Jeffcoate W J, Rees L H, McLoughlin L, Ratter S J, Hope J, Lowry P J, Besser G M
Lancet. 1978 Jul 15;2(8081):119-21. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(78)91506-4.
beta-endorphin is a brain peptide with potent morphine-like activity structurally related to the anterior pituitary hormone beta-lipotrophin (beta-L.P.H.). We have developed a radioimmunoassay for human beta-endorphin in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.). Since the antiserum also reacts with beta-L.P.H., beta-endorphin was distinguished by using a second antiserum which measures beta-L.P.H. alone. With these two immunoassay systems and gel chromatography, we found beta-endorphin in all 20 C.S.F. samples tested at a concentration always higher than, but with no other relationship to, that in plasma. beta-endorphin was found in C.S.F. of patients who had hypopituitarism and undetectable plasma-beta-endorphin, suggesting that it is synthesized in the brain rather in the pituitary.
