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Human
prolactinomas in cell culture: structure-function correlation
and indication of early relapse
by Chih-Jen Wang* and Shen-Long Howng
Division
of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical College,
100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Received: January 5, 1997
Abstract
Cell cultures of 7 micro-and 16 macroprolactinomas obtained
from twenty-three patients (10 males and 13 females) by transsphenoidal
adenomectomies were found to be capable of secreting hormones
in vitro. Prolactin levels in the culture media were measured
during the culture periods and showed that the high PRL levels
in culture media may indicate early relapse Morphological features
of both micro-and macroprolactinomas in vitro resembled those
of the original tumors. Most macroprolactinomas harbored densely-granulated
cells, while microprolactinomas sparsely-granulated cells. The
cell culture techniques combined with morphological studies
of prolactinomas allow further investigation of structure-function
correlation in human prolactinomas.
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