Long-term in-vitro treatment of human growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenoma cells with octreotide causes accumulation of intracellular GH and GH mRNA levels

OBJECTIVE

We studied the effects of long-term in-vitro exposure of human GH secreting pituitary adenoma cells to octreotide on GH release, intracellular GH concentrations and GH messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels.

DESIGN

Human GH-secreting pituitary adenoma cells were cultured for periods from 4 days up to 3 weeks without or with octreotide (10 nM) and/or bromocriptine (10 nM). The effects of these drugs were measured on GH release, intracellular GH concentrations and intracellular GH mRNA levels.

PATIENTS

Thirteen patients with GH-secreting pituitary adenomas were studied. Twelve patients were untreated, one had been pretreated with octreotide (12 weeks, 3 x 100 micrograms daily).

MEASUREMENTS

GH, PRL, alpha-subunit and IGF-I concentrations in plasma, media and cell extracts were determined by immunoradiometric or radioimmuno-assays. GH mRNA levels were determined by automatic quantification of grain numbers in individual adenoma cells.

RESULTS

Incubation of the adenoma cells for 4 days with 10 nM octreotide induced a dose-dependent inhibition of GH release and a parallel increase (increase varying between 124 and 617% of control) in the intracellular GH levels was observed in six of seven adenomas. In addition, bromocriptine, when effective in inhibiting GH release by the adenomas, also induced an increase in intracellular GH levels. Even after 3 weeks of exposure to 10 nM octreotide in vitro there was a statistically significant increase in intracellular GH levels (between 191 and 923% of control). Withdrawal of octreotide after 6 days of incubation resulted in a lowering of intracellular GH levels to control values, showing that the octreotide-induced increase in intracellular GH is reversible. In a 96-hour incubation with 10 nM octreotide, GH mRNA levels were increased in two, and slightly decreased in one of the three adenomas tested. This effect was time dependent in that there was no significant effect of 10 nM octreotide on GH mRNA levels in a 24-hour incubation.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) Long-term in-vitro exposure of GH-adenoma cells to octreotide causes an increase in intracellular GH levels in the majority of the adenomas, probably because of an increase in GH mRNA levels in the adenoma cells; and (2) this considerable increase in intracellular GH levels may be one of the explanations for the relatively poor effect of octreotide on tumour shrinkage in patients with GH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

Dissociation of antiproliferative and antihormonal effects of the somatostatin analog octreotide on 7315b pituitary tumor cells

The somatostatin (SS) analog octreotide has been successfully used in the treatment of (neuro)endocrine tumors. The mechanism of action of the tumor (growth) inhibitory action by octreotide is not fully understood. We have investigated the effect of octreotide on 7315b rat pituitary tumor cell growth, PRL release, and intracellular PRL concentrations in vitro. When cultured in medium with 10% fetal calf serum, the number of high affinity SS receptors increased with increasing culture time. On days 7, 14, and 21 of culture, the number of SS receptors amounted to 978 +/- 217, 3588 +/- 705, and 5865 +/- 3332 fmol/mg protein, respectively, whereas they were not measurable on day 0. From days 0-7, 7-14, and 14-21 of culture, octreotide (1 pM to 1 microM) inhibited PRL release and the intracellular PRL concentration, with IC50 values in the nanomolar range. However, no inhibition of cell growth was observed by these octreotide concentrations from day 0-7 of culture, while octreotide inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent fashion from days 7-14 and 14-21 of culture (maximal inhibition by 25% and 26%, respectively). In a series of nine consecutive experiments we found a significant positive correlation between the percent inhibition of cell growth induced by 1 microM octreotide and the number of SS receptors on 7315b cells (r = 0.7865; P = 0.012). Inhibition of PRL release did not correlate with SS receptor numbers. Octreotide (1 microM) inhibited forskolin (0.5 microM)-stimulated cell growth and intracellular PRL concentrations, while in the presence of a high concentration of forskolin (10 microM), octreotide had no effect on forskolin-stimulated cell growth and intracellular PRL concentrations. In addition, its PRL release inhibitory effect was significantly lower in forskolin-stimulated cultures. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (10 micrograms/liter) completely prevented the inhibition of cell growth by octreotide and diminished the inhibitory effect of octreotide on PRL release. Finally, 1 microM octreotide significantly inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP production (by 29% and 53% on days 7 and 14 of culture, respectively). We conclude that 1) octreotide inhibits 7315b rat pituitary tumor cell proliferation via a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein- and adenylate cyclase-dependent mechanism; and 2) the number of SS receptors on 7315b pituitary tumor cells may determine whether octreotide exerts a direct antiproliferative effect, whereas its antihormonal effect occurs in the presence of relatively low numbers of SS receptors. This suggests a dissociation of the antiproliferative and antihormonal effects induced by octreotide.

The interrelationship between the anti-mitotic action of the somatostatin analog octreotide and that of cytostatic drugs and suramin

In the present study we used the model of cultured somatostatin-receptor-positive prolactin (PRL)-secreting rat pituitary tumor cells to investigate the possible interrelationships between the anti-mitotic and hormone-release-inhibitory effects of the somatostatin analog octreotide (SMS 201-955) and the effects of vincristine, methotrexate, fluouracil and suramin. Dose-dependent inhibitory effects of all compounds were shown both on the DNA content and on PRL release. Octreotide and these cytostatic compounds were slightly additive in their anti-proliferative and anti-secretory effects. The somatostatin analog did not alter drug sensitivity in these tumor cells, however. The data obtained in this tumor model suggest that octreotide can be effectively administered in combination with cytostatic drugs and/or suramin.

[111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide, a potential radiopharmaceutical for imaging of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors: synthesis, radiolabeling and in vitro validation

Somatostatin receptor-positive human tumors can be detected using radioiodinated analogues of somatostatin, both in vitro and in vivo. [123I-Tyr3]-octreotide has been successfully used in the visualization of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors by gamma camera scintigraphy, but this radiopharmaceutical has some major drawbacks, which can be overcome with other radionuclides such as 111In. As starting material for a potentially convenient radiopharmaceutical, a diethylenetriaminopentaacetic acid (DTPA) conjugated derivative of octreotide (SMS 201-995) was prepared. This peptide, [DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide (SDZ 215-811) binds more than 95% of added 111In in an easy, single-step labeling procedure without necessity of further purification. The specific somatostatin-like biologic effect of these analogues was proven by the inhibition of growth hormone secretion by cultured rat pituitary cells in a dose-dependent fashion by octreotide, [DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide and non-radioactive [115In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide. The binding of [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide to rat brain cortex membranes proved to be displaced similarly by natural somatostatin as well as by octreotide, suggesting specific binding of [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide to somatostatin receptors. The binding of the indium-labeled compound showed a somewhat lower affinity when compared with the iodinated [Tyr3]-octreotide, but indium-labeled [DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide still binds with nanomolar affinity. In conjunction with in vivo studies, these results suggest that [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide is a promising radiopharmaceutical for scintigraphic imaging of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors.

The relationship between growth hormone (GH) messenger ribonucleic acid levels and hormone release from individual cells derived from human GH-secreting pituitary adenomas

GH mRNA expression and GH release by individual cells derived from four GH-secreting pituitary adenomas were studied by in-situ hybridization and the reverse haemolytic plaque assay, respectively. In addition the percentage of PRL mRNA-containing cells was determined in these cell suspensions. The percentages of GH mRNA-containing cells varied between 52 and 89 while the percentages of GH plaque forming cells varied between 25 and 77. Frequency distributions of GH mRNA levels in individual cells and of individual GH plaque areas showed a majority of the cells having low GH mRNA levels and secreting low amounts of GH respectively, while there is a low proportion of cells expressing high GH mRNA levels and forming large GH plaques. There was a significant correlation between the GH mRNA levels and the GH plaque areas of individual cells from the four adenomas (P less than 0.001). The percentages of PRL mRNA-containing cells in the four different adenomas amounted to less than 1, 5, 2 and 18. Cultured cells from the adenomas consisting of 5 and 18% PRL mRNA-containing cells also contained and released measurable amounts of PRL. Our data show that individual cells from GH-secreting pituitary adenomas are heterogeneous with respect to GH mRNA expression, a small proportion of the cells expressing a high amount of GH mRNA. The heterogeneity in GH mRNA expression is correlated with the heterogeneity in GH release. These observations suggest that a considerable part of GH secreted from a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma is produced by a minority of the GH-secreting tumour cell population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Desensitization and resensitization of rat pituitary tumor cells in long-term culture to the effects of the somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 on cell growth and prolactin secretion

Cultured cells, prepared from the transplantable rat prolactin (rPRL)-secreting rat pituitary tumor 7315b were found to be inhibited in a dose-dependent way in their cell growth and hormone secretion by the somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 (Sandostatin). In short-term (1 week) experiments these effects were not time dependent and of similar magnitude (an inhibition of approximately 50% at 100 nM SMA 201-995) both for the rate of rPRL secretion and for the rate of incorporation of tritiated thymidine into the tumor cells. When freshly isolated 7315b cells were used for long-term experiments (38 days), continuous exposure to SMS 201-995 at all concentrations tested (0.1 nM, 10 nM, and 1 microM) resulted in desensitization of the cells to the peptide with respect to rPRL secretion. Using a stable cell line derived from the long-term experiment and designated 7315c, we show that (a) long-term exposure of 7315c cells to SMS 201-995 leads to loss of sensitivity with respect to both rPRL secretion and cell growth, (b) this loss of sensitivity is accompanied by complete disappearance of the somatostatin receptors from the cells, (c) withdrawal of treatment from desensitized cells leads to reappearance of receptors and of sensitivity to SMS 201-995, showing that selection for a non-receptor-bearing population was not the cause of desensitization, and (d) since these experiments were carried out with a pure population of 7315c cells the effects of SMS 201-995 are direct effects on these cells and not effects mediated by other cell or organ systems.

Bromocriptine increasingly suppresses the in vitro gonadotropin and alpha-subunit release from pituitary adenomas during long term culture

Prolonged treatment with bromocriptine may lead to a decrease in tumor size in patients with a gonadotroph, alpha-subunit-secreting, or clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma. The effectiveness of the treatment, however, may depend on its duration. We investigated the effects of prolonged incubation with bromocriptine on the release and intracellular hormone and alpha-subunit concentrations in 10 such adenomas in vitro. The release of FSH, LH, alpha-subunit, or a combination of these was demonstrated in 7 tumors. Bromocriptine significantly suppressed this release in 6 tumors. In 5 tumors bromocriptine had an inhibitory effect on gonadotropin and/or alpha-subunit release which increased with duration of culture. Withdrawal of bromocriptine during the culture period led to a recovery of gonadotropin or alpha-subunit release in the 2 tumors in which it was tested. Intracellular hormone and alpha-subunit concentrations in 3 of 4 tumors cultured for 4 or more weeks were significantly lower in bromocriptine-treated than in untreated cells. We conclude that 1) bromocriptine can suppress the in vitro release of gonadotropins and alpha-subunit from the majority of clinically nonfunctioning, gonadotroph, and alpha-subunit-secreting pituitary adenomas; 2) during prolonged incubation of these tumors with bromocriptine, this drug has a time-dependent increasing inhibitory effect on the release and synthesis of gonadotropins and alpha-subunit, which eventually may lead to decreased intracellular concentrations of these glycoproteins.

Parallel in vivo and in vitro detection of functional somatostatin receptors in human endocrine pancreatic tumors: consequences with regard to diagnosis, localization, and therapy

The effects of octreotide in vivo and in vitro on hormone release, in vivo [123I]Tyr3-octreotide scanning, and in vitro [125I]Tyr3-octreotide autoradiography were compared in five patients with endocrine pancreatic tumors. [123I]Tyr3-octreotide scanning localized the primary tumor and/or previously unknown metastases in four of the five patients. The patient with a negative scan had an insulinoma that did not respond to octreotide in vivo. No Tyr3-octreotide-binding sites were subsequently found at autoradiography of the tumor, whereas somatostatin-14 receptors were present at a high density. In parallel, culture studies with the cells prepared from this adenoma showed that insulin release was not affected by octreotide, while both somatostatin-14 and -28 significantly suppressed hormone release. Culture studies of the tumor cells from two gastrinomas showed a dose-dependent inhibition of gastrin release by octreotide. Octreotide exerted direct antiproliferative effects in one of these gastrinomas, which had been shown to be rapidly growing in vivo. Both gastrinomas had specific somatostatin receptors, as measured by in vitro receptor autoradiography. Somatostatin release by the cultured somatostatinoma cells from one of these patients was suppressed by octreotide. In conclusion, 1) the [123I]Tyr3-octreotide scanning procedure is valuable in the localization of primary endocrine pancreatic tumors as well their often clinically not yet recognized metastases; 2) the in vitro detection of somatostatin receptors in those tumors that were also visualized in vivo after injection of [123I] Tyr3-octreotide indicates that the ligand binding to the tumor in vivo indeed represents binding to specific somatostatin receptors; and 3) the parallel between the presence of somatostatin receptors on tumors and in in vivo and in vitro effects of octreotide on hormonal release from these tumors indicate that a positive scan predicts a good suppressive effect of octreotide on hormonal hypersecretion by these tumors.

Effects of suramin on hormone release by cultured rat anterior pituitary cells

Suramin is a polyanionic compound which has been used in the treatment of trypanosomiasis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), while preliminary success has been reported in the treatment of cancer. However, suramin also causes adrenal insufficiency. We have previously reported that suramin selectively inhibited corticotropin (ACTH)-stimulated corticosterone release by dispersed adrenal cells in a dose-dependent manner via a direct interaction with the ACTH molecule. The present study was undertaken in order to investigate the effect of suramin on hormone release by dispersed rat anterior pituitary cells. Suramin at a concentration of 100 microM inhibited both basal and secretagogue-stimulated ACTH release by cells cultured in minimal essential medium (MEM) only, while it had no effect on ACTH release by cells cultured in MEM + 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) or MEM + 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA). In addition, suramin also caused a parallel decrease of prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) release by cells cultured in MEM only, suggesting a toxic, rather than a selective effect of suramin on anterior pituitary cells cultured in MEM only. In addition, suramin potentiated the effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on PRL release by cells cultured in MEM + 10% FCS and suppressed the inhibitory effect of dopamine (DA) on PRL release by cells cultured in MEM + 10% FCS and in MEM + 0.1% BSA. Comparable suppressive effects of suramin on growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)-stimulated and somatostatin (SRIH)-inhibited GH release were found in cells cultured in MEM + 0.1% BSA but not in cells cultured in MEM + 10% FCS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The in vitro and in vivo effects of human growth hormone administration on tumor growth of rats bearing a transplantable rat pituitary tumor (7315b)

The direct effects of human GH and IGF-I on PRL secretion and cell proliferation were studied on PRL secreting rat pituitary tumor 7315b cells in vitro, as well as the effects in vivo of human GH administration on body weight, IGF-I levels and tumor size in rats bearing this transplantable tumor. In the in vitro studies IGF-I levels above 5 nM stimulated PRL release in a dose-dependent manner while GH, in concentrations of 0.23-45 nM, did not affect PRL release. Cell proliferation was stimulated by IGF-I in a dose-dependent manner from 0.5 nM onwards, while GH did not have an effect. The in vivo studies showed that 1 mg GH/rat/day prevented tumor-induced cachexia and normalized the suppressed IGF-I levels without stimulating tumor growth. It is concluded that tumor-induced cachexia can be prevented by exogenous GH administration without an increase in tumor mass, even if a tumor model is used whose cultured tumor cells respond to exposure to IGF-I with a mitotic response.

Long-term culture of rat mammotrope and somatotrope subpopulations separated on continuous Percoll density gradients: effects of dopamine, TRH, GHRH and somatostatin

Normal adult female rat mammotrope and somatotrope subpopulations were separated on continuous Percoll density gradients according to differences in their density. Viable cells were recovered in 16 fractions. The cells from each fraction were cultured during 7 days after which period 4-h incubations were performed. rPRL secretion per cell increased towards the higher density fractions. No major difference in TRH, dopamine and somatostatin responsiveness was observed between mammotropes that were recovered in the different gradient fractions. In addition, no differences in somatostatin responsiveness between the somatotrope cells in the different gradient fractions were observed. However, somatotropes that were recovered in the highest density region of the gradient appeared to be more responsive to GHRH than the lower density somatotropes. In the various gradient fractions there were no paradoxical effects of TRH and dopamine on rGH release and of GHRH on rPRL release.

CONCLUSIONS

1. In long-term cultures there is no evidence for functionally different subpopulations of mammotropes and somatotropes, separated according to differences in their density, with regard to dopamine and TRH responsiveness and with regard to somatostatin responsiveness, respectively. 2. There is no evidence for a (mammosomatotrope?) subpopulation of cells showing paradoxical responses of PRL or GH release to GHRH and dopamine or TRH, respectively.

The effect of clozapine on prolactin secretion at the level of the lactotroph

Clozapine is an antipsychotic drug which is unusual in that it has no dopamine receptor-blocking activity. Previous studies gave conflicting results whether administration of clozapine induces hyperprolactinemia. In the present study it was shown that a wide concentration range of clozapine does not interfere with dopamine-mediated inhibition of prolactin (PRL) secretion by normal cultured rat pituitary cells. This in contrast to other neuroleptics, like haloperidol and trifluoperazine. Clozapine does also not antagonize norepinephrine-mediated inhibition of PRL secretion. Clozapine exerts at micromolar concentrations a direct inhibitory action on PRL release by cultured normal rat pituitary cells. In cultured rat pituitary tumor cells, these high concentrations of clozapine directly inhibit PRL release as well as the DNA content of the cells, suggesting a direct antimitotic action. In this model clozapine was about 5-10 times less potent than trifluperazine. Clozapine and trifluoperazine exert an additive inhibitory action both on PRL release and on the DNA content of the pituitary tumor cells. It is concluded that clozapine does not interfere at the pituitary level with dopamine-mediated inhibition of PRL release. At micromolar concentrations clozapine may act on lactotrophs as a calmodulin-inhibitor. These observations suggest that the transient PRL-releasing effects which have been observed in both animal and human studies after clozapine administration are mediated via supra-pituitary actions of the drug.

Percoll density gradient centrifugation of rat pituitary tumor cells: a study of functional heterogeneity within and between tumors with respect to growth rates, prolactin production and responsiveness to the somatostatin analog SMS 201-995

Tumor cells prepared from PRL-secreting rat pituitary 7315b tumors of increasing weight were separated on continuous Percoll density gradients, according to differences in their density. Whether the cell subpopulations obtained by density gradient separation showed differences in protein content per cell, PRL production per cell, growth rates and responsiveness to the somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 in vitro was investigated. In addition, we studied PRL release by individual 7315b tumor cells, using the reverse hemolytic plaque assay (RHPA). The tumor cells from tumors of increasing weight were recovered within a narrow density range (1.060-1.070 g/ml) and showed a normal distribution profile. There were no differences between the subpopulations with respect to the parameters mentioned above. Moreover, no differences were found with respect to these parameters between tumor cells derived from tumors of increasing weight. In agreement with the above data we found no evidence for subtype of adenoma cells being preferentially responsive to SMS 201-995, using the RHPA.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) the transplantable PRL-secreting rat pituitary tumor 7315b consists of a functionally homogeneous cell population; (2) growth of this tumor in vivo does not lead to the induction of functionally heterogeneous cell subpopulations within this tumor; (3) the escape of this tumor from the tumor growth-inhibitory effect of SMS 201-995, which has previously been demonstrated in vivo, may not have been the result of clonal selection of somatostatin-unresponsive cells.

Heterogeneity of pituitary adenoma cell subpopulations from acromegalic patients obtained by Percoll density gradient centrifugation

Pituitary adenoma cells from 6 acromegalic patients were separated on continuous Percoll density gradients according to differences in their density. Two adenomas produced GH only in culture, the other 4 adenomas produced either GH and PRL (one adenoma) or GH and alpha-subunit (one adenoma) or GH, PRL and alpha-subunit (2 adenomas). The cell subpopulations obtained by this technique differed in the amount of hormone production per 10(5) cells: GH release decreased from the low density fractions to the higher density fractions in 5 of 6 adenomas. Intracellular GH levels completely followed this profile. In the mixed GH/alpha-subunit adenomas the alpha-subunit profile completely paralleled the GH profile, whereas in the mixed GH/PRL adenomas the PRL profile showed a pattern different from that of GH (and alpha-subunit). In neither of the adenomas did we find any differences between the subpopulations with respect to the responsiveness of GH, PRL or alpha-subunit release to GHRH, TRH and the somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Within pituitary adenomas from acromegalic patients heterogeneity exists with respect to hormone production per cell. 2. The cell subpopulations obtained by density gradient centrifugation are not different in their responsiveness to SMS 201-995, GHRH or TRH. 3. Because GH and alpha-subunit release by the fractions from the mixed GH/alpha-subunit secreting adenomas were completely parallel, further evidence for co-release of GH and alpha-subunit by the same tumoural cells is provided.

Glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit and prolactin release by cultured pituitary adenoma cells from acromegalic patients: correlation with GH release

In-vitro data of pituitary adenoma cells from 28 acromegalic patients were evaluated. In addition to GH, PRL was produced by 16 adenomas (57%) and alpha-subunit by 15 adenomas (54%) while there was a significantly higher incidence of tumours producing PRL and alpha-subunit simultaneously. From 26 pituitary adenomas enough cells were obtained in order to perform secretion studies. Percentage basal hormone release (medium: (medium + intracellular hormone)) x 100% of GH and alpha-subunit by 11 adenomas showed a close correlation while such a correlation for GH and PRL was present only in a subgroup of 10 of 13 adenomas. The responses of GH and alpha-subunit release to 10nM SMS201-995, 10nM bromocriptine, 100 nM TRH and 10nM GHRH were closely related in that a response or an absent response of GH release to the four secretagogues was virtually always attended with a response or an absent response respectively of alpha-subunit release. Such a relationship was less evident with respect to the effects of SMS201-995, bromocriptine. TRH and GHRH on GH and PRL release. We conclude that basal and secretagogue-induced alpha-subunit release by cultured pituitary adenoma cells from acromegalic patients closely follows the pattern of GH release while such a relationship for GH and PRL is present only in a subgroup of the adenomas secreting GH and PRL simultaneously.

Heterogeneity of growth hormone (GH) release by individual pituitary adenoma cells from acromegalic patients, as determined by the reverse hemolytic plaque assay: effects of SMS 201-995, GH-releasing hormone and thyrotropin-releasing hormone

We used the reverse hemolytic plaque assay to study the dynamics of GH secretion by individual pituitary adenoma cells from eight acromegalic patients. There was a considerable variation between the adenomas with respect to the percentages of GH-secreting cells (25-78.5%) and also with respect to the amount of GH released per individual pituitary adenoma cell (mean plaque areas varying from 901-3559 micron 2). The GH plaque area frequency distributions from the adenoma cells were not normally distributed, but revealed a preponderance of small plaques, defined as those with areas smaller than the mean plaque area. The large plaques, that is those with areas larger than the mean plaque area, constituted 24-38% of the total cell population from different tumors and accounted for a large fraction (63-80%) of the total plaque area (the total amount of GH released by the adenoma cells). The somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 caused a shift in the GH plaque area frequency distributions toward smaller plaques, but had no effect on the overall percentages of GH plaque-forming cells in three of the five adenomas in which it was studied. This finding suggests that the adenoma cells from these patients that formed large plaques were preferentially inhibited by SMS 201-995. GHRH (studied in two adenomas) and TRH (studied in one adenoma) had no preferential effect on any subpopulation of adenoma cells. We conclude that GH secretion by individual somatotroph adenoma cells is highly variable both within and between adenomas and that SMS 201-995 has a preferential inhibitory effect on a subpopulation of adenoma cells in some adenomas.

The interrelationship between the effects of insulin-like growth factor I and somatostatin on growth hormone secretion by normal rat pituitary cells: the role of glucocorticoids

Both insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and somatostatin (SRIH) have been shown to directly inhibit GH release and the total GH content of cultured pituitary cells. In the present study we evaluated the interrelationship between the effects of a recombinant human IGF-I analog ([Thr59]IGF-I) and SRIH on GH release by cultured normal rat pituitary cells together with the effects of glucocorticoids. In all experiments anterior pituitary cells were preincubated for 24 h without or with IGF-I, SRIH, and/or dexamethasone. Thereafter, 24-h incubations without or with IGF-I, dexamethasone, SRIH, and GHRH were performed. Both IGF-I and SRIH inhibited basal and GHRH-stimulated GH release in a dose-dependent manner; the maximal inhibitory concentrations were 5 nM IGF-I and 10 nM SRIH. These concentrations inhibited basal and GHRH-stimulated GH release by 23% and 40% (IGF-I) and 80% and 85% (SRIH), respectively. The combination of IGF-I and low concentrations of SRIH exerted an additive inhibitory effect on GHRH-stimulated GH release; IGF-I (1 nM) and SRIH (10 pM) together inhibited GH release by 50%, while the maximal inhibitory concentrations of 5 nM IGF-I and 10 nM SRIH virtually completely inhibited GH release (by 93%). Preincubation with 5 and 100 nM dexamethasone attenuated the sensitivity of somatotrophs to SRIH and completely abolished the inhibitory effects of IGF-I. This effect of dexamethasone could be reversed by coincubation with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU 38486. High concentrations of 5-10 nM of the recombinant human IGF-I analog stimulated PRL cell content (5 and 10 nM) and release (10 nM), while a purified IGF-I preparation extracted from human blood exerted a parallel inhibitory effect on GH and PRL release. We conclude that 1) IGF-I and SRIH exert an additive direct inhibitory effect on basal and GHRH-stimulated GH secretion by normal cultured pituitary cells; 2) glucocorticoids directly attenuate the sensitivity of somatotrophs to SRIH, but completely prevent the inhibitory effects of IGF-I on GH secretion; and 3) in contrast to a purified IGF-I preparation extracted from human blood (which inhibits GH and PRL release) high concentrations of the recombinant IGF-I preparation (which inhibit GH release) stimulate PRL production.

Weak estrogenic activity of phenol red in the culture medium: its role in the study of the regulation of prolactin release in vitro

Phenol red, which is commonly used in culture media as a pH indicator, has recently been shown to possess estrogenic properties. In this study we investigated the effects of phenol red on prolactin release and synthesis by cultured female and male rat anterior pituitary cells and on the sensitivity of these cells of dopamine, TRH and somatostatin (SRIF). It was shown that phenol red stimulated rat prolactin release and cell content in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of 30 microM phenol red, which is the medium concentration in our regular culture medium, and a submaximally active concentration of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) were additive. Male rat pituitary cells were far more responsive to phenol red and also to E2 than female pituitary cells. The antiestrogen tamoxifen (100 nM) significantly inhibited the phenol red-stimulated prolactin release by male rat pituitary cells but caused a 2-fold increase of prolactin release in the absence of phenol red. 30 microM phenol red did not modulate the responsiveness of female and male rat lactotrophs to dopamine, TRH or SRIF. We propose from our results that the estrogenic effect of 30 microM phenol red is too weak in order to alter the responsiveness of rat lactotrophs to dopamine, TRH and SRIF but the presence of phenol red in culture media should be considered when the effects of estrogens and antiestrogens on rat prolactin release and synthesis in vitro are studied.