β-ENDORPHIN IN THE HUMAN PANCREAS

Abstract
Using a specific antiserum, β-endorphin was quantitated in 8 human pancreas obtained at autopsy by radioimmunoassay and localized by immunocytochemistry. The mean (±SE) concentration of β-endorphin in pancreatic extracts of 5 non-diabetic adults was 13.5 ± 9.8 ng/gm with a range of 2.1 to 52.8 ng/gm of tissue. Pan creatic βh-endorphin concentration in two premature infants were within the range found in adults. In one diabetic pancreas, there was no measurable β-endorphin. Specific β-endorphin immunoflourescence is localized within the pancreatic islets. This finding suggests that β-endorphin may participate in intraislet regulation of pancreatic hormone secretion.