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beta-Endorphin and propiomelanocortin-correlates peptides response in suspected and confirmed ischemic heart disease
C Letizia1, F Barillà, S Cerci
1I Patologia Medica, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza Italy.
Insights
This study found different hormonal responses in patients undergoing stress tests for coronary artery disease (CAD). Beta-endorphin, ACTH, and cortisol levels varied between those with suspected CAD and those diagnosed with CAD.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant health concern.
- Hormonal responses during physiological stress, like exercise, are crucial for understanding cardiovascular health.
- Investigating biomarkers such as beta-endorphin, ACTH, and cortisol can provide insights into the body's reaction to stress in CAD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the circulating levels of beta-endorphin, ACTH, and cortisol.
- To compare these hormonal responses in individuals with suspected CAD versus those with diagnosed CAD during stress testing.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from subjects with suspected CAD (Group I) and diagnosed CAD (Group II) before, during, and after exercise stress tests.
- Hormone levels (beta-endorphin, ACTH, cortisol) were measured.
- Exercise stress tests were conducted using a cycloergometer with increasing workloads.
Main Results:
- In suspected CAD (Group I), beta-endorphin and ACTH increased at peak exercise and recovery, while cortisol rose during recovery.
- In diagnosed CAD (Group II), beta-endorphin increased at peak exercise and recovery in those with a negative stress test.
- ECG or clinical signs of ischemia were observed in 9 subjects in Group I and 16 patients in Group II.
Conclusions:
- The study revealed distinct patterns in the plasma levels of beta-endorphin, ACTH, and cortisol.
- These hormonal differences were observed between individuals with suspected CAD and those with diagnosed CAD during exercise testing.
- The findings suggest potential roles for these hormones as indicators in the stress response related to coronary artery disease.
Unlabelled:
In this study, we investigated circulating beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol in subjects with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and in patients with CAD during stress testing. Group I: 18 subjects, all male (average age 48 +/- 9 yrs) with suspected (CAD) were enrolled. Group II: 35 patients, 30 males and 5 females (average age 54.3 +/- 7 yrs) with CAD, were enrolled. Ten patients had previous myocardial infarction. In all patients that underwent coronarography a stenosis > 75% was found in at least one coronary artery. The stress test was performed with a cycloergometer, increasing work loads 25 watt every 2 min. All subjects and patients were in the recumbent position for at least 30 minutes prior to testing. During this period a 3-way catheter was placed in the antecubital vein and blood was drawn for Beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol; additional blood samples were drawn using a pre-chilled syringe at maximum effort and during the recovery period.
Results:
group I: 9 of the subjects with suspected CAD had either ECG or clinical signs of ischemic during the stress test. In subjects with a negative test, the test was carried out for a longer period of time and at a higher work load. There was an increase in Beta-endorphin and ACTH at peak exercise and during recovery. Plasma cortisol increase during the period of recovery. Group II: 16 of the 35 patients with CAD exhibited ECG signs of induced myocardial ischemia; there was no difference in work loads in patients with positive or negative stress test. Exercise time was reduced in all patients and plasma Beta-endorphin increased at peak exercise and recovery in patients with a negative stress test. In conclusion our study revealed a different response of Beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol plasma levels in subjects with suspected CAD and in patients with CAD during exercise testing.