Calcitonin Induced Increase in ACTH, β-Endorphin and Cortisol Secretion

Summary

The response of ACTH, β-endorphin and cortisol to calcitonin administration was investigated in 8 subjects with recent fractures of the vertebrae due to postmenopausal or senile osteoporosis (Ost) and in seven normal healthy controls (NO. A significant increase of the three hormones was observed in 13 subjects. The maximum increase was observed between 15 and 60 min.: the cortisol level (μg/100 ml) rose from 14.3 ± 1.9 to 24.8 ± 3.2 (P < 0.05) in Ost and from 7.7±0.6 to 21.7±1.7 (P < 0.001) in NC, the β-endorphin (pmol/l) from 5.8±0.6 and to 21.2±1.3 in OST (P < 0.001) and from 5.9±0.4 to 21.9±4.5 (P <0.01) in NC and the ACTH levels (pg/ml) from 21.3±5.7 to 61.7±3.6 (P < 0.001) in OST and from 30.0±6.2 to 58.8±7.5 (P < 0.05) in NC.

The results indicate a possible role of calcitonin in modulating the anterior pituitary function. It also suggests that the analgesic effect of calcitonin might be mediated by the increase of β-endorphin. The possibility that this analgesic effect of calcitonin is due to its direct binding to the opiate receptors was excluded in the present study by in vitro binding assay.

Key-Words

Calcitonin - β-Endorphin - ACTH - Cortisol - Pituitary Modulation - Pain