Post-translational processing of thyrotropin-releasing hormone precursor in rat brain: identification of 3 novel peptides derived from pro TRH

The sequence of rat hypothalamic pro-thyrotropin releasing hormone, deduced by sequencing of cDNA, in addition to 5 TRH progenitor genitor sequences contains leader, trailer and 4 intervening sequences separated by paired basic amino acid sequences. We have developed radioimmunoassays to synthetic peptides corresponding to portions of these cryptic proTRH sequences and have used these assays to identify and partially characterize proTRH peptides, distinct from TRH, in extracts of rat brain. Two of these peptides correspond closely in size to one intervening sequence and the car☐y-terminal sequence of proTRH. Three other peptides correspond to the intact amino-terminal leader sequence and two peptides formed by a further cleavage of the leader sequence at an internal paired basic amino acid sequence.     

The thyrotropin response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone as a predictor of response to treatment in depressed outpatients.

We evaluated the predictive value of the thyrotropin (TSH) response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in 32 depressed outpatients completing a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of s-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe), which failed to show any significant difference between SAMe and placebo. Treatment response was defined as the change in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-24) score between baseline and the end of the six-week trial. Subjects with TSH response outside the normal range (7-25 uU/ml) had a significantly greater response than patients with a normal response. There was also a significant correlation between absolute deviations from the mean TSH response (16 uU/ml) and changes in HRSD-24 scores.     

伍用TRH与ICI174,864对兔失血性休克心功能的影响

采用脑室给药方法研究了促甲状腺素释放激素（ＴＲＨ）与δ－阿片受体特异性拮抗剂ＩＣＩ１７４，８６４合用对失血性休克兔心功能指标的影响，旨在探讨ＴＲＨ与ＩＣＩ１７４，８６４是否可配伍用药治疗休克。ＴＲＨ、ＩＣＩ１７４，８６４两药单用剂量各为５０μｇ，合用剂量各２５μｇ。结果显示，两药半量合用改善失血性休克兔心血管功能作用不仅可达单药５０μｇ的效果，且较单用效果更佳。表明两药可配伍用药治疗失血性休克，且有一定的协同作用。     

Neuropeptides: Animal behaviour and human psychopathology

Summary Animal studies have demonstrated that neuropeptides modulate nervous system functions. It has been postulated that disturbances in neuropeptide systems may be aetiological factors in psychiatric and neurological disorders. Neuropeptides related to ACTH/MSH, including ORG 2766, increase motivation and attention and facilitate recovery processes after nerve damage. These peptides may be effective during the early stage of dementia. Vasopressin and related peptides improve memory processes in animals and humans. In addition, these peptides influence social behaviour, mood and addictive behaviour. The non-opioid -type endorphins have neurolepticlike activities in animals and antipsychotic effects in a category of schizophrenic patients. Peptides related to CCK have also been found to be effective in these patients. Some neuropeptides, e.g. TRH and PLG, have been reported to exert antidepressant effects. Further research may eventually produce neuropeptides with therapeutic action in psychiatric and neurological diseases.Parts of this article were presented on the occasion of the inauguration ceremony of the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Mainz on April 2 and 3, 1987     

促甲状腺素释放激素对荷瘤鼠NK和IL－2活性的影响

本文采用中性红和噻唑蓝比色法，观察了促甲状腺素释放激素（ＴＲＨ）对荷瘤小鼠脾细胞ＮＫ活性和ＩＬ－２产生能力的影响，并研究其抑瘤效应及机理。结果表明：ＴＲＨ能够明显抑制小鼠Ｓ１８０腹水瘤移植物的生长，抑瘤率为５４．６％；并能明显提高荷瘤鼠ＮＫ活性和ＩＬ－２产生能力。这一结果提示ＴＲＨ是一种重要的抗肿瘤免疫调节因子。     

Immunocytochemical detection of effects of TRH and T4 on prolactin- and TSH-producing cells in the pituitary gland of Rana ridibunda

Effects of synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and various doses of thyroxin (T4) on prolactin (PRL)-producing cells and thyrotropic cells in the pituitary were investigated in adult male and female Rana ridibunda frogs. Animals were given 200 microg TRH once a week for 4 weeks and 0.2-0.5 mg T4 during 3 days per week for a period of 2 weeks by injections in the groin. PRL-producing cells and thyrotropic cells were identified with light microscopical and electron microscopical immunocytochemical methods, using rabbit anti-PRL and rabbit anti-thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) as primary antibodies. TRH caused cytological changes in both cell types, which were consistent with increased synthesis and release of both PRL and TSH. Treatment with 0.5 mg T4 activated both cell types less than TRH treatment did, whereas 0.2 and 0.4 mg T4 caused inactivation of both cell types. In conclusion, mammalian TRH is effective on both types of frog pituitary cells. Our study suggests that T4 has a positive rather than a negative effect when concentrations above a certain threshold are given.     

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) counteracts neuronal damage induced by a substance P antagonist

Summary Intrathecal administration of the substance P antagonist Spantide caused marked necrotic changes of the gray matter of the spinal cord extending several segments from the injection site. Intravenous treatment with several doses of thyrotropin releasing hormone before and after Spantide injection completely prevented the necrotic lesion.     

Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Wachstumshormonsekretion bei Akromegalie nach isolierter und kombinierter Anwendung des Insulinhypoglykämie-, LH-RH- und TRH-Tests

Zusammenfassung Die Stimulierbarkeit der Wachstumshormon (STH)-Sekretion wurde bei 17 Patienten mit florider Akromegalie sowohl nach zeitlich getrennter als auch nach simultaner intravenöser Gabe von Insulin, LH-RH und TRH untersucht. Bei simultaner Applikation kam es bei 15 der 17 Akromegalen zu ausgeprägten STH-Anstiegen. Die inappropriate Stimulation der STH-Sekretion nach alleiniger TRH-Applikation wurde bei 9 Patienten beobachtet, während diese nach LH-RH in 4 Fällen nachweisbar war. Im isoliert durchgeführten Insulinhypoglykämie-Test erfolgte ein eindeutiger STH-Anstieg bei 5 Patienten.Nach selektiver, transsphenoidaler Hpophysektomie waren durch die kombinierte Anwendung der Testsubstanzen von 13 Patienten noch 4 deutlich stimulierbar. Zwei von diesen wiesen jedoch auch eine vergleichbare Stimulierbarkeit des STH nach TRH auf, was als Hinweis auf operativ belassene, sekretionsfähige Adenomzellen zu werten ist.Der kombinierte Insulinhypoglykämie/LH-RH/TRH-Test ist auch bei dem Krankheitsbild der Akromegalie empfehlenswert, da hierdurch simultan außer der WAchstumshormonsekretion auch die übrigen hypophysären Partialfunktionen erfaßt werden können. Bei Fragen zur selektiven Stimulation der STH-Sekretion ist die zeitlich getrennte Durchführung des Tests erforderlich.Mit dankenswerter Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

脑室注射促甲状腺素释放激素对电针镇痛及脑内亮氨酸脑啡肽含量的影响

实验用大鼠76只,用辐射热-甩尾法测痛,以电针后痛阈变化的百分率评价镇痛效应;用放射免疫分析法测定脑内L-Enk含量。发现脑室注入三肽-促甲状腺素释放激素(TRH)后,能显著降低电针镇痛效果;提高丘脑内L-Enk含量,但痛阈与脑内L-Enk含量的变化无相关关系。本文证明,TRH在电针镇痛过程中是对抗作用。已知针刺镇痛与脑内多种神经质和肽类有关,在不利于针刺镇痛的因素中,TRH是新添的“一员”。