Question

Anybody want a peanut? Andre the Giant had gigantism AND acromegaly from a somatotrophic pituitary adenoma. What does a somatotrophic pituitary adenoma do to growth hormone secretion (1 pts)? What specifically occurs on a cellular/physiological level to cause the symptoms of heightened stature, large hands, large feet, large jaw, large internal organs, and increased blood sugar (4 pts)? Which symptom is not associated with acromegaly (1 pts)? What other disorder often occurs alongside gigantism and acromegaly due to the symptom of increased blood sugar (1pts)? What are the two possible courses of treatment for these conditions (2 pts)? (FYI Andre refused treatment to continue his career in wrestling). 1 pts for essay formatting, grammar, spelling.

Answer 1

* Pituitary gland is called the master endocrine gland because it controls the secretion of the other endocrine glands in the body. Pituitary adenomas are tumors that begin to grow in the somatotropic cells. The growth hormones secreted by these tumor cells trigger the liver to produce insulin-like growth factor 1 or IGF-1. This factor is involved in bone and tissue growth, metabolism, and other processes of the body.

* IGF 1 stimulates body growth by affecting the growth of almost every cell in the body, especially, skeletal muscles, cartilages, bones, skin, liver, kidneys, lungs, and even nerve cells. IGF 1 can even regulate cellular DNA synthesis. In fact, it acts as the major mediator of Growth Hormone stimulated somatic growth as well as a mediator of GH- independent anabolic responses in almost every somatic cell and tissues. Secondary diabetes may set in due to hypersecretion of anterior pituitary hormones which may affect the pancreatic secretion of insulin.

* Increased blood sugar is not associated with acromegaly.

Acromegaly presents itself as abnormally large body parts like hands, feet, and ears, protruding jaws, bulging chest, and overall abnormal body growth.

* Damage to the joints, liver, kidneys, and heart can occur due to increased blood sugar levels.

* Treatment of pituitary adenoma depends on the severity of the condition. Two methods to treat this condition are -

a] Surgical removal of the tumor

b] Medication to block excess hormone production or to shrink the tumor.

In some cases, radiation may also be used to treat the tumor.