Brain and peripheral opioid peptides after changes in ingestive behavior

Neuroendocrinology. 1986;42(3):267-72. doi: 10.1159/000124450.

Abstract

The levels of dynorphin, alpha-neoendorphin and beta-endorphin immunoreactivity (ir-DYN, ir-alpha-NEO, ir-beta-E) were measured in the brain, pituitary and gut of rats subjected to a variety of manipulations. Water deprivation caused an increase in the ir-DYN and ir-alpha-NEO content in the hypothalamus and a decrease in the neurointermediate (NI) lobe of the pituitary. The ir-beta-E level decreased in the hypothalamus and anterior lobe of the pituitary, while it increased in the NI-pituitary. Food deprivation, as well as chronic fenfluramine (10-20 mg/kg) treatment increased, while acute muscimol (0.5 micrograms/10 microliter) treatment decreased the ir-beta-E, but not ir-DYN or ir-alpha-NEO content in the hypothalamus. The anterior pituitary content of ir-beta-E was increased after food deprivation and decreased after chronic fenfluramine treatment. However, the ir-DYN and ir-alpha-NEO contents in the duodenum were markedly increased after food deprivation, while chronic fenfluramine treatment led to a dramatic decrease in the ir-DYN content. These results suggest that the levels of opioid peptides in the brain, pituitary and gut may be differentially and independently affected by alteration of the ingestive behavior.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dehydration / metabolism
  • Duodenum / analysis*
  • Dynorphins / analysis
  • Endorphins / analysis*
  • Food Deprivation / physiology*
  • Hypothalamus / analysis*
  • Male
  • Pituitary Gland / analysis*
  • Protein Precursors / analysis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Water Deprivation / physiology*
  • beta-Endorphin

Substances

  • Endorphins
  • Protein Precursors
  • beta-Endorphin
  • alpha-neoendorphin
  • Dynorphins