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Int J Sports Med 2000; 21(7): 513-517
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-7413
Immunology
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

β-Endorphin Immunoreactive Material and Authentic β-Endorphin in the Plasma of Males Undergoing Anaerobic Exercise on a Rowing Ergometer

A. Schulz1 , H. Harbach2 , N. Katz3 , L. Geiger4 , H. Teschemacher1
  • 1 Rudolf-Buchheim-Institute for Pharmacology, Justus-Liebig-University, Gießen, Germany
  • 2 Dpt. of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Gießen, Germany
  • 3 Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Justus-Liebig-University, Gießen, Germany
  • 4 Research Institute for Sports Medicine, Bad Feilnbach, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), β-endorphin immunoreactive material (β-endorphin IRM), and authentic β-endorphin (1 - 31) have been determined in the plasma of 23 volunteers undergoing anaerobic exercise on a rowing ergometer. The volunteers had different histories of training from occasional physical activities up to intensive preparation for international rowing competitions. ACTH and β-endorphin-IRM were determined using commercially available immunometric assays; for determination of β-endorphin (1 - 31) a highly specific two-site fluid phase immunoprecipitation radioimmunoassay was developed, which did not cross-react with any β-endorphin derivative or any other opioid peptide tested. In agreement with reports from the literature ACTH and β-endorphin-IRM concentrations in the plasma rose upon anaerobic exercise in all 23 subjects; this increase in the ACTH and β-endorphin IRM levels was significantly correlated with the increase of lactate levels observed upon anaerobic exercise. Authentic β-endorphin (1 - 31) was only found in two plasma samples containing minor concentrations of the peptide. We conclude that the β-endorphin immunoreactive material released into blood under anaerobic exercise is identical with authentic β-endorphin (1 - 31) only to a minor extent and thus should not be called “β-endorphin”. The major part of the material in fact released into the blood upon anaerobic exercise is probably identical with β-lipotropin and further components so far unknown.

Key words:

Physical stress, opioid peptides, ACTH, lactate, fluid phase immunoprecipitation two-site radioimmunoassay.

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 A. Schulz

Rudolf-Buchheim-Institut für Pharmakologie Justus-Liebig-Universität

Frankfurter Str. 107 35392 Gießen Germany

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