Effects of a low-phosphorus, low-nitrogen diet supplemented with essential amino acids and ketoanalogues on serum beta-endorphin in chronic renal failure.

The effects of a vegetarian low-protein, low-phosphorus diet supplemented with essential amino acids and ketoanalogues, on the serum beta-endorphin, growth hormone, parathyroid hormone, thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), pituitary TSH and total cortisol were studied in 12 male chronic uremics. beta-Endorphin decreased, as well as growth hormone. Parathyroid hormone and T3 improved significantly, reaching almost normal values. It is hypothesized that the correction of the beta-endorphin excess may account in part for the improvement of some endocrinological and metabolic effects exerted by this dietary treatment. The possible pathophysiological mechanisms which could explain the antiendorphinic action of this treatment in uremic patients are discussed, as well as the possible beneficial endocrine and metabolic effects exerted by the fall in circulating beta-endorphin.