Effects of some antineoplastic agents on plasma levels of corticosterone, prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone.

The effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 1,3 bis(2-chloroethyl)-1 nitrosurea (BCNU) and cyclophosphamide on plasma levels of corticosterone, prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were investigated. All the three drugs produce a remarkable adrenocortical activation but the duration of this effect is different. Hypophysectomized rats do not show any increase of plasma corticosterone levels in response to the considered antineoplastic agents. This may be indicative of an action mediated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The same drugs caused a significant fall of plasma TSH. Also the duration of this effect was different for the three compounds. No relevant modifications of plasma prolactin were observed.