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In order to elucidate the localization and specificity of corticosteroid feedback receptors in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system, various steroids were implanted in the median eminence and the anterior pituitary of female rats and their effects on stress-induced ACTH release were investigated. Suppression of ACTH release was observed after the implantation of dexamethasone, cortisol, corticosterone, 11-dehydro-corticosterone and 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) in the anterior median eminence. 11-Deoxycortisol (Reichstein’s substance S), tetrahydrocortisol, pregnenolone, progesterone, and testosterone were ineffective when implanted in this region. Infundibular dexamethasone, cortisol and 11-deoxycorticosterone implants suppressed ACTH release, while other steroids were not effective. Dexamethasone and 11-deoxy-corticosterone also suppressed ACTH release when implanted bilaterally in the anterior pituitary. It is concluded that corticosteroid ‘feedback receptors’ may exist, both in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary. Failure to suppress ACTH release by some of corticosteroids when implanted in the infundibular region or anterior pituitary seems to depend on their solubility in the brain and pituitary tissues and on the amount of steroids implanted rather than on the structure of the molecule.

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Non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare disease which seldom affects adults. We report a case of a 32-year-old Bulgarian woman living with HIV. She developed severe anemia, extreme splenomegaly, requiring splenectomy and vertebral tumor formations leading to fracture. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination of the spleen, but subsequently questioned and a cumulative disease was discussed. After genetic testing, a cumulative disease was ruled out and the condition was determined to be Non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. According to literature data, the disease has a high mortality rate. However, in our case, we should also note that there was a delay in diagnosis by several months due to difficulties in the clarification of the hematological disorder.