Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
1991-5-23
pubmed:abstractText
Beta-endorphin (beta-Ep) plasma levels are higher in obese patients than in normal subjects. To establish that this finding constitutes hyperendorphinemia, 28 obese patients aged 12-55 years, six males and 22 females, (weighing 61-117 kg) were investigated twice by an overnight 1-mg p.o. dose dexamethasone suppression test (DST) before and after weight loss. beta-Ep was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Before body weight loss, beta-Ep was higher than normal and unresponsive to DST, whereas ACTH and cortisol were suppressible. After weight loss, beta-Ep was slightly reduced but still insensitive to DST. ACTH and cortisol were responsive as usual. Findings suggest a resistance to DST in obesity as far as beta-Ep is concerned. The disorder persists even after weight loss, indicating that hyperendorphinemia is not secondary to body weight excess. Accordingly, one can argue that the unresponsiveness of the endorphinergic system to its physiological feedback is a pathophysiological characteristic of obesity.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0195-6663
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
16
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
39-43
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1991
pubmed:articleTitle
Unresponsiveness of the endorphinergic system to its physiological feedback in obesity.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Neuroendrocrinology, University of Rome, Italy.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't