Prolactin: Synthesis, Fate and Actions. Prolactin. Berlin: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 1982. pp. 1-23. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-81721-2_1]

Effect of drugs on pituitary ultrastructure

Various drugs and hormones influence the light microscopic and especially the electron microscopic structure of the anterior pituitary and its tumors. Many structural effects are known only from animal experiments since specimens from human pituitaries are mostly not available. The structure of growth hormone (GH) cells is relatively stable. A massive GH cell hyperplasia is known only in rare cases with growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) excess from tumors. Prolactin cells can be stimulated by drugs, neurotransmitters, and hormones which decrease the dopamine inhibition. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) cells are stimulated by stress, some hormones, loss of adrenals, and drugs which activate the alpha 1- and beta-receptors or inhibit the alpha 2-receptors. They are suppressed and changed into Crooke's cells by treatment with glucocorticoids. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) cells increase in number and size in states for overstimulation especially by thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). A decrease results from hyperthyroidism and possibly from somatostatin, L-dopa, and dopamine. Gonadotroph cells transform into castration cells in strongly hyperactive states (gonadectomy, antiandrogens, gonadotropin releasing hormone [Gn-RH]agonists, aminoglutethimide). Special types of pituitary adenomas can be treated with drugs which suppress hormone production and proliferation. Dopamine agonists and somatostatin reduce the tumor size of varying proportions of GH secreting adenomas in acromegaly. Ultrastructurally, a decrease of cytoplasmic and nuclear volume and an increase of lysosomes are found. Bromocriptine and other dopamine agonists are established in the treatment of prolactin secreting adenomas. They induce a shrinkage in many cases. Ultrastructurally, a reduction of cellular and nuclear size, an increase in number of secretory granules and of lysosomes, and a reduction of rough endoplasmic reticulum can be demonstrated.

Activity of ornithine decarboxylase and creatine kinase in soft and hard tissue of vitamin D-deficient chicks following parenteral application of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

We investigated the stimulation of creatine kinase (CK) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] and 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24R,25(OH)2D3] in doses ranging from 1.625 to 6500 pmol in 4-week-old vitamin D-deficient chicks. Enzyme activities were monitored for 72 h. 1,25(OH)2D3 but not 24R,25(OH)2D3 enhanced the activity of ODC in duodenum and bone. The time course of ODC activity in bone was biphasic, with an increase after 1 h and a higher peak after 24 h. Diaphyses and epiphyses responded equally well after a dose of 6500 pmol. The kidney, liver, and lung showed 1.5-3.8-fold increase in CK activity following 1,25(OH)2D3, reaching a maximum between 3-5 h. However, sustained stimulation of CK activity could still be demonstrated after 72 h, and the 48-h levels in the lung even exceeded the 5-h values. No change of activity of either enzyme was noted in heart and brain after application of 1,25(OH)2D3. There was no coincidence of stimulation of ODC and CK by 1,25(OH)2D3 in the same tissue, and the dose-responsiveness of both enzymes differed considerably. Near maximum activities of ODC were achieved with 19.5 pmol 1,25(OH)2D3 in duodenum and pancreas, while maximum responses of CK occurred in the liver at 195 pmol and in lung and kidney at 6500 pmol. 24R,25(OH)2D3 failed to produce any consistent effects of either enzyme in all tissues examined. These results, particularly the lack of response to 24R,25(OH)2D3, are different from those reported in rats.