Multigormonal secretory activity of cells of clinically non-functioning pituitary tumors in vitro and the effect of tyroliberin on it

Abstract

Experiments on cell cultures demonstrated that isolated cells of clinically inert pituitary tumors release several hormones in small amounts into the medium: luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones, alpha-subunit of glycoprotein hormones, prolactin, and growth hormone. Multihormonal secretion of these cells indicates their poor morphofunctional differentiation. In contrast to normal pituitary cells, cells of clinically inert pituitary tumors respond nonspeciflcally to hypothalamic thyrotropin releasing hormone: by increased secretion of prolactin, gonadotropins, glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit, and growth hormone. This capacity of tumor cells detected in vitro agrees with the probability of increased levels of gonadotropins and glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit in the serum of patients with clinically inert pituitary tumors during pharmacodynamic thyrotropin releasing hormone test.