Alterations in brain and pituitary β-endorphin content in genetically epilepsy-prone rats

J. A. Carr, A. M. Carpenter, M. M. D'Souza, A. R. Elmore, A. T. Lovering, C. E. Reigel

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2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We measured β-endorphin concentrations in the anterior and neurointermediate lobes of the pituitary gland and in microdissected brain regions of moderate-seizure genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR-3), severe- seizure GEPR-9s and Sprague-Dawley non-epileptic control rats. Plasma concentrations of β-endorphin and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α- MSH) were also measured as indicators of pituitary POMC-peptide secretion. Concentrations of β-endorphin in the anterior lobe of GEPR-3s were 53% higher compared to controls and 57% higher compared to GEPR-9s. There were no differences in neurointermediate lobe β-endorphin concentrations between control and either GEPR strain. Plasma β-endorphin concentrations were significantly lower in GEPR-9s than controls. Plasma levels of α-MSH did not differ between control and GEPRs. In the hypothalamus of GEPR-9s β- endorphin concentrations in the arcuate nucleus were significantly greater than in GEPR-3s. Concentrations of β-endorphin in the central amygdala of GEPR-9s were two- to threefold greater than in control or GEPR-3s. β- Endorphin concentrations in the central gray of GEPR-3s were 58% lower than control or GEPR-9s. These data suggest that anterior lobe β-endorphin secretion is reduced in GEPR-9s. Furthermore, brain endorphinergic pathways appear to be differentially altered in GEPR-3s and GEPR-9s. Alterations in pituitary β-endorphin secretion and brain endorphinergic systems may contribute to seizure susceptibility in GEPRs and to differences in seizure severity between GEPR-3s and GEPR-9s.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)113-122
Number of pages10
JournalEpilepsy Research
Volume31
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1998

Keywords

  • Anterior lobe
  • Brain stem
  • Epilepsy
  • Hypothalamus
  • Intermediate lobe
  • Opioid
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • α-Melanocyte- stimulating hormone

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