In vivo microdialysis study on changes in septal dynorphin and β-endorphin activities in active and hibernating Columbian ground squirrels

State-dependent changes in extracellular concentration of endogenous opioids in the septum of Columbian ground squirrels were examined in the hibernating and euthermic states using in vivo microdialysis. The order of estimated extracellular concentration was found to be: hibernating > interbout euthermia > non-hibernating euthermia for dynorphin A and interbout euthermia > hibernating > non-hibernating euthermia for β-endorphin. The apparent turnover rates of dynorphin A during hibernation was 15 times greater than that during euthermic non-hibernation phase and that of β-endorphin was 8-fold greater. These results demonstrate that subfamilies of endogenous opioids may vary differentially in their activities at different stages of an annual hibernation cycle and may reflect their different roles in the regulation of hibernation.