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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2002; 110(3): 103-112
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-29086
Review

© Johann Ambrosius Barth

The role of endothelins in the regulation of pituitary function

M. Lange 1 , U. Pagotto 2 , U. Renner 2 , T. Arzberger 2 , R. Oeckler 1 , G. K. Stalla 2
  • 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
  • 2 Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Endocrinology, Munich, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 19 September 2001 first decision 2 November 2001

accepted 31 December 2001

Publication Date:
15 May 2002 (online)

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Summary

The different members of the endothelin peptide family exhibit potent, long-lasting vasoconstrictive effects and thus play a central role in blood pressure regulation. However, endothelins have also been shown to modulate renal, cardiac and immune functions under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. In addition, endothelins are thought to be involved in the progression of some types of tumours. Soon after their discovery in 1988, it was shown that endothelins affect hormone release in the pituitary. Moreover, the intrapituitary production and expression of both endothelins and endothelin receptors have been described. This review summarises the present day knowledge concerning the expression and regulation of intrapituitary endothelins and their receptors. In addition, the effects of endothelins on hormone production by anterior, intermediate and posterior pituitary cell types are reviewed and their importance for pituitary physiology and pathophysiology is discussed.

Key words:

Endothelins - Endothelin receptors - Anterior pituitary - Posterior pituitary - Pituitary hormones

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Dr. Ulrich Renner

Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry

Department of Endocrinology

Kraepelinstr. 10

D-80804 Munich

Germany

Phone: +49-89-30622-349

Fax: +49-89-30622-605

Email: renner@mpipsykl.mpg.de