Schistosomiasis: role of endogenous opioids in suppression of gonadal steroid secretion

1. Radioimmunoassay of the opiate, beta-endorphin, in mouse sera, indirect measurement of estrogen by examination of vaginal smears and indirect measurement of androgens by electrophoresis of major urinary proteins (MUP) revealed that beta-endorphin increases while estrogen and androgen levels decrease in mice with chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection. 2. Injections of the opiate antagonist, naltrexone, reversed the effects of schistosomiasis on estrogen and androgen levels. 3. Because opiates are known to inhibit the secretion of releasing hormones by the hypothalamus, the data suggest that the inhibition of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function that occurs in chronically infected male and female mice results from excessive beta-endorphin. 4. It is also suggested that the excessive beta-endorphin may be secreted by T-lymphocytes and possibly macrophages involved in the cell-mediated immune response (CMIR) to the ova.     

Role of severe psychopathology in sleep-related experiences: A pilot study.

The construct General Sleep-related Experiences (GSEs, such as elevated dream recall, vivid or bizarre dreams, flying dreams, hypnagogic hallucinations, nightmares, and recurrent dreams) has been previously linked to various forms of psychopathology in nonclinical populations. The aim of this pilot study was to explore this relationship in the context of severe psychopathology. Nineteen outpatients of a mental health clinic were compared to 26 controls on sleep experiences, psychopathology, sleep quality, life stress, and transliminality. Outpatients also reported illness intrusiveness levels. As expected, the outpatient group had elevated GSEs. Within the outpatient group, illness intrusiveness, stress, and transliminality were correlated with GSEs. These findings elucidate the association between GSEs and distress in the context of severe psychopathology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)