HPLC-RIA analysis of the ectopic cortisol production in a cancerous pancreas tumor.
Steroidal pathophysiology of a malignant, ACTH-producing pancreas tumor was investigated via HPLC-RIA determinations of intratissular concentrations of eleven main steroid hormones. The tumor specimen underwent extraction procedure with ethyl acetate and the extract was purified on a C18 minicolumn. Steroids were isolated by HPLC (C18-silica reversed phase stationary phase and methanol-water eluent system) and quantified by specific RIAs. Cortisol content of the tumor specimen was 15,700 pmol/g, the further steroid hormones were found in much lower concentrations (< 1.5-28 pmol/g). The extremely high cortisol concentration in the tissue witnesses the synthesis of the main glucocorticoid steroid in the ACTH-producing pancreas tumor and suggests a stimulating paracrine effect of ACTH on cortisol production. The present data verify that the determination of intratissular steroid concentrations by HPLC-RIA methods may identify even the most peculiar hormone sources and the hormone profiles facilitate studying pathophysiology of ectopic endocrine tumors.
Szécsi
M
M
Endocrine Unit and Research Laboratory, University of Szeged, 8 Korányi fasor, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary. szecsim@endoc.szote.u-szeged.hu
Tóth
I
I
Gardi
J
J
Vecsernyés
M
M
Németh
J
J
Julesz
J
J
D000182:ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013256:Steroids / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis
D013256:Steroids; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone