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Responses of Plasma Renin Activity, Aldosterone, Adrenocorticotropin, and Cortisol to Dermorphin, a New Synthetic Potent Opiate-Like Peptide, in Man

Institute of Clinical Medicine and Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Ferrara 44100 Ferrara, Italy

Address requests for reprints to: Dr. Ettore C. Degli Uberti, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of dermorphin (D), a new synthetic potent opiate-like peptide (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH₂), on PRA, plasma aldosterone (PA), plasma cortisol (PC), and plasma ACTH levels in normal men. D infusion (5.5 µg/kg·min for 30 min) significantly increased PRA (P < 0.01) and decreased PC levels (P < 0.02). D produced a small decrease in ACTH and a small increase in PA. Pretreatment with the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (N) blunted the D-induced PRA increase and completely prevented the D-induced PC decrease, but enhanced PC and ACTH levels. These data indicate that the action of D is mediated through opioid receptors, and are consistent with the conclusion that 1) D, a new opioid peptide, increases PRA levels, perhaps via activation of the sympathetic nervous system, providing evidence that opioid peptides may exert an influence on renin secretion; and 2) D suppresses PC levels, perhaps by affecting ACTH secretion, corroborating previous observations that opioid peptides might affect the function of the pituitaryadrenocortical axis.

Received April 21, 1983.