Plasma 7B2 (A Novel Pituitary Protein) Immunoreactivity Concentrations In Patients with Various Endocrine Disorders

Abstract

We have measured plasma 7B2 (a novel pituitary protein)-immunoreactivity (IR) concentrations in patients with various endocrine disorders. Mean (±SEM) basal plasma 7B2-IR concentrations (ng/L) in patients with acromegaly (81±14.6), Cushing's disease (57.2±8.5), prolactinoma (71.4±9.5), panhypopituitarism (50.6±7.6), isolated ACTH deficiency (47.9±11.6), hyperthyroidism (57.9±6.7) and hypothyroidism (60.8±9.4) were on the same levels as those in age-matched normal subjects. However, basal plasma 7B2-IR concentrations were increased to more than 100 ng/L in 5 out of 25 patients with acromegaly (20%). Mean basal plasma 7B2-IR concentrations in patients with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid and pheochromocytoma were 293±38.1 ng/L (range: 225.7-357.4 ng/L, n= 3) and 221±82.8 ng/L (range: 48.5-527.8 ng/L, n= 5), respectively, and significantly higher than those in age-matched normal subjects (P<0.001). These results suggest that plasma 7B2-IR may have some diagnostic value for acromegaly and may be useful as a marker for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid and pheochromocytoma. © 1988, The Japan Endocrine Society. All rights reserved.