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INCREASED PRODUCTION OF α‐MELANOCYTE‐STIMULATING HORMONE IN THE PITUITARY GLAND OF PATIENTS WITH UNTREATED ADDISON'S DISEASE
Author(s) -
COATES P. J.,
McNICOL A. M.,
DONIACH I.,
REES L. H.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1988.tb02891.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , zona glomerulosa , adrenal cortex , pituitary gland , melanocyte stimulating hormone , anterior pituitary , adrenal gland , endocrine gland , alpha (finance) , antiserum , hormone , biology , receptor , antigen , angiotensin ii , immunology , construct validity , nursing , patient satisfaction
SUMMARY There is evidence that peptides related to α ‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone ( α ‐MSH) are involved in regulating the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex in certain species. We have investigated the amount of immunoreactive (IR)‐ α ‐MSH in the human pituitary gland of patients suffering from Addison's disease. We show increased numbers of cells containing demonstrable IR‐ α ‐MSH in the anterior lobe in these patients. Using an antiserum with specificity for the acetylated N ‐terminus of α ‐MSH we suggest that the major form present is desacetyl‐ α ‐MSH. These findings are in keeping with a role for anterior lobe derived desacetyl‐ α ‐MSH in the regulation of the human adrenal cortex.