Kay N, Morley J E, van Ree J M
Life Sci. 1987 Mar 16;40(11):1083-7. doi: 10.1016/0024-3205(87)90571-6.
Opioid peptides have been shown to enhance peripheral blood lymphocyte natural killer (NK) cell function. In this study, we report that certain non-opioid fragments of beta-endorphin (2-16, 2-17, and 6-17) enhance NK activity with peak dose responses seen at 10(-12) to 10(-15) concentrations. This effect can be inhibited by naloxone. We conclude that non-opioid fragments of beta-endorphin are more potent than either beta- or gamma-endorphin in enhancing human lymphocyte NK activity.
