Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 55, 378-380, Copyright © 1982 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Effects of naloxone on prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and cortisol responses to surgical stress in humans

AE Pontiroli, G Baio, L Stella, A Crescenti and AM Girardi

To evaluate the possible involvement of endogenous opioid peptides in the responses of PRL, LH, and cortisol to surgical stress, we have studied the effect of naloxone on these hormones in otherwise normal subjects of both sexes undergoing cholecystectomy for gallstones. In 24 subjects (12 males and 12 females), premedication consisted of atropine sulfate (0.007 mg/kg BW); general anesthesia (30 min later) was induced by thiopental (7 mg/kg) and maintained constant by 1% ethrane in a 70%:30% nitrous oxide-oxygen mixture. In 6 males and 6 females, naloxone (0.4 mg) was injected iv before anesthesia induction. After skin incision, a clear PRL release was observed in all subjects; this was more evident in females than in males. PRL release was significantly lower in naloxone-pretreated subjects. LH release was observed only in males and was significantly higher in naloxone- pretreated subjects. Cortisol release occurred in both sexes in a similar way and was not significantly different in naloxone-pretreated subjects. Cortisol release occurred in both sexes in a similar way and was not significantly different in naloxone-pretreated subjects. These results indicate that endogenous opioid peptides are involved in stress- induced PRL and LH release in humans.