Lack of stimulatory effect of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 on beta-endorphin and cortisol secretion.

The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D3 on beta-endorphin and cortisol secretion in vivo. beta-Endorphin, cortisol, calcium and phosphate in blood were measured in ten healthy unstressed volunteers before and after 4-day oral administration of 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D3 in doses of 3 micrograms/d. The biological effectiveness of the treatment was proved by a significant increase of calcemia as compared with control values (2.71 +/- 0.03 vs 2.57 +/- 0.02 mmol/l, mean +/- SE, p < 0.01) and phosphatemia (1.18 +/- 0.06 vs 0.89 +/- 0.01 mmol/l, p < 0.01). beta-Endorphin after treatment was 39.1 +/- 9.2 (vs 42.7 +/- 7.6) ng/l and cortisol 369 +/- 35 (vs 377 +/- 31) nmol/l. In conclusion, in spite of the good compliance of the treatment, 1,25 (OH)2-vitamin D3 stimulates neither beta-endorphin nor cortisol secretion in healthy subjects.