Effect of deltorphin on pituitary-adrenal response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia and ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone in healthy man.

Abstract

To determine the role of delta-opioid receptors in the modulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity, we studied in normal subjects the effect of the highly selective delta-opioid receptor agonist deltorphin (DT) on the secretion of ACTH, cortisol, and arginine vasopressin in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. In an attempt to clarify the site of opiate modulation of ACTH secretion, we also studied in normal subjects the effect of DT on the ACTH response to ovine CRH-41. DT blunted the ACTH, cortisol, and arginine vasopressin responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, whereas it had no effect on the ACTH and cortisol responses to CRH. We conclude that DT-induced activation of delta-opioid receptors exerts an inhibitory influence on hypoglycemia-stimulated ACTH secretion. Based on the lack of an effect of DT on the ACTH response to CRH, we postulate that DT may modulate the secretion of ACTH through suprapituitary mechanisms.

• Authors: E C Degli Uberti, S Salvadori, G Trasforini, A Margutti, M R Ambrosio, R Rossi, F Portaluppi, R Pansini
• Journal: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (J Clin Endocrinol Metab) Vol. 75 Issue 2 Pg. 370-4 (Aug 1992) ISSN: 0021-972X [Print] United States
• PMID: 1322422 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose
• Insulin
• Oligopeptides
• Arginine Vasopressin
• deltorphin
• Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
• Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
• Hydrocortisone

Topics

• Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (blood)
• Adult
• Animals
• Arginine Vasopressin (blood)
• Blood Glucose (analysis)
• Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Hydrocortisone (blood)
• Hypoglycemia (chemically induced, physiopathology)
• Insulin
• Male
• Oligopeptides (therapeutic use)
• Pituitary-Adrenal System (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Reference Values
• Sheep