Inhibition of prolactin secretion and synthesis by dopamine, noradrenaline and pilocarpine in cultured rat pituitary tumour cells

Paeoniflorin and liquiritin, two major constituents in Chinese herbal formulas used to treat hyperprolactinemia-associated disorders, inhibits prolactin secretion in prolactinoma cells by different mechanisms

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Paeoniflorin and liquiritin are major constituents in some Chinese herbal formulas, such as Yiru Tiaojing (YRTJ) Granule (a hospitalized preparation) and Peony-Glycyrrhiza Decoction, used for hyperprolactinemia-associated disorders.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the effect of paeoniflorin and liquiritin on prolactin secretion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of YRTJ Granule on metoclopramide-induced hyperprolactinemia was tested in rats. Paeoniflorin and liquiritin in the YRTJ Granule extract were identified and quantified by HPLC. The effects of paeoniflorin and liquiritin on prolactin secretion were examined in prolactinoma cells that were identified morphologically and by Western blot. The concentration of prolactin was determined by ELISA. The gene expression was analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTS

YRTJ Granule ameliorated metoclopramide-induced hyperprolactinemia in rats. The contents of paeoniflorin and liquiritin in YRTJ Granule were 7.43 and 2.05mg/g extract, respectively. Paeoniflorin, liquiritin and bromocriptine (a dopamine D₂ receptor (D₂R) agonist) decreased prolactin concentration in MMQ cells expressing D₂R. However, the effect of liquiritin and bromocriptine was abolished in GH3 cells lacking D₂R expression. Interestingly, paeoniflorin still decreased prolactin concentration in GH3 cells in the same manner. Furthermore, paeoniflorin suppressed prolactin protein expression, and was without effect on D₂R protein expression in both MMQ and GH3 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results suggest that paeoniflorin and liquiritin play a role in YRTJ Granule-elicited improvement of hyperprolactinemia. While the effect of liquiritin is D₂R-dependent, paeoniflorin D₂R-independently inhibits prolactin secretion in prolactinoma cells that may especially benefit the hyperprolactinemic patients who are refractory to dopaminergic therapies.

Topical effect of bromocriptine on rat-transplanted human prolactinomas

In prolactinoma surgery, especially in macro-adenomas, it is not always possible to remove the tumour totally. Cell remnants may cause a regrowth and continue hypersecretion. In order to find out whether tumour remnants could be destroyed by local application of bromocriptine, a research model has been designed. First, prolactin secreting pituitary tumours, removed during surgery, were implanted bilaterally into the brain tissue of rats. In eight rats, the viability of tumour transplants was proven histopathologically and their prolactin secretion was shown immunocytochemically. In a second step, on eight rats, sterile bromocriptine solution was applied topically to the tumour transplants on one side. The other side served as control. Histopathological examination of these treated tissues revealed fibrosis. Immunocytochemical analysis showed no secretory activity. Ultrastructural investigations also revealed evidence of degeneration of the treated cells. The natural course of the transplanted tumour tissues of the other side, as a control group, was also observed during the same 55-day period.

Hormonal and morphologic effects of bromocriptine on normal rat pituitary and GH3 tumor cells

Bromocriptine in concentrations up to 5 X 10(-4) mol/L was studied for any deleterious effects upon normal rat pituitary cells, as well as on the rat GH3 cell line. Normal rat pituitary glands were obtained by decapitation from 50-day-old female Wistar rats and dispersed with 0.25% trypsin. The cells (10(5) per plate) were then incubated in 60 by 15 mm plates (Falcon) that contained 3 ml of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium with 10% fetal calf serum. GH3 cells were plated in a similar fashion. Bromocriptine was added in concentrations of 5 X 10(-4) to 5 X 10(-9) mol/L, and aliquots of medium were obtained at 6, 24, and 48 hours for the determination of growth hormone and prolactin. Cell counts were performed at 24 and 48 hours. A significant reduction in concentrations of growth hormone and prolactin was observed with concentrations of bromocriptine of 5 X 10(-5) and 5 X 10(-4) mol/L at 24 and 48 hours (p less than 001). Although no significant changes in cell counts were observed in the normal rat pituitary cells, the GH3 cells showed complete disruption at 48 hours only in the plates that contained the highest concentrations of bromocriptine. Electron microscopy of normal rat cells and GH3 demonstrated selective cytotoxic effects only on the GH3 cells. In conclusion, bromocriptine has been demonstrated to have a direct effect on hormone release and on the morphologic characteristics of tumor cells but not normal pituitary cells.

Estrone-induced, prolactin-secreting and dopamine-sensitive rat pituitary tumor

Prolactin (PRL)-secreting rat pituitary tumors were induced in female Fisher 344/Lis rats by s.c. implants of estrone (E1) pellets. Tumor growth was relatively fast and reached about 100 mg within 2 months. Ovariectomy at the time of E1 implants seemed to accelerate the growth of the tumors. Tumor cells in primary culture produced mainly PRL, while growth hormone (GH) release was about 2% of PRL production and the release of some other pituitary hormones did not exceed 1% of PRL values. Tumor cells were found to have high-affinity dopamine (DA) receptors. The addition of DA in vitro at 10(-10) M concentration stimulated PRL release, while at 10(-6) M concentration it inhibited the release of the hormone by more than 50% of control values. Histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopical studies demonstrated the tumor to be composed mainly of maximally stimulated mammotrophs.

Dopaminergic regulation of prolactin and growth hormone synthesis in rat pituitary tumor cells

The dopaminergic regulation of prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) synthesis were studied in monolayer cultures of rat pituitary tumor (GH3) cells. PRL synthesis could not be inhibited by dopamine at concentrations ranging from 10(-9) to 10(-5) M. Bromocriptine inhibited PRL synthesis only at the very high concentration of 10(-5) M, and this effect was not reversible by metoclopramide. GH synthesis was inhibited by 10(-6) and 10(-5) M dopamine but not by bromocriptine, and the dopamine effect was blocked by metoclopramide. These results suggest the existence of a defective dopaminergic regulation of PRL and GH synthesis in GH3 cells.

Toxicology investigations with cell culture systems

This review concerns some of the cell culture systems that are most frequently used in toxicology investigations. In particular, it sets out to evaluate the effectiveness of these cell culture systems in assessing the toxic potential of chemicals. Metabolic studies and general and specific toxicology investigations are highlighted. Specific toxicology investigations relate to the effects of the tests substances on the highly specialized functions typical of the cell systems chosen. The general toxicology investigations include most of the other studies where differentiated or undifferentiated cells have been used to evaluate the effects of the tested substances on common basic biochemical processes essential for life. Lastly, we have attempted to focus attention on the most promising applications of cell cultures in toxicology studies for the near future and to identify those areas where further research is needed. Because of the several excellent reviews that already exist, we have decided not to consider cell cultures utilized in screening potential mutagens and carcinogens. We have also excluded investigations of drug therapeutic effects and action mechanisms of drugs.

Catecholamine analogs as potential antitumor agents

The structural requirements for murine P-388 leukemia activity in the dopamine series were investigated. Eight of the 31 analogs evaluated possessed reproducible antitumor activity. The ortho-aromatic hydroxyl groups were required for activity, but the aminoethyl side chain was not crucial since this group could be replaced by methyl or aminomethyl groups with the retention of activity. The lack of activity of O-alkylated and monosubstituted analogs suggests that o-quinone formation may be important for activity, a possibility supported by the observed P-388 activity of 5-hydroxydopamine compared with the inactivity of the 6-hydroxy isomer.