[Hyperplasia of growth hormone-producing cells in the hypophysis in psoriasis. Study of 10 patients]

Abstract

In previous investigations we observed an increase of growth hormone (HGH) in the blood serum of patients suffering from various clinical forms of psoriasis. The skin lesions disappeared in about 70% when treated systemically with somatostatin and/or bromocriptine, which are inhibitors of HGH secretion. These findings suggested a post mortem investigation of the pituitary glands of 10 patients who had suffered from psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Using histochemical and immunochemical methods, we investigated the distribution of cells producing HGH, PRL, LH or FSH. In all 10 pituitary glands we found hyperplasia of the HGH cells, whereas cells producing LH, TSH, FSH and PRL had a normal distribution. The pituitary glands of controls showed no accumulation or hyperplasia of HGH cells.