Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of clonidine on beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol secretion in essential hypertension and obesity

  • Originals
  • Published:
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The role of alpha2-adrenoceptor stimulation by clonidine on the secretion of beta-endorphin, ACTH, and cortisol in essential hypertension and obesity was studied in 45 subjects: 15 non-obese hypertensives, 10 obese hypertensives, 11 obese normotensives, and 9 healthy subjects. The circadian rhythm of plasma beta-endorphin, ACTH, and cortisol was determined after placebo and after three days on clonidine 0.45 mg daily.

Clonidine lowered the blood pressure and blood ACTH and cortisol levels in all the subjects.

A significant decrease in beta-endorphin after clonidine occurred in the healthy subjects. In obese normotensives basal beta-endorphin concentrations were significantly higher than in healthy subjects and did not change after clonidine. In about 50% of non-obese and obese hypertensives a significant increase in beta-endorphin secretion after clonidine was noted (responders). In the subgroup of non-obese hypertensive responders no circadian rhythm of beta-endorphin was observed.

The results suggest that adrenergic regulation of beta-endorphin secretion is altered in obesity and in certain patients with essential hypertension.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lang RE, Gaida W, Ganten D, Hermann K, Kraft K, Unger T (1983) Neuropeptides and central blood pressure regulation. In: Ganten D, Pfaff D (eds) Current topics in neuroendocrinology central cardiovascular control. Springer New York, pp 103–123

    Google Scholar 

  2. Atweh SF, Kuhar MJ (1977) Autographic localization of opiate receptors in rat brain. Brain Res 124: 53–67

    Google Scholar 

  3. Schaz K, Stock G, Simon W, Schlor KH, Unger T, Rockhold R, Ganten D (1980) Enkephalin effects on blood pressure, heart rate and baroreceptor reflex. Hypertension 2: 395–407

    Google Scholar 

  4. Petty MA, de Jong W, de Wied D (1982) An inhibitory role of β-endorphin in central cardiovascular regulation. Life Sci 30: 1835–1840

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kouchich FJ, Quock RM, Tseng L (1984) Dynorphin (1–13)-like immunoreactivity in central nervous system and pituitary gland of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Clin Exp Hypertens [A]: 699–708

  6. Feuerstein G, Siren AL (1987) The opioid system in cardiac and vascular regulation of normal and hypertensive states. Circulation 75 [Suppl 1]: 1–125

    Google Scholar 

  7. Petty MA, de Jong W (1982) Cardiovascular effects of β-endorphin after microinjection into the nucleus tractus solitarii of the anaesthetized rat. Eur J Pharmacol 81: 449–457

    Google Scholar 

  8. Lemaire I, Tseng S, Lemaire S (1978) Systemic administration of β-endorphin: Potent hypotensive effect involving a serotonergic pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci (USA) 75: 6240–6242

    Google Scholar 

  9. Rubin P, Blaschke TF, Guilleminault C (1981) Effect of naloxone, a specific opioid inhibitor on blood pressure fall during sleep. Circulation 63: 117–121

    Google Scholar 

  10. Reid JL, Rubin PC, Petty MA (1984) Opioid peptides and central control of blood pressure. Clin Exp Hyperten [A] 1–2: 107–120

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fuentes JA, Borell J, Naranjo JR (1984) Opioid involvement in hypertension induced by short-term isolation. Clin Exp Hyperten [A] 10–11: 2041–2044

    Google Scholar 

  12. McCubbin JA, Surwitt RS, Williams RB (1985) Endogenous opiate peptides stress reactivity and risk for hypertension. Hypertension 7: 808–811

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kraft K, Theobald R, Stumpe KO (1986) Clonidine normalizes low plasma β-endorphin concentration and blood pressure in young men with mild essential hypertension. Klin Wochenschr 64: 738–741

    Google Scholar 

  14. Kunos G, Farsang C, Ramirez-Gonzales MD (1981) β-endorphin: Possible involvement in the antihypertensive effect of central α-receptor activation. Science 211: 82–84

    Google Scholar 

  15. Pettibone D, Mueller G (1981) α-adrenergic stimulation by clonidine increases plasma concentrations of immunoreactive β-endorphin in rats. Endocrinology 109: 798–802

    Google Scholar 

  16. Farsang C, Kapocsi J, Juhasz I, Kunos G (1982) Possible involvement of an endogenous opioid in the antihypertensive effect of clonidine in patients with essential hypertension. Circulation 66: 1268–1272

    Google Scholar 

  17. Farsang C, Vajda L, Kapocsi J, Malisak Z, Alfoldi S, Varga K, Juhasz I, Kunos G (1983) Diurnal rhythm of beta-endorphin in normotensive and hypertensive patients: The effects of clonidine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 56: 865–867

    Google Scholar 

  18. Ganong W, Kramer N, Salmon J, Rein I, Lovinger R, Scapagini U, Boryczka A, Shaskelford R (1976) Pharmacological evidence for inhibition of ACTH secretion by a central adrenergic system in dog. Neuroscience 1: 167–174

    Google Scholar 

  19. Lanes R, Herrera A, Palanos A, Moncada G (1983) Decreased secretion of cortisol and ACTH after oral clonidine administration in normal adults. Metab Clin Exp 32: 568–570

    Google Scholar 

  20. Guillemin R, Vargo T, Rossier J, Minick S, Ling N, Rivier C, Vale W, Bloom FE (1977) β-endorphin and adrenocorticotropin are secreted concomitantly by the pituitary gland. Science 197: 1367–1369

    Google Scholar 

  21. Słowinska-Srzednicka J, Zgliczynski S, Soszynski P, Wierzbicki M, Jeske W (1988) The possible role of beta-endorphin in pathogenesis of obesity and essential hypertension. Clin Exp Hypertension A 10: 135–149

    Google Scholar 

  22. Hodgkinson SL, Allolio B, Landon J, Lowry PJ (1984) Development of a non-extracted “two-site” immunoradiometric assay for corticotropin utilizing extreme amino- and carboxyl-terminally directed antibodies. Biochem J 218: 703–713

    Google Scholar 

  23. Hölt V, Mullero A, Fahlbush R (1979) Beta-endorphin in human plasma: Basal and pathologically elevated levels. Life Sci 25: 37–44

    Google Scholar 

  24. Yasunari K, Kanayama Y, Kohno M, Murakawa K, Kawarabayashi T, Takeda T, Kotsugai N, Sato K (1985) Central alpha-activation by clonidine reduced plasma level of beta-endorphin in patients with essential hypertension. Life Sci 37: 1461–1467

    Google Scholar 

  25. Facchinetti F, Volpe A, Nappi G, Petraglia F, Genazzani A (1985) Impairment of adrenergic-induced proopiomelanocortinrelated peptide release in heroin addicts. Acta Endocrinol 108: 1–5

    Google Scholar 

  26. Boyar R (1980) Effects of clonidine on 24-hour hormonal secretory patterns, cardiovascular hemodynamics and central function in hypertensive adolescents. Hypertension 27: 83–87

    Google Scholar 

  27. Jones M, Hillhouse E, Burden J (1976) Effect of various putative neurotransmitters on the secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the rat hypothalamus vitro, a model of neurotransmitters involved. J Endocrinol 69: 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  28. Givens JR, Wiedemann E, Andersen RN, Kitabchi AE (1980) β-endorphin and β-lipotropin plasma levels in hirsute women: Correlation with body weight. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 50: 975–976

    Google Scholar 

  29. Genazzani AR, Facchinetti F, Petraglia F, Pintor C, Corda R (1986) Hyperendorphemia in obese children and adolescents. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 62: 36–40

    Google Scholar 

  30. Yasunari K, Kohno M, Kanayama Y, Kono Y, Amatsu K, Takeda T, Sato K, Kotsugai N (1985) Changes of plasma levels of B-endorphin-like immunoreactivity after acute clonidine administration in patients with essential hypertension. Horm Metab Res 17: 324–325

    Google Scholar 

  31. Feuerstein G, Zerbe RL, Faden AI (1983) Opiate receptors and cardiovascular control in conscious SHR and WKY rats. Hypertension 5: 663–671

    Google Scholar 

  32. McNicholas LF, Martin WR (1984) New and experimental therapeutic roles for naloxone and related opioid antagonists. Drugs 27: 81–93

    Google Scholar 

  33. Farsang C, Ramirez-Gonzales MD, Mucci L, Kunos G (1980) Possible role of an endogenous opiate in the cardiovascular effects of central alpha-adrenoreceptor stimulation in spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 214: 203–208

    Google Scholar 

  34. Pedrinelli R, Bernini GP, Salvetti A (1985) Naloxone does not modify the hemodynamic and neuroendocrine effects of clonidine in normal humans. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 7: 953–957

    Google Scholar 

  35. Rogers JF, Cubeddu LX (1983) Naloxone does not antagonize the antihypertensive effect of clonidine in essential hypertension. Clin Pharmacol Ther 34: 68–73

    Google Scholar 

  36. Bramnert M, Hökfeldt B (1983) Failure of naloxone to reduce clonidine induced reduction of blood pressure and plasma noradrenaline in patients with essential hypertension. Acta Physiol Scand 118: 379–383

    Google Scholar 

  37. Farsang C, Kapocsi J, Vajda L, Varga K, Malisak Z, Fekete M, Kunos G (1984) Reversal by naloxone of the antihypertensive action of clonidine: Involvement of the sympathetic nervous system. Circulation 69: 461–467

    Google Scholar 

  38. Genazzani AR, Petraglia F, Sinforiani E, Brambilla F, Facchinetti F, Nappi G (1986) Dysregulation of plasma proopiomelanocortin-related peptides in neurotic depression. Acta Endocrinol 112: 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  39. Bruni CA, Watkins WB, Yen SSC (1979) Beta-endorphin in the human pancreas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 49: 649–651

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, Medical Center of Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland

    J. Słowinska-Srzednicka, S. Zgliczynski, P. Soszynski, J. Puciłowska, M. Wierzbicki & W. Jeske

Authors
  1. J. Słowinska-Srzednicka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Zgliczynski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. Soszynski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Puciłowska
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. Wierzbicki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. W. Jeske
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Słowinska-Srzednicka, J., Zgliczynski, S., Soszynski, P. et al. Effect of clonidine on beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol secretion in essential hypertension and obesity. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 35, 115–121 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00609239

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00609239

Key words

Search

Navigation