GLUCOCORTICOSTEROIDS DECREASES THE ACTIVITY OF A DYNORPHIN-CONVERTINGENDOPEPTIDASE IN RAT CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID

This paper reports a study of a dynorphin-converting enzyme (DCE) in r at cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) following intramuscular injections of glu cocorticosteroids (GCS). The effects on the DCE-activity were studied 48 hours after the administration of prednisolone (10 mg/kg) and budes onide (1 and 3 mg/kg). The results showed a significant decrease of DC E activity in rats treated with prednisolone (10 mg/kg) and budesonide (3 mg/kg). At lower doses of budesonide (1 mg/kg) a reduction of DCE activity was observed, although not significant. This study provides e vidence for regulation of DCE by GCS drugs, which may occur directly o n the enzyme synthesis or indirectly through the action of a possible endogenous inhibitor.