PURPOSE: To confirm the production of extra-hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and GnRH receptor in bladder mucosal epithelia, and a potential role of GnRH on the bladder, normal human bladder tissues, and primary cultured dog bladder mucosal epithelia were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, normal human bladder tissue from 4 patients and primary cultured normal bladder mucosal epithelial cells from 2 dogs were used. For localization of extra-hypothalamic GnRH and the extra-pituitary GnRH receptor, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining were done. To evaluate the roles of exogenous GnRH in bladder mucosal cells, the culture media were supplemented with charcoal stripped serum and 4 different concentrations of GnRH (0, 10(-3), 10(-5) and 10(-7)M). The effect of exogenous GnRH was evaluated using a hemocytometer and fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). RESULTS: GnRH and GnRH receptors, and their mRNA signals were localized in most of the both human bladder mucosal epithelia and dog bladder mucosal epithelia, but not in a few cells. There were no significant GnRH effects on cellular proliferation and cell cycle changes (p<0.05). CONCLISIONS: Bladder mucosal epithelium produces GnRH and GnRH receptors, but they do not effect either the proliferation or cell cycle changes. Although the exact function of extra-hypothalamic bladder GnRH is unknown, GnRH and GnRH receptors would be assumed to have unknown autocrine or paracrine relationships with each other.
Animals ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Charcoal ; Culture Media ; Dogs ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Fluorescence ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Gonadotropins* ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Mucous Membrane ; Receptors, LHRH* ; RNA, Messenger ; Urinary Bladder*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of CT imaging in differentiating pheochromocytoma from primary adrenalcarcinoma and metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed CT imagings of 24 patients(9 males, 15 females, mean age 49) with 27 surgically or clinically proven adrenal neoplasms larger than 3cm indiameter. These neoplasms included pheochromocytomas(n=11), adrenal carcinomas(n=6), and adrenal metastases(n=10,bilateral : 3). Two radiologists visually inspected CT features with respect to tumor size, shape, intratumoral hypodensity, and calcification, and agreed upon their evalvation. These results were compared with the final histopathologic and clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: Ten of eleven pheochromocytomas(91%) were observed to be round or ovoid; this shape was rarely seen in primary carcinomas(0/6) or metastases(2/10). in contrast, mostcarcinomas(6/6, 100%) were lobulated or irregular in shape, as were most metastases(8/10, 80%). smooth, round orovoid intratumoral hypodensity was noted in all pheochromocytomas. Stellate or linear, irregular intratumoral hypodensity was present in all carcinomas and metastases. However, there were no significant differences in CTdensity of calcification. CONCLUSION: Tumor shape and intratumoral hypodensity are very useful CT findings for differentiating adrenal pheochromocytomas from primary carcinomas and metastases.
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Pheochromocytoma* ; Retrospective Studies