Abstract
Endogenous opioid regulation of blood pressure is altered during stress in young adults at risk for hypertension. We studied the effects of the opioid antagonist naloxone on the secretion of corticotropin and β-endorphin during psychological stress in young adults with mildly elevated casual arterial pressures. Naloxone-induced secretion of both corticotropin and β-endorphin was significantly diminished in persons at enhanced risk for hypertension compared with the low blood pressure control group. Results suggest that opioidergic inhibition of anterior pituitary function is altered in hypertension development.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 636-644 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Hypertension |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1989 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- β-endorphin
- adrenocorticotropic hormone
- blood pressure
- essential hypertension
- glucocorticoids
- naloxone
- opioids
- stress
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Internal Medicine