摘要:

The aim of the present study was to investigate cortisol levels under basal conditions and in response to ACTH stimulation in male patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency. The study included 14 male controls and 12 patients with G-6-PD deficiency matched for age and race. Fasting blood samples were taken from all the subjects at rest, and 30, 60 and 120 min after the infusion of 0.25 mg of corticotropin for cortisol determination. The mean cortisol levels observed in the first hour after ACTH stimulation in the G-6-PD-deficient patients were significantly (p = 0.03) lower than in the control group. No significant differences were observed between patients and controls at rest, and in the second hour after stimulation. These data suggest that, in the adrenals, G-6-PD plays a role in the initial phase of cortisol production. However, 1 h after ACTH stimulation, G-6-PD probably is no longer rate limiting in the production of cortisol.

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000181866

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1991

数据来源: Karger

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000181920

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1991

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

In order to evaluate the functional activity of the tubero-infundibular dopaminergic system in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we analysed the prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) responses to the dopamine antagonist sulpiride. We studied 8 euthyroid women affected by PCOS and 7 normal women. The mean baseline PRL values were normal in both groups. After sulpiride administration the incremental area under the PRL profile in PCOS was significantly lower than in normal subjects (p < 0.01). The mean basal plasma TSH levels were significantly higher in the PCOS than in the control group (p < 0.01). After sulpiride administration the incremental area under the TSH profile was significantly lower in PCOS patients than in normal women (p < 0.01). The higher basal plasma levels of TSH, the blunted response of PRL and the lack of response of TSH to sulpiride in PCOS suggest a relative decrease of the dopaminergic activity in PCOS patients.

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000181867

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1991

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

In order to clarify the mechanism by which excess PRL inhibits gonadotropin release, in vivo and in vitro studies were performed with adult female rats. First, we examined the effect of hyperprolactinemia, produced by implantation of anterior pituitary glands under the kidney capsule, on catecholamine turnover in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) and on GnRH concentrations in MBH and hypophyseal portal blood. Rats bearing pituitary transplants exhibited increased turnovers of dopamine (DA) in the MBH, decreased concentrations of GnRH in the MBH and in plasma of hypophyseal portal blood and impaired gonadotropin release from the pituitary gland. Second, we examined the effects of PRL on DA release and of DA on GnRH release from rat hypothalamic cells. We observed that PRL stimulated [3H] DA release, and DA inhibited ionophore-induced GnRH release from dispersed hypothalamic cells. Third, we examined the effect of PRL on estrogen-induced LH release using the in vitro perfusion system. We found that administration of PRL suppressed estrogen-induced LH release by suppressing GnRH release from the hypothalamus. These findings suggest that chronic hyperprolactinemia may increase dopaminergic tone in the MBH that may inhibit GnRH secretion from the MBH and LH release from the pituitary and that these processes may be responsible for disturbances of cyclic hypothalamic pituitary-ovarian activity.

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000181921

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1991

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The activation of T lymphocyte is accompanied by the release of soluble interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2R) which can be assessed in biological fluids. A prospective study of the dynamic changes in sIL-2R levels was performed in the serum of 10 patients undergoing a medical treatment for Graves’ disease. All patients received carbimazole during the study and, when necessary, L-thyroxine to compensate hypothyroidism. sIL-2R levels were measured before (M0) and after the 1st (M1), 3rd (M3) and 6th month (M6) of treatment. The levels of sIL-2R were high at MO and Ml, and decreased significantly between Ml and M3 (p = 0.03). At MO, the levels of sIL-2R were highly correlated with triiodothyronine (T3) levels (p = 0.0003), early [131I] uptake (p = 0.007) and, to a lesser degree, with anti-thyrotropin receptor antibody levels (p = 0.02). At M6, no correlation was found anymore. We conclude that sIL-2R levels are increased in patients with untreated Graves’ disease. They are highly correlated with the markers of Graves’ disease activity and decrease during medical trea

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000181868

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1991

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The efficacy and safety of a 12-month treatment with recombinant human growth hormone from mammalian cells (r-hGH, Saizen) in growth hormone neurosecretory dysfunction (GHND) are evaluated in this study. r-hGH was administered subcutaneously, at a dosage of 0.5 IU/kg/week divided into 6 equal daily doses. A total of 16 (12 M and 4 F) poorly growing patients, height – 2.3 SD or more below the mean for chronological age and sex, were included in the study. r-hGH therapy significantly increased the growth velocity; from 3.57 ± 0.85 cm/ year, before therapy, to 7.09 ± 2.29 cm/year after 12 months (p < 0.001). Patients’ height SD score rose from -3.40 ± 0.84 SDS to -2.98 ± 0.69 SDS (p < 0.01). Somatomedin C increased significantly from a baseline value of 0.59 ± 0.32 U/ml to 1.26 ± 0.66 U/ml after therapy (p < 0.01). Finally, r-hGH therapy improved the pretreatment adult height prediction; from an initial prognosis of-2.66 ± 0.79 SDS to -2.17 ± 0.81 SDS after treatment (p < 0.01). No side effects or adverse reactions were observed during treatment. Anti-r-hGH antibody formation was not found in any of the patients included i

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000181869

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1991

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The effects of biosynthetic methionyl human growth hormone (met-hGH) on body composition and endogenous secretion of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were studied in obese women ranging between 138 and 226% of ideal body weight. Following double-blind procedures, 12 subjects were assigned at random to either treatment with met-hGH (n = 6, 0.08 mg/kg desirable body weight) or placebo (n = 6, bacteriostatic water diluent). Treatments were delivered intramuscularly three times per week for a period of 27–28 days. Subjects were instructed to follow a weight-maintaining diet and their pre- and posttreatment kilocaloric intake was monitored for verification. The baseline peak serum GH response to L-dopa/arginine stimulation for the study population as a whole, was in the hyposecretory range (9.6 ± 1.9 ng/ml), accompanied by a low level of circulating IGF-I (0.56 ± 0.09 U/ml). Hydrodensitometry revealed that the met-hGH-treated subjects had a significant reduction in body fat, while an observed mean increase in fat-free mass (FFM) approached significance. The percent change in body fat was unrelated to pretreatment levels of body fat, total body weight, or initial endogenous GH status. Changes in circulating IGF-I were similar to those for FFM, with increases approaching significance. There were no significant changes in body composition or IGF-I in the placebo-treated subjects. No significant differences were observed in the self-reported dietary intake of kilocalories during the experimental period between the two groups. We conclude that exogenous GH reduces body fat in obese women in the apparent absence of significant kilocaloric restriction. The effect appears to be unrelated to endogenous GH secretion or body composit

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000181870

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1991

数据来源: Karger

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000181924

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1991

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of PRL in the process of ovulation and oocyte maturation. In the first experiment, using an in vitro perfused rabbit ovary model, the addition of PRL to the perfusate inhibited hCG-induced ovulation in a dose-related fashion, without any reduction in progesterone synthesis. In a subsequent experiment, PRL directly inhibited both the degeneration and decomposition of surface epithelial cells and the disruption of connective tissue at the apex of the follicle wall. Furthermore, PRL inhibited hCG-stimulated plasminogen activator (PA) activity in mature follicles in a dose-related fashion. In the final experiment, we demonstrated conditions in which rabbit oocytes matured in vitro acquire competence for early embryonic development. PRL, as well as gonadotropins and estradiol, was an important constituent in the process of oocyte maturation, promoting embryonic development. These results suggest that the preovulatory environment of PRL within the follicle may influence the process of ovulation and oocyte maturation.

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000181925

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1991

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Spontaneous growth hormone (GH) secretion in 116 short children was studied by sampling blood for GH measurement every 20min over 24 h. We calculated 24-h mean GH concentration (MGHC), diurnal 12-h MGHC (dMGHC) and nocturnal 12-h MGHC (nMGHC). The children were subdivided into four groups: prepubertal children with ‘classical’ GH deficiency (group 1, n = 12, low responses to two provocative stimuli tests and MGHC < 3 ng/ml), prepubertal children with ‘nonclassical GH deficiency (group 2, n = 36, normal GH responses to two provocative tests and MGHC 3 ng/ml) at stage PI of puberty (group 3, n = 41) and at stage P2 of puberty (group 4, n = 27). The values of MGHC, dMGHC and nMGHC were significantly higher in groups 3 and 4 than in groups 1 and 2, and in group 4 than in group 3. The values of MGHC and nMGHC were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. MGHC correlated highly with nMGHC and dMGHC (r = 0.97 and 0.94, respectively; p < 0.001). On the basis of regression equations between MGHC and nMGHC or dMGHC, the study of the diagnostic accuracy showed values higher for nMGHC than for dMGHC: 94.1 vs. 89.6% for sensitivity, and 93.7 vs. 89.7% for specificity, respect

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000181871

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1991

数据来源: Karger