THE EFFECT OF β-GLUCAN ON PROLACTIN SECRETION IN GH3/B6 CELLS

Document Type : Regular Paper

Authors

Animal Physiology Department, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, I. R. of Iran

Abstract

It is well known that several plant extracts have a lactogenic effect. This response may be induced
through the stimulation of prolactin release from lactotrope cells. A partial purification of the active
compound indicated that it is rich in pectin and β-glucan. These materials stimulate secretion of prolactin
from hypophyseal fragments. In the present study, the effect of β-Glucan on the secretion of prolactin from
GH3/B6 pituitary tumor cells has been investigated. These cells are good tools for studying the direct effect of
β-glucan on prolactin secretion. The different concentrations of β-glucan (50, 100 and 200 μg/ml) increased
secretion of prolactin within 24 hours of incubation in GH3/B6 media. Moreover, the secretion of prolactin
was significantly elicited at 100 and 200 μg/ml of β-glucan incubation after 48 hours. These results suggest
that β-glucan can affect the synthesis and/or release of prolactin, a hormone that plays many important
physiological roles from GH3/B6 pituitary tumor cells.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Science
Volume 31, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
November and December 2007
Pages 223-229

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