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Twenty-four-hour beta-endorphin secretory pattern in stroke patients
R Franceschini1, C Gandolfo, A Cataldi
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy.
Stroke
|November 1, 1994
Summary
Stroke disrupts the body's natural 24-hour rhythms for beta-endorphin and cortisol. While cortisol levels normalize, beta-endorphin abnormalities persist, potentially indicating neurological issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Circadian Biology
- Stroke Medicine
Background:
- Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis dysfunction is common post-stroke.
- Investigating hormonal circadian patterns offers insight into brain injury effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine 24-hour plasma beta-endorphin and cortisol secretory patterns in acute and convalescent stroke patients.
- To assess the influence of cerebral stroke on hormonal circadian rhythms.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 15 ischemic stroke patients within 24 hours and 10 days post-admission.
- Compared patients with 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
- Collected blood samples for hormone analysis at frequent intervals over 24 hours.
Main Results:
- Acute stroke patients showed significantly higher mean 24-hour beta-endorphin and cortisol levels than controls.
- Circadian rhythm was absent for both hormones in the acute phase.
- Cortisol levels and rhythm normalized in convalescence, but beta-endorphin abnormalities persisted.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral stroke causes lasting abnormalities in beta-endorphin secretion patterns.
- Cortisol secretion abnormalities are transient post-stroke.
- Dissociation in beta-endorphin and cortisol patterns may signal psychoneurological deficits.