Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P01189 (beta-endorphin)
 21,003 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Four tumors consisting of pituitary adenomatous cells (AD) intricated with ganglion cells (GC) were studied. Each case was associated with a different clinical syndrome: acromegaly, amenorrhea-galactorrhea, Cushing's disease and isolated tumoral syndrome with no hormonal hypersecretion. (a) In the case with acromegaly, immunoreactive growth hormone (IR-GH) was present in 80% of AD. IR-vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was found in 5%-10% of AD and in few GC. Rare GC and processes showed IR-GH-releasing hormone (GRH), -somatostatin (SRIH), -gonadotropin-releasing hormone and -adrenocorticotropin-releasing hormone. (b) In the case with amenorrhea-galactorrhea, IR-prolactin (PRL) was seen in 90% of AD. IR-PRL and -VIP were present in rare GC. (c) In the case with Cushing's disease, 60% of AD and very few GC contained IR-adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and beta-lipotropin. Rare GC processes contained IR-SRIH. (d) In the case without pituitary hormone hypersecretion, PRL was localized in rare AD and GC. Pituitary hormone and neuropeptides were never colocalized in the same cells. No case displayed IR-neurophysins or -thyroliberin. Pituitary hormones were localized by ultrastructural immunogold labeling. These findings show that: (i) in three cases, pituitary hormones (PRL and ACTH), and, in one case, VIP could be localized in both adenomatous and ganglion cells; (ii) the pituitary hormone-containing cells in the tumors could be related to the hypersecretory syndromes; (iii) intratumoral IR-VIP and -GRH might be involved in GH and PRL hypersecretion in the cases with acromegaly and amenorrhea-galactorrhea.
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PMID:Immunocytochemistry of four mixed pituitary adenomas and intrasellar gangliocytomas associated with different clinical syndromes: acromegaly, amenorrhea-galactorrhea, Cushing's disease and isolated tumoral syndrome. 292 94

Pituitary adenomas containing adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in one case, and ACTH, beta-lipotropin, and beta-endorphin in the other, were demonstrated in two patients who had amenorrhea-galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia with no manifestation of Cushing's disease. Neither adenoma contained prolactin (PRL). Initial bromocriptine therapy resulted in cessation of amenorrhea-galactorrhea and normalization of PRL levels. However, there was radiologic evidence of tumor enlargement in both patients. After pituitary adenomectomy, the two patients resumed regular menses and normal PRL dynamics. These patients illustrate the need for bromocriptine therapy for possible enlargement of their pituitary adenomas. The diagnosis of silent corticotroph adenoma should be kept in mind.
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PMID:Hyperprolactinemia associated with clinically silent adenomas: endocrinologic and pathologic studies; a report of two cases. 303 94

A pituitary mass was found at necropsy of a male Macaca mulatta. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were consistent with a chromophobe adenoma. Ultrastructural examination revealed the tumor to be comprised predominantly of sparsely granulated cells. The tumor cells were negative for prolactin, somatotropin, adrenocorticotropin, luteinizing hormone, and thyrotropin by the peroxidase anti-peroxidase method. Other major lesions were gynecomastia and galactorrhea, testicular atrophy, ankylosing spondylitis, and amyloid deposition in the liver, spleen, adrenal, and intestinal tract.
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PMID:A sparsely granulated, nonsecreting adenoma of the pars intermedia associated with galactorrhea in a male rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). 668 94

A case report is presented of the need for both bromocriptine and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) for induction of ovulation in a patient who developed partial hypopituitarism and persistent hyperprolactinemia even after a transsphenoidal pituitary microadenectomy. The patient, a 27-year old white female, initially presented in 1979 with a history of amenorrhea and galactorrhea after discontinuing oral contraceptives (OCs). Her menstrual cycles had been regular since her menarch at age 13 until she began taking OCs at age 20. Preoperative endocrine evaluation in 1979 revealed serum luteinizing hormone (LH), 9.1 mIU/ml; serum follicle stimulating hormore (FSH), 6.4 mIU/ml; serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), 3.8 mIU/ml; serum prolactine (PRL), 300 ng/ml; serum thyroxine (T4), 6.4 mcg/dl; and an attenuated PRL response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). Radiographic studies revealed a pituitary tumor of approximately 1 cm in diameter. In July 1979 a transsphenoidal hypophysectomy was performed. Pathologic examination revealed a pituitary adenoma with a monomorphic basophilic cell population with fibrosis and chronic inflammation. The patient required prednisone therapy postoperatively for 3 months secondary to compromised adrenal status. Prednisone therapy was discontinued in October 1979 after a normal cortisol (F) response to induced hypoglycemia was documented. The patient's serum PRL levels remained elevated at 111 ng/ml in August 1979 and 269 ng/ml in October 1979. Her amenorrhea and galactorrhea persisted. Bromocriptine therapy, 2.5 mg 3 times daily, was instituted in October 1979. She became normoprolactinemic, with a serum PRL of 6 ng/ml, and the galactorrhea disappeared but the amenorrhea persisted. In February 1981 she was referred for further consultation on her fertility status. Bromocriptine therapy was discontinued. In April 1981 she underwent a thorough endocrine evaluation. The results indicate that GnRH stimulation was unable to elicit a pituitary gonadotropin response anywhere near normal levels of FSH and LH, thus suggesting pituitary hypogonadotropism. Growth hormone release was subnormal in response to the insulin induced hypoglycemia and L-dopa ingestion. Hyperprolactinemia was obvious but the patient's serum TSH, T4, and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) levels were normal. A diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia with partial hypopituitarism and gonadotropin deficiency was made. Bromocriptine therapy was reinstituted at 2.5 mg twice daily in June 1981, with good results. In November 1981 her serum PRL was normal, and as she was desirous of pregnancy, ovulation induction with bromocriptine and Pergonal was carried out. The patient is now 6 months pregnant and doing well. This case illustrates the poor functional results for surgery for pituitary microplactinomas.
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PMID:Partial hypopituitarism and hyperprolactinemia: successful induction of ovulation with bromocriptine and human menopausal gonadotropins. 681 37

Diagnostic advances have resulted in earlier and more frequent recognition of pituitary tumors. Pituitary tumors cause problems owing to the hormones they secrete or the effects of an expanding sellar mass--hypopituitarism, visual field abnormalities, and neurologic deficits. Prolactin-secreting tumors (prolactinomas), which cause amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and hypogonadism, constitute the most common type of primary pituitary tumors, followed by growth hormone-secreting tumors, which cause acromegaly, and corticotropin-secreting tumors, which cause Cushing's syndrome. Hypersecretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone, the gonadotrophins, or alpha-subunits is unusual. Nonfunctional tumors currently represent only 10% of all clinically diagnosed pituitary adenomas, and some of these are alpha-subunit-secreting adenomas. Insights into the pathogenesis and biologic behavior of these usually benign tumors have been gained from genetic studies. We review some of the recent advances and salient features of the diagnosis and management of pituitary tumors, including biochemical and radiologic diagnosis, transsphenoidal surgery, radiation therapy, and medical therapy. Each type of lesion requires a comprehensive but individualized treatment approach, and regardless of the mode of therapy, careful follow-up is essential.
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PMID:Pituitary tumors. Current concepts in diagnosis and management. 774

A 27-yr-old woman was referred for evaluation of acromegaly and hyperprolactinemia. She had undergone left adrenalectomy at 12 and right adrenalectomy at 17 for Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocortical nodular hyperplasia. At this time a pituitary tumor was found by brain computerized tomography, but plasma levels of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) were normal. When she was 23, symptoms and signs of acromegaly and subsequently galactorrhea-amenorrhea had developed. Plasma GH and PRL were increased and she was followed up by the administration of bromocriptine (2.5 mg-12.5 mg/day, p.o.). However the plasma GH level had been increasing gradually. On admission, plasma GH and PRL were high (19.5 micrograms/L, 61.0 micrograms/L, respectively) and increased in response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH, 500 micrograms i.v.). An intrasella mass, which had been detected when she was 17, had become enlarged and was removed by Hardy's operation. Microscopically, the resected tumor was an eosinophilic adenoma. Immunohistochemical studies showed GH, PRL and ACTH positive cells localized in the tumor. Immunoultrastructural analysis of the tumor confirmed that GH, PRL and ACTH were present in secretory granules and Golgi apparatus in the tumor cells. The patient was a rare case of acromegaly with hyperprolactinemia developed after bilateral adrenalectomy of Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocortical nodular hyperplasia, all of which manifestations may be caused by a GH, PRL and ACTH secreting pituitary adenoma.
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PMID:Acromegaly with hyperprolactinemia developed after bilateral adrenalectomy in a patient with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocortical nodular hyperplasia. 795 91

Pituitary adenomas are a diverse group of benign neoplasms. The hormonally active tumours present with well-recognised syndromes and include acromegaly (growth hormone adenoma), Cushing's disease (corticotropin adenoma), and amenorrhea-galactorrhea (prolactin adenoma or prolactinomas). The hormonally inactive, or clinically non-secreting, adenomas generally come to clinical attention secondary to local mass effect or pituitary deficiency. With the exception of the prolactinomas, transsphenoidal surgery remains the first-line therapy for most pituitary adenomas. The current diagnosis and surgical management of pituitary adenomas is discussed.
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PMID:Surgical management of pituitary adenomas. 1238 Jul 32

Pituitary tumors, depending on their respective cell type, manifest various endocrinopathies. Prolactinomas may present as hypogonadism and galactorrhea and can be diagnosed by measuring morning prolactin levels. Gonadotropinomas rarely cause gonadal hyperstimulation, and dynamic thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation testing is often required to elicit a diagnostic gonadotropin and/or subunit secretory response. Acromegaly is a multisystemic debilitating disease for which early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Diagnostic criteria include a lack of plasma growth hormone suppression during the oral glucose tolerance test and elevation of age- and sex-matched insulin growth factor-1 levels. Patients harboring corticotropin-secreting adenomas characheristically present with signs and symptoms of hypercortisolism. Inferior petrosal sinus sampling for corticotropin may be required for microadenoma localization. Thyrotropinomas produce inappropriate thyrotropin (TSH) secretion and hyperthyroidism. The new third-generation TSH assay has improved the rate of detection of these lesions at an earlier stage.
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PMID:Pituitary tumor endocrinopathies and their endocrine evaluation. 1269 Sep 78

Bromocriptine, a dopamine D2 receptor agonist, is widely used for treating prolactinoma, Parkinson's disease and galactorrhea. However, the influence of bromocriptine on the endocrine system, especially adrenal function, is not clear. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of bromocriptine on corticosterone production in rats. Male rats were treated or not treated by bromocriptine (5 mg/kg, s.c.) twice per day for 2 days before decapitation. The adrenal zona fasciculata-reticularis cells were prepared and incubated with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), forskolin (an adenylyl cyclase activator), 8-bromo-adenosine 3':5' cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP, a membrane-permeable analogue of cAMP), and steroidogenic precursors including 25-OH-cholesterol and pregnenolone. The concentrations of prolactin, corticosterone and pregnenolone in the plasma and/or medium were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The protein expression of cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) enzyme and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) was analyzed by Western blotting. Administration of bromocriptine in vivo resulted in a decrease in the levels of plasma prolactin and corticosterone. Basal--and ACTH--as well as forskolin-stimulated corticosterone secretion by zona fasciculata-reticularis cells was also lower in bromocriptine-treated rats than in control animals. The decreased production of corticosterone in zona fasciculata-reticularis cells could be reversed by administration of 8-Br-cAMP. The corticosterone and pregnenolone release induced by 25-OH-cholesterol in zona fasciculata-reticularis cells was reduced by administration of bromocriptine. The protein expression of both StAR protein and P450scc in zona fasciculata-reticularis cells was inhibited in the bromocriptine-treated group. Administration of bromocriptine in vitro reduced the release of corticosterone stimulated by ACTH and forskolin in rat zona fasciculata-reticularis cells. These results suggested that bromocriptine caused adrenal dysfunction through inhibition of ACTH action and of the activity of adenylyl cyclase, and impaired the early steps of corticosterone biosynthesis.
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PMID:Inhibitory effects of bromocriptine on corticosterone secretion in male rats. 1274 21

Postburn galactorrhea, although relatively uncommon, is a complex problem to treat. Three of 25 female premenopausal patients who were admitted during the years 1995 to 2001 with more than 40% TBSA burns developed this problem. All three patients were obese according to body mass index and other clinical criteria. It was observed that the additional disturbance of equilibrium of hypothalamus because of burn injury, which is already disturbed as per se in obese patients, precipitates sustained release of prolactin, leading to galactorrhea. Hyperinsulinemia because of obesity and associated reactive metabolic response of burn trauma contribute to the stimulation of prolactin secretion and sustained hyperprolactinemia. Interestingly, our patients who developed postburn galactorrhea also developed refractory hypertrophic scars not readily amenable to preventive and conservative therapeutic treatment methods. The responsible factor for its development can be a rise in prolactin levels with interplay of other hormones, such as melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), from the anterior pituitary. Repeated serum prolactin measurements and early control of rising levels during the burn treatment, particularly in obese patients, are recommended. Early and vigorous measures to prevent scar hypertrophy also are advocated. In our study, we failed to correlate chest wall burns with galactorrhea.
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PMID:Postburn galactorrhea with refractory hypertrophic scars: role of obesity under scrutiny. 1461 Apr 25


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