β-ENDORPHIN AND β-MSH IN HUMAN PLASMA

Abstract
The aim of this study was to establish whether or not a peptide with chromatographic and immunological properties of β‐endorphin exists in human plasma. Using direct chromatography under conditions designed to minimize generation of β‐endorphin and β‐MSH from β‐LPH, we invariably found a peptide with β‐endorphin immunoreactivity eluting in the position of βh‐endorphin on gel chromatography in samples of plasma from patients with elevated ACTH and LPH levels. β‐MSH was only found in the plasma of one patient with the ectopic ACTH syndrome.