PERIPHERAL MONONEUROPATHY AFFECTS HYPOTHALAMIC AND SPLENOCYTE BETA-ENDORPHIN LEVELS BUT NOT IMMUNE FUNCTION IN THE RAT

Beta-endorphin and substance P levels were measured in the hypothalamu s of rats 14 days after chronic constriction injury of right sciatic n erve, Furthermore, beta-endorphin concentrations in splenocytes, phyto emoagglutinin-induced proliferation of splenocytes, and natural killer activity were assessed, We observed a significant increase of beta-en dorphin and substance P hypothalamic levels, and a significant decreas e of beta-endorphin concentrations in the immune cells, In contrast, t he peripheral mononeuropathy did not affect the immune function. This study presents a picture of central and peripheral peptide changes con sistent with a painful condition, but different from what previously o bserved in rats which underwent peripheral nerve deafferentation or st ressful conditions.