β-ENDORPHIN AND β-LIPOTROPIN PLASMA LEVELS IN HIRSUTE WOMEN: CORRELATION WITH BODY WEIGHT

Abstract

Based on the findings of elevated circulating β-endorphin (β-END) levels in genetically obese (fa/fa) rats and the reversal of the overeating of genetically obese (ob/ob) mice by naloxone, circulating βEND and β-lipotropin (β-LPH) levels were measured in 8 hirsute, hyperandrogenic, oligo-amenorrheic women of varying weights. Circulating β-END and β-LPH levels were significantly elevated (p<.001) above the levels in nonobese control subjects and were positively correlated with body weight (p<.025). Based on these data and indirect evidence inthe literature, we propose a role may exist for β-END and/or β-LPH in human obesity and in adrenal androgen secretion.