The descending alpha-MSHergic (alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-ergic) projections from the zona incerta and lateral hypothalamic area to the inferior colliculus and spinal cord in the rat

Neuronal pathways containing alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) extending from the zona incerta and lateral hypothalamic area to the inferior colliculus and spinal cord were analyzed using both immunohistochemical localization and a retrograde tracer. Biotinized horseradish peroxidase injected into the inferior colliculus or the thoracic cord of the rat labeled a number of neurons in the zona incerta and lateral hypothalamic area. Simultaneous immunostaining of the same sections with alpha-MSH antiserum showed that some of these neurons are alpha-MSHergic.

Membrane current through adenosine-triphosphate-regulated potassium channels in guinea-pig ventricular cells

The question whether activation of the ATP-regulated K channel is responsible for macroscopic anoxia-induced outward currents was examined in ventricular cells isolated enzymatically from guinea-pig heart. Gigaseal patch-clamp electrodes were used for a whole-cell voltage clamp. Membrane currents were compared in the same cell while the cell interior was dialysed by perfusing the electrode with different solutions. When the cell was dialysed with various ATP-deficient (less than or equal to 2 mM) internal solutions, the Ca current decreased in a dose-dependent manner to less than 10% of control at 0.5 mM-ATP. A slight (ca. 25%) decrease of the slope conductance for hyperpolarizing current was observed. When a delayed rectification on depolarization followed by a marked outward current tail on repolarization was present under control conditions, this time-dependent outward current was also depressed. An increase in a time-independent outward current was observed accompanied by marked current fluctuations. The outward current showed a reversal potential near the K equilibrium potential, inward rectification, and no relaxation on voltage jumps. The power density spectrum of the current fluctuations showed a pattern similar to the spectrum calculated from the single-channel currents of ATP-regulated K channels. The amplitude of the single-channel current, estimated from the fluctuations, was almost equal to that of the single-channel current. The total number of channels within one cell was estimated as 2000-3000. It is concluded that the ATP-regulated K channels are responsible for the increase in the outward current and the shortening of the action potential duration under various anoxic conditions.

Plasma GH responses to GHRH and insulin-induced hypoglycemia in man

Changes in plasma GH levels in response to an intravenous bolus injection of 200 micrograms GHRH-44 or 0.1 U/kg body weight regular insulin were examined in normal men who were pre-treated with 200 micrograms GHRH-44 or 0.1 U/kg body weight regular insulin 120 min in advance. The prior bolus injection of GHRH-44 inhibited the plasma GH response to the subsequent administration of GHRH-44 whereas the plasma GH response to the subsequent injection of insulin was not influenced by the prior administration of GHRH-44. The prior administration of insulin attenuated the plasma GH response to the subsequently given GHRH-44. These results suggest that desensitization of GHRH receptors in somatotrophs and/or somatostatin hypersecretion induced by increase in plasma GH levels following the prior GHRH-44 administration may be involved in the mechanism by which the prior GHRH-44 administration or insulin-induced hypoglycemia suppressed plasma GH responses to the following GHRH-44 administration. Sudden suppression of somatostatin secretion, which causes rebound of GH secretion, may occur in insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

Properties of adenosine-triphosphate-regulated potassium channels in guinea-pig ventricular cells

A class of K channels in cardiac muscle is reversibly blocked by intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). The characteristics of this K channel were studied by recording single-channel currents in ventricular cells isolated enzymatically from guinea-pig heart. The reversal potential of single-channel currents agreed well with the K equilibrium potential. Blockers of other K channels, such as tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine, decreased the mean open time of the channel. The chord conductance increased as the 0.24th power of the K concentration on the outer surface of the membrane, and showed a marked inward-going rectification on strong depolarizations. The degree of rectification was larger with increasing Na concentration on the inner side of the membrane. The kinetics of the channel were almost voltage independent, but depended on the concentration of intracellular ATP. The conductance of the channel was not affected by ATP. When channel kinetics were examined in the presence of ATP, the distribution of open times and closed times was fitted well with a sum of two exponential components. When ATP concentration was increased, the time constants obtained from the open-time histogram decreased and those from the closed-time histogram increased, resulting in a decrease of the open-state probability. The channel was blocked by ATP, adenosine 5'-diphosphate,5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate, guanosine 5'-triphosphate and uridine 5'-triphosphate, but not by adenosine 5'-monophosphate, creatine phosphate, creatine or adenosine. Plots of the open-state probability versus the ATP concentration revealed Michaelis-Menten saturation kinetics with strong co-operativity of multiple receptor sites (Hill coefficient 3-4, concentration of half-saturation 0.5 mM). It was concluded that this K channel has three or four receptor sites selective for triphosphate nucleotide on the inner surface of the membrane, and that the channel is blocked through the binding of agonists to the receptors.

CRF-containing neurons of the rat hypothalamus

The immunoreactive CRF-neurons of the rat hypothalamus have been examined immunohistochemically employing anti-rat CRF serum. These neurons are confined to the paraventricular nucleus, dorsomedial-lateral hypothalamic area, and suprachiasmatic nucleus, and are, respectively, also immunoreactive to anti-Met-enk, -alpha-MSH, and -VIP sera. Intraventricular administration of colchicine (50 micrograms/5 microliters/rat) induces a dramatic enhancement of the immunostainability of the cell somata, and also accelerates the development of immunoreactivity of other stored peptides, especially in the paraventricular nucleus. The CRF-neurons respond to adrenalectomy by showing increased immunoreactivity and an increase in the number of cell bodies; in the dorsomedial-lateral area and suprachiasmatic nucleus, there is also an enhanced immunoreactivity for alpha-MSH and VIP, respectively. CRF-cells in the paraventricular nucleus become markedly hypertrophied, but do not show any enhanced immunoreactivity for Met-enk. Since the axons of the paraventricular neurons run to the median eminence, it is probable that they are involved with the endocrine control of hypophysial ACTH release. It is concluded that the CRF-containing neurons in rat hypothalamus consist of three types which are functionally and morphologically different.

Effect of dopamine, bombesin and cysteamine hydrochloride on plasma growth hormone response to synthetic growth hormone-releasing factor in rats

In urethane anesthetized rats, an intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of 2 micrograms bombesin 5 min prior to the administration of synthetic human growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) (1 microgram/kg, iv) inhibited plasma growth hormone (GH) response, while cysteamine hydrochloride (90 mg/kg, sc) administered 150 min beforehand depleted immunoreactive somatostatin content in the pituitary-stalk median eminence and consequently potentiated the response to GRF. Under the same experimental conditions, central injection of 1.89 micrograms (10(-8)M) dopamine hydrochloride or iv administration of L-DOPA (10 mg/kg) did not influence the subsequent plasma GH response to GRF. Results suggest indirectly that bombesin and cysteamine, but not dopamine, predominantly modulate somatostatin release from the hypothalamus.

Presence of corticotropin-releasing factor-like immunoreactivity in human tumors

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-like immunoreactivity was measured by radioimmunoassay in human organs and tumors associated with and without ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome. It was found to be distributed widely in the stomach, pancreas, adrenal gland, and various tumors (e.g., medullary thyroid carcinoma, small cell carcinoma of the lung, pheochromocytoma, and adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas) in a concentration less than one tenth of that of the hypothalamus. Dilution curves of CRF-like immunoreactivity in tissue extracts paralleled that of synthetic rat (human) CRF. Sephadex G-50 gel filtration showed that a major CRF-like immunoreactivity in tissue extracts coeluted with synthetic rat (human) CRF. Results suggest that a material(s) closely related immunologically to CRF is present widely in normal and tumor tissues outside of the central nervous system.

The effect of glucose on growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone-mediated GH secretion in man

The effect of glucose on GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-mediated GH secretion was examined in six normal young men. In two paired experiments, the six men drank a 75-g glucose solution or an equal volume of water 30 min before receiving, iv, 100 micrograms of the 44-amino acid form of human pancreatic GHRH (hGHRH-44). One week later, the same men underwent an identical experimental protocol in a cross-over trial. Basal plasma GH concentrations before hGHRH-44 administration were not statistically different in the two experiments [glucose experiment, 2.1 +/- 0.1 (+/- SE) ng/ml; water experiment, 2.6 +/- 0.6 ng/ml]. The mean peak plasma GH level occurred 30 min after hGHRH-44 administration in both experiments. However, the mean GH response was significantly diminished when the men received glucose (8.12 +/- 1.12 ng/ml) compared to that when they received only water (23.70 +/- 8.46 ng/ml; P less than 0.01). Thus, hyperglycemia may exert an inhibitory effect on the plasma GH response to hGHRH-44.

The effect of free fatty acids on growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone-mediated GH secretion in man

The effect of FFA on GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-mediated secretion of GH was examined in six normal young men. Three of the men were infused with 250 ml of a lipid-heparin solution at 1.67 ml/min for 150 min, and the other three were given an equivalent volume of saline in the same manner. Thirty minutes after the start of infusion, 100 micrograms GHRH (the 44-amino acid form) were injected iv, and plasma GH and FFA were measured. One week later, the same men participated in an identical experiment, but the ones who had received lipid-heparin previously were given saline and vice versa. In both experiments, plasma FFA increased to 2.25 +/- 0.16 meq/liter (mean +/- SEM) 60 min after the start of lipid-heparin infusion, whereas FFA levels did not change significantly in the saline-treated group. Mean plasma GH levels reached peak concentrations in both groups 30 min after GHRH treatment. However, the peak GH response when lipid-heparin was given was significantly diminished (8.4 +/- 1.7 ng/ml), compared with the peak response when saline was given (28.9 +/- 7.1 ng/ml). These data suggest that plasma FFA elevations induced by lipid-heparin infusion inhibit GH secretion induced by GHRH.

The use of the corticotropin-releasing hormone test to monitor the recovery of patients with Cushing's disease or Cushing's syndrome due to an adrenal adenoma after adenomectomy

Six patients with Cushing's disease and three with Cushing's syndrome due to an adrenal adenoma were monitored after their adenomectomy with the corticotropin-releasing hormone test to evaluate the progress of recovery of their pituitary adrenal function. Before surgery the patients with Cushing's disease showed either high, normal or low responses of plasma ACTH and cortisol to 100 micrograms synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) administered intravenously, whereas all three patients with Cushing's syndrome due to an adrenal adenoma showed no response of plasma ACTH or cortisol to CRH. One or two months after surgery, the patients who had Cushing's disease had low levels of basal plasma ACTH and cortisol and their responses to CRH were extremely low. However, the same patients were tested later, it was found that their responses to CRH gradually increased and reached normal ranges approximately within one year after tumor removal, which coincided with the overall improvement in their clinical signs and symptoms due to adrenal insufficiency. In contrast, the recovery of the pituitary adrenal function in patients who had Cushing's syndrome due to an adrenal adenoma was not complete even one year after surgery. Thus the corticotropin-releasing factor test is a useful criteria to evaluate the recovery of the pituitary adrenal function in these patients after surgery, since the responses of plasma ACTH and cortisol to the administered CRH are parallel with the improvements in clinical signs and symptoms due to adrenal insufficiency in patients with Cushing's disease.

Distribution of six neuropeptides in the nucleus tractus solitarii of the rat: an immunohistochemical analysis

Distribution of substance P-, [Leu]enkephalin-, cholecystokinin-8-, neurotensin-, avian pancreatic polypeptide- and gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone-like immunoreactive structures were investigated in the nucleus tractus solitarii of the rat by means of the indirect immunofluorescence method. The density of the immunoreactive structures varied markedly according to neuropeptides or subnuclei, with the medial and commissural nuclei containing the highest density. This suggests that the peptides examined play a role in cardiovascular function. However, as seen in the substance P- and [Leu]enkephalin-like immunoreactive structures, these peptides were widely distributed in the nucleus tractus solitarii in addition to the commissural and medial nuclei; a high density of immunoreactive fibers in the ventral, dorsolateral and intermediate subnuclei. In addition to the immunoreactive fiber plexus, a group of immunoreactive cells was also identified in the subnuclei mentioned above. These findings strongly suggest that substance P- and [Leu]enkephalin-like immunoreactive structures are involved not only in cardiovascular function but also in other functions such as respiration, at least in the rat. Finally, the present study demonstrated that the area postrema, particularly its lateral portion, contains various neuropeptide-like structures, both neurons and fibers, substance P-, [Leu]enkephalin-, cholecystokinin-8- and neurotensin-like immunoreactive neurons and fibers, and avian pancreatic polypeptide- and gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone-like immunoreactive fibers.

Immunohistochemical study on the development of CRF-containing neurons in the hypothalamus of the rat

Appearance of immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-containing neurons was studied in developing hypothalamus of the rat by use of antisera against rat- and ovine CRF. These neurons were first recognized in the lateral and paraventricular nuclei on days 15.5 and 16.5 of gestation, respectively, when antiserum against rat CRF was employed. Antiserum against ovine CRF revealed the cells two days later exclusively in the latter nucleus. In both nuclei, the neurons increased in number with development. The neurons in the paraventricular nucleus appeared to project their immunoreactive processes to the median eminence via the periventricular and lateral pathways. In the median eminence, the immunoreaction with antiserum to rat CRF was first recognized in its anterior portion in the form of dots on day 16.5 of gestation but as beaded fibers in the external layer on day 17.5; these structures increased in amount with development in rostro-caudal direction. Although antiserum to ovine CRF was less potent in immunostainability than antiserum to rat CRF, it also revealed the beaded fibers in the median eminence on day 17.5 of gestation. Since evidence is available that the paraventricular nucleus is involved in corticotropin release, it is concluded that, in rats, the hypothalamic regulatory mechanism controlling the release of corticotropin initially appears on days 16.5-17.5 of gestation.

Bilateral alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormonergic fiber system from zona incerta to cerebral cortex: combined retrograde axonal transport and immunohistochemical study

We employed a highly sensitive combination method of retrograde tracing and immunohistochemistry to identify an alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH)-containing fiber pathway from zona incerta to cerebral cortex. Biotin-horseradish peroxidase injected into the parietal cortex of the rat labeled a number of neurons in the zona incerta bilaterally, and simultaneous staining with an alpha-MSH antiserum revealed that a part of these neurons are alpha-MSHergic.

Distribution of growth hormone-releasing hormone-like immunoreactivity in human tissue extracts

A specific RIA for human pancreatic tumor GH-releasing hormone [hpGRH(1-44)NH2] was developed using an antiserum which recognizes the region (Met27-Leu44)NH2 of hpGRH(1-44)NH2. This RIA was used to measure GH-releasing hormone-like immunoreactivity (GRH-LI) in various human tissue extracts. The highest concentration of GRH-LI was detected in extract of pituitary stalk with moderate amounts found in hypothalamus and optic chiasm but none in the cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, spinal cord, and anterior pituitary. In peripheral organs appreciable quantities of GRH-LI were found in the pancreas, whereas extracts of thyroid, lung, stomach, duodenum, ileum, colon, adrenal, and kidney contained very low concentrations of GRH-LI. No GRH-LI was detected in liver and spleen extracts. Gel permeation chromatographic analysis of the tissue extract from the hypothalamus revealed only one peak which eluted at the same position as that of 125I-hpGRH(1-44)NH2. Similar analysis of an extract from the optic chiasm showed one peak at the same position as that of 125I-hpGRH(1-44)NH2 and another peak which eluted after hpGRH(1-44)NH2. In contrast, an extract from the pancreas contained only one peak which eluted before 125I-hpGRH(1-44)NH2, indicating a possible precursor form of hpGRH(1-44)NH2. Limited trypsin digestion of the GRH-LI material from the pancreas, followed by gel permeation chromatographic analysis, yielded a major peak eluting at the same position as that of 125I-hpGRH(1-44)NH2. These results suggest that the GRH-LI detected in the hypothalamus most likely corresponds to hpGRH(1-44)NH2 in structure and that the GRH biosynthesized in the hypothalamus is transported to the stalk median eminence and stored there for release into the portal vessels.

The distribution of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) in the central nervous system of the rat: an immunohistochemical study. II. Lower brain stem

The distribution of immunoreactive alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSHI) in the rat lower brain stem was examined by indirect immunofluorescence or peroxidase- anti-peroxidase immunohistochemical method using an antiserum against synthetic alpha-MSH. The results confirmed the presence of alpha-MSHI fibers in the midbrain central gray matter and parabrachial area, and demonstrated a much more extensive distribution of these fibers in various parts of the lower brain stem areas previously thought not contain alpha-MSHI fibers. In addition, the commissural nucleus was identified as a new alpha-MSHI neurons-containing site. No alpha-MSHI neurons were seen in other regions of the rat lower brain stem.

Long-term observations in cases with spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas

Twenty cases with spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas were followed up for periods ranging between 9 months and 9 years 8 months. In five cases, a temporary reappearance of symptoms was noted within 6 months after their regression. A complete regression of symptoms without reappearance for more than 6 months (between 6 months and 6 years 10 months) was noted in 18 cases, and a marked improvement was noted in one case. The regression of symptoms was usually delayed in patients less than 60 years old, in cases in which the symptoms developed slowly, and cases with three draining veins. According to these observations, noninvasive treatment is basically recommended in cases with spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas.

Intracellular Na+ activates a K+ channel in mammalian cardiac cells

In a wide variety of cells, various intracellular agents, such as Ca2+, ATP and cyclic nucleotides, regulate ionic conductances of the membrane. In cardiac cells, the intracellular Na+ concentration [( Na+]i) frequently increases when a disturbance occurs in the electrogenic Na-K pump activity or the Na-Ca exchange mechanism. We have investigated a possible role of [Na+]i in controlling ion channels by using a patch-clamp method, and have found a K+ channel that is gated by [Na+]i greater than 20 mM, but not by the intracellular Ca2+ concentration (approximately 10(-4) M). We report here that the channel has a unitary conductance of 207 +/- 19 pS (n = 16) with K+ concentrations of 150 mM outside and 49 mM inside, and shows no detectable voltage-dependent kinetics. The Na+-activated K+ channel represents a novel class of ionic channel.

Corticotropin-releasing factor in the amacrine cells of the chicken retina

The distribution of ovine corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-like immunoreactivity (CRFI) in the chicken retina was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry. The observations from frozen sections show that CRFI is localized in the stratified amacrine cells of the fourth sublayer . Whole-mount preparations revealed that these amacrine cells are moderately concentrated in the inferior part of the retina.

The distribution and projection of gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone in the rat brain: an immunohistochemical analysis

The distribution and projection of immunoreactive gamma-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (gamma-MSHI) in the rat brain was examined by indirect immunofluorescence using an antiserum against synthetic rat gamma-MSH. The present study confirmed the presence of gamma-MSHI neurons in the arcuate nucleus and further demonstrated that the n. commissuralis is a new gamma-MSHI neurons-containing site. We also found a gamma-MSHI fiber network in the hypothalamus, thalamus, amygdala, central gray matter of the midbrain and upper pons, and further demonstrated a much more extensive distribution of these fibers particularly in the medulla oblongata, an area previously thought not to contain gamma-MSHI structures. The present observation on the normal distribution of gamma-MSHI suggested the existence of two different systems: one is the arcuatofugal gamma-MSH system and the other n. commissuralis gamma-MSH system. Using experimental manipulations, we clearly established that gamma-MSHI fibers in the forebrain, diencephalon, midbrain and upper pons originate from gamma-MSHI neurons in the arcuate nucleus and those in the medulla oblongata from the n. commissuralis .

Plasma growth hormone (GH) response to GH-releasing factor in normal children with short stature and patients with pituitary dwarfism

Synthetic human pancreatic GRF (hpGRF-44) was administered as an iv bolus to 28 normal children with short stature and 27 patients with GH deficiency. After a dose of 1 or 2 micrograms hpGRF-44/kg BW, mean plasma GH levels peaked at 15 and 30 min, respectively, with corresponding values of 30.1 +/- 4.7 and 33.2 +/- 3.7 ( +/- SE) ng/ml in normal but short children. The overall plasma GH response was greater than that of other GH stimulation tests such as insulin-induced hypoglycemia, glucagon-propranolol or L-dopa administration. Plasma LH, FSH, TSH, PRL, and cortisol levels were not altered by hpGRF-44 injection. Sixteen of 27 patients with GH deficiency did not respond to a 2 micrograms/kg BW hpGRF-44. However, plasma GH increases to greater than 5 ng/ml occurred in the remaining 11 patients. Their GH levels reached peaks between 15 and 90 min, with values ranging between 5.8 and 17.8 ng/ml. Two of these responding patients were infused iv with hpGRF-44 at 2.5 micrograms/min for 90 min after receiving an iv bolus injection of 2 micrograms/kg BW. Their plasma GH levels increased and remained near peak values throughout the infusion period. However, no increase in plasma GH levels occurred after a second bolus injection of hpGRF-44 given at the end of the infusion. These results suggest that hpGRF-44 is useful for the diagnosis of GH deficiency in individuals with short stature and that some patients with GH deficiency, diagnosed on the basis of established tests, have GH responses to hpGRF-44.

Plasma growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing factor in acromegalic patients

Synthetic growth hormone-releasing factor (hpGRF-44) (100 micrograms) was administered intravenously to ten acromegalic patients. The time when the peak of plasma GH occurred as well as the magnitude of the response were highly variable among these ten patients. From the GH response patterns the ten acromegalic patients were tentatively classified into three groups: (1) those highly GRF-dependent whose GH level increased to four times basal, (2) those moderately GRF-dependent whose GH level rose to less than two times basal and (3) those GRF-resistant whose GH level did not change. These data suggest that there may be differences in the GRF-receptor system in pituitary adenomas causing acromegaly.

Age-related changes in plasma growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing factor in man

The response of plasma growth hormone to synthetic growth hormone-releasing factor (hpGRF-44) administered intravenously was examined in normal men of various ages ranging from 20 to 75 years. Most of the subjects who were over forty years old had either no or much lower response of plasma growth hormone to hpGRF-44. In contrast plasma growth hormone increased markedly after hpGRF-44 injection in all men in their twenties and thirties. The mean peak level of plasma GH following hpGRF-44 administration was 29.6 +/- 20.4 (SD) ng/ml in men in their twenties, 30.2 +/- 26.5 ng/ml in their thirties, 9.7 +/- 5.2 ng/ml in their forties, 10.9 +/- 5.4 ng/ml in their fifties, 8.4 +/- 4.8 ng/ml in their sixties and 8.1 +/- 7.5 ng/ml in their seventies. These results suggest that somatotroph cells become less sensitive to growth hormone-releasing factor with aging.

Concentrations of sulfur-containing free amino acids in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid from patients with consciousness disturbances

The concentrations of sulfur-containing amino acids (taurine, methionine, cystine, cystathionine, homocystine) in lumbar CSF from patients with consciousness disturbances and controls were measured, and it was investigated whether there was any correlation between the sequential changes of these amino acid concentrations and of the level of consciousness. In all patients, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was administered and the changes of levels of consciousness and amino acid concentrations were followed before and after administration. The concentrations of taurine and cystathionine from the patients were significantly lower, and methionine and cystine significantly higher than those from the controls; they returned to the control values in parallel with improvement of consciousness level. Homocystine was not detected in either patients or controls. These results suggest that the alteration in the level of consciousness is associated with distortion of sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism within the central nervous system, at least in the CSF.

Corticotropin-releasing factor test in normal subjects and patients with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal disorders

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) tests were performed in normal subjects and patients with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal disorders. In normal subjects, after iv administration of 500 micrograms synthetic ovine CRF, plasma ACTH rose significantly to approximately 3.6 times the basal level at 30-60 min and cortisol reached a peak of 2.3 times the basal level at 60-90 min, whereas aldosterone peaked at 1.6 times the basal level at 60 min. Injection of 100 micrograms CRF in normal subjects also caused a significant increase in plasma ACTH and cortisol levels but only a slight increase in aldosterone. However, the total hormone released and their peak levels were lower than those elicited by the 500-microgram dosage. In patients with Cushing's disease, although the basal and peak levels of plasma ACTH and cortisol induced by administration of CRF were variable, the ratios of increase for the two hormones elicited by CRF were lower than those in normal subjects, especially for cortisol. In patients with Cushing's syndrome due to an adrenal adenoma, basal levels of ACTH were markedly suppressed and plasma ACTH and cortisol did not rise after CRF. In patients with isolated ACTH deficiency or Sheehan's syndrome the basal level of plasma ACTH was less than 5 pg/ml and no change in plasma ACTH occurred after injection of CRF. In patients with Nelson's syndrome or Addison's disease the basal levels of ACTH were extremely elevated but infusion of CRF increased plasma ACTH to even higher levels.

Effects of cyproheptadine, reserpine, and synthetic corticotropin-releasing factor on pituitary glands from patients with Cushing's disease

Direct effects of cyproheptadine, reserpine, synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), dexamethasone, and lysine-8-vasopressin (LVP) on the secretion of immunoreactive ACTH and beta-endorphin from the adenoma and the nonadenomatous tissue of patients with Cushing's disease were examined using a superfusion system. Cyproheptadine and reserpine (10(-9)-10(-7) M of each) suppressed immunoreactive ACTH and beta-endorphin secretion from both tissues. CRF (10(10)-10(7) M) stimulated the secretion of both peptides from the nonadenomatous tissue, but only a high dose of CRF could stimulate the secretion of these peptides from some adenomas. Such CRF-induced secretion was partially suppressed by dexamethasone. LVP (10(-9)-10(-7) M) stimulated peptide secretion from both types of tissue. These results suggest direct inhibitory effects of cyproheptadine and reserpine on the secretion of these peptides from the pituitary of patients with Cushing's disease, a different stimulatory mechanism of LVP from that of CRF in these tissues, and low sensitivity of the adenoma to CRF.

Hyperthermic action of somatostatin-28

An intracisternal injection of somatostatin-28 produced hyperthermia in rats at cold, thermoneutral, warm ambient temperatures. The hyperthermic response to somatostatin-28 was not prevented by pretreatment of rats with the following agents: alpha-methylparatyrosine, phenoxybenzamine, propranolol, sulpiride, atropine, methysergide or naloxone. Somatostatin-28 prevented hypothermia induced by bombesin and gamma-MSH when it was administered simultaneously, but it left the hyperthermic response to TRH intact. The results indicate that somatostatin-28 produces hyperthermia by elevating a "set point" or regulated level of temperature. Under the conditions tested, the hyperthermic response to somatostatin-28 does not appear to be dependent on muscarinic cholinergic, serotonergic, alpha- or beta-adrenergic, dopaminergic or endogenous opiate system.

Pituitary adenomas that caused Cushing's disease or Nelson's syndrome are not responsive to ovine corticotropin-releasing factor in vitro

The response of pituitary adenomas obtained surgically from patients with Cushing's disease of Nelson's syndrome to synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), vasopressins, somatostatin-28, dexamethasone, 3-isobutylmethylxanthine or high [K+] was examined in vitro by measuring the amount of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides secreted into the culture medium. CRF did not stimulate the secretion of adrenocorticotropin-, beta-endorphin-, or gamma 3-melanotropin-like peptides from the pituitary adenomas at concentrations ranging from 1 x 10(-13) M to 1 x 10(-7) M whereas vasopressins, 3-isobutyrl-methylxanthine and high [K+] increased, while somatostatin-28 and dexamethasone suppressed, the secretion of these POMC-derived peptides. These findings suggest that either the pituitary ACTH-producing tumors have lost their receptors to CRF or their post-receptor mechanism to CRF is not functional.

Effects of various neuropeptides on the secretion of proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides by a cultured pituitary adenoma causing Nelson's syndrome

To clarify whether various neuropeptides found in the hypothalamus act directly on a pituitary adenoma causing Nelson's syndrome, we examined the influence of these peptides on the secretion of immunoreactive ACTH, beta-endorphin, and melanotropins, the proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides, by the cultured pituitary adenoma from a patient with Nelson's syndrome. Results showed that somatostatin-14 and somatostatin-28 suppressed the secretion of POMC-derived peptides by the adenoma and that somatostatin-28 was as potent as somatostatin-14. Other neuropeptides such as arginine vasopressin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and oxytocin stimulate the secretion of POMC-derived peptides. Substance P, TRF, Met-enkephalin and Leu-enkephalin were also found to modulate the secretion of POMC-derived peptides. This suggests that the adenoma may have multiple receptors to various neuropeptides.

Multiple forms of immunoreactive beta-endorphin are present in an ectopic adrenocorticotropin-producing tumor but not in normal pituitary or pituitary adenomas

Human ACTH-producing tumor and plasma have been examined by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography to detect the possible presence of reported multiple forms of immunoreactive beta-endorphin (I-EP) Ion exchange chromatography of I-EP obtained from gel filtration showed four components of I-EP [two major peaks in the positions of EP-(1-31) and EP-(1-27) and two minor peaks in the positions of N-acetyl EP-(1-31) and N-acetyl EP-(1-27)] in two ectopic ACTH-producing lung cancers, and two components of I-EP [the major peak in the position of EP-(1-31) and minor peak in the position of N-acetyl EP-(1-31) in an ectopic ACTH-producing thyroid cancer. Only a single peak in the position of EP-(1-31) was present in plasma from a patient with Nelson's sindrome and a patient with Addison's disease, in the pituitary adenomas from six patients with Cushing's disease, and in the nontumorous pituitary tissues from a patient with Cushing's disease and a patient with acromegaly. These data suggest that the posttranslational processing of EP in human pituitary is different from that in the ectopic ACTH-producing tumor.

The regional distribution of gamma 3-melanotropin-like peptides in bovine brain is correlated with adrenocorticotropin immunoreactivity but not with beta-endorphin

Immunoreactive (IR)-gamma 3-melanotropin (MSH), -adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and -beta-endorphin in various areas of bovine brain were measured with their respective radioimmunoassays (RIA). The concentrations of IR-gamma 3-MSH were almost the same as those of IR-ACTH in most areas. Furthermore, in all brain regions, the concentrations of both peptides were lower than those of IR-beta-endorphin. The highest concentration of IR-gamma 3-MSH was found in hypothalamus, followed by thalamus, midbrain and striatum. Gel permeation chromatographic studies showed that the main gamma 3-MSH-like peptide in the hypothalamus, striatum and midbrain was a small form, whose molecular weight is about 4500. These brain gamma 3-MSH-like peptides were also found to be glycosylated.

Secretion pattern of pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides by a pituitary adenoma from a patient with Cushing's disease

Fragments of the pituitary adenoma of a patient with Cushing's disease were maintained in defined culture medium. Immunoreactive (IR) ACTH, IR alpha-MSH, IR beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH), IR beta-endorphin, and IR gamma-MSHs secreted from the adenoma were studied with gel permeation chromatography and the respective RIAs. The adenoma secreted roughly equimolar quantities of IR beta-LPH plus IR beta-endorphin, IR gamma 3-MSHs, and IR ACTHs. It also secreted IR alpha-MSH as well as IR gamma 1-MSH, although in a much lower concentration than the above four peptides. The secreted gamma 3-MSH-like peptides were found to be glycosylated. The secretion pattern suggests that this particular adenoma processes the pro-opiomelanocortin molecule in pathways which encompass those of both the pars distalis and the pars intermedia.

Pituitary immunoreactive gamma-melanotropins are glycosylated oligopeptides

Nakanishi et al. have recently characterised the complete sequence of the mRNA isolated from the intermediate lobe of bovine pituitary which codes for the 31,000 molecular weight (31K) precursor protein of corticotropin/beta-lipotropin (ACTH/beta-LPH). The corresponding amino acid sequence translated from this mRNA revealed in the cryptic region of the precursor protein a fragment sharing a common amino acid sequence with the alpha- beta-melanotropins (alpha-MSH, beta-MSH) and thus named gamma-MSH. To study whether this gamma-MSH fragment is also processed and released as a biologically active substance and to ascertain its location in the pituitary and possibly in the brain, we have raised antibodies to the synthetic replicate of gamma 3-MSH (ref. 2). We report here the detection of at least two gamma-MSH-like peptides in the pituitary using these antibodies in a radioimmunoassay (RLA) and, furthermore, evidence that these two peptides are glycosylated.

High-molecular-weight immunoreactive beta-endorphin in extracts of human placenta is a fragment of immunoglobulin G

A high-molecular-weight protein with beta-endorphin- and adrenocorticotropin-immunoreactivities was isolated from extracts of human placenta after several purification steps, including immunoadsorption with a well-characterized antiserum raised to beta-endorphin. This protein was identified as the heavy chain of the human immunoglobulin class IgG1. These results have led to the recognition of homologies in the amino acid sequences of these physiologically unrelated molecules. They also suggest caution in accepting immunological competence as the sole criterion of the chemical identity of a ligand.