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CA: a Cancer Journal For Clinicians 1976
Review
Topics: Adenoma; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Adult; Child; Craniopharyngioma; Female; Gonadotropins, Pituitary; Growth Hormone; Humans; Male; Pituitary Function Tests; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Pituitary Hormones; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Thyrotropin
PubMed: 186163
DOI: 10.3322/canjclin.26.6.330 -
Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology Jul 2023Hypothalamic melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons participate in many fundamental neuroendocrine processes. While some of their effects can be attributed to MCH... (Review)
Review
Hypothalamic melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons participate in many fundamental neuroendocrine processes. While some of their effects can be attributed to MCH itself, others appear to depend on co-released neurotransmitters. Historically, the subject of fast neurotransmitter co-release from MCH neurons has been contentious, with data to support MCH neurons releasing GABA, glutamate, both, and neither. Rather than assuming a position in that debate, this review considers the evidence for all sides and presents an alternative explanation: neurochemical identity, including classical neurotransmitter content, is subject to change. With an emphasis on the variability of experimental details, we posit that MCH neurons may release GABA and/or glutamate at different points according to environmental and contextual factors. Through the lens of the MCH system, we offer evidence that the field of neuroendocrinology would benefit from a more nuanced and dynamic interpretation of neurotransmitter identity.
Topics: Hypothalamic Hormones; Pituitary Hormones; Neurons; Melanins; Hypothalamus; Glutamic Acid; Neurotransmitter Agents; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
PubMed: 37149229
DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101069 -
Neurologia Medico-chirurgica 2014The treatment of functioning pituitary adenoma (FPA) must achieve endocrinological remission as well as tumor size reduction. The first-line treatment of FPA except... (Review)
Review
The treatment of functioning pituitary adenoma (FPA) must achieve endocrinological remission as well as tumor size reduction. The first-line treatment of FPA except prolactinoma is transsphenoidal surgery (TSS). Medical treatments and/or radiation will be applied as adjuvant therapies succeeding to TSS. In patients with prolactinoma, dopamine agonists, especially cabergoline, are quite efficient. Dopamine agonists decrease plasma prolactin levels and induce shrinkage in most patients and can be ceased in some of them. In patients with acromegaly, dopamine agonists, somatostatin analogues, and growth hormone receptor antagonist have been used as a monotherapy or the combination, and the high remission rate can be achieved. Pasireotide having high affinity to type 5 somatostatin receptors will be available for the patients presenting resistance against type 2 receptor agonists, such as octreotide and lanreotide. The preceding treatment with somatostatin analogues is beneficial for improving the success rate of TSS. The chimera compounds of somatostatin analogues and dopamine agonists have been investigated. The medical treatments of Cushing's disease are challenging, if TSS is not successful. To suppress ACTH secretion, dopamine agonists and somatostatin analogues have been examined, but neither came to show a sufficient effect. Pasireotide reduces urinary cortisol excretion with a high remission rate. Adrenal enzyme inhibitors (AEIs), such as metyrapone, can inhibit cortisol synthesis form adrenal glands promptly and sufficiently in most of patients. LCI699, a newly developed AEI, is more potent than metyrapone and will be available. We should use available medical treatments for improving the prognosis and quality of life.
Topics: Adenoma; Combined Modality Therapy; Pituitary Hormones; Pituitary Neoplasms
PubMed: 25446388
DOI: 10.2176/nmc.ra.2014-0239 -
TheScientificWorldJournal Jul 2007The aim of this clinical study was to determine whether there is a relationship between total serum testosterone, free testosterone, FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone),...
The aim of this clinical study was to determine whether there is a relationship between total serum testosterone, free testosterone, FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone), LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. We postulated that such a correlation existed then the use of hormone specific reference ranges might enhance the usefullness of PSA concentrations <2.5 ng/mL as a marker for prostate cancer. Prior to digital rectal examination, serum was obtained from all patients between 8.30-10:00 AM for hormone and PSA concentrations. The study was performed on 210 male patients >40 years of age visiting our urology outpatient clinics. PSA was correlated to age (r = 0.23, p = 0.019), but there none between serum testosterone and age. No significant correlation was noted between testosterone or free testosterone and serum PSA levels, and none between serum FSH or LH and PSA. In age specific reference groups (41-49; 50-59; 60-69 years), we found no significant correlation between PSA and hormone concentrations. In this population of eugonadal men with serum PSA values less than 2.5 ng/ml, serum androgens and pituitary hormones do not appear to correlate with serum PSA.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Androgens; Digital Rectal Examination; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Humans; Luteinizing Hormone; Male; Mass Screening; Medical Oncology; Middle Aged; Pituitary Hormones; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatic Neoplasms; Testosterone
PubMed: 17660883
DOI: 10.1100/tsw.2007.177 -
Nutrients Mar 2020Our aims were to investigate the presence of pituitary glycoprotein hormones in preterm and donor milk, and to examine the effects of Holder pasteurization and...
Our aims were to investigate the presence of pituitary glycoprotein hormones in preterm and donor milk, and to examine the effects of Holder pasteurization and refrigeration on the levels of these hormones. We measured follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in milk samples from mothers who delivered prematurely ( = 27) and in samples of mothers who delivered at term and donated milk to the Mother's Milk Bank of Iowa ( = 30). The gonadotropins and TSH were present in similar amounts within human milk produced for preterm and term infants. FSH increased 21% after refrigeration ( < 0.05), while LH declined by 39% ( < 0.05). Holder pasteurization decreased LH by 24% ( < 0.05) and increased TSH by 17% ( < 0.05). Holder pasteurization followed by refrigeration resulted in a 21% increase in FSH and a 41% decrease in LH (both < 0.05), resulting in more than a 3-fold increase in donor milk FSH:LH ratios ( < 0.05 versus fresh donor milk). Despite structural similarities, the gonadotropins are differentially impacted by Holder pasteurization and refrigeration, and this results in marked alterations in the relative amount of FSH and LH that may be administered to preterm infants, potentially swinging hormonal balance towards ovarian hyperstimulation in females and hypogonadism in males.
Topics: Food Analysis; Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit; Humans; Milk, Human; Pasteurization; Pituitary Hormones; Refrigeration
PubMed: 32143273
DOI: 10.3390/nu12030687 -
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Feb 2007The LHX3 and LHX4 LIM-homeodomain transcription factors play essential roles in pituitary gland and nervous system development. Mutations in the genes encoding these... (Review)
Review
The LHX3 and LHX4 LIM-homeodomain transcription factors play essential roles in pituitary gland and nervous system development. Mutations in the genes encoding these regulatory proteins are associated with combined hormone deficiency diseases in humans and animal models. Patients with these diseases have complex syndromes involving short stature, and reproductive and metabolic disorders. Analyses of the features of these diseases and the biochemical properties of the LHX3 and LHX4 proteins will facilitate a better understanding of the molecular pathways that regulate the development of the specialized hormone-secreting cells of the mammalian anterior pituitary gland.
Topics: Animals; Homeodomain Proteins; Humans; LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; Mutation; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary Hormones; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 17210222
DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2006.12.019 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Jul 2022Involvement of the pituitary gland in SARS-CoV-2 infection has been clinically suggested by pituitary hormone deficiency in severe COVID-19 cases, by altered serum...
CONTEXT
Involvement of the pituitary gland in SARS-CoV-2 infection has been clinically suggested by pituitary hormone deficiency in severe COVID-19 cases, by altered serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels in hospitalized patients, and by cases of pituitary apoplexy. However, the direct viral infection of the gland has not been investigated.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 genome and antigens could be present in pituitary glands of lethal cases of COVID-19, and to assess possible changes in the expression of immune-related and pituitary-specific genes.
METHODS
SARS-CoV-2 genome and antigens were searched in the pituitary gland of 23 patients who died from COVID-19 and, as controls, in 12 subjects who died from trauma or sudden cardiac death. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy were utilized. Levels of mRNA transcripts of immune-related and pituitary-specific genes were measured by the nCounter assay.
RESULTS
The SARS-CoV-2 genome and antigens were detected in 14/23 (61%) pituitary glands of the COVID-19 group, not in controls. In SARS-CoV-2-positive pituitaries, the viral genome was consistently detected by PCR in the adeno- and the neurohypophysis. Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the pituitary. Activation of type I interferon signaling and enhanced levels of neutrophil and cytotoxic cell scores were found in virus-positive glands. mRNA transcripts of pituitary hormones and pituitary developmental/regulatory genes were suppressed in all COVID-19 cases irrespective of virus positivity.
CONCLUSION
Our study supports the tropism of SARS-CoV-2 for human pituitary and encourages exploration of pituitary dysfunction after COVID-19.
Topics: COVID-19; COVID-19 Testing; Humans; Pituitary Hormones; RNA, Messenger; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35567590
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac312 -
Minerva Endocrinologica Dec 2004Pituitary tumors cause symptoms by secreting hormones (prolactin, PRL, responsible for amenorrhea-galactorrhea in women and decreased libido in men; growth hormone, GH,... (Review)
Review
Pituitary tumors cause symptoms by secreting hormones (prolactin, PRL, responsible for amenorrhea-galactorrhea in women and decreased libido in men; growth hormone, GH, responsible for acromegaly; adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH, responsible for Cushing's syndrome; thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH, responsible for hyperthyroidism), depressing the secretion of hormones (hypopituitarism), or by mass-related effects (headaches, visual field abnormalities...). All patients with pituitary tumors should be evaluated for gonadal, thyroid and adrenal function as well as PRL and GH secretion. Specific stimulation and suppression tests for pituitary hormones are performed in selected situations for detecting the type of hypersecretion or the response to treatment. Imaging procedures (mainly magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, nowadays) determine the presence, size and extent of the lesion. The classification of pituitary tumors is based on the staining properties of the cell cytoplasm viewed by light microscopy and immunocytochemistry revealing the secretory pattern of the adenoma. Treatment of pituitary adenomas consists of surgery (performed in more than 99% of cases via a transphenoidal route) and radiotherapy, generally fractionated or, in selected cases, using stereotactic techniques such as gamma-knife. The availability of medical treatment (dopamine, DA, agonists, somatostatin analogs, GH-receptor antagonists...) has profoundly modified the indications of radiotherapy, drugs being now generally used as a second-line treatment, after surgery (or even as first-line treatment). Based on the results of the different treatment modalities for each type of pituitary adenoma, recommendations will be proposed. They may be summarized as follows. For treatment of GH-secreting adenomas, trans-sphenoidal surgery is the first-line therapy except when the macroadenoma is giant or if surgery is contra-indicated; postoperative radiation therapy (fractionated, or by gamma-knife) is performed for partially resected tumors or when GH levels remain elevated (eventually after a trial of somatostatin analog). Somatostatin analogs, now available in slow release form, are proposed when surgery is contra-indicated, or has failed to normalize GH levels, or in waiting for the delayed effects of radiation therapy. If the probability of surgical cure is low (e.g. in patients with very large and/or invasive tumors), then somatostatin analogs may be reasonable primary therapeutic modality provided that the tumor does not threaten vision or neurological function. Pegvisomant, the new GH-receptor antagonist, is indicated in case of resistance to somatostatin analogs. Patients with PRL-secreting microadenomas may be treated either with trans-sphenoidal surgery or medically with DA agonists. In patients with macroadenomas, even in the presence of chiasmatic syndrome, DA agonists are now proposed as primary treatment. Indeed, effects on visual disturbances are often very rapid (within a few hours or days) and tumoral shrinkage is usually very significant. For patients with ACTH-secreting adenomas, primary therapy is generally trans-sphenoidal surgery by a skilled surgeon, whether or not a microadenoma is visible on MRI. Radiotherapy is reserved for patients who are subtotally resected or remain hyper-secretory after surgery. In waiting for the effects of radiotherapy, adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors (mitotane, ketoconazole) may be indicated. If drugs are not available or not tolerated, bilateral adrenalectomy may be proposed. For patients with clinically non functioning adenomas (generally gonadotropin-secreting adenomas on immunocytochemistry), trans-sphenoidal surgery with or without postoperative radiation therapy is performed for almost all patients whether or not they have visual consequences of their tumor. Selected patients with small, incidentally discovered microadenomas may be carefully followed without immediate therapy.
Topics: Adenoma; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Diagnosis, Differential; Dose Fractionation, Radiation; Female; Gamma Rays; Human Growth Hormone; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Membrane Proteins; Pituitary Hormones; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Radiosurgery; Sphenoid Sinus; Thyrotropin
PubMed: 15765032
DOI: No ID Found -
Sleep Dec 2013
Review
Topics: Animals; Humans; Hypothalamic Hormones; Hypothalamus; Melanins; Neurons; Pituitary Hormones; Sleep
PubMed: 24293745
DOI: 10.5665/sleep.3186 -
Journal of Neuroendocrinology Feb 2013Normal anterior pituitary function is essential for fertility. Release from the gland of the reproductive hormones luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone...
Normal anterior pituitary function is essential for fertility. Release from the gland of the reproductive hormones luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone is regulated primarily by hypothalamically-derived gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), although other releasing factors (RF) have been postulated to exist. Using a bioinformatic approach, we have identified a novel peptide, phoenixin, that regulates pituitary gonadotrophin secretion by modulating the expression of the GnRH receptor, an action with physiologically relevant consequences. Compromise of phoenixin in vivo using small interfering RNA resulted in the delayed appearance of oestrus and a reduction in GnRH receptor expression in the pituitary. Phoenixin may represent a new class of hypothalamically-derived pituitary priming factors that sensitise the pituitary to the action of other RFs, rather than directly stimulating the fusion of secretary vesicles to pituitary membranes.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Cells, Cultured; Cloning, Molecular; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Fertility Agents; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Hypothalamic Hormones; Luteinizing Hormone; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Peptide Hormones; Pituitary Hormones; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reproduction; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
PubMed: 22963497
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2012.02381.x