부산대학교 도서관

An enkephalin analogue, [D-Ala2, MePhe4, Met(o)-ol] enkephalin (DAMME), given intravenously to normal subjects raised serum pro- lactin and growth-hormone levels but lowered serum levels of luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hor- mone, cortisol, and corticotrophin. There was also a small fall in total glucagon and gastric inhibitory pep- tide (G.I.P.) and a rise in thyrotrophin. β-Lipotrophin, motilin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, insulin, gastrin, and pancreatic glucagon were unchanged. Blood-gly- cerol increased, and blood lactate, alanine, and glucose fell. Prior administration of the opiate antagonist, naloxone, attenuated the hormonal responses to DAMME. This enkephalin analogue produces endocrine and meta- bolic changes in man which may be mediated through opiate-binding receptors both within and outside the brain. The enkephalins and related substances may pro- vide an important link between perception, behaviour, and neuroendocrine regulation of hormone secretion and metabolism.