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.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
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
-
Pituitary Gland / metabolism
-
Pituitary Gland / surgery
-
Thyrotropin / blood
-
Thyrotropin / metabolism*
-
Thyroxine / blood
Substances
-
Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit
-
Luteinizing Hormone
-
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
-
Thyrotropin
-
Growth Hormone
-
Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone
-
Thyroxine