Modulation (feminization) of hepatic enzymes by an ectopic pituitary tumor

The ontogeny and endocrine regulation of sex-differentiated hepatic metabolism is mediated via the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Using in vitro-in vivo systems, we demonstrate alterations in activity levels of six sex-differentiated enzyme systems in male rats bearing ectopic pituitary tumors after the injection of a pituitary cell line, C811RAP. Activity levels of hepatic glutathione S-transferase, UDP-glucuronyltransferase, and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase are reduced to activity levels of control females, while histidase, 5 alpha-reductase, and serum cholinesterase levels are increased to levels of control females, i.e. feminization of all of these enzymes. RIAs of testosterone, estrogen, FSH, and PRL are similar in tumor-bearing and control animals, but GH levels are significantly higher in tumor-bearing animals than in the controls. It is suggested that GH may be the pituitary factor responsible for the expression of sex-differentiated hepatic metabolism.