1986 年 33 巻 6 号 p. 761-768
The responses of plasma immunoreactive (IR) proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived N-terminal peptide (Nt), IR-β-endorphin (Ep), IR-β-lipotropin (LPH) and IR-ACTH levels to ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRF) and FK 33-824 (Met-Enkephalin analogue) were studied in nine patients with Addison's disease. The basal plasma levels (mean±SE) of IR-Nt, IR-Ep, IR-LPH and IR-ACTH were significantly higher in patients with Addison's disease (4459±975pg/ml, 132±25pg/ml, 4425±1030pg/ml, 553±89pg/ml, respectively) than in the normal controls (202±38pg/ml, 7±2pg/ml, 101±18pfi/ml, 53±16pg/ml, respectively). Ovine CRF produced rapid and concomitant increases in plasma levels of IR-Nt, IR-Ep, IR-LPH and IR-ACTH. Ep and ACTH levels reached a peak at 30 min. On the other hand, Nt and LPH levels reached a peak at 60 min and these levels gradually decreased up to 120 min. The molar concentrations of these IR-peptides in plasma were changed in close parallel fashion to one another. FK 33-824 produced a pronounced and concomitant fall in IR-Nt, IR-EP, IR-LPH, and IR-ACTH levels.
These results support the theory that Nt, Ep, LPH and ACTH are produced simultaneously from POMC as a common precursor in the pituitary gland and are secreted concomitantly under various conditions such as stimulation by CRF and inhibition by FK 33-824 in patients with Addison's disease.
