Plasma and CSF levels of immunoreactive beta-endorphin in algic peaks of patients with herniated intervertebral discs

Abstract

Plasma and CSF levels of beta-Endorphin (beta-End) were measured by radioimmunoassay in three groups of human subjects.The first group consisted of healthy adults, and only plasma beta-End was determined.The second group consisted of patients showing non-painful neurological diseases.The third group consisted of patients suffering from acute pain due to herniated intervertebral discs.In the last two groups, beta-End levels were measured in plasma and CSF.The results showed that plasma levels of beta-End were similar in the first two groups of patients.In contrast, patients with acute pain showed significantly increased levels of beta-End in plasma.CSF levels of beta-End did not show significant differences among the groups.The results suggest that the increase in plasma levels of beta-End was a consequence of the stress produced by acute pain.