Direct effects of cocaine-amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) on pituitary hormone release in pituitary cell culture.

OBJECTIVE Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is widely expressed in the rat brain, especially in the hypothalamic nuclei and in the anterior pituitary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CART on pituitary hormone release in pituitary cell culture. MATERIAL AND METHODS The pituitary hormone release from pituitary cell culture after CART administration was investigated. Concentrations of LH, FSH, PRL, TSH and GH were measured with RIA methods. RESULTS CART in all doses (1 nMol, 10 nMol, 100 nMol) stimulated prolactin (PRL) release and inhibited TSH release. CART administration caused a dose dependent decrease in LH release. CART did not change GH release from cultured pituitary cells. CONCLUSION CART may affect directly pituitary hormones release in the cell culture.