This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by LEVY, A. Articles by LIGHTMAN, S. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by LEVY, A. Articles by LIGHTMAN, S. L.

Effects of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone on Inositol Phospholipid Turnover in Endocrinologically Inactive Pituitary Adenomas and Prolactinomas

Department of Medicine, Charing Cross and Westminster Hospital Medical School London SW1P 2AP, United Kingdom

Address requests for reprints to: Prof. Stafford L. Lightman, Department of Medicine, Charing Cross and Westminster Hospital Medical School, 17 Page Street, London SW1P 2AP, United Kingdom.

We examined the effects of GnRH and TRH on inositol phospholipid turnover in 11 endocrinologically inactive pituitary adenomas and 5 prolactinomas. In 9 of the 11 nonsecreting adenomas, GnRH induced a significant increase in inositol phospholipid turnover; of those that responded, increased inositol phospholipid turnover in response to TRH occurred in 6. Neither of the 2 prolactinomas exposed to GnRH responded to GnRH, whereas all 5 prolactinomas responded to TRH. These findings demonstrate the presence of functional GnRH receptors on endocrinologically inactive pituitary adenomas. The phosphatidyl inositol-linked receptor status of these tumors differs from that of prolactinomas. These receptors may offer a possible target for therapeutic intervention in endocrinologically inactive adenomas.

^* Wellcome Trust Research Training Fellow.

Received December 13, 1988.