Description
β-EndorphinisanendogenousopioidpeptidethatactsasanagoNISTatμ-opioidreceptors(μORs)andexhibitsimmunomodulatory,neuromodulatory,antidepressant,andantinociceptive/analgesicactivities.Invivo,β-endorphinincreaseslevelsofB-cellsandproductionofantibodiesaswellassecretionofIL-4andproliferationofspleenocytes,shiftingtheimmuneresponsetowardTh4-specificmediators.Thispeptide,likeotherendogenousopioids,playsasignificantroleinrewardandreinforcementsignaling,especiallyinbrainregionssuchastheventraltegmentalarea(VTA)andnucleusaccumbens(NAcc).β-Endorphinreleaseisinducedduringexerciseandshowsantidepressantactivityinclinicalstudies.