Antioxidative mechanisms and plasma growth hormone levels: potential relationship in the aging process

Factors affecting longevity are complex and poorly understood. We have recently found that Ames dwarf mice (df/df), which are deficient in growth hormone (GH), prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone, live significantly longer than their normal siblings whereas transgenic mice that overexpress GH exhibit reduced life-spans and various indices of premature aging. The production of reactive oxygen species increases with aging and is associated with DNA damage to the tissues. However, several cellular oxygen scavenging/detoxifying systems exist that improve the antioxidative defense capacity of cells. We evaluated the activity of enzymes involved in this defense system in liver, kidney, and heart tissue from dwarf, phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxykinase-bovine GH transgenic, and corresponding groups of normal mice. Liver glutathione and ascorbate levels were lower (p < 0.0025) in dwarf animals compared to normal and GH transgenic mice. By contrast, the level of catalase activity, which detoxifies hydrogen peroxide, in dwarf liver and kidney was significantly higher when compared to the other groups. Animals deficient in GH (dwarf) live longer and exhibit enzyme activities and levels that may combat oxidative stress more efficiently than normal mice and those overexpressing GH.

Influence of age and photoperiod on steroidogenic function of the testis in the golden hamster

The golden (Syrian) hamster is a seasonal breeder, and exposure of adult animals to short days results in severe gonadal regression with morphological features that resemble the immature testis. The purpose of this study was to investigate testicular steroidogenic capacity in the golden hamster and to analyse the influence of age and photoperiod on this process. Hamsters aged 36 days were maintained on a long photoperiod (14L:10D), and adult animals were then exposed to a long or a short photoperiod (6L:18D) for 14 weeks (the period of time required to achieve maximal gonadal regression), to assess circulating levels and in vitro production of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol. In peripubertal hamsters, androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol was the main circulating androgen detected, whereas in active adult animals, testosterone showed the highest serum levels. In hamsters exposed to a short photoperiod, blood testosterone levels were significantly lower than levels in adult hamsters exposed to a long photoperiod. Exposure of adult hamsters to a short photoperiod produced a marked reduction in serum concentrations of dihydrotestosterone and androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol, which was not accompanied by a decrease in testicular 5 alpha-reductase activity. In the in vitro experiments, active adult testes were less sensitive than inactive adult testes to stimulation of androgen production with hCG, but showed similar sensitivity to the gonads from hamsters aged 36 days. In accordance with circulating androgen concentrations, the principal androgens produced in the in vitro assays from peripubertal and normal adult testes were androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol and testosterone, respectively. Unexpectedly, the main androgen produced from regressed testes under in vitro conditions was androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol. Inactive gonads released more androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol than did normal adult testes and total in vitro androgen production (testosterone + dihydrotestosterone + androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol) from adult testes was not diminished by exposure to a short photoperiod. However, in spite of the significant increase detected in production of androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol in vitro from regressed testes, inactive gonads produced less androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol than did peripubertal testes. In summary, our studies suggest that testicular androgen biosynthetic capacity in adult hamsters exposed to short photoperiod is not reduced and these regressed testes represent an intermediate physiological state between peripubertal and active adult testes. The significant decrease detected in serum androgen concentrations during the involution phase could result from the absence of stimulating pituitary factors, together with a negative regulation of steroidogenesis by different non-steroidal signals originating within and/or outside of the testis.

Transgenic mice overexpressing the growth-hormone-releasing hormone gene have high concentrations of tachykinins in the anterior pituitary gland

According to recent reports, substance P (SP) is localized in the anterior pituitary gland within subsets of thyrotropes and somatotropes, although earlier electron-microscopic studies described the presence of this tachykinin in mammotropes and gonadotropes. Transgenic mice overexpressing the growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) gene have markedly enlarged pituitary glands, due to hyperstimulation of the somatotropes. Therefore, we speculated that if somatotropes are able to synthesize tachykinins, these peptides should be greatly increased in the anterior pituitary of transgenic GHRH mice. We found that, in accordance with our working hypothesis, both SP and neurokinin A (NKA) were markedly increased in the anterior pituitary gland of male and female transgenic mice, compared with their respective normal controls. In male transgenic mice, NKA was 13.6- and SP 20.2-fold higher than in the anterior pituitary from normal mice. In female transgenic mice, NKA was 40- and SP 100-fold higher than in the anterior pituitary from normal female mice. In male transgenic mice, NKA and neuropeptide K (NPK) contents in the anterior pituitary showed no significant changes between 26 and 50 days of age but significantly increased between 50 days and 5 months of age. The concentration of NKA in the anterior pituitary did not show significant differences between 26 days and 5 months of age, but NPK concentrations in the anterior pituitary significantly decreased with age. In female transgenic mice, NKA content and concentration in the anterior pituitary increased after 35 days of age, but NPK concentrations significantly decreased after 26 days of age. Triiodothyronine markedly decreased anterior pituitary tachykinins, but ovariectomy and estrogen administration failed to significantly affect tachykinin concentrations in the anterior pituitary of transgenic mice. Tachykinin immunostaining was detected in some somatotropes, but tachykinins were also present in cells that were not GH positive. These findings indicate that hyperstimulated somatotropes contain increased stores of tachykinins and that these cells are a source of tachykinins in the anterior pituitary. Tachykinin stores in the anterior pituitary of transgenic mice were affected by thyroid hormones but seem to be insensitive to estrogens. The GHRH transgenic mice may be an interesting model to study the regulation of tachykinin stores in the anterior pituitary gland.

Immune function in transgenic mice overexpressing growth hormone (GH) releasing hormone, GH or GH antagonist

Effects of life-long exposure to high levels of homologous or heterologous growth hormone (GH) and effects of GH resistance on selected parameters of immune function were studied in adult male transgenic mice overexpressing GH releasing hormone (GHRH), bovine (b) GH or an antagonistic bGH analog. In metallothionein I (MT)-bGH transgenic mice with high peripheral levels of bovine GH, there were significant increases in the absolute weight of the thymus and the spleen and in the mitogenic responses of splenocytes to concanavalin A (ConA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA), as compared to age-matched normal animals. There were no significant differences between MT-bGH transgenic and normal mice in splenocyte viability or in delayed-type hypersensitivity measured by the allergic contact dermatitis response to oxazolone. Similar results, including significant stimulation of splenocyte responses to ConA, LPS, and PHA, were obtained in MT-hGHRH transgenic mice in which overexpression of GHRH leads to striking pituitary enlargement and massive elevation of peripheral levels of homologous (mouse) GH. In MT-bGH-antagonist transgenic mice in which overexpression of an antagonistic bGH analog interferes with the actions of endogenous GH, spleen weight was reduced but proliferative responses of splenocytes to ConA, LPS, and PHA were not affected. It is concluded that overexpression of heterologous or homologous GH in transgenic mice can lead to significant stimulation of some parameters of immune function, whereas antagonism of GH action by expression of an antagonistic GH analog does not affect splenocyte responses to mitogens.

Lactotroph hyperplasia in the pituitaries of female mice expressing high levels of bovine growth hormone

PEPCK/bGH transgenic mice have very high blood levels of foreign GH, and prominent reproductive disturbances, especially in females. To obtain a deeper insight into the causes of these abnormalities, pituitaries of PEPCK/bGH transgenics were studied by immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy and in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques. Pituitary weights were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in transgenic males, while in transgenic females they were increased without reaching significance compared to nontransgenic controls. In both sexes, GH cells were inhibited, as previously described in other lines of GH transgenic mice. In females, PRL cells were increased by 37% compared to controls. Ultrastructurally, the lactotrophs had characteristics of stimulation and PRL mRNA was increased by 35%. In males the increase in the number of PRL immunoreactive cells was not significant, the PRL mRNA signal did not differ from controls, and there were no changes in their ultrastructure. Only in females ACTH cells were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in number and unchanged in males; however, POMC mRNA signal was increased in both genders and reached significance (P < 0.05) in males. In females, but not in males, the percentage of LH cells was lower than in control mice. In conclusion, the high blood bGH levels induced sex related changes in transgenic mice from the present line. The infertility of PEPCK/bGH transgenic females may be attributed to lactotroph hyperplasia and marked reduction in number of gonadotrophs.

Loss of sensitivity to insulin at early events of the insulin signaling pathway in the liver of growth hormone-transgenic mice

Growth hormone (GH) excess is associated with secondary hyperinsulinemia, but the molecular mechanism and consequences of this alteration are poorly understood. To address this problem we have examined the levels and phosphorylation state of the insulin receptor (IR) and the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), the association between IRS-1 and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) as well as the PI 3-kinase activity in the livers of GH-transgenic mice. As expected, IR levels were reduced in the liver of GH-transgenic mice (55% of normal values) as determined by immunoblotting with an anti-IR beta-subunit antibody. IR and IRS-1 phosphorylation as determined by immunoblotting with antiphosphotyrosine antibody were increased in basal conditions by 315% and 560% respectively. After a bolus administration of insulin in vivo, IR phosphorylation increased by 40% while IRS-1 phosphorylation did not change. Insulin administration to control (normal) mice produced 670% and 300% increases in the IR and IRS-1 phosphorylation respectively. In the GH-transgenic animals, basal association of PI 3-kinase with IRS-1 as well as PI 3-kinase activity in liver was increased by 200% and 280% respectively, and did not increase further after administration of insulin in vivo, indicating a complete insensitivity to insulin at these levels. In conclusion, GH excess and the resulting secondary hyperinsulinemia were associated with alterations at the early steps of insulin action in liver. IR concentration was reduced, while IR and IRS-1 phosphorylation, IRS-1/PI 3-kinase association, and PI 3-kinase activity appeared to be maximally activated under basal conditions, thus making this tissue insensitive to further stimulation by exogenous insulin in vivo.

Deficits in female reproductive function in GH-R-KO mice; role of IGF-I

Mice homozygous for targeted disruption of the GH receptor/GH binding protein gene (GH-R-KO mice; -/-) exhibit reduced plasma IGF-I levels, elevated plasma GH levels, and dwarf phenotype. Although most GH-R-KO mice are fertile, age at first conception is greatly delayed in -/- x -/- matings. Here we report that the age of vaginal opening is significantly delayed in GH-R-KO vs. normal mice, but it can be advanced by treatment with recombinant human (rh)IGF-I. In pregnant GH-R-KO females, fetal size is reduced and pregnancy is prolonged while placental weight is, unexpectedly, increased. Alterations in fetal and placental weight are related to maternal rather than fetal genotype. Moreover, litter size and body weight of newborn pups are significantly reduced in GH-R-KO vs. normal females. Reduction in litter size reflects both dam and sire effects. We conclude that GH resistance and consequent reduction in peripheral IGF-I levels is associated with delay of female puberty, alterations in fetal and placental growth, delay of parturition, and reduced litter size.

Pituitary estrogen receptor alpha and dopamine subtype 2 receptor gene expression in transgenic mice with overproduction of heterologous growth hormones

Pituitary somatotrophs are suppressed in mice transgenic for human (h) or bovine (b) growth hormone (GH) genes fused with metallothionein (MT) or phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) promoters. Previous morphologic studies revealed that lactotrophs are inhibited in hGH transgenic lines probably due to prolactin-like effects of hGH whereas in female bGH transgenics, the lactotrophs are stimulated. In the present study, estrogen receptor (ERalpha) mRNA was studied by autoradiographic in situ hybridization (ISH), ERalpha protein by immunocytochemistry, and dopamine subtype 2 receptor (D2R) mRNA by ISH. In MT/ and PEPCK/hGH transgenic mice, silver grains signaling ERalpha mRNA were significantly decreased compared to controls; the reduction was stronger in males (8.6 and 37%) than in females (4.6 and 11%). The decrease in the number of ERalpha-immunoreactive nuclei followed the same pattern (13.3 and 6% in males vs 3.2 and 5.2% in females). In MT/hGH mice the D2R mRNA signal was significantly increased in males (6 and 15.4%) and females (16%). In MT/bGH transgenics, ERalpha mRNA and ERalpha-immunoreactive nuclei were significantly increased (25 and 6%) only in males; D2R mRNA was more decreased in females (23%) than in males (15%). In conclusion, the opposite changes in ERalpha and D2R gene expressions are correlated with lactotroph inhibition in hGH transgenic mice and their stimulation in bGH transgenic mice. The changes in ERalpha expression were stronger in males, whereas those of D2R were more pronounced in females.

Pituitary and testicular function in growth hormone receptor gene knockout mice

The role of GH in the control of pituitary and testicular function is poorly understood. GH receptor gene knockout (GHR-KO) mice were recently produced. As these mice are good experimental animals to assess the influence of the effects of GH and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), the present studies were undertaken. Young adult male GHR-KO mice and their normal siblings were tested for fertility and subsequently injected (i.p.) with saline or GnRH (1 ng/g BW) in saline. Fifteen minutes later, blood was obtained via heart puncture. Plasma IGF-I, PRL, LH, and testosterone concentrations were measured by RIAs. In addition, the testicular testosterone response to LH treatment was evaluated in vitro. The results indicate that the absence of GH receptors (GHRs) was associated with an increase (P < 0.005) in plasma PRL levels, and circulating IGF-I was not detectable. Although the basal plasma LH levels were similar in GHR-KO mice relative to those in their normal siblings, the circulating LH response to GnRH treatment was significantly (P < 0.001) attenuated. Plasma testosterone levels were unaffected by disruption of the GHR gene. However, basal (P < 0.01) and LH-stimulated (P < 0.001) testosterone release from the isolated testes of GHR-KO mice were decreased. The rate of fertility in GHR-KO male mice was also reduced. These results indicate that the lack of GHRs (with GH resistance and lack of IGF-I secretion) induces hyperprolactinemia and alters the effect of GnRH on LH secretion as well as testicular function. Thus, GH and IGF-I influence pituitary and gonadal functions in male mice.

Effect of progesterone on tachykinin concentrations in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary of female siberian hamsters

The effect of progesterone on SP- and NKA-like immunoreactive substances in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary was studied in ovariectomized and in ovariectomized, estrogen treated Siberian hamsters. Neither ovariectomy nor progesterone or estradiol treatment resulted in apparent changes in the tachykinin concentration in the hypothalamus. No effect of the treatments was seen on the release of tachykinins by hypothalami incubated in vitro in presence of high KCl concentrations. Ovariectomy resulted in a significant increase in the concentrations of both tachykinins in the anterior pituitary, as compared with intact animals. Progesterone (5 mg/animal) significantly reduced tachykinin concentrations in the anterior pituitary, as compared with the values found in ovariectomized animals. Estradiol completely suppressed the post-ovariectomy increase in anterior pituitary tachykinins, and progesterone did not significantly modify the response to estradiol. Lower doses of progesterone (250 microg or 1 mg/animal) significantly reduced NKA concentrations in the anterior pituitary of ovariectomized Siberian hamsters, but SP concentrations, although showing a similar tendency, were not significantly different in progesterone-treated as compared with ovariectomized, control animals. These results suggest that progesterone may modulate tachykinin stores in the anterior pituitary gland of Siberian hamsters.

Does growth hormone prevent or accelerate aging?

It is very well documented that plasma growth hormone (GH) levels decline with age in the human and in experimental animals, and there is considerable evidence that age-related changes in body composition may be caused by reduced function of the GH-IGF-I system. However, excessive GH levels are associated with reduced life expectancy in acromegalic patients and with symptoms of accelerated aging in GH transgenic mice. Hereditary dwarf mice deficient in GH, prolactin, and TSH live much longer than their normal siblings. Possible mechanisms of delayed aging in dwarf mice include lower core body temperature and reduced oxidative processes. It is suggested that the controversies concerning the apparent potential of GH to both prevent and accelerate aging may be reconciled by interpreting the results in light of the negative relationship between body size and life span within a species.

Specific interactions of growth hormone (GH) with GH-receptors and GH-binding proteins in vivo in genetically GH-deficient Ames dwarf mice

The fate of exogenous radiolabeled growth hormone (125I-hGH) was studied in Ames dwarf mice, which do not express growth hormone (GH) or prolactin (PRL) genes. Labeled GH was injected in low amounts that did not exceed the normal physiological GH concentration in mice. Binding of most of the injected 125I-hGH by the GH-binding proteins (GHBPs) present in plasma represents the first step in the handling of this material in vivo. The decay curve followed a two-compartment model and gave the equation: Conc = 2.807e-0067t + 15301e-0.0647t (coefficient of determination 0.9986+/-0.0019), while in normal mice, GH decay followed a three-compartment model as we have previously reported. The fast compartment with t1/2 of 1-2 min was virtually absent in dwarf mice, and chromatographic studies revealed the disappearance of free GH in these mice. We also present evidence of the labeled GH-forming complexes, presumably with GHBPs under in vivo conditions. The second step of processing labeled GH in vivo is the uptake by the liver, which was slower in dwarf than in normal mice (30-45 vs 15 min). Moreover, a lower GH uptake was found in dwarf than in normal mice (UB ratio of 1.75+/-0.29 [30 min] vs L/B ratio of 3.68+/-0.33 [15 min], respectively) due to lower concentration of free GH in plasma and to the reduced number of GH-receptors (GHRs). The radioactive material present in the liver was compatible with 125I-hGH-GHR complexes with Stokes radius of 59A. In summary, we provide evidence that plasma of dwarf mice contains proteins capable of binding GH in vivo and probably representing GHBPs not complexed with GH. The presence of these proteins modified the pharmacokinetics of 125I-hGH in plasma and its subsequent uptake by the liver. The presence of these binding proteins in the absence of endogenous GH suggests that a fraction of total GHBPs (one class?) is independent of GH concentration.

Role of hyperinsulinemia on hepatic insulin receptor concentration and autophosphorylation in the presence of high growth hormone levels in transgenic mice overexpressing growth hormone gene

Overexpression of bovine growth hormone (bGH) in transgenic (PEPCK-bGH) mice induces resistance to insulin, which is compensated by a major increase in insulin levels. In these animals, hepatic insulin receptors (InsRs) are downregulated while tyrosine kinase activity of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-purified InsRs towards exogenous substrates is unexpectedly increased. By normalizing insulinemia, we attempted to determine whether the alterations detected in the early steps of insulin signal transduction are due to exposure to chronically high GH levels or are secondary to hyperinsulinemia. Transgenic PEPCK-bGH animals were treated with a single intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (STZ) or were deprived of food for 48 h, to normalize insulin levels. Both fasting and STZ treatment were effective in reducing insulin blood levels to control values or below, while GH levels remained unchanged (STZ treatment) or increased (fasted animals). In the liver of untreated transgenic mice, the number of InsRs as determined by 125I-insulin binding was significantly diminished (65+/-5% and 60+/-6% of normal values in microsomes and solubilized membranes respectively;P<0.01 vs control mice). In treated transgenic mice, the number of InsRs increased to values similar to or slightly higher than those found in normal control mice (STZ-treated: 139+/-26% and 126+/-8%; fasted: 128+/-5% (P<0.05) and 102+/-1.5%, for microsomes and solubilized membranes respectively). Neither treatment altered InsR affinity. InsR concentration in liver as determined by immunoblotting using an antibody against the beta-subunit of the insulin receptor was found to be reduced in transgenic mice (69+/-3% of normal values,P<0.001) and was normalized after both STZ treatment (105+/-4%) and fasting (109+/-4%). Insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation activity of InsRs in transgenic mice was increased (154+/-13%,P<0.01 compared with the control group), essentially normalized by STZ treatment (96+/-14%), and reduced by fasting, to below the values measured in normal control mice (56+/-15%,P<0.05). The potential influence of basal serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) phosphorylation of the InsR beta-subunit on the regulation of the InsRs from transgenic mice was also investigated. The autophosphorylation activity of WGA-purified InsRs from all groups of mice studied was essentially unchanged after dephosphorylation with alkaline phosphatase or mild trypsinization. Consequently, our results suggest that the observed changes in InsR number and autophosphorylation activity in the liver of bGH transgenic mice are directly related to changes in insulin blood levels, and that Ser/Thr phosphorylation is apparently not involved in the regulation of the InsR autophosphorylation activity in this model of insulin resistance.

Neuroendocrine and reproductive functions in male mice with targeted disruption of the prolactin gene

Mice with a targeted disruption (knock-out) of the PRL gene (PRL-KO) were used to study the physiological role of PRL in the control of male neuroendocrine functions related to reproduction. Compared with normal males, PRL-KO mice had significant reductions in median eminence dopamine content, plasma LH levels, LH and FSH secretion in vitro (per mg pituitary), and weights of seminal vesicles and ventral prostate. PRL was not detectable in incubation medium with pituitaries from PRL-KO mice. No alterations were detected in PRL-KO mice in median eminence norepinephrine, plasma testosterone levels, or testosterone release (per mg testis) in vitro with or without LH. No differences were detected in PRL-KO vs. normal male mice in the interval from housing with normal female mice until conception, rate of pregnancy, or the number of live pups per litter. Pituitary weight in PRL-KO mice was increased (1.78 +/- 0.22 vs. 3.35 +/- 0.20 mg; P < 0.001), presumably due to reduced feedback inhibition and hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia of nonfunctional lactotrophs. These results indicate that the absence of PRL reduces pituitary LH release, attenuates median eminence dopaminergic activity, and affects the growth of seminal vesicles and ventral prostate. Although it was previously shown that PRL can repair the reproductive defect in male pituitary dwarf mice, our current results imply that the PRL deficiency alone is not sufficient to cause male infertility, although there are obvious alterations in reproductive neuroendocrine function in PRL-KO males.

Growth hormone (GH) receptors, binding proteins and IGF-I concentrations in the serum of transgenic mice expressing bovine GH agonist or antagonist

We have examined the regulation of hepatic growth hormone receptors (GH-R) and serum GH binding proteins (GHBP) in transgenic mice expressing an antagonist of bovine growth hormone (bGH), G119K-bGH, and consequently exhibiting a growth suppressed dwarf phenotype. Specific GHBP could be measured in transgenic dwarf mouse serum only by immunological methods (RIA), because these mice have a very high concentration of mutated bGH in circulation (> 1 microgram/ml) and, therefore, almost all GHBP is bound to G119K-bGH and cannot be quantitated in binding assays. The concentrations of GHBP were 0.6 +/- 0.4 nM and 1.7 +/- 0.4 nM for normal and dwarf mice respectively. The concentrations of free GHBP in normal mice and in transgenic mice expressing wild-type GH can be calculated using chromatographic techniques as the dissociation constant (Kd) and the ratio of bound 125I-GH to free 125I-GH in the serum ([GHBP]free = B/F.Kd). In agreement with the assumption that GHBP reflects GH-R status, liver uptake of injected labeled bGH was greatly reduced in transgenic dwarfs in comparison with normal mice or with transgenic mice expressing wild-type bGH (liver/blood ratio of 0.48 +/- 0.21, 2.7 +/- 0.2, and 1.3 +/- 0.3 respectively) indicating that the high concentration of the mutated bGH (G119K-bGH) prevents labeled bGH uptake, as was expected from the dwarf phenotype. 125I-bGH taken up by the liver of transgenic dwarf mice was found in a smaller molecular species than in normal mice, compatible with the presence of 1:1 [(GH-R):GH] complexes instead of the 2:1 [(GH-R)2:GH] or 2:2 [(GHBP)2:(GH)2] complexes found in normal mice. The concentration of IGF-I, the principal mediator of GH activity, in the G119K-bGH transgenic mice was correlated with the concentration of free GHBP. This allowed us to use free GHBP concentration as a marker of the effects of the active endogenous hormone (mGH) on liver receptors in the presence of different concentrations of the antagonist of GH. The levels of GHBP in serum, as well as the concentration of GH-R in liver microsomes from mice expressing the bGH antagonist, are up-regulated by the high concentration of G119K-bGH (85%), but significantly less so than that which could be expected for the same concentration of native GH (220-275%). This up-regulation suggests that the G119K-bGH antagonist is internalized and induces synthesis of the receptor and of the binding protein.

Effects of immunoneutralization of substance P on hypothalamic neurotransmitters in normal mice and in transgenic mice expressing bovine growth hormone

It is well known that transgenic mice expressing bovine growth hormone have altered neuroendocrine functions. Substance P was shown to influence the secretion of gonadotropins. In this investigation, the effect of a single injection of an antiserum to substance P was investigated in intact and castrated transgenic (MT-bGH) mice and in their normal litter mates. In the median eminence, the administration of antisubstance P serum resulted in a decreased dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid/dopamine index in intact and castrated normal mice but was without effect in transgenics. The homovanillic/dopamine index was decreased in normal mice (intact or castrated) but unchanged in transgenics. Norepinephrine and epinephrine were increased in normal mice (intact and castrated) treated with the anti-SP serum, but in transgenic mice, the anti-SP serum induced significant changes of norepinephrine only in intact animals, with no modifications in epinephrine levels. In the whole hypothalamus (minus the median eminence), the injection of antisubstance P serum resulted in an increased dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid/dopamine index in castrated, but not in intact, normal mice. In transgenic mice, this index was increased in intact but decreased in castrated animals. The homovanillic/dopamine index was decreased in normal intact mice treated with the antiserum but increased in intact transgenic mice. Norepinephrine and epinephrine were decreased by the antiserum treatment in normal intact mice but were unchanged in transgenics, except for norepinephrine in castrated transgenics, in which it was found increased. The administration of the antiserum did not affect plasma LH, FSH, or prolactin in normal mice but it reduced LH levels in intact transgenic mice. These results indicate that the response to the treatment with the antiserum to substance P shows considerable alterations in transgenic mice as compared with their litter-mate, normal controls, producing divergent effects on hypothalamic catecholamine metabolism. The present findings confirm that transgenic mice overexpressing the bGH gene have marked neuroendocrine alterations as compared with their normal litter mates.

Growth hormone and aging

Although age-related decline in plasma growth hormone (GH) levels is well documented, the possible role of GH in the control of aging is controversial. Overexpression of GH in transgenic mice is associated with reduced life expectancy and numerous symptoms of premature aging. Ames dwarf mice with hereditary GH, prolactin, and thyrotropin deficiency live much longer than their normal siblings. In contrast to these indications that GH may accelerate aging, some physiological changes in the elderly resemble symptoms of GH deficiency and can be corrected by GH replacement. It is suggested that these seemingly contradictory observations are related to the dose-response characteristics of GH action, and to negative correlation between body size and life expectancy within a species. Physiological mechanisms linking plasma GH levels and body size with aging remain to be identified.

The role of growth hormone in the control of gonadotropin secretion in adult male rats

Although it is known that GH plays an important role in normal growth and development, its influence on the control of gonadotropin secretion is poorly understood. To address this issue, we have treated adult male rats with bovine GH via osmotic pumps (250 microg/day for 2 weeks; Exp design I) or immunized rats against ovine GH (100 microg/month for 6-7 months; Exp design II) and evaluated their neuroendocrine function. Vehicle-treated animals served as controls. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the gonadotropin responses to: 1) GnRH (in saline) in gonad-intact rats and 2) testosterone propionate (TP; in oil) in castrated rats. Saline- or oil-injected rats served as controls. Circulating GH antibodies, LH, FSH, PRL, testosterone, and insulin-like growth factor I levels were measured by RIAs. Plasma LH levels were decreased (P < 0.025) in rats treated with GH. The plasma LH and FSH responses to GnRH treatment were similar in rats treated with either saline or GH. The suppressive effect of TP on LH secretion was attenuated (P < 0.025) in GH-treated rats on day 8 after castration. The FSH response to TP administration was similar in both subgroups of rats. Administration of GH decreased (P < 0.01) PRL secretion. Plasma testosterone levels were not altered by GH treatment. As expected, GH antibodies were detected and plasma insulin-like growth factor I levels were decreased (P < 0.001) in rats immunized against GH. The basal LH and FSH levels were higher (LH, P < 0.005; FSH, P < 0.025) in rats previously immunized against GH. The percent increase in plasma LH levels after GnRH treatment was decreased in GH-immunized animals. Furthermore, the percent increase in circulating FSH levels was higher in GH-immunized rats than in adjuvant-injected control rats. Administration of TP to adjuvant-injected castrated rats decreased plasma gonadotropin levels. However, similar treatment to rats immunized against GH failed to suppress plasma LH and FSH levels. The basal testosterone levels were not changed by immunization against GH. These results demonstrate that induction of GH excess decreases PRL and LH secretion, whereas biological neutralization of endogenous GH increased circulating gonadotropin concentrations. Thus, GH modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary function in adult male rats.

The endocrine system: an overview

A plethora of hormones regulate many of the body's functions, including growth and development, metabolism, electrolyte balances, and reproduction. Numerous glands throughout the body produce hormones. The hypothalamus produces several releasing and inhibiting hormones that act on the pituitary gland, stimulating the release of pituitary hormones. Of the pituitary hormones, several act on other glands located in various regions of the body, whereas other pituitary hormones directly affect their target organs. Other hormone-producing glands throughout the body include the adrenal glands, which primarily produce cortisol; the gonads (i.e., ovaries and testes), which produce sex hormones; the thyroid, which produces thyroid hormone; the parathyroid, which produces parathyroid hormone; and the pancreas, which produces insulin and glucagon. Many of these hormones are part of regulatory hormonal cascades involving a hypothalamic hormone, one or more pituitary hormones, and one or more target gland hormones.

Tachykinins in the pineal gland: effect of castration and ganglionectomy

In this investigation, the presence of NKA-immunoreactive substances was determined in pineal glands from intact, castrated and castrated, testosterone-treated male rats. The effect of environmental light, melatonin treatment and superior cervical ganglionectomy on pineal NKA-immunoreactive substances was also investigated. The results obtained show that NKA is present in measurable amounts in the rat pineal, and NPK is probably also present, Orchidectomy was followed by an increase in the content of NKA-immunoreactive substances in the pineal gland. The replacement treatment with testosterone propionate in castrated rats blocked this effect. NKA-immunoreactive substances were not significantly different quantitatively in pineals from rats killed under light or under darkness. The removal of the superior cervical ganglia was followed by a significant increase in the NKA-immunoreactive substance content in the pineal gland of male rats. These results indicate that NKA and other tachykinins are present in the pineal gland of the male rat, and they seem to be regulated by gonadal hormones and the innervation originated from the superior cervical ganglia.

Differential in vivo activities of bovine growth hormone analogues

In rodents, bovine (b) growth hormone (GH) binds only to GH receptors, while human (h) GH binds to both GH and PRL receptors. The phenotypic consequences of expression of bGH and hGH in transgenic mice are different and, in some cases, opposite. In the present study, site-directed in vitro mutagenesis of the bGH gene was used systematically to eliminate its differences from hGH at one, two, three or four suspected of conferring lactogenic activity: D11, H18, S57 and T60, respectively (corresponding to sites 12, 19, 57 and 60 of the bGH molecule). The resulting bGH analogues were expressed in cell lines and in transgenic mice. All of the seven bGH analogues produced retained their ability to bind to GH receptors and exhibited somatogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. However, none of them were able to bind to PRL receptors or to elicit detectable lactogenic response in vitro. Transgenic animals expressing any of the generated analogues were characterized by gigantism and splanchnomegaly. The effects of expression of each of the double, triple or quadruple mutants on the seminal vesicle weight resembled the effects of wild-type hGH and differed from the effects of expression of wild-type bGH. There were differences between the effects of the expression of different bGH analogues on plasma PRL levels and on the PRL response to pharmacological blockade of catecholamine synthesis. Plasma LH levels in ovariectomized females were suppressed by several of the analogues tested, an effect not seen in animals expressing wild-type bGH or hGH. Dopamine turnover in the median eminence of male mice was also altered in animals expressing different bGH analogues but not in those expressing wild-type bGH or hGH. In ovariectomized females, the effects of different bGH analogs on the turnover of dopamine and norepinephrine in the median eminence included changes resembling those detected in animals expressing hGH, as well as alterations differing from the effects of both bGH and hGH. The results indicate that biological actions of these bGH analogues cannot be characterized simply in terms of enhanced or reduced somatogenic or lactogenic activity and raise a possibility that different sites, domains or features of tri-dimensional structure of GH are involved in its actions on different cellular targets.

Visualizing the expression of a human growth hormone (hGH) transgene in the liver: intrahepatic regional and intracellular differences of expression are associated with morphological alterations and hepatocellular proliferation

Growth hormone acts directly on liver cells; it binds to its receptor and induces a multitude of intracellular events leading, for example, to the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). While much is known about the biochemical side of these events, their structural correlates are less well examined. Here, we examined livers of transgenic mice (TM) expressing human GH, in an attempt to correlate at the cellular level the site of GH gene expression with effects on morphology and mitotic behavior of liver cells within the hepatic architecture. Using in situ hybridization histochemistry we observed a striking expression pattern of the hGH gene in hepatocytes near the periportal spaces. In the same regions, the hGH protein, but no IGF-1 immunoreactive product, was detected using immunohistochemical methods. In the sections of TM livers, 6.8-31.9% of cells were hGH-immunoreactive. However, the cellular hGH staining pattern was not homogeneously distributed in the immunoreactive cells. Two main patterns became obvious. In the majority of the immunoreactive cells a cytoplasmic stain was present. These cells exhibited normal liver cell features and were not enlarged (type I). In the other group (type II), the staining was stronger and concentrated, sometimes punctuate, and often confined to cytoplasmic compartments which were in a perinuclear position. The latter staining pattern was generally seen in morphologically altered cells, which were enlarged and possessed intranuclear inclusions and invaginations. In the the periportal regions, mitotically active hepatocytes were evident, but these cells, as judged from immunocytochemistry, apparently did not express the transgene. In conclusion, different staining patterns for hGH may indicate different levels of transgene expression, which could be associated with difficulties in the cells with regard processing and/or secreting the hormone. In addition to the endocrine actions implied by the high hGH levels in the peripheral circulation of these TM, intracrine actions are also suggested (type II staining pattern), but para- and autocrine loops are possible as well (type I staining pattern). Whether IGF-1 is involved, and the mechanism underlying hepatocyte cell proliferation, remain to be examined.

Growth hormone-binding protein enhances growth hormone activity in vivo

The decay curve of labeled growth hormone (GH) in the plasma followed a three-compartment model and could be described by the equation: concentration = Ae-alpha t + Be-beta t + Ce-gamma t, where A, B, and C are y-intercepts and alpha, beta, and gamma are compartments. When 125I-labeled ovine prolactin (oPRL) was injected, the decay curve could be described by the equation: concentration = Ae-alpha t + Ce-gamma t. Formation of 125I-labeled bovine-GH-binding protein (GHBP) complexes with somatogenic characteristics was demonstrated in the serum of both normal and GH transgenic mice. In contrast, 125I-oPRL was unable to form complexes of this type in any of the mice studied. Receptor-mediated liver uptake was found to be faster for PRL than for GH (5-6 min vs. 15-20 min). Liver uptake of radioactivity was significantly lower for PRL than for GH [liver to blood ratio (L/B) of 1.7 +/- 0.3 at 6 min vs. L/B of 3.7 +/- 0.6 at 20 min, respectively]. The presence of binding proteins for GH substantially reduces the clearance of this hormone and consequently increases the liver uptake of GH (mediated by GH receptors). This suggests that GHBPs act to increase the biological activity of GH in vivo.

Effect of a non-peptide NK-2 tachykinin receptor antagonist on LH, FSH, and prolactin release by rat hemipituitaries in vitro

Tachykinins are present in the anterior pituitary gland and there is evidence that they may have a direct intrapituitary role influencing the secretion of some of the hormones released by this gland. In this investigation, we have studied the effect of the non-peptide NK-2 receptor antagonist SR 48,968 (Sanofi Recherche) on the basal release of LH, FSH, and prolactin by rat hemipituitaries incubated in vitro, and also on the response to GnRH. SR 48,968 significantly inhibited prolactin release into the medium. The highest doses of this compound stimulated the basal release of LH by hemipituitaries from castrated, castrated testosterone-treated, and ovariectomized estradiol-treated rats, but not from intact male rats. SR 48,968 significantly inhibited the release of LH in response to GnRH. Since some tachykinin receptor antagonists have been demonstrated to act also on calcium channels, studies with verapamil, a calcium channel antagonist, were also carried out for comparison. Verapamil inhibited prolactin release into the medium and decreased the LH response to GnRH. These results suggest that tachykinins that bind NK-2 receptors, may have an intrapituitary role stimulating the release of prolactin, and that they may also modulate the response of the gonadotrophs to GnRH. The fact that verapamil shares some of the actions exerted by NK-2 receptor antagonists on the pituitary glandm however, suggests the possibility that some of the effects of NK-2 receptor antagonists may be mediated through calcium channel antagonism. Therefore, the results observed with the use of some of these antagonists should be interpreted with great caution.