[The role of central catecholamines and dopaminergic receptors in the development of estrogen-induced adenohypophyseal hypertrophy].

Estrogens and thyroid hormones contribute importantly to cell proliferation and tumor transformation in the pituitary gland. The purpose of the present article is provide review about neurotransmitters, chemicals, and receptors that are involved in estrogen-induced anterior pituitary growth. Central dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems are thought to be the most important systems in regulation of pituitary growth and function. For this purpose authors discuss some of their past and present data suggesting that estrogen-induced anterior pituitary pituitary growth is associated with decreased synthesis and metabolism of central catecholamines and increased adenohypophyseal dopamine 2 receptors. Treatment with thyroid hormones prevents both estrogen-induced catecholaminergic inhibition and dopamine D2 receptor increment in the anterior pituitary gland. Further studies focusing on central catecholaminergic systems, pituitary receptor equipment and mechanisms of intracellular signal transduction will be of value to better understand pituitary tumor formation and possibly to find new approaches toward treating patients with these tumors.