects in accordance with previous reports [16 -18]. Other studies, however, have been unable to demonstrate significant changes in ␤-endorphin levels following either oral glucose [31] or a high-carbohydrate mixed meal load [19]. The known stimulatory effect of ␤-endorphin on insulin secretion [12,13] and the increased responsiveness of pancreatic ␤-cells to ␤-endorphin in obesity [14,15] may contribute at least in part to the hyperinsulinemia and enhanced insulin response seen in our obese patients.…”

“…Results from previous studies on the influence of weight loss on ␤-endorphin levels have been contradictory, with no response after substantial weight loss [20], a 7-day fast [31], or diet-induced weight loss [18,19,34]. Scavo et al [35] have reported a significant reduction in ␤-endorphin levels following substantial weight loss achieved by caloric restriction and physical exercise and suggested decreased food intake as the cause of reduced ␤-endorphin levels.…”

The Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Axis in Obesity

“…Plasma Bendorphin concentrations were not affected by a 7-day total fast nor by refeeding (4). Weight loss of 18% did not alter basal endorphin levels in obese subjects (133).…”

“…3 No. 4 July 1995 377 impact of changes in cortisol level on insulin m e t a b lism and other effects such as blood pressure, lipid levels, adipocyte growth in obese individuals remains speculative at present.…”

Sensorial Saturation: An Effective Analgesic Tool for Heel-Prick in Preterm Infants

“…These include nonnutritional sucking [22] and instillation of glucose or other sweet liquids on the tongue [23,24]; glucose is supposed to provide analgesia by stimulating incretion of ß-endorphins [23,[25][26][27]] by a preabsorptive mechanism [28]. However, there have been few studies on nonpharmacological analgesia in the premature, and the methods used have reduced, but not abolished the signs of pain perception [29][30][31][32][33][34].…”