Differential regulation of beta-endorphin in the anterior pituitary, intermediate lobe, hypothalamus and brain stem

Production of immunoreactive adrenocorticotropin and beta-endorphin by hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic brain cells

Despite many in vivo studies, little is known about brain regulation of POMC synthesis or regulation of secretion of POMC-related peptides. To test the hypothesis that dissociated brain cells in culture can produce and release POMC-related peptides, immunoreactive (IR)-adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and beta-endorphin were measured in cells and media of dissociated cell cultures incubated up to 38 days. Fetal rat hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic forebrain cells were maintained in serum free medium. IR-ACTH and beta-endorphin were measured by radioimmunoassay in concentrated cells and media after various incubation times using two ACTH (mid-portion = R4; carboxy-portion directed = KEND) antisera and a beta-endorphin antiserum. IR-ACTH and IR-beta-endorphin in hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic cells and in media (cumulative) were greater than quantities in cells before culture. Peak hypothalamic cellular content of IR-ACTH (5.3 fmol/10(6) cells-R4; 4.7 fmol/10(6) cells-KEND) and content of IR-beta-endorphin (32.0 fmol/10(6) cells) occurred on days 16, 9 and 23, respectively. Peak extrahypothalamic content of IR-ACTH (2.9 fmol/10(6) cells-R4; 1.0 fmol/10(6) cells-KEND) and content of IR-beta-endorphin (10.8 fmol/10(6) cells) was also seen on different days, was lower than hypothalamic content and was not always concurrent with peak hypothalamic content. Gel filtration chromatography revealed that the predominant forms of IR-ACTH and IR-beta-endorphin in hypothalamic cell extracts co-eluted with synthetic ACTH1-39 and beta-endorphin. Changes in molar ratios of IR-ACTH and IR-beta-endorphin also suggested a differential regulation of different POMC derivatives.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) IR-ACTH and IR-beta-endorphin are produced by hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic forebrain cells in culture: and (2) dissociated brain cell cultures can be used as a potential model for studying regulation of POMC-related peptides in brain.

Controversies in plastic surgery: suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) and the hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) protocol for obesity treatment

The advent of SAL (suction-assisted lipectomy) has dramatically increased the number of obese patients coming to our consultation offices. Despite several articles suggesting a conservative approach to fat suction, some reports insinuate that SAL might be a useful tool for obesity treatment. This hypothesis is refuted by a vast body of evidence that concludes that the adipose tissue may regenerate in adult humans. Therefore, surgical procedures are not advised as the method of choice to manage the disease. On the other hand, the terms obesity and being overweight may not be interchangeable. Obesity may be a disease whereas being overweight is a sign of the disease. Consequently, proper preoperative selection of candidates for SAL becomes mandatory. The hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) method for obesity treatment appears to be a complete program for the management of obesity. It contains pharmacologic, dietetic, and behavior modification aspects in a 40-day course of treatment. Some data suggest hCG to be lipolytic, thus explaining former clinical observations regarding body fat redistribution in treated patients. hCG commercial preparations contain beta-endorphin, an opioid peptide linked to mood behavior. This article speculates on the possible actions of the complex hCG beta-endorphin in the neuromodulation of mood and energy metabolism. The method comprises a behavior modification that helps in handling the patient better. There are some correlations between a current behavior modification program and the basic guidelines contained in the hCG protocol. Thus, the hCG method appears to be a reasonable alternative in the management of a long-standing, unsolved problem of human metabolism.