bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HYPOGLYCAEMIA IN THE PRESENCE OF MASSIVE FIBROSARCOMA (MESENCHYMOMA)
Authors: Pedersen Jørgen , Lund Flemming , Ringsted Jørgen
Published: December 2008

An elderly woman exhibited severe hypoglycaemic attacks. Whipple's triad and characteristic electroencephalographic changes were present. After removal of a large retroperitoneal fibrosarcoma, the hypoglycaemia ceased. On the basis of this case and of 11 reported in the literature, the authors emphasize the following characteristics: (1) The tumour is located retroperitoneally, more rarely intrathoracically, just above the diaphragm. (2) The tumours are very large, ranging in weight from 700 to 4700 g. (3) The tumours appear to be fibrosarcomas of low-degree malignancy; histologically they do not resemble insulomas. (4) The pancreas is normal.

Insulin was not demonstrable in the tumour in the present case. It is suggested that perhaps the tumour produces an unknown substance exerting an insulin-like activity.
THE EFFECT OF GROWTH HORMONE ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH CORTICOTROPHIN OR TOGETHER WITH THE COMBINATION OF OESTRADIOL-17β AND TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE, IN ADULT RATS HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED AT THE TIME OF VAGINAL CORNIFICATION
Authors: Grattarola Renzo
Published: December 2008

Adult rats of the Long-Evans strain hypophysectomized at the time of vaginal cornification were treated with bovine pituitary growth hormone alone or in combination with varying doses of ACTH for 28 days. It was observed that growth hormone alone maintained the uterine weight at a level above that of the controls, and, in the ovaries, stimulated the thecal cells of the atretic follicles. These cells also were stimulated by periodate-treated growth hormone, which is considered to be completely free from any ICSH contamination. With the combination of growth hormone and ACTH, the uterine weight was higher than it was with growth hormone alone, and the uterine mucosa showed epithelial cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and proliferation of stromal cells. In the ovaries, the thecal cells of the atretic follicles were hypotrophic. In the absence of the adrenal glands, the uterine picture produced by the combination of these 2 hormones was no longer observed, and the thecal cells of the atretic follicles were again stimulated, as they were with growth hormone alone.

The injection of oestradiol-17β (0.1 μg daily) in combination with testosterone propionate 2 mg daily) for 28 days to another group of rats, again hypophysectomized at the time of vaginal cornification, induced a cystic glandular hyperplasia in the uterus. The uterine epithelial cells, after this combined treatment, were abnormal, with enlarged nuclei and loss of cellular polarity. When growth hormone was injected together with

* Present address: Istituto per lo studio e la cura dei tumori, Milano (Italy).

the oestradiol-17β and testosterone propionate, a normal cellular pattern was observed in the uterine epithelium and the uterine weight was considerably higher than that obtained with the combination of oestradiol and testosterone propionate without the growth hormone.
IN VITRO UPTAKE OF RADIOACTIVE 131I LABELLED L-TRIIODOTHYRONINE BY HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES AS AN INDEX OF THYROID FUNCTION
Authors: Woldring M. G. , Bakker A. , Doorenbos H.
Published: December 2008

The red cell triiodothyronine uptake technique as used in our hospital is described. Incubation time is of almost no importance. The temperature during incubation should be 37° C. Further improvement of the technique is obtained when all blood samples are brought up to 40 % haematocrit prior to incubation.

Clinical results are discussed. It is yet too early to give a definite assessment of its clinical value, but it is definitely superior to the measurement of the BMR.
A STUDY ON THE METABOLISM OF CALCIUM IN THE HYPERADRENOCORTICAL SYNDROME
Authors: Molinatti G. M. , Camanni F. , Olivetti M.
Published: December 2008

An investigation of the calcium metabolism has been carried out in 16 patients with Cushing's syndrome of various types and degrees, before and after either uni- or bilateral adrenalectomy, or implantation of the pituitary gland with 90 Y, and in 2 cases of adrenogenital syndrome.

In all the cases of Cushing's syndrome a disturbance of calcium metabolism was observed. A negative trend of calcium metabolism was frequently found, both in cases with and without radiographic signs of osteoporosis. This was revealed by an increase of the urinary calcium, both spontaneously and after a calcium tolerance test. However, an opposite metabolic condition was found in 3 cases. A rapid change of the calcium metabolism, consisting of a marked decrease of both spontaneous and induced calciuria to values below the normal range, together with a normalisation of the hormonal picture was always recorded after the surgical treatment.

A normal or positive calcium metabolism was found in the 2 cases of adrenogenital syndrome.

The relationship between the metabolic and hormonal picture is thoroughly discussed.
HUMAN URINARY GONADOTROPHINS ASSAYED BY DIFFERENT RESPONSES IN THE SAME ANIMAL
Authors: Brown P. S.
Published: December 2008

Selected human urinary gonadotrophins were assayed against one another using various measures of response in the same immature female mice. Intact or hypophysectomized animals were used and in some experiments the results of hypophysectomy were checked in complete serial sections. Extracts from the urine of two subjects with Turner's syndrome were compared. In intact mice, the relative potency judged by the ovarian response differed from that shown by the uterine response and the 95 % fiducial limits of the two estimates did not overlap. When the mice were hypophysectomized, one extract became much less potent while the other did not.

Similar differences were shown in the response of intact mice to urinary extracts from two subjects with Klinefelter's syndrome. There was a marked disparity between the relative potencies shown by the uterine response and by the incidence of vaginal opening.

Similar differences were not shown between the responses to different extracts from the urine of normal postmenopausal women, but these extracts were known to differ little in quality.

The results are interpreted in terms of qualitative differences between human urinary gonadotrophins.
EFFECT OF THYROIDECTOMY AND THYROXINE ON THE MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES OF WOUNDS AND SKIN
Authors: Moltke Erik , Lorenzen lb
Published: December 2008

The incorporation of 35S sulphate and the total content of hexosamine in skin wounds was determined in thyroidectomized, normal, and thyroxine-treated guinea pigs. Seven days after the production of the wounds, all three groups showed an increase in the 35S incorporation and in the hexosamine content as compared with normal skin. While the relative incorporation of 35S sulphate was most intense among thyroidectomized guinea pigs, the three groups showed no difference in the content of hexosamine. Thyroidectomy induced a more rapid synthesis of sulphated mucopolysaccharide than that observed in the thyroxine-treated and control guinea pigs, whereas the total content of acid mucopolysaccharides in the wound tissues was not affected by either thyroidectomy or thyroxine.
SOME PROPERTIES OF THE B CELLS IN THE ISLETS OF LANGERHANS STUDIED WITH REGARD TO THE POSITION OF THE CELLS
Authors: Hellerström Claes , Petersson Birger , Hellman Bo
Published: December 2008

The B cells of the islets of Langerhans in the rat have been studied with regard to whether they were situated centrally or peripherally in large islets or in small islets. Regional differences in the nuclear size and the position of the nucleoli within the nuclei were found. The smallest nuclear projection areas and the lowest number of nucleoli adjacent to the nuclear membrane were recorded centrally in large islets. The cytological differences may be interpreted as a sign of corresponding differences in the functional state of the B cells. A lower activity of the central B cells in a large islet may be due to these cells being older or the concentrations of glucose and insulin being different from those at the periphery or in small islets.
DIFFERENCES IN CORTICOSTEROID EXCRETION PATTERN BETWEEN INFANTS AND CHILDREN WITH THE ADRENOGENITAL SYNDROME
Authors: Bergstrand C. G. , Birke G. , Plantin L.-O.
Published: December 2008

In a previous study of infants and children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia two types of corticosteroid excretion pattern were demonstrated. The dominating steroid excreted by the older children was found to be pregnane-3α,17α,20-triol whereas the infants, who were »salt-losers« or »potential salt-losers«, excreted fifty to sixty per cent of the corticosteroids as pregnane-3α,17α,20-triol-11-one.

Two of these infants were reexamined at the age of 2½ years and it was found that the pattern of the non-ketonic steroids had changed and was similar to that demonstrated by older children.

The implications of these findings are discussed and it is concluded that the change is most probably related to age. Why the adrenal capacity to oxidize at C-11 decreases with age is obscure.
CORRELATED STUDIES ON PLASMA FREE CORTICOSTERONE AND ON ADRENAL STEROID FORMATION RATE IN VITRO
Authors: van der Vies ]. , Bakker R. F. M. , de Wied D.
Published: December 2008

The effects of various stimuli on the rate of formation of adrenal cortical hormones in vitro and on the plasma free corticosterone were studied in rats.

First, a simple method for the determination of corticosterone in rat plasma is described which is based on the fluorescence of this steroid in sulfuric acid.

In contrast to procedures described by other workers the present technique does not require expensive spectro-fluorometers, but can be performed using a simple fluorometric unit consisting of components which are generally available.

The results obtained with the two methods have shown that the steroid formation rate in vitro and the plasma free corticosterone increases after formalin stress, environmental change and injection of corticotrophin. Hypophysectomy leads to a marked and rapid decline of adrenal activity in vitro and of the plasma free corticosterone.
LIPID PATTERN IN COCKERELS TREATED WITH OESTRADIOL AND MER-25, AN OESTROGEN ANTAGONIST
Authors: Kowalewski K.
Published: December 2008

Cockerels fed normal diet were treated with oestradiol alone or combined with MER-25, an oestrogen antagonist. Serum, liver and aorta lipids in these birds have been determined. In birds given oestradiol a significant rise of serum phospholipids and cholesterol was observed. Oestradiol also resulted in the increase of liver cholesterol and aortic phospholipids of cockerels. MER-25 given alone did not influence significantly the values of lipids studied. When given with oestradiol, MER-25 partially prevented the rise of serum phospholipids and liver cholesterol in cockerels.
HORMONES THYROIDIENNES ET METABOLISME DU CHOLESTEROL CHEZ LE POULET
Authors: Michel Raymond , Cabanne Ferdinand , Truchot Roger , Roche Jean
Published: December 2008

Several hypocholesterolaemic and lipotropic drugs had been used as a means of detecting a modification of 3:5:3′-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3:5:3′-triiodothyroacetic acid (TA3) action upon cholesterolaemia in chickens fed on a cholesterol rich diet. This action is characterized by a reduction of serum cholesterol; after the cessation of a prolonged treatment, however, an increase in blood cholesterol is observed, producing a temporary experimental atheroma.

Testosterone, unsaturated fatty acid, mesoinositol and choline do not show any antagonism to this hypercholesterolaemia, as we can observe in the controls. On the contrary, vitamin A and 3:5:3′-triiodothyroacetic acid association permit a prolonged maintenance of decreased serum cholesterol; this is due to the action of the TA3 and high reduction of atheromatose.

The mechanism of these modifications in the serum cholesterol under different conditions, have been discussed on the basis of the liver coenzyme A content, total serum fat and the cholesterolaemia.
THE NUMBER OF RED BLOOD CELLS IN THE ISLETS OF LANGERHANS AS AN INDEX OF THE B CELL ACTIVITY
Authors: Hellerström Claes , Westman Sighild , Zachrisson Ulla , Hellman Bo
Published: December 2008

The number of red blood cells in the islets of Langerhans has been considered as a useful index of the insulin synthesis, i. e. of the functional state of the B cells of the islets. It was found, however, that in starved rats which had only received water orally, the red blood cell content within the islets increased both absolutely as well as relatively to that in the exocrine parenchyma at the same time as the decrease in the B cell function as estimated by caryometry. There was a marked correlation, both in the control group and in the starved rats, between the red blood cell concentration in the exocrine and endocrine parts of the pancreas. The extent to which a rise in the functional activity of the A cells might have contributed to the increased content of red blood cells in the islets during starvation is discussed.
AUGMENTATION OF THE THYMOLYTIC ACTION OF CORTISOL BY EPINEPHRINE
Authors: Stephenson N. R.
Published: December 2008

The subcutaneous administration of small amounts of epinephrine and cortisol in the same aqueous medium resulted in a marked augmentation of the thymolytic activity of the steroid. This effect of epinephrine was observed in both adrenalectomized and intact rats. When the epinephrine and the cortisol were given at different injection sites, the increase in potency was either absent or reduced in magnitude. Apparently epinephrine exerted its effect locally by altering the rate of absorption of the corticosteroid in such a way as to maintain a higher than normal level of cortisol in the blood between injections.
ON THE PERMEABILITY OF THE GUINEA PIG PLACENTA TO INTRAVENOUSLY INJECTED PROGESTERONE-4-14C
Authors: Castrén O. , Hirvonen L. , Närvänen S. , Soiva K.
Published: December 2008

The permeability of the guinea pig placenta to progesterone was studied by injecting progesterone-4-14C intravenously into seven pregnant guinea pigs, and determining the levels of radioactivity in the plasma samples taken from the mothers and foetuses during 15 minutes after the injection. The ratio of the levels of radioactivity in the plasma of the foetus to the level in the plasma of the mother increased with time. In three experiments progesterone-4-14C was injected into the umbilical vein of one of the foetuses in the uterus. Radioactivity was measured in the plasma samples that were taken from the mother from 2 to 23 minutes after the injection. A low level of radioactivity was also found in some of the plasma samples taken from the other foetuses. These observations show that radioactive progesterone or its metabolites pass through the guinea pig placenta in both directions.
THE EFFECT OF GONADECTOMY ON THE RESPONSE OF THE PITUITARY I. C. S. H.-CONTENT TO STEROID SEX HORMONES
Authors: Paesi F. J. A. , van Rees G. P.
Published: December 2008

The effect of chronic administration of sex hormones on the pituitary I. C. S. H.-content was studied in intact and gonadectomized rats. If the treatment of gonadectomized animals was not started until a considerable time had elapsed after the operation, the resulting decrease in the pituitary I. C. S. H.-content was less than expected on the basis of dose and duration of treatment. The hypothesis was investigated whether this is due to gradually evolving changes in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system, initiated and caused by gonadectomy. In accordance with this conception, treatment of spayed female rats with high doses of oestradiol benzoate and testosterone propionate from the day after the operation onwards caused a fall in the pituitary I. C. S. H.-content to the same final level as was reached in intact control animals after treatment with these doses. However, if lower doses of oestradiol benzoate and testosterone propionate were given, there still remained a difference between intact and gonadectomized rats: again, the decrease in the pituitary I. C. S. H.-content was less in gonadectomized than in intact animals. There are two possibilities: a) in rats, testosterone propionate and oestradiol benzoate are not the physiological hormones responsible for the pituitary inhibition; b) castration induces rapid changes (e. g. by way of a reflex) in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system, which increases the resistance to the influence of steroid sex hormones. The latter hypothesis which, according to available evidence, seems the more probable, will be discussed in a following paper.
THE EFFECT OF GONADECTOMY ON THE RESPONSE OF THE PITUITARY I. C. S. H.-CONTENT TO STEROID SEX HORMONES
Authors: van Rees G. P. , Paesi F. J. A.
Published: December 2008

In the experiments reported in this paper the hypothesis that the decrease in the pituitary I. C. S. H.-content, which occurs after administration of steroid sex hormones in gonadectomized animals, is counteracted by a reflex stimulation of the hypophysis initiated by the operation has been investigated.

If treatment with a low dose of testosterone propionate (100 μg) was started immediately after castration, the resulting decrease in the pituitary I. C. S. H.-content became more marked if the reflex stimulation of the hypophysis had been prevented. If, however, two months were allowed to elapse before the beginning of treatment, the presence or absence of this reflex was no longer of importance for the effect of testosterone propionate on the pituitary I. C. S. H.-content. And yet, in this case too, the decrease in the pituitary I. C. S. H.-content by testosterone propionate was less than in intact animals (see preceding paper).

Hence this decrease appears to be counteracted by two factors: one rapidly occurring and short lasting, resulting from a reflex elicited by gonadectomy; the other gradually increasing in potency and possibly a direct consequence of the continued absence of pituitary inhibiting sex steroids.
THE FORMATION OF ANTIGONADOTROPHIN IN SHEEP AND ITS EFFECT ON THE ENDOCRINES AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Authors: Pigon H. , Clegg M. T. , Cole H. H.
Published: December 2008

Eight female sheep were treated twice weekly with various doses of equine gonadotrophin injected either subcutaneously or intravenously. Antigonadotrophic activity appeared by the second week with injections of 200 IU, by the third week with 500 IU, and by the fifth week with the highest dose (1000 IU). In the last case, maximum activity was delayed until the 7th week. Route of injection did not influence rate of formation. When injections were discontinued, the antigonadotrophic potency of the serum was reduced after three weeks, but the levels again rose rapidly upon resumption of treatment, soon equaling or exceeding the former levels.

Prolonged administration of gonadotrophin did not influence the weights of the pituitary gland, adrenal, thyroid, or ovaries. When large doses of equine gonadotrophin (500 or 1000 IU) were injected twice weekly, the ovaries remained acyclic and pituitary LH content was significantly reduced.
DISSIMILARITY BETWEEN ARGININE- AND LYSINE VASOPRESSIN IN RAT PRESSOR ASSAYS
Authors: Nielsen Aage Theil
Published: December 2008

Two preparations of hog posterior pituitary: 1) acetone dried hog posterior pituitary and 2) purified lysine vasopressin were assayed for pressor activity against two different preparations of beef posterior pituitary: 1) the International Posterior Pituitary Standard and 2) the USP Posterior Pituitary Reference Standard, batch G.

Three slightly different rat pressor methods were used:

I: pithed rat under pentobarbitone + urethane,

II: rat under chlorbutol + phenoxybenzamine,

III: rat under urethane + phenoxybenzamine.

In male rats the index of discrimination: arginine- against lysine vasopressin on method II over method I ranged from 1.15–1.19.

Within the particular methods a significant heterogeneity among replicates was demonstrated.

It was concluded, that neither the antidiuretic nor the pressor activity of lysine vasopressin could be definitely expressed in international (beef posterior pituitary-) units. An international standard for lysine vasopressin (hog posterior pituitary) seems essential.
PANCREATIC DIABETES AND HYPOPHYSECTOMY IN THE SNAKE XENODON MERREMII
Authors: Houssay B. A. , Penhos J. C.
Published: December 2008

1. – Total pancreatectomy in Xenodon merremii produces a slight decrease in blood sugar for 1–3 days, and later on a progressive increase until a diabetic level (5–6 times higher than the normal was reached).

2. – Removal of 83–88 % of the pancreatic mass produces no changes in the blood sugar level.

3. – Hypophysectomy in fasting snakes produces: progressive decrease of glycaemia, adynamia and death.

4. – Preventive hypophysectomy diminishes the increase in blood sugar after pancreatectomy. Hypophysectomy in diabetic pancreatectomized animals brings about a decrease of the glycaemia.

5. – This snake is sensitive to insulin, the effect being greater in pancreatectomized than in normal animals.

6. – Alloxan produces an initial transitory increase of glycaemia, followed by a marked and lasting hypoglycaemia. Diabetes was not observed.

7. – Carbutamide and tolbutamide produced a decrease in the blood sugar level in normal snakes, but did not diminish it in the pancreatectomized animals.

8. – Glucagon has a powerful and very lasting hyperglycaemic action in the snakes.

9. – The glucose tolerance curve has a long duration in normal snakes and is even more prolonged in the pancreatectomized snakes.

10. – Cortisol had a transitory hyperglycaemic action in normal and totally pancreatectomized snakes. Somatotrophin only has this action in the pancreatectomized animals.
THE INFLUENCE OF IODIDE AND IODIZED COMPOUNDS ON THE PBI AND THE 131I TRACER TEST WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO VARIOUS BIOLOGIC STATES OF THE THYROID
Authors: Thorén Arne
Published: December 2008

The influence of iodide and iodized compounds upon radioactive iodine tracer tests and on the PBI was investigated by repeated tests in 75 patients. The substances were contrast media for cholecystography and intravenous pyelography, iodized poppy seed oil (»Lipiodol«), iodochlorhydroxyquinoline (»Entero-Vioform«), iodocasein (»Etibol«), and a colloidal iodine preparation (»Tikajod«). The series comprises patients with thyrotoxicosis and with atoxic nodular goiters, patients treated surgically or by radioiodine for thyrotoxicosis, one patient with juvenile atoxic goiter, one who was hypothyroid following radioiodine therapy and, lastly, patients with no known thyroid disease.

An attempt was made to determine the time required for normalization of the tests following administration of the various agents and also to ascertain whether the duration of the influence varied with different biological states of the thyroid.–Although the series as a whole exhibits major variations, it is possible to establish for each compound a maximum duration, after which it fails to influence tracer tests and PBI. The tracer test is frequently influenced for a longer period than is PBI. Patients with thyrotoxicosis and, possibly, those with diffuse juvenile goiter are affected for considerably lesser periods than are euthyroid subjects.
PITUITARY HYPERTROPHY AFTER ANTERIOR HYPOTHALAMIC LESION
Authors: Flerkó Béla , Bárdos Vera
Published: December 2008

Uninhibited oestrogen secretion following lesions of the ventral anterior hypothalamus brings about an increase in pituitary weight as well as cytological changes similar to those observed after prolonged oestradiol treatment. – It is assumed that pituitary hypertrophy and the characteristic cytological changes are the results of a direct action of oestrogen on the adenohypophysis, whereas inhibition of FSH-secretion is an indirect effect, mediated by the hypothalamus. – Hypophyseal gonadotrophic activity can not be assessed by pituitary cytology alone without taking into account the state of the gonads and the accessory reproductive organs.
STUDIES ON SULFATION FACTOR (SF) ACTIVITY OF HUMAN SERUM
Authors: Almqvist Sven
Published: December 2008

The sulfation factor (SF) activity of human sera has been estimated using a modification of the method of Daughaday et al. (1959). Each assay was statistically evaluated. The method had a mean precision of 0.14 and, used as an assay of GH of human serum, a sensitivity in three pituitary dwarfs of 0.1 to 0.6 μg of HGH/ml of serum. SF activity was found at all ages between 1 month and 75 years. There was a significantly lower mean SF activity below the age of half a year. Three cases of pituitary dwarfism had significantly low SF activities of sera. There was no significant difference between the SF activities of sera from untreated pituitary dwarfs and the sera from normal children below half a year of age. Dose-response curves with large volumes of sera from pituitary dwarfs and small volumes of sera from normal humans had the same slopes. Four mg of HGH prepared according to the method of Li & Papkoff (1956) resulted in a normal serum SF activity in each of the three dwarfs. A significant (P < 0.01) linear relationship was found between the concentration of SF activity of sera from these subjects and the logarithm of the dose of HGH given with dose levels of 1, 2 and 4 mg daily for three days. The decline of serum SF activity to the pre-treatment level following HGH in one dwarf suggested a half life not different from that indicated by others for growth hormone.
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF NANDROLONE DECANOATE
Authors: de Visser J. , Overbeek G. A.
Published: December 2008

1. The pharmacological properties of nandrolone decanoate (= caprinate), by abbreviation nor-A. D., have been studied.

2. Nor-A. D. has a marked, long-lasting effect on the levator ani muscle of the castrated rat, but it has little activity on the seminal vesicles and prostate.

3. Nor-A. D. displays only weak gonad inhibiting properties in male and female rats.

4. The anti-oestrogenic activity is low.

5. At high dose levels the anabolic activity becomes maximal and the other effects become evident. The same can be expected to occur if injections are administered with too great a frequency.

6. Chronic toxicity studies in rats and dogs demonstrate its lack of toxicity.
DER NTQ-TEST, EINE EINFACHE TESTIERUNGSMETHODE FÜR CORTICOTROPIN- UND DEPOT-CORTICOTROPIN-PRÄPARATE
Authors: Hohlweg W. , Laschet U. , Dörner G. , Daume E.
Published: December 2008

The NTQ-test (quotient adrenal weight: thymus weight) on normal 3 weeks old male rats is a simple and exact method for the determination of intensity and duration of action of usual and long-acting corticotrophin preparations.
ZUR FRAGE DER VERMINDERTEN ÖSTROGENBILDUNG IN DER PLACENTA NACH UNTERBRECHUNG DES FÖTALEN KREISLAUFES
Authors: Breuer H. , Ortlepp R.
Published: December 2008

The conversion of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione to oestrone in human placenta has been investigated using the enzyme preparation as described by Ryan (1959). The biogenesis of oestrone decreased with increasing length of time between the delivery of the baby and the expulsion of the placenta. The experiments confirm the suggestion by Cassmer (1959) that the sudden fall in oestrogen excretion following the interruption of the foetal circulation may be due to an impairment of the aromatizing enzyme system.
EFFECTS OF ADRENALINE ON CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN THE ISOLATED DIAPHRAGM OF INTACT AND ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS AS INFLUENCED BY »NEMBUTAL« ANAESTHESIA
Authors: Bouman P. R. , Dermer W.
Published: December 2008

Hemidiaphragms of intact and adrenalectomized rats which had been killed by decapitation, were incubated for 1 hour at 37° C under aerobic conditions. Glucose uptake and glycogen deposition were determined. Addition of adrenaline in vitro (1 μg/ml) caused a substantial decrease in glucose uptake in both types of diaphragms, this decrease being equivalent to a simultaneous inhibition of glycogen deposition.

»Nembutal« anaesthesia prior to decapitation was found to alter the response to adrenaline. This change was most clearly observed in diaphragms of adrenalectomized rats. Here, adrenaline mainly affected glycogen metabolism by way of glycogen degradation, whereas the overall magnitude of the response was not materially changed. However, glucose uptake appeared to be only slightly decreased by adrenaline under these conditions.

The change in response to adrenaline was attributed to the higher initial glycogen content observed in diaphragms of nembutalized rats. It was suggested that prevention of an acute release of endogenous adrenergic substances, occurring after decapitation of unanaesthetized donor rats, may be the actual cause of this phenomenon. Attention was drawn to the significance of the initial glycogen content as an important factor in carbohydrate metabolism of the isolated rat diaphragm.
CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN THE ISOLATED DIAPHRAGM OF ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS AS AFFECTED BY EXPOSURE TO ADRENALINE IN VIVO AND IN VITRO
Authors: Bouman P. R. , Dermer W.
Published: December 2008

Hemidiaphragms of adrenalectomized rats which had been nembutalized prior to decapitation, were incubated under aerobic conditions and the glucose uptake and glycogen deposition were measured.

Addition of adrenaline in vitro induced marked glycogen degradation and a relative small decrease in glucose uptake. Pretreatment with adrenaline in vivo, however, appeared to increase glycogen deposition in vitro while glucose uptake increased to an equivalent extent. This effect was attributed to the low initial glycogen content induced by this treatment. Double exposure to adrenaline by administering this substance both in vivo and in vitro, neither affected glucose uptake nor glycogen deposition as compared with untreated control diaphragms. However, there was a significant difference in the glycogen level at which both groups metabolized, this level being extremely low in diaphragms doubly exposed to adrenaline. It was concluded that the action of adrenaline on muscular carbohydrate metabolism consists basically of three different stages: 1. A temporary initial stage during which glucose assimilation is inhibited secondarily to glycogen degradation. 2. A second stage, in which the occurrence of inhibition of glucose assimilation is determined by the fact whether in the corresponding control tissue the glucose uptake is raised in favour of glycogen deposition. 3. A stage of recovery induced by discontinuing the exposure to adrenaline. This stage is characterized by glycogen deposition and an equivalent rise in glucose assimilation.
Treatment of growth delay in boys with isolated growth hormone deficiency
Authors: Albanese A , Stanhope R
Published: December 2008

Albanese A, Stanhope R. Treatment of growth delay in boys with isolated growth hormone deficiency. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:65–9. ISSN 0804–4643

We report our experience in treating growth delay in boys with isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) receiving biosynthetic human growth hormone. The study was performed in 15 boys with IGHD receiving GH. At the chronological age of 13.1 (1.1) years (sd), 13 were prepubertal, two were in early puberty and there was a mean bone age delay of 2.5 (1.4) years. A growth spurt was induced by either depot testosterone or oxandrolone. There was an increase in growth rate from 5.7 (1.6) cm/year, occurring the year before anabolic or sex steroid therapy, to 8.1 (1.2) cm/year during treatment (p<0.05), followed by 7.3 (1.9) cm/year the year after the cessation of treatment (p< 0.05), There was no significant change in height sd score for bone age, which was −0.69 (0.97) at the commencement of anabolic or sex steroid therapy and −0.53 (0.84) at the end of treatment. Before the induced growth spurt, there was equal body proportion between sitting height and subischial leg length, which had no significant change following androgen treatment. Spontaneous progress in pubertal development was achieved by all patients with an increase in testicular volume from a mean of 2.9 (2–8) to 6.1 (4–10) ml. The pattern of growth presented by patients treated with oxandrolone or those with testosterone was similar. Our data suggest that growth delay and delayed puberty, in patients with IGHD during concomitant growth hormone therapy, can be treated without deterioration in height prognosis. Bringing forward the timing of pubertal growth into the normal range, which is usually delayed in boys with IGHD, may prevent prolonged growth deceleration and psychological distress, which are common sequelae. Intervention should be offered to patients thought to have "isolated" GHD if their puberty is delayed. Normal progression of testicular volumes through puberty will confirm the diagnosis of "isolated" GHD. Our data also have implications for the mechanism of the growth spurt of puberty, especially the relative importance of GH and androgens.

R Stanhope, Medical Unit, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
Enhanced adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol responses to corticotrophin-releasing hormone in central idiopathic diabetes insipidus
Authors: Mazza Enrico , Goffi Stefania , Barchi Paolo , Arvat Emanuela , Bellone Jaele , Limone Paolo , Ghigo Ezio , Camanni Franco
Published: December 2008

Mazza E, Goffi S, Barchi P, Arvat E, Bellone J, Limone P, Ghigo E, Camanni F. Enhanced adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol responses to corticotrophin-releasing hormone in central idiopathic diabetes insipidus. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:121–4. ISSN 0804–4643

It is well known that arginine vasopressin (AVP) exerts a stimulatory effect on adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) secretion. Moreover, there is consistent evidence that the hypothalamic AVP-secreting neurons are involved in the neuroregulation of ACTH secretion. With the aim to throw further light on the interaction between AVP and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the neuroregulation of ACTH secretion, in this study we compared the ACTH and cortisol responses to human CRH (100 μg iv as a bolus) in 18 normal subjects (15 females and three males, age 22–35 years) and seven patients with central isolated diabetes insipidus (six females and one male, age 16–40 years). Two patients were newly diagnosed and five had discontinued substitution therapy with desamino-D-AVP 24 h before testing. All had free access to water before and during the test period. The ACTH and cortisol responses to CRH were higher in subjects with diabetes insipidus than in controls, either when evaluated as peak values (ACTH, mean±sem: 17.0±1.2 vs 7.7±0.7 pmol/l, p=0.0003; cortisol: 611.3±59.4 vs 450.7±21.2 nmol/l, p=0.01) or area under curve values (ACTH: 672.5±75.7 vs 364.0±33.6 pmol·1−1·h−1. p=0.002; cortisol: 29158.0±2937.0 vs 23236.7±1052.1 nmol·l−1 · h−1, p=0.03). These results show that patients with diabetes insipidus have an exaggerated pituitary-adrenal response to CRH. This may be due to the fact that in diabetes insipidus AVP secretion from parvocellular neurons of the paraventricular nucleus in the hypophysial portal system is not impaired. Alternatively, AVP secretion may be defective in both magnocellular and parvocellular hypothalamic AVP-secreting neurons. In this case, it could be hypothesized that adjustment is made to the feedback regulatory mechanisms of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, so that the CRH–ACTH axis assumes a main role with respect to the AVP–ACTH axis.

Franco Camanni, Divisione di Endocrinologia, Ospedale Molinette, corso Dogliotti 14, 10126 Torino. Italy
Acute effects of intravenous 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol on parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin and calcitriol in man
Authors: Gallacher Stephen J , Cowan Robert A , Fraser William D , Logue Fraser C , Jenkins Andrew , Boyle Iain T
Published: December 2008

Gallacher SJ, Cowan RA, Fraser WD, Logue FC, Jenkins A. Boyle IT. Acute effects of intravenous 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol on parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin and calcitriol in man. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:141–5. ISSN 0804–4643

The acute effects of a single intravenous injection of 2 μg of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol (alfacalcidol) were studied for a 24-h period in six normal males (mean age 33 years), six women with primary hyperparathyroidism (mean age 72 years) and six women with established osteoporosis (mean age 63 years). In all three groups, serum calcitriol levels rose to a peak 2–3 h after administration of alfacalcidol. Basal levels were highest in the primary hyperparathyroidism group at (mean ±sem) 81±2 vs 62±12 (normal males) (p<0.05) and 56±5 pmol/l (osteoporosis) (p<0.01). Highest peak levels were found also in the primary hyperparathyroidism group at 150±15 vs 114±15 (normal males) (p<0.05) and 127 ± 1 5 pmol/l (osteoporosis) (p<0.01). The rise in calcitriol was higher in the primary hyperparathyroidism group than either the normal males or osteoporotic patients (p<0.05). No significant differences were evident in basal serum calcidiol concentrations among the three treatment groups. As might be expected, highest basal concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH). serum calcium and serum osteocalcin were noted in the primary hyperparathyroid group (PTH: 17.1±7.7 vs 1.9±0.5 (normal males) (p<0.01) and 2.1±0.3 pmol/l (osteoporosis) (p<0.01): calcium: 3.06±0.08 vs 2.50±0.02 (normal males) (p<0.01) and 2.43±0.02 mmol/l (osteoporosis) (p<0.01): osteocalcin: 1.10±0.08 vs 0.56±0.16 (normal males) (p<0.05) and 0.53±0.21 nmol/l (osteoporosis) (p<0.05). Following treatment with alfacalcidol, no significant change was observed in PTH, calcium or osteocalcin serum concentrations in any group. These results show that maximal conversion of alfacalcidol to calcitriol occurs within a few hours of administration of alfacalcidol in normal males and patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis. Whilst this may reflect differences in activity of the enzyme 2 5-hydroxylase among these groups, other explanations, such as differences in calcitriol clearance, cannot be excluded.

SJ Gallacher, University Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 10 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
Human parathyroid hormone(1–34) increases bone formation and strength of cortical bone in aged rats
Authors: Ejersted Charlotte , Andreassen Troels T , Nilsson Magnus HL , Oxlund Hans
Published: December 2008

Ejersted C, Andreassen TT, Nilsson MHL, Oxlund H. Human parathyroid hormone(1–34) increases bone formation and strength of cortical bone in aged rats. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:201–7. ISSN 0804–4643

The effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH(1–34)) on mid-diaphyseal femoral cortical bone was studied in 2-year-old male rats. The rats were treated with daily injections of 1 5 nmol/kg PTH(1–34) or vehicle for 56 days, and labelled with tetracycline and calcein on day 15 and day 40, respectively. The PTH(1–34) treatment did not affect the body weights or the lengths of the femora. Fluorescence microscopy showed large intracortical cavities in the old vehicle-treated rats. After PTH treatment, double labelling and new bone formation filling in these cavities were found. Furthermore, an increased bone formation rate was observed both at the periosteum and at the endosteum. This resulted in an increase in the cross-sectional area and a decrease in the medullary area. Three-point bending analysis revealed an increase in ultimate load, ultimate stiffness, energy absorption and ultimate stress after the PTH(1–34) treatment. No differences were found between the groups regarding the hydroxyproline concentration or apparent and real densities. The ash concentration was, however, slightly reduced after PTH(1–34) treatment. The PTH(1–34) treatment of old rats induced the formation of bone both from the periosteum and endosteum, with a pronounced filling in of intracortical cavities, and, furthermore, a marked increase in the biomechanical competence of the cortical bone.

Charlotte Ejersted, Department of Connective Tissue Biology, Institute of Anatomy, University of Aarhus, DK-8000 Aarhus C. Denmark
Plasma catecholamines after thyrotropin-releasing hormone administration in hypothyroid patients before and during therapy
Authors: Velardo Antonino , Del Rio Graziano , Zizzo Giuseppe , Venneri Maria G , Casa Luciano Della , Marrama Paolo
Published: December 2008

Velardo A, Del Rio G, Zizzo G, Venneri MG, Della Casa L, Marrama P. Plasma catecholamines after thyrotropin-releasing hormone administration in hypothyroid patients before and during therapy. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:220–3. ISSN 0804–4643

In order to investigate sympathoadrenal activity in hypothyroidism we studied the cardiovascular and catecholamine responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) infusion in nine hypothyroid patients before and during adequate therapy and in seven healthy subjects. We evaluated mean arterial pressure, heart rate, plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels after TRH administration (200 μg iv) in the three groups. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate and plasma epinephrine levels were not different in the three groups and did not change after TRH administration. Hypothyroid subjects showed increased plasma norepinephrine levels (1.48 ± 0.15 nmol/l), which were reduced after euthyroidism was reached (0.84 ± 0.11 nmol/l) (p < 0.01). An exaggerated response of norepinephrine to TRH was observed in hypothyroid patients before therapy (incremental peak (IP) = 0.59 ± 0.13 nmol/l) but not in hypothyroid patients during therapy (IP = 0.19 ± 0.02 nmol/l p < 0.02) or in the control group (IP = 0.15 ± 0.04 nmol/l; p < 0.05). This study indicated that TRH administration is able to influence the sympathetic activity during hypothyroidism in humans.

A Velardo. Cattedra di Endocrinologia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy
Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of the long-acting somatostatin analogue somatuline in acromegaly
Authors: Johnson MR , Chowdrey HS , Thomas F , Grint C , Lightman SL
Published: December 2008

Johnson MR, Chowdrey HS, Thomas F, Grint C, Lightman SL. Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of the long-acting somatostatin analogue somatuline in acromegaly. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:229–34. ISSN 0804–4643

The aim of this work was to assess the use of a sustained-release formulation of somatuline, a long-acting analogue of somatostatin, in the treatment of acromegaly. Fifteen patients with active acromegaly, as defined by random growth hormone (GH) levels greater than 10 mU/l, which fail to be suppressed to less than 5 mU/l following an oral glucose load, were studied. Somatuline was administered as an intramuscular injection in two regimens: eight patients were given a single injection of the sustained-release formulation and blood samples taken over the next month for the measurement of both basal levels of GH and the GH response to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone; and eight patients were given injections of the sustained-release formulation at 2-week intervals over a 6-month period and basal plasma GH levels and the GH response to both an oral glucose load and to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone was assessed. Following a single intramulscular dose of the sustained-release preparation, random GH levels were reduced to below 10 mU/l in five patients and by greater than 50% of basal levels in the remainder. The insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels fell to within the normal range in three patients. In the long-term efficacy study, GH levels were reduced to < 10 mU/l in 7/8 patients. The IGF-I levels were normalized in four patients. Five of the eight patients experienced diarrhoea, two of mild and three of moderate severity; none of the patients withdrew from the study. Somatuline has been shown to be effective in the treatment of acromegaly. In its sustained-release formulation it clearly represents a useful therapeutic advance, although at the dosage and frequency of injection used in the current protocols it did not provide optimum GH suppression in all patients.

MR Johnson, Department of Medicine, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Upper Maudlin Road, Bristol BS2 8HW, UK
Early postoperative evaluation in patients with Cushing's disease: usefulness of ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone test in the prediction of recurrence of disease
Authors: Vignati Federico , Berselli Maria E , Loli Paola
Published: December 2008

Vignati F, Berselli ME, Loli P. Early postoperative evaluation in patients with Cushing's disease: usefulness of ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone test in the prediction of recurrence of disease. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:235–41. ISSN 0804–4643

In the attempt to identify parameters that might predict the risk of recurrence of Cushing's disease at an early stage after successful pituitary microsurgery, we evaluated retrospectively the usefulness of an early postoperative determination of morning plasma and urinary cortisol levels and of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol responses to ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (oCRH) stimulation in 30 patients with pituitary-driven Cushing's disease followed up for 9 months to 10 years after pituitary surgery. At an early postoperative evaluation, while off substitutive therapy, 30 patients, out of 36 treated by pituitary microsurgery for Cushing's disease, were considered in remission on the basis of subnormal (21 patients), low–normal (eight patients) or normal (one patient) morning plasma and urinary cortisol levels, whereas six patients with supranormal urinary cortisol excretion were considered as surgical failures. The plasma ACTH response to oCRH was subnormal (17 patients) or normal (four patients) in 21 patients (Group 1) and supranormal in nine patients (Group 2). All of the six patients with persistence of Cushing's disease had supranormal ACTH response to oCRH. Basal and oCRH-stimulated cortisol levels were subnormal in 25 out of 30 patients considered in remission. During long-term evaluation, six patients had recurrence of Cushing's disease 9 months to 5 years after surgery; their early postoperative mean basal morning plasma and mean urinary cortisol were higher than those recorded in patients who did not relapse, although a wide overlap between subjects was evident. In five out of these six patients urinary cortisol excretion had decreased to almost undetectable values during low-dose dexamethasone. One patient was among the 21 of Group 1 and five among those of Group 2. The different rate of recurrence between the two groups was significant. We conclude that the finding of ACTH hyperresponsiveness to an early postoperative CRH test seems to be a valuable criterion for identifying patients with higher risk of recurrence of Cushing's disease.

Paola Loli, Divisione di Endocrinologia, Ospedale Niguarda Cà Granda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20162 Milano, Italia