Effects of fentanyl on the response of plasma beta-endorphin immunoreactivity to surgery

• Published in: Anesthesiology (Philadelphia) Vol. 57; no. 6; pp. 468 - 472
• Main Authors: Dubois, M, Pickar, D, Cohen, M, Gadde, P, Macnamara, T E, Bunney, W E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.12.1982
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; beta-Endorphin; Endorphins - blood; Female; Fentanyl - pharmacology; Humans; Hydrocortisone - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Radioimmunoassay; Stress, Physiological - blood; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Beta-endorphin appears to play a definite role in the biologic response to stress and in the endogenous mechanism of pain perception. Opiates exogenously administered during surgery decrease or even suppress the activation of "stress hormones" such as ACTH and cortisol. In the present stud...