Myocardial and Peripheral Concentrations of β -Endorphin Before and Following Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion During Coronary Angioplasty

Abstract

There is substantial evidence indicating that endogenous opioid peptides are involved in the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. We measured the myocardial and peripheral concentrations of β-endorphin before and following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion during coronary angioplasty. The results indicate that in patients with coronary artery disease, there was an augmented myocardial concentration of β-endorphin. Moreover, there was an increased peripheral concentration of β-endorphin following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. The data support the previous notion that endogenous opioid peptides are involved in the pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease.