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

Abstract

It is well known that several plant extracts have a lactogenic effect. This response may be inducedthrough the stimulation of prolactin release from lactotrope cells. A partial purification of the activecompound indicated that it is rich in pectin and β-glucan. These materials stimulate secretion of prolactinfrom hypophyseal fragments. In the present study, the effect of β-Glucan on the secretion of prolactin fromGH3/B6 pituitary tumor cells has been investigated. These cells are good tools for studying the direct effect ofβ-glucan on prolactin secretion. The different concentrations of β-glucan (50, 100 and 200 μg/ml) increasedsecretion of prolactin within 24 hours of incubation in GH3/B6 media. Moreover, the secretion of prolactinwas significantly elicited at 100 and 200 μg/ml of β-glucan incubation after 48 hours. These results suggestthat β-glucan can affect the synthesis and/or release of prolactin, a hormone that plays many importantphysiological roles from GH3/B6 pituitary tumor cells.