Different pituitary. beta. -endorphin and adrenal cortisol response to ethanol in individuals with high and low risk for future development of alcoholism

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Life Sciences; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(89)90167-7· OSTI ID:5098603

Gianoulakis, C G; Beliveau, D; Angelogianni, P; Meaney, M; Thavundayil, J; Tawar, V; Dumas, M ^[1]

---

1. McGill Univ., Quebec (Canada)

The purpose of the present studies was to investigate the activity of the adrenal gland and the pituitary {beta}-endorphin system in individuals from families with a 3 generation history of alcoholism, High Risk group, or from families without history of alcoholism, Low Risk group. On the day of testing, blood sample was taken at 9:00 a.m., then the subject drank a placebo drink or an ethanol solution. Additional blood samples were taken at 15, 45 and 120 minutes post-drink. Results indicated that individuals of the High Risk group had lower basal levels of {beta}-endorphin like immunoreactivity ({beta}-EPLIR) than individuals of the Low Risk group. The dose of 0.5 g ethanol/kg B.Wt. induced an induce an increase in the plasma content of {beta}-EPLIR of the High Risk group, but not of the Low Risk group. In the Low Risk group ethanol did not induce an increase above the 9:00 a.m. levels, however, it attenuated the {beta}-endorphin decrease overtime, observed following the placebo drink. Analysis of {beta}-endorphin-like peptides in the plasma of the High Risk group, with Sephadex G-75 chromatography indicated that the major component of the plasma {beta}-EPLIR was {beta}-lipotropin. Plasma cortisol levels, following ethanol intake, presented a small increase in the High Risk group but not in the Low Risk group.

• OSTI ID: 5098603
• Journal Information: Life Sciences; (USA), Journal Name: Life Sciences; (USA) Vol. 45:12; ISSN 0024-3205; ISSN LIFSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACUTE EXPOSURE
ADRENAL GLANDS
ADRENAL HORMONES
ALCOHOLS
ANIMALS
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOSYNTHESIS
BLOOD
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
CORTICOSTEROIDS
DRUGS
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
ENDORPHINS
ETHANOL
GLANDS
GLUCOCORTICOIDS
HYDROCORTISONE
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IMMUNE REACTIONS
KETONES
MAMMALS
MAN
MATERIALS
NEUROREGULATORS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PITUITARY GLAND
PREGNANES
PRIMATES
STEROIDS
SYNTHESIS
VERTEBRATES