Expression of TGF beta 1 and pituitary adenoma fibrosis

Transsphenoidal approach has been increasingly used in the resection of pituitary adenomas for its minimal invasiveness. However, in about 10% of these cases, the tumor cannot be totally removed due to the fibrosis. In this work, the object is to study the relationship between expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) and fibrosis of pituitary adenoma. 38 pituitary adenoma specimens were divided into fibrous group (6 cases) and non-fibrous group (32 cases). TGF beta 1 expression was detected by reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Collagen content was detected by Sirius red stain. In fibrous group and non-fibrous group, respectively, (1) collagen content was 20.95% - 8.42% and 7.98% - 5.18%, with significant difference (p < 0.01); (2) TGF beta 1 mRNA was 0.79 - 0.15 and 0.42 - 0.20; TGF beta 1 protein was 0.64 - 0.20 and 0.32 - 0.40, both with significant difference (p < 0.01). Collagen deposition is a significant pathological feature in fibrous pituitary adenomas. TGF beta 1 may play an important role in the fibrosis of adenoma.