Objective: To evaluate the distribution and expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) in human pituitary adenomas.
Methods: Thirty eight consecutive surgically resected pituitary adenomas and 5 normal pituitary tissues were enrolled in the study. Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm the distribution of PPAR-gamma. Expression of PPAR-gamma was evaluated by Western blot.
Results: PPAR-gamma immunoreactivity was located in the nucleoli of pituitary adenoma cells. PPAR-gamma was expressed in all human pituitary adenomas and normal pituitary tissues. Its expression in pituitary adenomas was significantly higher than in normal pituitary tissues (P < 0.01), and its expression in ACTH-secreting adenomas was significantly higher than in any other type of pituitary adenomas (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: PPAR-gamma may play an important role in the generation, growth, and invasion of human pituitary adenomas. It may become a novel therapeutic target for these tumors.