Determination of the ovulatory mechanism of the grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus)

The objective of this study was to determine whether gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), oxytocin (OT) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) modulate beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta-END-LI) secretion by dispersed anterior pituitary cells of pigs and in vivo priming with steroid hormones, estradiol benzoate (EB) and progesterone (P(4)), influences the cell reactivity to peptide hormones tested. Additionally, the aim of this research was to examine the involvement of cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) in transduction of signals induced by GnRH, OT and VIP in porcine pituitary cells. Pituitaries were collected from ovariectomized (OVX) gilts that were divided into four experimental groups. Animals of group 1 (OVX) received 1ml corn oil (placebo)/100 kg body weight (b.w.), group 2 (OVX+EB I) and group 3 (OVX+EB II) were treated with EB at the dose 2.5mg/100 kg b.w., 30-36 and 60-66 h before slaughter, respectively. Animals of group 4 (OVX+P(4)) were injected with P(4) at the dose 120 mg/100 kg b.w. for 5 subsequent days before slaughter. Anterior pituitaries were dispersed with trypsin and then pituitary cells were cultured (10(6) per well) in McCoy's 5A medium containing horse serum (10%) and fetal calf serum (2.5%) for 3 days at 37 degrees C under an atmosphere of 95% air and 5% CO(2). Subsequently, plates were rinsed with fresh McCoy's 5A medium and pituitary cells were treated with one of the following agents: GnRH (100 ng/ml), OT (10(-6)M) or VIP (10(-7)M) and incubated for 3.5h at 37 degrees C.GnRH did not affect beta-END-LI secretion by pituitary cells of OVX (group 1) and OVX+P(4) (group 4) gilts. When the pituitary cells were incubated in the presence of OT and VIP, significant increases were observed. After priming of OVX gilts with EB, 30-36 h before slaughter (group 2), we noted a significant increase in beta-END-LI release from pituitary cells only in the presence of VIP. Pituitary cells from gilts treated with EB, 60-66 h before slaughter (group 3), produced markedly elevated amounts of beta-END-LI after GnRH, OT or VIP addition.GnRH markedly stimulated cGMP release from cultured pituitary cells in all experimental groups and significantly increased cAMP production by the cells from OVX, OVX+EB II and OVX+P(4) animals. The addition of OT enhanced both cAMP and cGMP output in all experimental groups of pigs. VIP stimulated cAMP release from pituitary cells derived from OVX, OVX+EB I and OVX+EB II animals. cGMP output was markedly elevated under the influence of VIP from pituitary cells of OVX, OVX+EB II and OVX+P(4) gilts.In conclusion, our results suggest that GnRH, OT and VIP can modulate beta-endorphin release from porcine pituitary cells and imply the involvement of cAMP and cGMP in transduction of signals induced by studied peptides in the cells.     

In vivo and in vitro effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide on the release of prolactin in rats

The effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) on the release of prolactin (PRL) in rats was studied in vivo and in vitro. Intravenous injection of 5 micrograms/100 g BW of CCK-8 resulted in significant increase in the plasma PRL level after 10 and 20 min. CCK-8 at concentrations of 10(-11) M to 10(-7) M also caused dose-dependent stimulation of PRL release from dispersed cells of rat anterior pituitary. On the other hand, dopamine inhibited PRL release from dispersed cells of rat anterior pituitary in a dose-related manner at concentrations of 10(-8) M to 10(-6) M. Release of PRL from the cells was increased by addition of K+ at high concentration (53 mM) in a Ca++-dependent manner. Addition of 10(-3) M verapamil to the incubation medium inhibited CCK-8-induced PRL release from the cells. Addition of dopamine (10(-7) M) to the incubation medium inhibited PRL release from the cells induced by CCK-8 or high K+ (53 mM). These results indicate that CCK-8 acts directly on the anterior pituitary cells to stimulate PRL release and that calcium ion is involved in the mechanism of this effect.     

Glucocorticoid inhibition of immunoreactive beta-endorphin release from the anterior lobe of the rat pituitary: in vitro and in vivo studies

Glucocorticoid control of pituitary beta-endorphin (beta-END) release was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Cultured cells of both rat anterior (AL) and neurointermediate (NIL) lobe released beta-END-like immunoreactivity (beta-END-LI) in response to epinephrine (10(-7) M); however, only the response of AL cells was prevented by corticosterone (10(-8)-10(-6) M) or dexamethasone (10(-9)-10(-7) M). Gel chromatographic analysis (Sephadex G-50) revealed that the major forms of beta-END-LI released by AL cells corresponded to beta-END and beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) in molecular size, whereas virtually all of the immunoreactivity released by NIL cells resembled beta-END. In vivo administration of dexamethasone attenuated the stress-induced release of beta-END-LI in a dose- and time-related fashion, having a more pronounced effect on plasma levels of beta-END-LI corresponding to beta-LPH in molecular size. Metyrapone (100 mg/kg), an inhibitor of glucocorticoid synthesis, evoked a rapid (20-40 min) four- to sixfold increase in total plasma beta-END-LI and 75% of this rise was due to immunoreactivity resembling beta-LPH in size. This response was diminished by coadministration of either dexamethasone (0.05-1.25 mg/kg) or corticosterone (0.05-1.25 mg/kg) and completely prevented by 4-hr pretreatment with dexamethasone (50 micrograms/kg). The briskness of the plasma beta-END-LI response to acute changes in glucocorticoid status suggests that a "rapid" feedback mechanism operates in the physiologic control of pituitary beta-END-LI secretion. Moreover, the ability of glucocorticoids to selectively inhibit AL release of beta-END-LI in vitro and their pronounced effect on plasma levels of beta-END-LI resembling beta-LPH, a marker of AL secretion, together indicate that glucocorticoids exert a selective influence over the secretion of AL corticotrophs in vivo. This demonstration of differential regulation of the AL versus IL secretion of beta-END-LI in vivo most likely reflects a phenomena having biologic importance related to the different physiologic actions of the several molecular forms of beta-END-LI secreted by the two tissues.     

In vivo and in vitro effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide on the release of growth hormone in rats

The effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) on the release of growth hormone (GH) in rats was studied in vivo and in vitro. Intravenous injection of 5 micrograms/100 g BW of CCK-8 resulted in significant increase in the plasma GH level after 10 and 20 min. CCK-8 at concentrations of 10(-11)M to 10(-7)M also caused dose-dependent stimulation of GH release from dispersed cells of rat anterior pituitary. On the other hand, somatostatin (SRIF) inhibited GH release from dispersed cells of rat anterior pituitary in a dose-related manner at concentrations of 10(-7)M to 10(-9)M. Release of GH from the cells was increased by addition of K+ at high concentration (50 mM) in a Ca++-dependent manner. Addition of 10(-3)M verapamil to the incubation medium inhibited CCK-8-induced GH release from the cells. Addition of SRIF (10(-7)M) to the incubation medium inhibited GH release from the cells induced by CCK-8 or high K+ (50 mM). These results indicate that CCK-8 acts directly on the anterior pituitary cells to stimulate GH release and that calcium ion is involved in the mechanism of this effect.     

Comparative studies of angiotensin II and its analog [Sar1Ala8]angiotensin II on the density of cellular monolayer of cell cultures from green monkey kidney

The effects of the octapeptide angiotensin II (AT II) and its analog [Sar1Ala8]AT II on the cell density in cell culture from green monkey kidney (GMK) were studied. AT II and [Sar1Ala8]AT II provoked a decrease of the number of living cells depending on the concentration (0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 nM) and time of incubation (24, 48 and 72 hours), both peptides having a very similar activity. These data indicate that AT II and [Sar1Ala8]AT II may act on the same class of angiotensin receptors in GMK cells.     

Effects of VIP, TRH, GABA and dopamine on prolactin release from superfused rat anterior pituitary cells

Effects of VIP, TRH, dopamine and GABA on the secretion of prolactin (PRL) from rat pituitary cells were studied in vitro with a sensitive superfusion method. Dispersed anterior pituitary cells were placed on a Sephadex G-25 column and continuously eluted with KRBG buffer. Infusion of TRH (10(-11) - 10(-8)M) and VIP (10(-9) - 10(-6)M) resulted in a dose-related increase in PRL release. LHRH (10(-8) - 10(-5)M) had no effect on PRL release. On the other hand, infusion of dopamine (10(-9) - 10(-6)M) and GABA (10(-8) - 10(-4)M) suppressed not only the basal PRL release from dispersed pituitary cells but also the PRL response to TRH and VIP. The potency of TRH to stimulate PRL release is greater than that of VIP, and the potency of dopamine to inhibit PRL secretion is stronger than that of GABA on a molar basis. These results indicate that TRH and VIP have a stimulating role whereas dopamine and GABA have an inhibitory role in the regulation of PRL secretion at the pituitary level in the rat.     

Monensin inhibition of corticotropin releasing factor mediated ACTH release

Monensin is a sodium selective carboxylic ionophore that has been helpful in studying the intracellular mechanisms of protein secretion by its ability to inhibit transport of secretory proteins, particularly through the Golgi apparatus, and by its capacity to block intracellular posttranslational processing events. We studied in rat anterior pituitary cell culture the effects of monensin on: CRF stimulated ACTH release; presynthesized (stored) ACTH release; and on forskolin- (activator of adenylate cyclase) and KCl- (a membrane depolarizer which does not stimulate ACTH synthesis) induced ACTH release. Monensin inhibited CRF stimulated ACTH release in a dose-dependent fashion. The ED50 was 2.7 x 10(-8) M and maximal inhibition was 52% at 1.5 x 10(-7) M. Inhibition at 40 minutes of CRF incubation was similar to the percent inhibition noted at 1 hr 40 min and 2 hr 40 min. Monensin (1.5 x 10(-6) M) decreased the amount of ACTH release from cells incubated with cycloheximide plus CRF by 32% (p less than 0.01). Monensin individually inhibited forskolin (2 x 10(-6) M) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (3 x 10(-3) M) mediated ACTH release in a dose-dependent fashion. The inhibition of forskolin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP mediated ACTH release by 1.5 x 10(-6) M monensin was 48% and 46% respectively. Monensin (1.5 x 10(-6) M) also reduced KCl (50 mM) stimulated ACTH release by 48%. This study demonstrates that monensin inhibits CRF mediated ACTH release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of angiotensin II on secretion of adrenal androgens

To assess the effect of angiotensin II (A II) on the secretion of human adrenal androgens (AA), plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate (DS) and delta 4-androstenedione (delta 4-A) were measured in eight normal men 60 and 120 min after stimulation of endogenous A II by a bolus injection of 40 mg frusemide, and the direct effect of A II on the secretion of adrenal androgens was examined in cultured human adrenocortical cells in the presence of a low concentration of ACTH. The administration of frusemide led to a significant increase in the plasma DHEA and DS concentration as well as plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone concentration (PAC), but did not change plasma cortisol and delta 4-A. In the culture of human adrenocortical cells, 10(-9)-10(-5) M A II or 10(-13) M ACTH alone did not stimulate the secretion of DHEA, DS and delta 4-A, while 10(-7) and 10(-5) M A II in the presence of 10(-13) M ACTH caused a significant increase in DHEA and DS secretion with no change in delta 4-A. These results suggest that the activated renin-angiotensin system stimulates the secretion of adrenal androgens by a direct effect of A II on adrenal cortical cells.     

Effect of glucagon on growth hormone secretion in rats

Gentled rats injected subcutaneously with glucagon (20 microgram/100 g body weight) showed a significant decrease in plasma growth hormone (GH) at 15 min after glucagon injection. A subcutaneous injection of 50% glucose did not cause the early suppression as shown at 15 min after glucagon injection, but at 30 min after glucose injection a tendency to decrease in plasma GH was observed. In urethane anesthetized rats, a subcutaneous administration of glucagon (1 microgram or 10 microgram/100 g body weight) failed to elicit an increase in plasma GH. In vitro incubation of anterior pituitary fragments with glucagon failed to decrease the release of GH, suggesting that glucagon does not act directly on the anterior pituitary.     

Desensitization of angiotensin II: effect on [Ca2+]i, inositol triphosphate, and prolactin in pituitary cells

Activation of pituitary angiotensin (ANG II) type 1 receptors (AT1) mobilizes intracellular Ca2+, resulting in increased prolactin secretion. We first assessed desensitization of AT1 receptors by testing ANG II-induced intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)) response in rat anterior pituitary cells. A period as short as 1 min with 10(-7) M ANG II was effective in producing desensitization (remaining response was 66.8 +/- 2.1% of nondesensitized cells). Desensitization was a concentration-related event (EC(50): 1.1 nM). Although partial recovery was obtained 15 min after removal of ANG II, full response could not be achieved even after 4 h (77.6 +/- 2.4%). Experiments with 5 x 10(-7) M ionomycin indicated that intracellular Ca2+ stores of desensitized cells had already recovered when desensitization was still significant. The thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-induced intracellular Ca2+ peak was attenuated in the ANG II-pretreated group. ANG II pretreatment also desensitized ANG II- and TRH-induced inositol phosphate generation (72.8 +/- 3.5 and 69.6 +/- 6.1%, respectively, for inositol triphosphate) and prolactin secretion (53.4 +/- 2.3 and 65.1 +/- 7.2%), effects independent of PKC activation. We conclude that, in pituitary cells, inositol triphosphate formation, [Ca2+](i) mobilization, and prolactin release in response to ANG II undergo rapid, long-lasting, homologous and heterologous desensitization.     

The effects of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) on the release of anterior pituitary hormones

Several members of the secretin family of hormones have been demonstrated to alter anterior pituitary hormone secretion. Here we report the action of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) on gonadotropin and somatotropin release. Intraventricular injection of 1 microgram (0.2 nmole) GIP (2.5 microliters) produced a significant decrease in plasma FSH at 30 (p less than 0.02) and 60 min after its injection (p less than 0.01). The FSH-lowering effect of a higher dose of 5 micrograms (1 nmole) of GIP was already developed at 15 min (p less than 0.01) and was prolonged until the end of the experiment (60 min, p less than 0.05). No change in plasma LH was detected at any time during the experimental period. If 5 micrograms of estradiol-benzoate were given SC 48 hr prior to experiment, the initial values of FSH and LH were markedly decreased. In these animals GIP failed to influence plasma FSH and LH. When dispersed anterior pituitary cells from OVX rats were cultured overnight and incubated in vitro with GIP, the peptide was found to induce both FSH and LH release. Highly significant release occurred with the lowest dose tested of 10(-7) M and there was a dose-response effect for both hormones. The slope of the dose-response curve was similar for both FSH and LH release. GIP was less potent than LHRH which produced a greater stimulation of both FSH and LH release at a dose of 10(-9) M than did 10(-7) M GIP. The two peptides had an additive effect on the release of both FSH and LH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of sodium valproate on the secretion of proopiomelanocortin derived peptides from cultured rat anterior pituitary cells

We examined effects of sodium valproate, a gamma amino butyric acid (GABA)-transaminase inhibitor, on the secretion of immunoreactive (IR)-ACTH and IR-beta-endorphin/LPH from cultured rat anterior pituitary cells to determine whether sodium valproate has a direct action on the secretion of ACTH and its related peptides from the cultured rat anterior pituitary gland. During the 3 h incubation, the basal secretion of IR-ACTH and IR-beta-endorphin/LPH decreased to 50.8% and 58.3%, respectively, of the control concentration after adding 10(-7) M sodium valproate into the incubation media and to 67.7% and 69.3%, respectively, of the control levels with 10(-8) M sodium valproate. However, sodium valproate at a concentration of 10(-6) M or 10(-9) M did not affect the basal concentration of IR-ACTH and IR-beta-endorphin/LPH. Sodium valproate at a concentration of 10(-7) M significantly attenuated the stimulated release of IR-ACTH and IR-beta-endorphin/LPH by 10(-9) or 10(-10) M of ovine corticotrophin releasing factor. These results indicate that sodium valproate could directly effect rat anterior pituitary cells to suppress both basal and stimulated release of proopiomelanocortin derived peptides and this supports the hypothesis that sodium valproate has a direct effect at the pituitary corticotroph in reducing plasma ACTH.     

Characteristics of action of prostaglandins on cyclic AMP accumulation in rat anterior pituitary gland.

Prostaglandins (PGs) were found to lead to a marked stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation in rat anterior pituitary gland in vitro in the following decreasing order of potency: PG E-1 E-2 GREATER THAN A-1 A-I GREATER THAN F-1ALPHA F-2ALPHA. The effect of PGs is potentiated by theophylline. The stimulatory effect of PGs on cyclic AMP accumulation is already detected 2min after the addition of 1-x 10-7 to 1-x 10-6 M PG E-2 and its maximal effect is reached after approximated 30 min of incubation, with a progressive decrease toward basal cyclic AMP levels at later time intervals. Increased intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations are accompanied by an increased release of the nucleotide into incubation medium. Complete removal of Ca-e+ from the incubation medium by addition of EGTA was found to increase the stimulatory effect of PG E-2 ON CYCLIC AMP accumulation. The action of PGs on hormonal release and cyclic AMP accumulation support the hypothesis of a role of PGs in the mechanism of anterior pituitary hormone (particularly growth hormone) release.     

Lack of effect of serotonin and norepinephrine on CRF release from hypothalami in vitro

A number of investigations utilizing hypothalami from adrenalectomized animals have provided conflicting results regarding the role of serotonin (5HT) and norepinephrine (NE) in CRF regulation. In order to further investigate these neurotransmitters, we performed three sets of experiments with hypothalami obtained from intact rats. In experiment I, freshly obtained rat hypothalami were randomly grouped and incubated in control medium and medium in the presence of 10(-11) M, 10(-10) M, and 10(-9) M serotonin. Aliquots of 200 microliters of these incubates were bioassayed for CRF activity using a dispersed anterior pituitary cell system, and ACTH secretion from the cells was determined by radioimmunoassay. A preliminary experiment had determined that a 200 microliters aliquot from hypothalami incubated in control medium resulted in a significantly (p less than 0.0001) greater ACTH release than obtained from cells alone. No significant effect of serotonin on hypothalamic CRF release was obtained. In experiment III, individual hypothalami were bisected longitudinally, and one half served as control. The contralateral half was incubated in medium containing 10(-11) M, 10(-10) M, and 10(-9) M serotonin. CRF release in this experiment again revealed no significant effect of serotonin. In experiment II, hypothalami were again randomly grouped and incubated with control medium and in the presence of 10(-8) M and 10(-6) M norepinephrine. This experiment resulted in no significant effect of norepinephrine on CRF release. These results suggest that serotonin and norepinephrine at the concentrations studied have no effect on CRF release from hypothalami obtained from intact rats.     

The effects of prostacyclin (PGI2) on prolactin secretion in vitro

Continuously superfused rat anterior pituitary cells were used to study the effects of exogenous prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxanes (TXs) on the secretion of prolactin (PRL). No change in hormone release was observed upon superfusion with TXB2 (10(-5)M) or the TX synthesis inhibitor, imidazole (1.5 mM). PGs A2, B2, D2, E1, E2, F1 alpha, F2 alpha, and endoperoxide analogs, U-44069 and U-46619, also had no effect on PRL secretion (all at 10(-5)M). In contrast 10(-5)M PGI2 was repeatedly found to stimulate PRL release to a level at least 125% above control, while producing no apparent change in the amount of hormone secreted in response to TRH. Somatostatin (SRIF), at a dose of 10(-6)M, maximally inhibited TRH-induced PRL output, but failed to alter the PRL response to PGI2. These studies indicate that PGI2 may have a direct effect on the anterior pituitary to modify PRL secretion.     

Atrial natriuretic factor-induced cGMP accumulation in rat anterior pituitary cells in culture is not coupled to hormonal secretion

While atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) does not influence ACTH secretion, it was reported to have a marked stimulatory effect on the intracellular accumulation of cGMP in rat anterior pituitary cells in culture. Since many biological actions of ANF appear coupled to its excitatory action on target cell guanylate cyclase, the current study was designed to characterize the ANF-induced cGMP response in anterior pituitary with a view to determining whether the nucleotide plays a regulatory role in the secretory function of this gland. A 3 min exposure of cells in primary culture to 300 nM ANF (99-126) or 100 microM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a stimulator of guanylate cyclase, causes maximal 10- and 3-fold elevations of cGMP levels, respectively. Following a progressive decrease, 6- and 2-fold increases over basal cGMP levels are still observed after 180 min of incubation with ANF (99-126) and SNP, respectively. The half-maximal stimulation of cGMP accumulation induced by a 10 min exposure to ANF (99-126), or rat atriopeptin II (ANF 103-125) is observed at 9 +/- 2 and 125 +/- 22 nM, respectively. ANF fragments (99-109) and (111-126), as well as human cardiodilatin (hANF 1-16), do not alter cGMP levels. Basal and ANF-induced cGMP levels are at least 10-fold higher in cell populations enriched in gonadotrophs compared to gonadotroph-impoverished preparations. A 3 h incubation of cells with ANF (0.1-1000 nM), however, fails to modify spontaneous or LHRH-induced LH secretion. Similarly, ANF does not alter spontaneous release of GH, TSH or PRL. The data suggest indirectly that gonadotrophs represent a principal site at which ANF acts to stimulate cGMP synthesis, but that the nucleotide is not a specific regulator of the LH secretory process; nor is it generally involved as a second messenger in the secretory function of any cell type of the anterior pituitary gland.     

Short term memory in the calcium messenger system. Evidence for a sustained activation of protein kinase C in adrenal glomerulosa cells.

If adrenal glomerulosa cells are treated with angiotensin II for a period of 20-30 min, their subsequent response to either a rechallenge with the same concentration of angiotensin II or treatment with BAY K 8644, a calcium channel agonist, differs from the responses of control cells. Perifusion of control cells with 10 nM-angiotensin II leads to an increase in aldosterone secretory rate from 44 +/- 7 to 166 +/- 9 pg/min per 10(6) cells, but perifusion of cells pretreated for a 20 min period with angiotensin II leads to an increase in secretory rate from 51 +/- 9 to 209 +/- 18 pg/min per 10(6) cells. Likewise, treatment of control cells with 10 nM-BAY K 8644 leads to no significant increase in aldosterone secretory rate, but treatment of previously exposed cells to angiotensin II leads to an increase in rate from 51 +/- 9 to 130 +/- 11 pg/min per 10(6) cells. This memory effect is time-dependent in two ways: cells must be exposed to angiotensin II for 20 min or more before it is apparent; the longer the time between removal of angiotensin II and the rechallenge, the less effect these agents have on aldosterone secretory rate. When cells are exposed to angiotensin II for 20 min and then treated with [Sar1,Ala8]angiotensin II, a competitive antagonist of angiotensin II action, the aldosterone secretory rate falls to basal with a half time of 5-7 min. If BAY K 8644 is added simultaneously with [Sar1,Ala8]angiotensin II, the secretory rate falls with a halftime of 35-60 min. BAY K 8644 increases Ca2+ influx rate to the same extent in the presence or absence of [Sar1,Ala8]angiotensin II, and does not alter the effect of either angiotensin II or [Sar1,Ala8]angiotensin II on the production of inositol tris-, bis-, or mono-phosphate. In cells treated with 10 nM-angiotensin II for either 20, 30 or 45 min, the extent of phosphorylation of four cellular proteins is increased. If cells treated for 20 min with angiotensin II are then treated with [Sar1,Ala8]angiotensin II, and examined 15 min later (35 min), there is no longer an increase in the extent of phosphorylation of any of the four proteins. If such cells are then treated with 10 nM-BAY K 8644 and re-examined 5 min later (40 min), all four patients show an increase in the extent of phosphorylation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Beta-endorphin in the human gallbladder

The presence of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta-END-LI) in human gallbladder and its release were examined by means of radioimmunochemical measurements and immunohistochemical stainings. beta-END-LI was detected in the gallbladder (27.2 +/- 3.2 ng/g wet weight, mean +/- S.E.). The immunoreactivity in beta-END-LI extracted from the gallbladder was similar to that of synthetic beta-END, judging from the result of its inhibition curve parallel to that of the synthetic substance in the radioimmunoassay (RIA) system. On gel-filtration chromatography of a gallbladder extract, two components of beta-END-LI were found; one eluted on a position of beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) and another on a position of synthetic beta-END. Specific beta-END-LI positive cells were detectable in metaplastic mucous glands. When human gallbladder mucosa was perfused with a solution of 10(-8) M or 10(-6) M cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), the release of beta-END-LI from mucosa into the perfusate increased 2-3 fold. These results indicate that beta-END-LI present in human gallbladder is released by the direct action of CCK-8 on the gallbladder mucosa and suggest that it may have a physiological or pathophysiological role.     

Effects of LH-RH on isolated pituitary gonadotropic cells.

Rat anterior pituitary glands were dissociated with Pronase and the cells were separated by velocity sedimentation at unit gravity. After 30 min of incubation of the enriched gonadotropic cells with LH-RH, there was a significant increase in LH and FSH in the incubation medium. LH-RH (100 ng/ml) and 10(-3) M cAMP both caused significant increases in LH in the incubation medium after 24 hr of incubation.     

Inhibitory effects of the antiprogestin, RU 486, on progesterone actions and luteinizing hormone secretion in pituitary gonadotrophs

The effects of RU 486 on the modulation of LH release by progesterone were investigated in cultured anterior pituitary cells from ovariectomized adult female rats. The inhibitory effect of progesterone on LH secretion was demonstrable in estrogen-treated pituitary cells, in which addition of 10(-6) M progesterone to cells cultured in the presence of 10(-9) M estradiol for 52 h reduced the LH response to GnRH (10(-11) to 10(-7) M). When RU 486 was superimposed upon such combined treatment with estradiol and progesterone, the suppressive effect of progesterone on GnRH-induced LH release was completely abolished. The converse (facilitatory) effect of progesterone on LH secretion was observed in pituitary cells pretreated with 10(-9) M estradiol for 48 h and then with 10(-6) M progesterone for 4 h. When RU 486 was added together with progesterone during the 4 h treatment period, the facilitatory effect of progesterone was blocked and LH release fell to below the corresponding control value. The direct effect of RU 486 on LH secretion in the absence of exogenous progesterone was evaluated in cells cultured in the absence or presence of 10(-9) M estradiol and then treated for 4 to 24 h with increasing concentrations of RU 486 (10(-12) to 10(-5) M) and stimulated with GnRH (10(-9) M) during the last 3 h of incubation. In estrogen-deficient cultures, 4 h exposure to RU 486 concentrations of 10(-6) M and above decreased the LH response to GnRH by up to 50%. In cultures pretreated with 10(-9) M estradiol, GnRH-stimulated LH responses was inhibited by much lower RU 486 concentrations, of 10(-9) M and above. After 24 h of incubation the effects of RU 486 were similar in control and estradiol-pretreated pituitary cell cultures. Thus, RU 486 alone has a significant inhibitory effect on LH secretion that is enhanced in the presence of estrogen. The antiprogestin is also a potent antagonist of both the inhibitory and the facilitatory actions of progesterone upon pituitary gonadotropin release in vitro.