Effect of the Antiserotonin Drug, Cyproheptadin, on Plasma ß-Endorphin and ß-Lipotropin in Patients with Itsenko-Cushing's Disease

Summary

In the present paper evidences are provided for the changes occurring in blood opioid neuropeptides in patients with Itsenko-Cushing's disease[1)], who were treated with an antiserotonin drug, cyproheptadin (peritol). An increase in the plasma contenta of β-endorphin and βlipotrophin in the above patients has been found to be one of the factors conditioning an enhanced activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system. Treatment of the patients suffering from Itsenko-Cushing's disease with cyproheptadin (peritol) resulted in a decrease of the plasma β-endorphin and βlipotropin, as well as a display in 60% of cases of clinical and laboratory remission. Absence of the clinical remission in some patients treated with peritol indicated a need for intervention in the metabolism of other monoamines involved in the modulation of the action of opioid neuropeptides on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary system.

Key words

ß-endorphin - ß-lipotropin - Itsenko-Cushing's disease - Cyproheptadin

1 The term “Itsenko-Cushing's disease or syndrome” stands for “Cushing's disease” or “Cushing's syndrome”.

1 The term “Itsenko-Cushing's disease or syndrome” stands for “Cushing's disease” or “Cushing's syndrome”.