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Effect of beta-endorphin on the contractile responses in mouse skeletal muscle.

Tension development in response to direct and indirect electrical stimulation was studied in an isolated phrenic nerve hemidiaphragm preparation of the mouse. beta-Endorphin (beta-EP) caused an increase in the amplitude and a decrease in the time to peak of muscle contractions in response to low frequency stimulation of the nerve. Upon direct stimulation of the muscle the peptide had no effect. The actions of beta-EP were abolished in the presence of the opioid antagonist naloxone and mimicked by delta opioid agonists. Upon high frequency stimulation of the nerve, beta-EP caused an increase in the initial, maximum, and mean tension. It also prevented the fall in the final tension seen in the control preparations with repeated periods of stimulation. The findings are consistent with beta-EP having a role to improve neuromuscular function and delay fatigue, and indicate the possible therapeutic potential of opioid substances in conditions where muscle weakness is present.