Secretion of alpha and TSH-beta subunits in patients with acromegaly: an in vivo study.

Abstract

Plasma alpha and TSH-beta subunit responses to iv administration of GHRH were examined in 19 patients with active acromegaly. In 4 patients (21%), plasma alpha subunit levels were increased over 50% of basal levels after administration of GHRH, whereas plasma TSH-beta subunit levels were increased in response to GHRH in another 5 patients (26%). No patient showed simultaneous increases of alpha and beta subunits. After successful surgery, alpha and TSH-beta subunits did not respond to GHRH. These findings support the idea that some pituitary adenomas in acromegaly cosecrete GH and either alpha subunit or TSH-beta subunit.

• Authors: H Assadian, A Shimatsu, H Koshiyama, N Hattori, Y Ishikawa, T Tanoh, H Imura
• Journal: Acta endocrinologica (Acta Endocrinol (Copenh)) Vol. 122 Issue 6 Pg. 729-34 (Jun 1990) ISSN: 0001-5598 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 1695807 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit
• Luteinizing Hormone
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone
• Thyrotropin
• Growth Hormone
• Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone
• Thyroxine

Topics

• Acromegaly (metabolism)
• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (blood)
• Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit (metabolism)
• Growth Hormone (blood)
• Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Injections, Intravenous
• Luteinizing Hormone (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pituitary Gland (drug effects, metabolism, surgery)
• Thyrotropin (blood, metabolism)
• Thyroxine (blood)