metribolone and Pituitary-Neoplasms

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.

Topics: Adenoma; Adult; Androgens; Bromocriptine; Cell Division; Dihydrotestosterone; Estradiol; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Growth Hormone; Hormone Antagonists; Humans; Lisuride; Male; Metribolone; Middle Aged; Pituitary Neoplasms; Progesterone; Prolactin; Receptors, Estrogen; Receptors, Progesterone; Testosterone; Thymidine; Tritium; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Topics: 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; Androgens; Androstane-3,17-diol; Androstenedione; Animals; Cell Division; Cell Line; Dihydrotestosterone; Estradiol; Estrenes; Metribolone; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Rats; Testosterone