Abstract
The effects of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and methyltrienolone (R 1881) on cell proliferation of eight human pituitary tumors in culture wre assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation and compared to those of progesterone (Pg) and 17 beta-estradiol. Receptors for androgens (AR), estrogens (ER) and progesterone (PgR) were characterized. AR had a significant inhibitory effect on all AR-positive tumors, whatever their hormonal content. Inhibitory effects of either T and DHT < R1881 < Pg were observed in tumors co-expressing AR and PgR. The inhibitory effect of R 1881 on a PgR-positive/AR-negative tumor suggested that R 1881 action was partially PgR-mediated. The effects of either T or the nonaromatizable DHT and R 1881 were unrelated to ER expression. We conclude that AR can modulate the growth of human pituitary tumors through direct receptor-mediated intracellular pathways which may be common to various pituitary cell types.
MeSH terms
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Adenoma / blood
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Adenoma / drug therapy
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Adenoma / pathology*
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Adenoma / surgery
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Adult
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Androgens / pharmacology*
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Bromocriptine / therapeutic use
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Cell Division / drug effects
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Dihydrotestosterone / pharmacology
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Estradiol / pharmacology*
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Female
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Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
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Growth Hormone / blood
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Hormone Antagonists / pharmacology
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Humans
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Lisuride / therapeutic use
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Male
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Metribolone / pharmacology
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Middle Aged
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Pituitary Neoplasms / blood
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Pituitary Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology*
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Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery
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Progesterone / pharmacology*
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Prolactin / blood
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Receptors, Estrogen / analysis
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Receptors, Progesterone / analysis
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Testosterone / pharmacology
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Thymidine / metabolism
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Tritium
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Tumor Cells, Cultured
Substances
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Androgens
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Hormone Antagonists
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Receptors, Estrogen
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Receptors, Progesterone
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Dihydrotestosterone
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Tritium
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Metribolone
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Bromocriptine
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Testosterone
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Progesterone
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Estradiol
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Prolactin
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Follicle Stimulating Hormone
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Growth Hormone
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Lisuride
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Thymidine