• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.231-236
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• 2000

Recent studies have clearly shown that the expression of genes for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its receptor in the rat reproductive organs including ovary, testis, placenta uterus and mammary gland. Moreover, luteinizing hormone (LH) classically known to be a main target product of GnRH in anterior pituitary has been found in rat gonads. These findings suggested the presence of local circuit composed of GnRH and LH in the rat gonads. The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether the genes for LH and its receptor are expressed in rat mammary gland. Expression of LH and its receptor genes in the rat mammary gland was demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and specific LH radioimmunoassay (RIA). The LH${\beta}$ transcripts in the mammary gland from cycling rats contained the pituitary type of LH${\beta}$ exons 1~3 encoding the entire LH${\beta}$ polypeptide but lacked the rat testis-specific LH${\beta}$ exon(s). Presence of ${\alpha}$ -subunit transcripts in the rat mammary gland were determined by RT-PCR. The cDNA fragments encoding exons 2~7 of rat LH receptor transcripts were amplified in both rat ovary and mammary gland samples. We could detect the GnRH expression in mammary gland from cycling virgin rats, and this result disagreed with previous report that mammary GnRH expression is occured in lactating rats only. Considerable amounts of immunoreactive LH molecules with good RIA parallelism in standard curve were detected in crude extracts from the rat mammary gland, indicating that the immunoreactive LH materials in the gland might be identical to authentic pituitary LH. To our knowledge, the present study demonstrated for the first time the expression of LH subunits and LH receptor in the rat mammary gland. Our findings suggested that the mammary gland might be the novel source and target of LH and the mammary LH could be act as a local regulator with auto-and/or paracrine manner under the regulation of local GnRH.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.38-42
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• 1997

Human growth hormone is known as one of the peptide hormones which is consisted of 191 amino acids derived from the pituitary gland in humans. The objectives of this study were to supply inexpensive recombinant methionyl human growth hormones (rHGH) synthesized by the DNA technology in a yeast cell line and followed by the establishement of protein purification techniques. The next steps of the research were to study its physic-chemical properties and biological properties, and to evaluate various preclinical aspcts including pharmacokinetics sutdy, general pharmacology study, general toxicity test, and specific toxicity tests. Clinical phase I, II, III studies were also done against growth hormone dficient children to reveal that growth promoting effects were similar compared with the natural HGH extracted from pituitary glands and commercially available rHGHs. The results could be summarized that (I) this yeast dervied rHGH have had excellent physico-chemical and biological properties in comparison with a natural HGH and other synthesized rHGHs, (2) we could not see any toxic side effects when very high doses were administered to the experimental animals, and (3) this growth hormone showed effectiveness in the growth stimulating to growth hormone deficient patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3083-3088
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• 2012

We investigated the prognostic value of pituitary tumor transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) expression according to clinicopathological features among localized or locally advanced prostate cancer cases receiving hormone therapy. A retrospective study involved 64 patients receiving combined androgen blockade treatment was performed. PTTG1 expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining using initial needle biopsy specimens for diagnosis. Associations of PTTG1 with various clinicopathological features and disease-free survival were examined via uni- and multivariate analyses. No association between PTTG1 expression and clinical T stage, Gleason score, pretreatment PSA levels, risk groups was found (p =0.682, 0.184, 0.487, 0.571, respectively). Univariate analysis revealed that increased PTTG1 expression, T3 stage and high risk group were associated with increased risk of disease progression (p =0.000, 0.042, and 0.001), and high PSA level had a tendency to predict disease progression (p =0.056). Cox hazard ratio analysis showed that PTTG1 low expression (p =0.002), PTTG1 high expression (p =0.000) and high risk group (p =0.0147) were significantly related to decreased disease-free survival. In conclusion, PTTG1 expression determined by immunohistochemical staining in needle biopsy specimens for diagnosis is a negative prognostic factor for progression in localized or locally advanced prostate cancer receiving hormone therapy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.495-503
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• 2020

Objective : Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenoma (PA) is an extremely rare functioning form of PA that accounts for 0.7-2% of all such cases. The previously reported outcomes of the surgical removal of TSH-PA are poor. Owing to its extremely low incidence, most available reports on TSH-PA are case reports or small case series. Thus, we investigated the clinical and endocrinological outcomes of surgically treated TSH-PA through our institutional series. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 14 consecutive cases of surgically treated TSH-PA, focusing on the clinical, radiological, surgical, and endocrinological data. Results : There were seven male (50%) and seven female (50%) patients. The mean age was 42.5 years (range, 19-63). The mean tumor size was 16.6 mm (range, 4-30). Optic chiasm compression was noted in six patients (42.9%), and no patient showed cavernous sinus invasion. Thirteen of 14 patients (92.8%) underwent transnasal transsphenoidal approach (TSA), and one patient underwent TSA followed by transcranial approach for residual tumor removal. Thirteen of 14 patients (92.8%) showed endocrinological remission; all patients who experienced remission showed subnormal levels of TSH (<0.4 μU/mL) on postoperative day 2. Recurrence occurred in two patients (14.2%). One patient underwent subsequent revision transnasal TSA for recurrent tumor removal, and the other patient underwent gamma knife radiosurgery for recurrence. Conclusion : Surgical treatment showed excellent surgical outcomes. The TSH level in the immediate postoperative period may be a predictor for endocrinological remission.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety Conference
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• 1994.12a
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• pp.15-26
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• 1994

Bovine somatotropin(bST) or bovine growth hormone (bGH) is a protein of 191 amino acids produced by the anterior pituitary gland of cattle. Recombinant bovine somatotropin(rbST) is biosynthetic versions of the naturally occurring pituitary hormone in cows. The use of rbST in dairy cows promises to improve the efficiency of milk production around the world. Using recombinant DNA technology, bST can now be produced in commercial quantities. The recombinant bST(rbST) is biologically identical to the found in the bovine pituitary. Milk from rbST-treated cows has been found to have the same nutritional value and composition as milk from untreated cows. In November of 1993, rbST finally was approved by the FDA, nearly 10 years after filing a licence applica-tion. rbST has been one of the most extensively studied animal drug products to be reviewed by the agency. Three scientific facts will help to reassure the public about the safety of the milk suppy.: 1. rbST has no biological activity in humans when indigested orally or when given by intramuscular injection. 2. Insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) is not orally active. Any changes in IGF-1 levels in milk are well within normal variation and are lower than those reported in human milk. 3. All cow's milk contains bST, and no significant change in bST levels in milk occurs as a result of giving cows supplemental bST. Based on the scientific evidence, the public can be confident that milk and meat from rbST-treated cows is safe to consumers.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 1985

Twenty-four cases of pituitary adenoma, 13 males and 11 females with the age ranging from 11 to 65 years, received radiation therapy(RT) on the pituitary area with 6MV linear accelerator during past 25 months at the Division of Radiation Therapy, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Medical College. Of 24 cases of RT, 20 were postoperative and 4 primary. To evaluate the effect of RT, we analysed the alteration of the endocrinologic tests, neurologic abnormalities, major clinical symptoms, endocrinologic changes and improvement in visual problems after RT. The results were as follows ; 1. Major clinical symptoms were headache, visual defects, diabetes insipidus, hypogonadisms and general weakness in decreasing order of frequency. 2. All but the one with Nelson's syndrome showed abnormal neuroradiologic changes in the sella turcica with an invasive tumor mass around supra· and para-sellar area. 3. Endocrinological classifications of the patient were 11 prolactinoma, 4 growth hormone -secreting tumors, 3 ACTH-secreting tumors consisting of one Cushing's disease and two Nelson's syndrome, and 6 nonfunctioning tumors. 4. Eleven of 14 patients, visual problems were improved after treatment but remaining 3 were unchanged. 5. Seven of 11 prolactinomas returned to normal hormonal level after postoperative and primary RT and 3 patients are being treated with bromocriptine (BMCP) but one lost case. 6. Two of 4 growth hormone·secreting tumor returned to normal level after RT but the remaining 2 are being treated with BMCP, as well.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.34 no.3 s.134
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• pp.256-262
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• 2003

Lonicerae Flos (LF) has been used as an anticancer, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory agent in traditional herbal medicine. In this study, induction of rat growth hormone (rGH) by addition of methanol (MeOH) extract of LF of Lonicerae (L.) Folium or several constituents of L. Folium were carried out in the pituitary cell culture system. Induced rGH level by addition of 70% MeOH extract of LF was increased to $732.65{\pm}105.64%$ of control (n=18, p<0.01), however, the other sequential fractions were not significantly different from the control. Ochnaflavone, a constituent of L. Folium, induced rGH level in the cell culture to $329.73{\pm}160.00%$ of control (n=6, p<0.01). An I..v. injection of the MeOH extract of LF did not increase plasma rGH level in anesthetized rats. Unfortunately, the MeOH extract of LF induced prolactin and LH release about 7 and 5 fold of the control, respectively (p<0.05, each). In conclusions, 70% MeOH extract of LF exerted induction of rGH release in rat pituitary cell culture. Further studies to investigate mechanisms of the inducded rGH by LF are in progress.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.450-455
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• 2005

Objective : Pituitary apoplexy is a rare clinical syndrome caused by pituitary hemorrhage, hemorrhagic infarction, or ischemic infarction within a pituitary tumor or surrounding structure. We analyzed surgical outcomes of pituitary apoplexy. Methods : From 1995 to 2004, we reviewed our experience of 29 cases with pituitary apoplexy. In all patients, pre- and postoperative clinical presentation were checked and endocrine study were performed. Results : The most frequent symptoms were visual disturbance [24 cases, 82.8%] and headache [22 cases, 75.9%]. After surgery, headache improved in 86.4%, 88.9% among 18cases who had preoperative reduction in visual acuity and 75.0% among 12 cases who had preoperative reduction in visual field improved. In endocrine study, long-term steroid and thyroid hormone replacement therapy was necessary in 42.9% of 14 cases presenting preoperative hypopituitarism. Postoperative transient hypopituitarism developed in 5 cases [33.3%] and they all recovered in follow up study. Postoperative endocrinological recovery were in 77.9% of 9 cases with preoperative prolactinoma, 1 case in 2 cases with acromegaly and one case with Cushing disease. Postoperative complications were diabetes inspidus[DI] in 1 case [3.4%]. cerebrospinal fluid[CSF] leakage in 2 cases [6.8%] and death in 1 case [3.4%] due to sepsis, Conclusion : We report good results through surgery of pituitary apoplexy in a clinical and endocrine outcomes. The surgery should be performed as soon as possible to be a suitable method for treating pituitary apoplexy.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 1994

The effects of gonadoropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and ovarian steroid hormones on the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and its subunit mRNA levels were investigated in anterior pituitary cells in culture. LH concentration was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay and mRNA levels of u and $LH{\beta}$ subunits by RNA slot blot hybridization assay. GnRH stimulated LH release in a dose-dependent manner from cultured pituitary cells. However, the basal LH release in the absence of GnRH was not changed during the course of 24h culture, strongly suggesting that release of LH is directly controlled by GnRH. The treatment of the pituitary cells with GnRH increased $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner, reaching the maximum with $2\;{\times}\;10^{-10}M$ GnRH while no significant increase in ${\alpha}$ subunit mRNA levels was observed after GnRH treatment. Estradiol did not augment GnRH-induced LH release while progesterone augmented GnRH-induced LH release in a dose-dependent manner at the level of pituitary. However, estradiol and progesterone increased basal and GnRH-induced $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of estrogen antagonist, LYI17018 blocked the effect of estradiol on GnRH-induced $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner while progesterone antagonist, Ru486 tended to block the effect of progesterone on GnRH-induced $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels. It is therefore suggested that GnRH Playa a major role in LH release and subunit biosynthesis by influencing the steady state $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA loves and ovarian steroid hormones modulate subunit biosynthesis via directly acting on pituitary gonadotropes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.710-716
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• 2003

Gonadotropin (GTH) is a pituitary glycoprotein hormone that regulates gonadal development in vertebrates. In teleosts, two types of gonadotropins, GTH-I and GTH-II, are produced in the pituitary, and they comprised of common ${\alpha}$ and distinct ${\beta}$ subunits. In the present study, the cDNAs encoding GTH ${\alpha}\;and\;GTH-II{\beta}$ subunits were cloned and sequenced from flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) pituitary cDNA library. The nucleotide sequence of the a subunit was 619 bp long, encoding 124 amino acids, and that of the $GTH-II{\beta}$ subunit was 538 bp long, encoding 145 amino acids. GTH subunits had well conserved cysteines, when aligned with other members of the glycoprotein family. The ${\beta}$ subunit of gonadotropin II ($GTH-II{\beta}$) had a different N-linked glycosylation site. RT-PCR analysis showed an increase of GTH II mRNA levels in association with gonadal development, and also showed that the mRNA expression of the ${\alpha}$ subunit was detected only in tissues from pituitary glands.