Conference on insulin pump therapy in diabetes. Multicenter study of effect on microvascular disease. The Central Biochemistry Laboratory in the Multicenter Kroc Study. Problems and proposals.

The advantages of a multicenter trial can easily be lost if results from individual centers cannot be safely combined for statistical analysis. One objective of the Kroc Study was to develop methods that would allow valid amalgamation of results from laboratories at the six clinical centers and a central biochemical laboratory at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Responsibilities of the local laboratories, in addition to measurement of plasma glucose, creatinine, and glycosylated hemoglobin, were to obtain and prepare samples for measurement of plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and serum lipids at the central laboratory, of C-peptide at the University of Chicago, and to collect and prepare samples for measurement of urinary albumin excretion at Guy's Hospital. The central laboratory was additionally to provide a system to ensure the comparability of plasma glucose determinations between and within centers, and to advise on common procedures for sample handling. Major problems were encountered with sample labeling, dispatch, and transport to the central laboratory. Although central determinations of plasma glucose and serum lipids were still possible in transported specimens, central assay of glycosylated hemoglobin proved inaccurate and useless. Compliance with the plasma glucose quality control program was variable among centers. Although the difference between the centers recording the highest and lowest values was 24.6% of the mean estimate of plasma glucose level, correlation between local and central plasma glucose determinations was good (r = 0.99, see pages 22-26).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

High-dose porcine galanin infusion and effect on intravenous glucose tolerance in humans.

The neuropeptide galanin inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin release in dogs and rodents and has been proposed as having a role in the control of insulin release in humans. The effect of infused galanin on intravenous glucose tolerance in humans was investigated by giving an intravenous glucose tolerance test (0.5 g glucose/kg body wt) alone and with infusions of synthetic porcine galanin at high-dose levels (80 and 160 pmol.kg-1.min-1) to seven healthy male volunteers. The results showed no effect of galanin infusion on plasma glucose or serum insulin, although a rise in serum growth hormone even in the face of the intravenous glucose load confirmed the potent growth hormone-stimulating effect of galanin. These results suggest that caution should be exercised in extrapolating a physiological role for galanin in humans from the results of animal studies.

Increased hypothalamic neuropeptide Y concentrations in diabetic rat.

Central and lateral hypothalamic concentrations of 10 regulatory peptides were measured by radioimmunoassay in streptozocin-induced diabetic (STZ-D) and matched control rats between 1 day and 14 wk after diabetes induction. After 2 wk, both central and lateral hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) concentrations in STZ-D rats were consistently higher than those found in control rats, with significant 30-50% increases at 4 wk in the central hypothalamus, and at 6 and 14 wk in both central and lateral hypothalamus. Immunocytochemical studies in 4- and 6-wk STZ-D animals showed the appearance of intensely NPY-positive swollen cell bodies in the supraoptic nucleus and a subjective increase in NPY staining of medial hypothalamic nerve fibers. Central hypothalamic concentrations of three other peptides were significantly greater in STZ-D animals than those in control animals at single points (neurotensin, 1 day; calcitonin gene-related peptide, 2 wk; neurokinin, 4 wk). Hypothalamic concentrations of the other six peptides examined (bombesin, galanin, neuromedin B, substance P, somatostatin, and vasoactive intestinal peptide) did not differ significantly between STZ-D and control groups at any time. However, galanin immunostaining in the supraoptic and magnocellular paraventricular nuclei was strikingly concentrated in a reduced number of distended cell bodies. Hypothalamic peptide changes in STZ-D could be related to metabolic disturbance, changes in energy and water balance, altered pituitary function, or other factors. Persistently elevated concentrations of NPY, a very potent central stimulant of eating and drinking, may mediate the hyperphagia and polydipsia characteristic of STZ-D.

Exogenous expression of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor and human insulin in AtT-20 corticotrophs confers cAMP-mediated gene transcription and insulin secretion.

The insulinotrophic effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) are mediated by its seven-transmembrane receptor (GLP-1R) in pancreatic beta-cells. We have transiently transfected the GLP-1R and a proopiomelanocortin (POMC) promoter-driven human preproinsulin gene vector (pIRES) into the AtT-20 pituitary corticotrophic cell line, to investigate the possibility of creating a regulated, insulin-expressing cell line. Receptor expression was confirmed by RT-PCR and functionality was demonstrated by measuring changes in cAMP levels in response to GLP-1. Rapid (5 min) stimulation of cAMP production was observed with 100 nM GLP-1, 24 h after transfection of 2 microg GLP-1R DNA. AtT-20 cells co-transfected with GLP-1R and human glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit or rat POMC promoters revealed GLP-1-stimulated cAMP activation of transcription. Co-transfection of the pIRES vector with the GLP-1R resulted in GLP-1-stimulated activation of POMC promoter-driven preproinsulin gene transcription but insulin secretion was not detected. However, using an adenoviral expression system to infect AtT-20 cells with GLP-1R and the preproinsulin gene (including 120 bp of its own promoter) resulted in a 6.4 +/- 0.6-fold increase in cAMP and a 4.9 +/- 0.8-fold increase in insulin secretion in response to 100 nM GLP-1. These results demonstrate, for the first time, functional GLP-1R-mediated preproinsulin gene transcription and secretion in a transplantable cell line.

FSH secretion predominates in vivo and in vitro in patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas.

OBJECTIVE: Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are characterised by the lack of symptoms of hormone hypersecretory syndromes but in vitro studies have demonstrated that tumour cells may stain for gonadotrophins and/or their alpha- or beta-subunits. In this study, we aimed to examine the pattern of secretion of LH and FSH from a series of pituitary adenomas cultured in vitro and where data were available to relate the results to pre-operative serum gonadotrophin levels. METHODS: The in vitro secretion of LH and FSH was measured from 46 cultured NFPAs and compared with pre-operative serum gonadotrophin levels in 38 patients. Peritumorous 'normal' pituitary cell cultures from 20 additional pituitary tumour patients were used for comparison with the NFPA group. RESULTS: A median pre-operative LH:FSH ratio of 0.33:1 was found in 38 patients with NFPAs. Preferential secretion of FSH was also documented from media of 46 NFPAs cultured in vitro with a median LH:FSH ratio of 0.32:1. A significant correlation (r = 0.43, P < 0.01) was observed between serum and media levels of FSH but not LH. Peritumorous 'normal' pituitary cells released LH and FSH in a reversed ratio (median LH:FSH ratio = 3.6:1, P < 0.01 compared with NFPAs). CONCLUSIONS: This study has evaluated pre-operative serum gonadotrophin levels and in vitro release of hormones in cultures of surgically removed tissue from patients with NFPAs. The data suggest preferential secretion of FSH occurs both in vitro and in vivo. By demonstrating that NFPAs cultured in vitro reflect the in vivo situation of preferential secretion of FSH, it may be possible in future to perform functional studies using this system to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of an imbalance in gonadotroph cells preferentially overproducing FSH in NFPAs.

Regulation of transfected glycoprotein hormone alpha-gene expression in primary pituitary cell cultures.

Studies of gene regulation are greatly facilitated by the ability to transfect DNA into cultured cells. We examined a variety of transfection techniques to optimize transient expression of the human glycoprotein hormone alpha-gene in primary pituitary cells and subsequently investigated the regulation of alpha-promoter transcription. Expression vectors driven by either the rous sarcoma virus-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (RSVCAT) or the human alpha-gene (alpha CAT) promoters were transfected into cultures of dispersed female rat pituitary cells using calcium phosphate (CaPO4), diethylaminoethyl-dextran, lipofection, and electroporation procedures. CAT activity was optimal using the CaPO4 technique, resulting in 511 +/- 49% and 57 +/- 5% conversion/100 micrograms protein/4 h for RSVCAT and alpha CAT, respectively. Immunohistochemical analyses of alpha CAT expression using anti-CAT monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that the alpha-gene promoter is expressed in pituitary cells, predominantly if not exclusively, in gonadotropes and thyrotropes. Hormonal regulation of alpha-promoter activity was assessed using both the CAT and the luciferase (LUC) reporter systems. alpha-Promoter activity was significantly (P less than 0.001) stimulated by 8-bromo-cAMP (217% increase), GnRH (75% increase), GnRH agonist analog (141% increase), and TRH (75% increase). The expression of control plasmids (RSVLUC, TKLUC, pOLUC) was not affected by treatment with these agents. We conclude that CaPO4-mediated transfection allows analyses of transient gene expression in primary pituitary cells. The alpha-promoter directs expression specifically in pituitary cells, predominantly gonadotropes and thyrotropes. alpha-Gene transcription is stimulated by GnRH, TRH, and 8-bromo-cAMP.

Divergent responses of gonadotropin subunit messenger RNAs to continuous versus pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone in vitro.

Episodic GnRH input is necessary for the maintenance of LH and FSH secretion. In the current study we have assessed the requirement of a pulsatile GnRH signal for the regulation of gonadotropin alpha- and beta-subunit gene expression. Using a dispersed rat pituitary perifusion system, GnRH (10 nM) was administered as a continuous infusion vs. hourly pulses. Secretion of free alpha-subunit, LH, and FSH were monitored over 5-min intervals for the entire 12-h treatment period before the responses of alpha, LH beta, and FSH beta mRNAs were assessed. Basal release of all three glycoproteins declined slowly over 6-8 h before reaching a plateau. The cells were responsive to each pulse of GnRH, but continuous GnRH elicited only a brief episode of free alpha-subunit, LH, and FSH release, followed by a return to unstimulated levels. Despite the similar patterns of secretion, differences were observed in the responses of gonadotropin mRNAs to the two modes of GnRH. alpha mRNA increased in response to continuous (1.6-fold) or pulsatile (1.7-fold) GnRH. FSH beta mRNA was suppressed to 48% of the control value after continuous GnRH, but was stimulated over 4-fold by the pulses. LH beta mRNA was unresponsive to either treatment paradigm. We conclude that in vitro 1) alpha mRNA levels are increased in response to GnRH independent of the mode of stimulation; 2) under the conditions studied, LH beta mRNA levels are unresponsive to either mode of GnRH input; and 3) the response of FSH beta mRNA to GnRH is highly dependent on the mode of administration, with levels depressed in response to continuous GnRH, but stimulated by pulsatile GnRH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) effects on chorionic gonadotropin gene transcription and mRNA stability: labile proteins mediate basal expression whereas stable proteins mediate cAMP stimulation.

Cyclic AMP stimulates a marked accumulation of CG alpha and CG beta mRNAs that reflects, in part, increased rates of gene transcription. We find that a major component of cAMP stimulation of alpha and CG beta mRNAs is independent of new protein synthesis. After treatment of JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells with cycloheximide, basal levels of alpha and CG beta mRNAs decreased over 12 h to 27% and 13% of control values, respectively. However, cycloheximide treatment did not affect the degree of cAMP-stimulation of alpha and CG beta mRNA levels which increased 20- and 26-fold, respectively. Similarly, cycloheximide did not block cAMP-stimulated transcription of the alpha and CG beta genes. The effect of cAMP treatment on alpha and CG beta mRNA stability was assessed by decay after removal of cAMP, pulse-chase analyses, and decay after inhibition of RNA synthesis by actinomycin D. The half-lives of alpha and CG beta mRNAs determined by decay rates after removal of cAMP were 6.0 h and 7.2 h, respectively. Consistent with these measurements of mRNA stability, alpha and CG beta mRNA half-lives determined by pulse-chase analyses were 8.8 h and 8.6 h, respectively. Cyclic AMP treatment increased the half-lives of alpha and CG beta mRNAs 1.8- and 3.4-fold, respectively. Thus, the effects of cAMP on alpha and CG beta gene expression are predominantly transcriptional, but cAMP also increases mRNA levels via a posttranscriptional mechanism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calcium and glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit gene expression and secretion in alpha T3-1 gonadotropes.

GnRH stimulates both transcription and secretion of the alpha-subunit in pituitary cells, but the precise role of the calcium- signaling mechanisms mediating these actions are unclear. We have examined the role of calcium using alpha T3-1 gonadotropes transfected with alpha-promoter constructs linked to a luciferase reporter gene and concomitant measurement of alpha-subunit secretion. The calcium channel agonist, BayK8644 (1 microM) significantly stimulated alpha-subunit transcription (4.9-fold, P < 0.05) but to a lesser extent than either GnRH (100 nM, 20.7-fold, P < 0.001) or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA, 100 nM, 8.7-fold, P < 0.05). The transcriptional response to a combination of BayK8644 and TPA was approximately additive. Despite stimulating alpha-subunit gene expression, BayK8644 had no effect on alpha-subunit secretion at 24 h, and co-addition of BayK8644 and TPA did not produce any further stimulation of alpha-subunit secretion (3.0-fold, P < 0.001) compared with TPA alone (3.2-fold, P < 0.001). Pretreatment of alpha T3-1 cells with the calcium channel blocker, nifedipine (1 microM for 5 min), essentially blocked GnRH-stimulated alpha-promoter activity without affecting GnRH-stimulated alpha-subunit release. In contrast, thapsigargin pretreatment (1 microM for 5 min), which depletes intracellular calcium stores, significantly reduced basal and GnRH-stimulated secretion without affecting the ability of GnRH to increase alpha-promoter activity. Incubation of alpha T3-1 cells in calcium-depleted media showed that the transcriptional response was dependent on extracellular calcium concentration, with maximum stimulation by GnRH seen at a calcium concentration of 1.7 mM. Deletion analysis indicated that sequences between -420 and -244 bp were involved in mediating the response to BayK8644. Constructs containing only upstream alpha-promoter sequences from -517 to -98 bp, fused to the heterologous thymidine kinase promoter, exhibited loss of responsiveness to BayK8644 below -298 bp. These upstream elements were also found to be important for basal expression of the alpha-promoter and for mediating the response to TPA but were distinct from GnRH responsiveness of the human promoter in alpha T3-1 cells. These studies suggest differential regulation of GnRH-stimulated alpha-subunit gene transcription and secretion by extracellular calcium influx and intracellular calcium mobilization. The transcriptional response to extracellular calcium influx is mediated through two or more elements between -420 and -244 bp, which are also involved in basal and TPA-stimulated expression of the alpha-subunit promoter.

A comparative study of the activity of biosynthetic human insulin and pork insulin using the glucose clamp technique in normal subjects.

The activity of biosynthetic human insulin (BHI) has been compared with that of pork insulin using the glucose clamp technique in normal subjects. After a baseline period, insulin was infused at 0.02 U/kg/h for 2 h, then 0.032 U/kg/h for 2 h, and finally 0.05 U/kg/h for 2 h. Glucose was clamped at baseline values using a glucose-controlled insulin infusion system (Biostator) and the amount of glucose infused to maintain normoglycemia calculated for each insulin dose for the two insulins. C-peptide levels decreased with both insulins, suggesting suppression of endogenous insulin secretion. Serum insulin levels attained were the same for both insulins. There were no significant differences in either total glucose infused or glucose infused during the last 30 or 60 min at each insulin dose for the two insulins. Intermediary metabolite responses to the infusion of the two insulins were similar. We conclude that in normal human beings, BHI shows identical metabolic activity with pork insulin.

A crossover comparison of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) against multiple insulin injections in insulin-dependent diabetic subjects: improved control with CSII.

Ten insulin-dependent C-peptide-negative diabetic subjects, whose control had been optimized on twice-daily injection therapy, were treated for periods of 10 wk in a crossover study, with either a thrice-daily subcutaneous insulin injection regimen (Actrapid + Ultratard) or by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). On CSII insulin dose stabilized at 51 +/- 5 U/day, compared with 80 +/- 9 U/day (P = 0.004) on the thrice-daily injection regimen, having been 60 +/- 6 U/day on twice-daily therapy. After 10 wk glycosylated hemoglobin was 11.7 +/- 0.6% on injection therapy and 10.0 +/- 0.7% (P = 0.026) on CSII. Mean blood glucose concentration and urinary glucose excretion were lower at most points during the study on CSII than on injection therapy. Patients on pumps gained weight compared with the thrice-daily injection regimen (P = 0.023 at 10 wk) and the previous twice-daily regimen, despite the reduction in insulin dose. Considering individual patients, four markedly improved on CSII compared with the previous twice-daily regimen and five compared with Actrapid + Ultratard. No patient showed impaired control on CSII compared with either injection regimen. The benefits of portable insulin infusion pumps over injection therapy are thus clearly demonstrable under outpatient conditions even with equal and intensive medical attention.

Double-blind crossover trial of isophane (NPH)- and lente-based insulin regimens.

Isophane (NPH) and lente insulin preparations have been the basis of insulin-injection regimens for many decades but were never formally compared. After a 2-mo run-in period, 82 patients were randomized to NPH (Protaphane) or lente (Monotard) insulin preparations given together with Actrapid as a twice-daily injection regimen in a double-blind study. Patients were seen monthly and crossed over after 5 mo of treatment. Control as assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin (NPH 9.2 +/- 0.1%, lente 9.3 +/- 0.1%, mean +/- SE) and fructosamine (1.55 +/- 0.02 and 1.57 +/- 0.02 mM) concentrations was identical for the two regimens as were home-collected laboratory-measured fasting blood glucose (BG) (NPH 8.8 +/- 0.5 mM, lente 9.0 +/- 0.5 mM) and mean BG (8.2 +/- 0.3 and 7.6 +/- 0.3 mM) concentrations. For both regimens, the major control problem was the BG concentration before and after breakfast. Total insulin dosage was similar (NPH 56.3 +/- 0.6 U/day, lente 57.2 +/- 0.6 U/day) with no tendency for a difference in the evening intermediate-acting dose (NPH 17.0 +/- 0.3 U/day, lente 17.0 +/- 0.3 U/day) to counter fasting hyperglycemia. Serum lipid concentrations and body weight confirmed the equivalence of control. Hypoglycemic events were recorded in personal diaries and graded by predetermined criteria. Self-treated, relative-assisted, and hospital/doctor-treated hypoglycemic events did not differ in frequency. We conclude that lente- and NPH-based twice-daily human insulin regimens give indistinguishable metabolic control.

Comparison of the activity and pharmacokinetics of porcine insulin and human insulin (Novo) as assessed by the glucose clamp technique in normal and diabetic man.

Using the glucose clamp technique, human insulin (Novo) and natural porcine insulin were found to have identical potency in terms of glucose delivery in the second hour of i.v. infusion at low (0.02 U/kg/h; 265 +/- 25 versus 232 +/- 35 mg/min, respectively) and high (0.05 U/kg/h; 467 +/- 47 versus 452 +/- 41 mg/min, respectively) doses in normal man. Insulin metabolic clearance rates, serum in vivo half-life, and rate of onset of action were also similar. In insulin-dependent diabetic subjects, whose blood glucose levels were also held constant by feedback glucose infusion, the free insulin profiles after s.c. injection of neutral soluble human insulin and porcine insulin (0.2 U/kg) were identical, and similar to those after conventional and highly purified bovine insulin preparations. Glucose requirement to maintain normoglycemia for the first 5 h after injection was 49.6 +/- 8.2 g for conventional bovine insulin, 50.4 +/- 10.0 g for highly purified bovine, 40.5 +/- 6.9 g for human insulin, and 50.6 +/- 12.4 g for porcine insulin (NS by analysis of variance). No difference in insulin activity was detected when glucose requirement was expressed in terms of the prevailing free insulin concentration. Responses of blood intermediary metabolite levels were indistinguishable between all insulins in both studies.

Transcriptional regulators of steroidogenesis, DAX-1 and SF-1, are expressed in human skin.

DAX-1 and SF-1 are members of the orphan nuclear receptor superfamily that are critical regulatory components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-gonadal axis. In adrenal and gonadal tissues they regulate the expression of the cytochrome P450 steroid hydroxylase genes, key mediators of steroidogenesis. The identification of a number of steroid hydroxylases in human skin prompted us to investigate the presence of DAX-1 and SF-1. Immuno histochemical analysis of human skin revealed a distinctive staining pattern for DAX-1 and SF-1 in skin and its appendages. Prominent staining for DAX-1 was confined to the epidermis, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and outer root sheath of the hair follicle with weaker expression in the inner root sheath, matrix cells, and dermal papilla cells. Similarly, SF-1 was also detected in the epidermis but displayed a scattered nuclear pattern across all layers. SF-1 immunoreactivity was also detected in the exocrine glands and was stronger than DAX-1 in the inner root sheath, matrix cells, and dermal papilla cells. Co-localization of DAX-1 and SF-1 was demonstrated by immunocytochemistry in the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line, primary keratinocytes, preadipocytes, and dermal papilla cells. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated the expression of DAX-1 and SF-1 mRNA in whole human skin and Western analysis also confirmed the presence of DAX-1 protein in skin-derived cells. Our investigations demonstrate that two important regulators of steroidogeneisis are present in human skin and its appendages. These transcription factors may have a role in cutaneous steroidogenesis and thus be involved in hair follicle cycling or pathologies associated with steroids. Further studies are needed to determine the functional roles of DAX-1 and SF-1 in human skin.

Regulation of glycoprotein hormone free alpha-subunit secretion and intracellular alpha-subunit content in primary pituitary cells.

The effects and interactions of GnRH, TRH, a cAMP analog, a protein kinase-C (PKC) activator, a calcium ionophore, and a calcium channel blocker on pituitary glycoprotein hormone free alpha-subunit secretion and intracellular free alpha-subunit content were investigated. Treatment of dispersed rat pituitary cells with GnRH (100 nM) effected a time-dependent release of alpha-subunit, reaching a 4.5-fold increase (P < 0.05) at 24 h. Smaller effects were observed with TRH (10 nM). A rapid and progressive fall in intracellular alpha-subunit content was observed for 8 h after stimulation with GnRH (61% decrease; P < 0.05) or TRH (55% decrease; P < 0.05), which then remained constant at 24 h. The cAMP analogue 8-bromo-cAMP augmented a late release of alpha-subunit (4.5-fold increase at 24 h; P < 0.05) without affecting levels of alpha-subunit within the cells. Co-addition of 8-bromo-cAMP with GnRH or TRH arrested the marked fall in intracellular alpha-subunit seen with GnRH or TRH alone. These results suggest that although cAMP is capable of stimulating alpha-subunit secretion and maintaining cell content in the face of GnRH- and TRH-stimulated secretion, it does not mediate their effects on alpha-subunit. Like GnRH, the PKC activator 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) rapidly stimulated alpha-subunit secretion (1.7-fold increase at 4 h; P < 0.05) and progressively lowered cell content over 24h (73% decrease; P < 0.01). This similarity of action and the lack of demonstration of additive effects of TPA with GnRH or TRH imply a role for PKC as a mediator of GnRH and TRH action on alpha-subunit. Using verapamil (50 microM) to block L-type calcium channels had no effect on either basal or GnRH-stimulated alpha-secretion over 24 h. The calcium ionophore A23187 (3 microM) blocked the stimulatory effects of GnRH on alpha-subunit release and alone inhibited free alpha-subunit secretion (28% decrease at 24 h; P < 0.05). Our results suggest that neither cAMP nor an influx of extracellular calcium mediates the effects of GnRH or TRH on free alpha-subunit secretion. Accordingly, we postulate that PKC is involved in the actions of GnRH and TRH on alpha-subunit in rat pituitary cells, although further studies are required in PKC-depleted cells to confirm this hypothesis.

Mechanism of action of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide on human glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit transcription in alphaT3-1 gonadotropes.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been shown to increase glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit synthesis and release from pituitary cells. We have used alphaT3-1 clonal gonadotropes to investigate the intracellular mechanisms involved in PACAP regulation of alpha-subunit gene transcription; and using deletion, mutation, and heterologous constructs of the alpha-promoter linked to a luciferase reporter gene, we have defined DNA sequences responsive to PACAP. Stimulation of alphaT3-1 cells for 24 h with PACAP, GnRH, or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent increase in alpha-promoter transcription at 100 nM for GnRH (17.5-fold, P < 0.001), PACAP (12.7-fold, P < 0.01), and VIP (4.1-fold, P < 0.05). Incubation of alphaT3-1 cells in calcium-depleted medium suggested that the transcriptional response to PACAP was less dependent on changes in intracellular calcium concentration, in contrast to the results seen with GnRH or VIP, where alpha-subunit transcription was significantly reduced. Transfection of an alpha-promoter construct containing a mutant cAMP response element (CRE) suggested that the CRE region is involved in PACAP and VIP responsiveness, with stimulatory effects on the mutant construct by PACAP (11.1-fold) and VIP (7.6-fold) being significantly (P < 0.001) reduced, compared with their stimulatory effects (PACAP: 25.6-fold, VIP: 23.1-fold) on the native alpha-promoter. In the same experiment, the transcriptional response of the mutant CRE construct and the native CRE construct to GnRH was not significantly different. Both PACAP and VIP enhanced GnRH-stimulated alpha-subunit gene transcription, but this additive effect was lost when their combined effects on the mutant CRE were examined. Deletion analysis indicated that sequences between -244 and -195 bp were involved in mediating the response to PACAP, with a dramatic reduction in fold-stimulation by PACAP (2.0-fold) of the -195-bp construct, compared with the -244-bp construct (15.8-fold). Constructs containing only upstream alpha-promoter sequences from -517 bp to -98 bp, fused to the heterologous thymidine kinase promoter, exhibited a similar loss of responsiveness to PACAP below -298 bp. Thus, our studies show that, unlike GnRH, PACAP stimulation of alpha-subunit gene transcription in alphaT3-1 cells is less dependent on changes in intracellular calcium concentration; and full transcriptional activation of the alpha-subunit by PACAP requires an intact CRE. PACAP responsiveness involves sequences between -244 and -195 bp of the alpha-promoter. These sequences have been implicated also in GnRH-responsiveness and may thus provide a mechanism for coordinated regulation of the alpha-subunit gene by PACAP and GnRH in alphaT3-1 cells.

Evidence for neuropeptide Y synthesis in the rat anterior pituitary and the influence of thyroid hormone status: comparison with vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, and neurotensin.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36-amino acid member of the pancreatic polypeptide family, was found to be present by RIA and immunocytochemistry in the rat anterior pituitary gland. NPY prohormone messenger RNA (mRNA) was identified in the pituitary by Northern blot analysis. The possible regulation of NPY was examined by determining the effects of thyroid hormone manipulation on peptide synthesis. Three other anterior pituitary neuropeptides, neurotensin (NT), substance P (SP), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), were studied for comparison. Hypothyroidism was found to significantly increase the pituitary content of NPY, SP, and VIP and their respective mRNAs but to decrease the quantity of NT. Immunocytochemistry revealed very weak NPY immunoreactivity in scattered cells in control rat anterior pituitaries, but in hypothyroid rats a greater number of positive cells were seen, and the staining was relatively intense. These positive cells were identified as a subset of thyrotropes. In T4-induced hyperthyroidism NPY, NT, and VIP levels were unaffected whereas SP concentrations fell considerably. TRH treatment produced a decrease in NT and had no effect on NPY, SP, or VIP. These changes were found only in the pituitary; no net change occurred in hypothalamic peptide and mRNA levels. Since the changes in pituitary peptide and mRNA levels occurred coordinately it appears that regulation by thyroid hormone status occurs, at least in part, directly at the level of gene transcription. The changes in these 4 regulatory peptides in hypothyroidism and their known powerful effects on pituitary function suggest that they may have a significant paracrine or autocrine influence in controlling the alterations in pituitary secretion.

The influence of thyroid hormone status on the hypothalamo-hypophyseal growth hormone axis.

Growth hormone (GH) synthesis is known to be impaired by either abnormally high or low levels of thyroid hormone. To determine the effects of these conditions on the central regulation of GH secretion, we have examined their effects on the hypothalamic regulatory peptides GH-releasing hormone (GH-RH) and somatostatin (SRIF). In thyroidectomized rat hypothalamus, a dramatic increase in GH-RH mRNA occurred in parallel with a decrease in peptide content. The significance of this phenomenon is uncertain and might possibly reflect some posttranscriptional derangement of GH-RH synthesis or an increased rate of GH-RH synthesis and release. In the hyperthyroid group, GH-RH showed significant decreases in both peptide and mRNA levels that might possibly reflect a decrease in GH-RH synthesis and secretion. No change was observed in SRIF peptide or mRNA levels in either thyroidectomized or T4-treated animals. As expected, GH mRNA levels in the anterior pituitary were dramatically decreased by thyroidectomy and unaffected by T4 treatment. In addition, in thyroidectomized pituitaries, the mature GH mRNA was observed to alter its structure, increasing in size by approximately 100 nucleotides. This increase in size was found to result from an increase in poly(A) tail length, the significance of which is as yet unclear.

Growth hormone (GH) release in response to GH-releasing hormone in man is 3-fold enhanced by galanin.

The effect of GHRH in a dose (120 micrograms) thought to produce a maximal GH response was compared with the GH response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, iv infusion of the hypothalamic neuropeptide galanin (40 pmol/kg.min for 40 min), and a combination of GHRH and galanin in normal men. The median peak serum GH level was 29 mU/L in response to GHRH, 28.9 mU/L in response to insulin hypoglycemia, 17.3 mU/L in response to galanin, and 115.0 mU/L in response to the combination of galanin and GHRH. GH release induced by galanin was completely inhibited by a concomitant somatostatin infusion (50 pmol/kg.min). Thus, galanin increased the peak GH response to GHRH, previously thought to be one of the most powerful stimulants to GH release, more than 3-fold. Since the dose of GHRH used was thought to be maximal and since galanin is reported not to have direct effects on the pituitary, one possible mode of action of galanin would be inhibition of tonic endogenous hypothalamic somatostatin release.

Serum cytokines in thyrotoxicosis.

Overproduction of thyroid hormones promotes bone resorption in vivo and in vitro, and we have evaluated whether mediators of such effects could include the osteotropic cytokines. Previous studies have demonstrated raised serum interleukin (IL)-6 in thyrotoxic patients, but differentiating the contribution of the elevated thyroid hormones from that of the autoimmune inflammation present in Graves' disease (GD) has been difficult. We undertook a longitudinal study of 34 patients (19-45 yr old) with GD, toxic nodular goiter (TNG), or a history of thyroid carcinoma but no evidence of disease recurrence, receiving sufficient T4 to suppress TSH. Controls were 12 euthyroid females. The following measurements were made basally and for 6 months after carbimazole treatment: serum free T4, T3, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP), IL-6, IL-8, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-11, and urinary deoxypyridinoline (Udpd). Compared with controls (IL-6, 1.1 +/- 0.3 ng/L; IL-8, 3.2 +/- 0.8 ng/L), untreated patients with GD and TNG had elevated IL-6 (GD, 7.11 +/- 0.88 ng/L; TNG, 7.30 +/- 0.77 ng/L; P < 0.001) and IL-8 (GD, 10.3 +/- 1.23 ng/L; TNG, 9.81 +/- 1.27 ng/L; P < 0.001). These levels fell after treatment and were then indistinguishable from those in control subjects. Thyroid carcinoma patients on TSH suppressive therapy also had significantly raised levels of IL-6 (2.5 +/- 0.42 ng/L) and IL-8 (4.4 +/- 0.63 ng/L). When data from all the patients were pooled, the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 correlated with serum T3 and free T4 but not with Udpd or b-ALP. IL-1beta, IL-11, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were not raised in any patient. The elevations in serum IL-6 and -8 that occur in hyperthyroidism seem to result from the chronic effects of thyroid hormone excess rather than the accompanying autoimmune inflammatory condition produced by Graves' thyroid or eye disease. The site of the presumed increased production of IL-6 and -8 is most likely from bone osteoblasts, despite the inability of bone markers (such as Udpd and b-ALP) to correlate with acute changes in thyroid hormone status produced by antithyroid therapy.