title: Pituitary hormones and ergot alkaloids.
abstract: From the data presented it appears that ergot drugs are both a useful tool for use in the study of neuroendocrine control of pituitary hormone secretion and a valid pharmacologic weapon for treatment of hyperprolactinemic states, GH and, probably, ACTH and MSH hypersecretion. In fact, they are capable of a long-lasting disruption of PRL secretion from a normal or tumoral pituitary gland, are unable to affect directly the somatotrophs of an intact AP, but inhibit GH and, possibly, ACTH secretion from a hyperplastic or tumoral gland. Ergolines also exert clear-cut PRL-lowering effects and are capable of suppressing GH secretion in acromegaly. The intimate mechanism(s) and hence site(s) of action of some of these compounds await clarification.
mesh_terms: D000172:Acromegaly / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004285:Dogs; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004876:Ergot Alkaloids; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones