neuropeptide-y and Astrocytoma

Using immunohistochemistry, well-preserved neuronal cell bodies and fibres containing neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, and cholecystokinin immunoreactivity have been identified in all seven supratentorial anaplastic astrocytomas studied. These neurones have been shown not only on the edge but also in the depth of the neoplastic tissue. These neuropeptides were not present in 18 other intracranial tumours (3 astrocytomas, 1 subependymoma, 8 glioblastoma multiformes, 1 meningioma, and 5 metastases). In all 25 intracranial tumours studied, no immunoreactivity was found for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, methionine-enkephalin, leucine-enkephalin, synenkephalin, neurophysin I-II, and corticotropin releasing factor.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Cholecystokinin; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Neuropeptide Y; Somatostatin; Supratentorial Neoplasms

Concentrations of seven neuropeptides have been determined in 69 human neurological tumours. The majority of tumours were intrinsic to the central nervous system, being astrocytomas. In general, within the the better differentiated tumours (Grade I/II astrocytomas) higher concentrations of five neuropeptides (neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide and cholecystokinin) were measured in comparison to the poorly differentiated tumours. Of the metastatic tumours, five were derived from oat cell carcinoma of the bronchus. Very high concentrations of bombesin were identified in these metastases.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Bombesin; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Meningeal Neoplasms; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neuropeptide Y; Substance P; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide