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Background: beta-Endorphin is an endogenous opioid involved in the regulation of food intake and obesity as well as in insulin metabolism. In this study, we investigated glucose-induced beta-endorphin, insulin, and glucose responsiveness in morbidly obese patients and the effect of surgically induced weight loss., Methods: Thirty-two healthy, nondiabetic, morbidly obese patients (body mass index over 40 kg/m2) and 32 normal-weight controls were studied. Serum levels of beta-endorphin, insulin, and glucose were measured under basal conditions and during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) before and 12 months following vertical banded gastroplasty., Results: Preoperative basal levels of beta-endorphin, insulin, and glucose and their responses during OGTT in obese patients were significantly higher compared with those of controls. After surgery, basal beta-endorphin, insulin, and glucose levels decreased significantly compared with preoperative values. Postoperative basal insulin and glucose levels were similar to those in controls, while beta-endorphin levels remained significantly higher than those of controls. A significant reduction in total responses of beta-endorphin, insulin, and glucose during OGTT was also observed; however, postoperative beta-endorphin and insulin responses remained significantly higher than in controls., Conclusion: Morbidly obese patients have an increased glucose-stimulated response of beta-endorphin, insulin, and glucose which is partially corrected with weight loss following vertical banded gastroplasty., (Copyright 1998 Academic Press.)