bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RENAL FUNCTION IN NEWBORN INFANTS OF DIABETIC MOTHERS
Authors: Osler Mogens
Published: December 2008

Investigations into the glomerular filtration rate, water, electrolyte and nitrogen excretion as well as the specific gravity and osmolarity of the urine were carried out on a series of 14 diab. infants (infants born to diabetic mothers), 10 normal full-term infants and 4 premature infants during the first 2–3 days after birth.

Glomerular filtration rate was found to be low immediately after birth, but of the same order of magnitude in diab. infants and normal infants. Both diab. infants and premature infants have a high water, electrolyte, and nitrogen excretion as compared with normal infants, but diab. infants excrete more water per unit of nitrogen during the first 24 hours of life than do premature infants. The urine of diab. infants has a high specific gravity, but a rather low osmolarity, indicating a content of high-molecular substances.

It is emphasized that the composition of the urine merely gives an indirect picture of the metabolic processes in the body, but as a supplement to other investigations, urinalysis during the first few days of life may facilitate the elucidation of the body composition of the newborn infant and the metabolic adjustments during the first few days of life.

The present studies appear to confirm that at birth premature infants have small glycogen and fat depots and thus have to utilize their own body protein during the first few days after birth and that diab. infants, like the premature infants, burn protein, but in addition also glycogen during the first 24 hours of life.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE RESULTS OF F. S. H.-MEASUREMENTS IN HYPOPHYSES OF RATS WITH EXTRACTION AND IMPLANTATION TECHNIQUES RESPECTIVELY
Authors: Paesi F. J. A. , van Rees G. P.
Published: December 2008

The F. S. H.-content of the hypophyses of intact testosterone-treated female rats is much higher than that of control animals. No such difference, however, is found if the glands are implanted intraperitoneally instead of being homogenized and extracted.

In ovariectomized females a significant increase in the pituitary F. S. H.-content is noted under the influence of testosterone (hypophysis extracts), but a decreased F. S. H.-effect after implantation.

Oestradiol markedly decreases the pituitary F. S. H.-content in spayed females (hypophyses homogenized and extracted). The difference with control glands appears much smaller, however, after intraperitoneal implantation.

These discrepancies between the results of the two methods of administration are best explained by assuming that testosterone inhibits and oestrogen promotes the »release« of F. S. H. from the hypophyseal cells.

Evidence is advanced in favour of the existence of similar influences of sex hormones in the intact rat, on the pituitary gland in situ.
CHROMOSOMENBEFUNDE BEIM ECHTEN KLINEFELTER-SYNDROM
Authors: Nowakowski H. , Lenz W. , Bergman S. , Reitalu J.
Published: December 2008

Chromosome analysis in 13 patients with true Klinefelter's syndrome revealed in the majority of the cases a variation of the typical number of 47 chromosomes characteristic for the disease. The deviation varied in positive or negative direction or both, that is, in addition to the typical complement of 47 chromosomes the number ranged between 45 and 49. Clinically there was a pronounced correlation between the pathologic karyotypes and the low intelligence of the patients.
PLASMA LEVEL OF GROWTH HORMONE AND CHROMOSOME COMPLEMENT IN FOUR PATIENTS WITH GONADAL DYSGENESIS (TURNER'S SYNDROME)
Authors: Fraccaro Marco , Gemzell Carl A. , Lindsten Jan
Published: December 2008

Elevated levels of growth hormone (GH) were found in the plasma of four patients with Turner's syndrome.

The somatic chromosome complement of these patients was determined by using a cell culture method.

Bone marrow cells from three patients had 45 chromosomes instead of the normal number of 46. The missing chromosome is all probability one of the two X chromosomes. These subjects have therefore a sex chromosome constitution of the XO type.

The fourth patient had a complement of 45 chromosomes in the skin cells but in bone marrow cultures cells with 45 and 46 chromosomes were found. During successive transfers in vitro the cells with 46 chromosomes outnumbered those with 45.

It is assumed that in these patients the production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland is normal but a target system, as yet unidentified, is defective or absent.
ÜBER DIE WIRKUNG PHARMAKOLOGISCHER OXYTOCINDOSEN AUF DIE MILCHDRÜSE
Authors: Berde B. , Cerletti A.
Published: December 2008

A study was made of the influence of pharmacological amounts of synthetic oxytocin (»Syntocinon«) on the lactating mammary gland of the rabbit. The drug was given by intravenous infusion, by intramuscular injection and by intranasal administration.

Two different types of reaction were noted: a tonic reaction, i. e. a lasting increase in pressure in the mammary gland without significant fluctuations, or a rhythmic reaction, i. e. a series of increases in pressure at more or less regular intervals.

In order to elicit reactions approximately identical in intensity and character with those produced by intravenous infusion, it was necessary to give approximately 1.5 to 8.0 times as much by intramuscular injection and approximately 10 to 100 times as much by intranasal administration.

Intravenous administration of adrenaline transiently suppressed a long-lasting reaction to oxytocin.
CORRELATION BETWEEN PROTEIN-BOUND SULFHYDRYL GROUPS AND THYROID ACTIVITY
Authors: Hopsu Väinö K. , Heikkilä K. J. , Härkönen M.
Published: December 2008

Twelve guinea-pigs treated with methylthiouracil for periods varying from 1 to 4 weeks and 8 untreated controls served as material. The thyroid glands were weighed and the relative amounts of epithelium, colloid and interstitial tissue determined by area sampling. The protein-bound sulf-hydryl groups were studied chemically and histochemically.

During treatment with methylthiouracil the weight, the proportion of the epithelial tissue, and the concentration of sulfhydryl groups in the thyroid glands increased proportionally with the duration of the treatment. The ratio of SH-groups to epithelium content did not alter, i. e. the concentration of the sulfhydryl groups in the epithelium remained unchanged. The same observation was confirmed with the histochemical methods.
THE EFFECT OF CORTISONE ON CARDIOVASCULAR SCLEROSIS INDUCED IN RATS WITH CHOLESTEROL AND VITAMIN D
Authors: Vanha-Perttula T. P. J. , Näätänen E. K.
Published: December 2008

The authors have studied the effect of cortisone on rats fed 3.5 % cholesterol and 0.01 % vitamin D3, together or separately as part of the regular diet for a period of 100 days. The dose of cortisone was at first 2.5 mg but was reduced after thirty days to 1 mg/day. Particular attention was paid both macroscopically and histologically to any changes observed in the cardiovascular system.

The study showed that, when administered alone cortisone in the doses used is not capable of inducing any changes characteristic of sclerosis in the walls of the arteries or in the heart. When cholesterol had been added to the diet, it was noted that after some time slight degenerative changes occurred in the elastic fiber structure of the aorta among both the female and male rats. The feeding of cholesterol alone had not led to changes in the walls of the blood vessels in previously performed experiments.

The addition of large doses of vitamin D3 to the basic diet however caused a massive Mönckeberg-type mediasclerosis. With the addition of cortisone, these changes developed more rapidly and spread over a more extensive area. The mediasclerosis was then also accompanied by local, reactive proliferative formations in the intima, subendocardial fibrosis, necrosis and calcification of the myocardium. In the coronary arteries, accumulation of calcium in the media, occlusions and thromboses were found. Cartilaginous metaplasia and dissecting aneurysms were observed in the aorta.
ERREGUNGSPHYSIOLOGISCHE REGELWIRKUNGEN VON 17β-OESTRADIOL AM MYOMETRIUM
Authors: Jung Hugo
Published: December 2008

Investigations have been carried out as to the effect of 17β-oestradiol on the mechanism of excitation of the single uterine muscle fibre of spayed rats. In preliminary experiments aqueous solutions of oestradiol monophosphate and oestrone sulphate succeded in the inhibition of the frequency of contraction, of the amplitude and of the tonus of the uterus in noncastrated rats. Preceding this effect there was a short transient increase of the amplitude lasting for one or two contractions.

Action potentials of the uterus disappear in spayed animals as do the two kinds of shortening of the hormonal stimulated uterus. While the normal uterus has a tonic system, which is induced by the membrane potential and a phasic system, stimulated by tetanic excitements, the uterus of castrated rats exhibits flat, tonic contractions maintained by fluctuations of the membrane potential. This potential has a mean value of −57.3± 1.2 mV.

The membrane potential increases to −75.4 ±1.4 mV after treatment with 2.5 μg oestradiol-3-monophosphate for 10 days. Higher doses as 10 or 50 μg oestradiol are not able to increase the potential to any further extent. Therefore we can demonstrate a steep decline in the dose-effect relationship between 0.0 and 0.4 μg oestradiol. After treatment with the hormone the uterus comes into a position to form action potentials. Therefore the Na-carrier system of the muscle fibre must be depending on oestrogens. The amplitude of the action potentials, however, is still smaller than in pregnancy. The spontaneous fluctuations of the membrane potential of castrated animals are suppressed by a membrane stabilizing effect of oestradiol.
ÜBER DIE WISMUTATOXYDATION FÜR DIE BESTIMMUNG DER KETOGENEN CORTICOIDE PRAKTISCH WICHTIGER C19- UND C21-STEROIDE
Authors: Freislederer W.
Published: December 2008

1. The carrying out of 17-KGS-determination starting from larger quantities and keeping to the reaction conditions described for the micro-method is presented altogether with a constantly carried out paper-chromatographic separation of the extracts obtained. With this extended method in particular the 17-hydroxysteroid metabolites and their reaction products which might theoretically be produced are analyzed.

2. By variation of the oxydation- and hydrolysis mediums with regard to the conditioning factors in the urine, the conditions for the most important substances are individually ascertained with which, in spite of a complete oxydative splitting off of the side chain at C17, a far-reaching preservation of the 17-KS expected occurs. At the same time the quantitative influence on the final result by the various secondary reactions is determined.

3. As important issues of the work the possibility of an oxydation of the 3-hydroxy- to 3-keto-group by bismuthate and a very extensive decomposition of most of 17-KS due to the presence of free chlorine in hydrolysis at the boiling point with at least a partial preservation of the property to become coloured by metadinitrobenzene are to be noted. The author tries to substantiate that the first mentioned change may be avoided by an admixture of urea and common salt and that the decomposition by hydrolysis may be positively eliminated only by an admixture of sufficient bisulphite, i. e. a quantity exceeding that hitherto described. The hydroxy-group saving property of certain urines exceeding that of the artificial solution of urea – common salt is indicated.
ÜBER DIE KOLORIMETRIEÄQUIVALENTE VON C19- UND WISMUTAT-OXYDIERTEN C21-STEROIDEN BEI ANWENDUNG VERSCHIEDENER MODIFIKATIONEN DER ZIMMERMANNSCHEN REAKTION
Authors: Freislederer W.
Published: December 2008

1. The results of colorimetric determination of 17-ketosteroid (17-KS) and 17-ketogenic steroid (17-KGS)-extracts using 3 modifications of Zimmermann's reaction are compared with the quantitative results obtained by paperchromatographic analysis according to a previous investigation.

2. When analyzing pure 17-KS, only 11-deoxy-compounds exhibit similar aequivalents by the 3 kinds of colorimetry. Consequently only two of these methods can be used for the determination of 17-KS, whilst only the colorimetry according to Callow allows of quantitative determinations when analyzing 17-KGS.

3. The application on the reaction products resulting from the bismuthate oxydation without boiling hydrolysis, due to the relations of the individual colorimetric modifications to each other, allows of a quite safe evaluation of the secondary changes appearing in the steroid skeleton.

4. After an additional hydrolysis at the boiling point, the 17-KGS-extracts parallel to the formerly described disintegration by free chlorine (insufficient admixture of bisulphite!) show very remarkable changes in the colorimetric relations, which with even greater success than paper chromatographic analysis may be used for discriminating between 11-deoxy- and 11-oxy-17-KS.
A DOUBLE ISOTOPIC DERIVATIVE METHOD FOR THE QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF OESTRONE AND 17β-OESTRADIOL IN PLASMA
Authors: Svendsen Reiner
Published: December 2008

A method with a sensitivity of about 2 ng is evolved for the determination of oestrone and 17β-oestradiol in plasma. The method is based on the double isotopic derivative principle and makes use of the isotopes 35S and 131I. The method includes: Extraction of plasma, purification of the extract, esterification of oestrone and 17β-oestradiol by means of p-iodobenzenesulphonyl chloride, purification of the esters formed by paper chromatography, counting of the radioactivities and calculation of the results. The procedures are described in detail and discussed. Determinations in plasma gave the following ranges of concentrations: Normally menstruating women, oestrone and 17β-oestradiol: 0.1–0.75 μg/l, some patients with primary or secondary amenorrhea, oestrone and 17β-oestradiol: 0–0.45 μg/l and pregnant women, oestrone: 1–10 μg/l and 17β-oestradiol: 2–30 μg/l.
AN IMMUNOLOGICAL PREGNANCY TEST
Authors: Wide Leif , Gemzell Carl A.
Published: December 2008

An immunological method for the assay of chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in human urine has been described in detail. The method is useful as a simple and rapid pregnancy test and can be applied for quantitative determinations of HCG in urine.

Morning urine from 306 women were examined; 212 were found to be pregnant by the haemagglutination inhibition reaction and the pregnancy was confirmed by ordinary pregnancy tests; 94 women were not pregnant and the urine of these women gave in no case a haemagglutination inhibition reaction.

Quantitative determinations of HCG were performed in the urine of 103 women in early pregnancy. The urinary excretion of HCG increased following the missed menstrual period and reached in the 8th week of pregnancy a level of about 160.000 IU of HCG per liter of urine.
STUDY OF A LARGE STEROID SPECTRUM IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS
Authors: Genest Jacques , Koiw Erich , Nowaczynski Wojciech , Sandor Thomas
Published: December 2008

An extensive study made in 110 normal subjects and hypertensive patients has shown a statistically significant 2-fold mean increase in urinary aldosterone excretion and a statistically significant mean decrease in urinary pregnanetriol and in pregnanetriol/aldosterone ratio from groups of patients with essential, renal and malignant hypertension as compared to that of normal subjects. No significant difference was found in cortisone, cortisol and their tetrahydro derivatives, aetiocholanolone and the tetrahydro derivative of 17,21-dihydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione excretion of hypertensive patients as compared to normotensive subjects. In four healthy volunteers, intravenous infusion of angiotensin was followed by a 2 to 10-fold increase in urinary aldosterone excretion.
THE INFLUENCE OF METHYL-THIOURACIL ON THE LEUCINE AMINOPEPTIDASE ACTIVITY IN THE THYROID GLAND OF THE RAT
Authors: Talanti S. , Hopsu Väinö K.
Published: December 2008

Leucine aminopeptidase activity was demonstrated histochemically in the thyroid gland of the rat. It was most clearly found in the epithelium of the follicles. Slight activity was also present in colloid. The administration of methyl-thiouracil markedly diminished this activity. The methylthiouracil effect on leucine aminopeptidase seemed to be of short duration, since it was already abolished ten days after treatment. The physiological significance of leucine aminopeptidase with particular reference to its possible relationship to the proteolytic system previously found in the thyroid tissue is discussed.
SOME ASPECTS OF SILVER IMPREGNATION OF THE ISLETS OF LANGERHANS IN THE RAT
Authors: Hellerström Claes , Hellman Bo
Published: December 2008

By using a modification of Davenport's alcoholic silver nitrate method for impregnating nerves, it was possible to obtain a distinct argyrophil reaction on thin paraffin sections from rat pancreas which had been fixed either in formalin or Bouin's solution. Since this was followed by a removal of silver with subsequent granule staining according to Gomori, it became clear that the distinctly blackened cells comprised only some of the A cells.

Some post-mortem change seemed to be an essential prerequisite of the argyrophil reaction, since this almost completely failed to appear after fixation in an ice-cold Bouin's solution. The reducing material was considerably resistent to acids; strongly blackened islet cells could be observed even after refixation in hydrochloric acid at a pH of 0.5. Although a preoxidation, e. g. with an acid solution of potassium permanganate, is essential for the differentiation of the islet cells with the modern granule stains, such treatment results in the argyrophil reaction becoming weaker or not appearing at all. Actual blackening, except in the case of those A cells, which could be distinguished as silver cells even after a short time, could not be produced by lengthening the impregnation time, but instead, the argyrophil reaction tended to decrease after a certain optimal period.

The observation that among those cells, which by granule staining were classified as A cells, a separate fraction with distinctly blackened cytoplasm could be distinguished, led to the suggestion that the blackened cells should be called A1 cells and the remaining ones, A2 cells.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE LITTER SIZE ON THE POST NATAL GROWTH OF THE ISLETS OF LANGERHANS IN THE RAT
Authors: Petersson Birger , Hellerström Claes , Hellman Bo
Published: December 2008

In a comparison of three week old rats from small and large litters it was observed that the total islet volume was more than three times as large in the former group. If on the other hand the total islet volume was expressed in relation to the body or the pancreatic weight, no significant difference was found between the animals in the small and large litters. The smaller absolute islet volume in the group 'large litters' was primarily due to a lower number of A cells, i. e. the B/A cell number ratio was significantly higher than in the group 'small litters'. The size of the litters, which normally shows considerable variations, thus greatly influences not only the body growth of the rats but also the post natal development of the islet tissue.
LEUCOCYTE METABOLISM IN PREGNANCY
Authors: Borel C. , Frei J. , Vannotti A.
Published: December 2008

Enzymatic studies, on leucocytes of pregnant women, show an increase of the alkaline phosphatase activity and a decrease of the glucose consumption and lactate production, as well as of proteolysis. The oxygen consumption, with succinate as substrate, does not vary.
Fetal testis—a very special endocrine organ
Authors: Huhtaniemi Ilpo
Published: December 2008

Huhtaniemi I. Fetal testis—a very special endocrine organ. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:25–31. ISSN 0804–4643

The fetal testis is a special organ endocrinologically and not at all like a smaller version of the adult testis. Unlike the quiescent fetal ovary, its hormone production is very active. Besides testosterone it produces a special 'fetal gonadal hormone', the anti-Müllerian hormone. These two hormones together play a key role in the induction and regulation of male sexual differentiation. To meet these functional requirements the fetal testis has many unique features, especially as regards luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone action, which discriminate it from the respective functions of the adult testis. In this article, some enigmatic features of fetal testicular endocrine function are concentrated on in an attempt to identify the most important questions for further research.

Ilpo Huhtaniemi, Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10,20520 Turku, Finland
Endocrine–paracine interaction in communication between the immune and endocrine systems. Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in inflammation
Authors: Imura Hiroo , Fukata Jun-ichi
Published: December 2008

Imura H, Fukata J. Endocrine–paracrine interaction in communication between the immune and endocrine systems. Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in inflammation. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:32–7. ISSN 0804–4643

There are bidirectional communications between the immune and endocrine systems. Cytokines produced in inflammatory foci cause changes in the endocrine system, including activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Hormones produced in the endocrine system, especially glucocorticoids, affect the immune system to modulate its function. This is an important endocrine system for the defence mechanism. In addition, bacterial lipopolysaccharide produces cytokines in the brain and endocrine organs which are considered to act through the paracrine mechanism to regulate the HPA axis. Endocrine–paracrine interaction is important for the defence mechanism of the organism.

Hiroo Imura, Kyoto University School of Medicine, Yoshida Honmachi Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-01, Japan
Glucose–fatty acid cycle operates in humans at the levels of both whole body and skeletal muscle during low and high physiological plasma insulin concentrations
Authors: Vaag Allan A , Handberg Aase , Skøtt Peter , Richter Erik A , Beck-Nielsen Henning
Published: December 2008

Vaag, AA, Handberg A, Skøtt P, Richter EA, Beck-Nielsen H. Glucose-fatty acid cycle operates in humans at the levels of both whole body and skeletal muscle during low and high physiological plasma insulin concentrations. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:70–9. ISSN 0804–4643

Plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations were elevated acutely (Intralipid + heparin infusion) in 14 normal humans in order to study the effects of fatty acids on whole-body basal and insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism, and on activities of skeletal muscle key enzymes. Whole-body glucose metabolism was assessed using [3-3H]glucose and indirect calorimetry. Biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle during basal and insulin-stimulated (3 h, 40 mU·m−2·min1) steady-state periods. Total peripheral glucose uptake was unaffected by Intralipid infusion in the basal state, whereas it decreased during Intralipid infusion in the hyperinsulinemic state (10.7±0.7 vs 8.7±0.8 mg · kg−1 fat-free mass · min−1, p < 0.02). Intralipid infusion decreased whole-body glucose oxidation in the basal state (1.3±0.2 vs 0.8±0.1 mg·kg−1 fat-free mass·min−1, p<0.001) and during hyperinsulinemia (3.6±0.2 vs 1.7±0.2 mg·kg−1 fat-free mass·min−1 p<0.001). Whole-body non-oxidative glucose uptake increased during Intralipid infusion in the basal state and was unaffected in the hyperinsulinemic state. The skeletal muscle pyruvate dehydrogenase activity ratio decreased in the basal state during Intralipid infusion (55±6 vs 43±5%, p<0.05), whereas no statistical significant decrease in the pyruvate dehydrogenase activity ratio was observed during insulin infusion (57±8 vs 47 ± 5%, NS). Insulin increased the activity of the active form of pyruvate dehydrogenase on the control day, but not during Intralipid infusion. Activities of phosphofructokinase and glycogen synthase were unaffected by Intralipid infusion. Plasma glucose concentrations were similar during Intralipid infusion and on the control day, whereas Intralipid infusion increased the muscle glucose content in the basal state (1.36±0.09 vs 1.77±0.12 mmol/kg dry wt, p<0.05) and in the hyperinsulinemic state (1.23 ± 0.09 vs 1.82 ± 0.16 mmol/kg dry wt, p <0.05). Insulin increased the muscle lactate content on the control day (6.50±0.95 vs 8.65±0.77 mmol/kg dry wt, p<0.05), but not during Intralipid infusion. In conclusion, the glucose–fatty acid cycle operates in humans in vivo at the levels of both whole body and skeletal muscle during both low and high physiological insulin concentrations.

Allan Vaag, Department of Internal Medicine M, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark
Evaluation of the ontogeny of thyroid hormone receptor isotypes in rat brain and liver using an immunohistochemical technique
Authors: Falcone Maria , Miyamoto Takahide , Fierro-Renoy Francisco , Macchia Enrico , DeGroot Leslie J
Published: December 2008

Falcone M. Miyamoto T, Fierro-Renoy F, Macchia E, DeGroot LJ. Evaluation of the ontogeny of thyroid hormone receptor isotypes in rat brain and liver using an immunohistochemical technique. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:97–106. ISSN 0804–4643

We performed an immunohistochemical study on rat brain and liver during fetal and neonatal life using rabbit antipeptide polyclonal antibodies able to recognize each thyroid hormone receptor (TR) isoform. The expression of TR alpha-1, alpha-2 and beta-1 proteins from 14 days of gestation to 21 days after birth was evaluated. Frozen tissues from 14 (F14), 17 (F17) and 21 (F21)-day-old fetuses and from 5 (N5), 16 (N16) and 21 (N21)-day old newborn rats were stained with anti-TR antibodies using an avidin-biotin-peroxidase system. The antipeptide antibodies utilized in the present study were characterized previously: alpha-144 antibody recognizes both TR alpha-1 and alpha-2; alpha-2-431 antibody is specific for TR variant alpha-2, and beta-62 antibody specifically reacts with the TR beta-1 isoform. The expression of TR alpha-1 was deduced by comparing the staining obtained with alpha-144 and alpha-2-431 antibodies. We demonstrated that each TR isoform is expressed in rat brain from 14 days of gestation and that the alpha isoform was predominant in the early stage. The three TR isoforms were expressed in both neural cell nuclei and in glial cell nuclei. As far as the liver is concerned, at F14 the expression of TR isoforms was weaker in hepatocytes when, on the contrary, TR alpha was clearly detected in hematopoietic cells. The expression of TRs in hepatocytes becomes evident later. The data that we obtained, although not quantitative, emphasize the presence of each TR isoform in brain and liver from 14 days of fetal rat life.

Maria Falcone, Istituto di Endocrinologia, Università di Pisa, Viale del Tirreno 64, 56018 Tirrenia-Pisa, Italy
Pulsatile thyrotropin and prolactin secretion in a patient with a mixed thyrotropin- and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma
Authors: Adriaanse Ria , Brabant Georg , Endert Erik , Bemelman Frederique J , Wiersinga Wilmar M
Published: December 2008

Adriaanse R, Brabant G, Endert E, Bemelman FJ, Wiersinga WM. Pulsatile thyrotropin and prolactin secretion in a patient with mixed thyrotropin- and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:113–20. ISSN 0804–4643

The circadian and pulsatile thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) release was investigated in a patient with slight hyperthyroidism due to a mixed TSH- and PRL-secreting pituitary adenoma. Blood was withdrawn every 10 min for 24 h (before and after medical treatment); pulse characteristics were analyzed by Desade and Cluster programs (values as mean±sd). The inappropriately high mean 24-h TSH concentration of 3.55 ±0.31 mU/l was associated with a higher mean 24-h TSH pulse amplitude but unaltered mean 24-h TSH pulse frequency relative to healthy controls. The nocturnal TSH surge (absolute surge 0.5 mU/l, relative surge 16%) was low, related to a loss of the usual nocturnal increase of TSH pulse amplitude and TSH pulse frequency. Chronic treatment with octreotide resulted in a modest clinical and biochemical improvement of the hyperthyroid state; addition of bromocriptine at a later stage had no further beneficial effect. At the end of the follow-up period the mean 24-h TSH paradoxically had increased to 5.33 ±0.81 mU/l. The nocturnal TSH surge also increased (absolute surge 1.9 mU/l, relative surge 42%), but circadian changes in TSH pulsatility remained absent. In the untreated period the increased mean 24-h PRL concentration of 234 ± 24 μg/l was associated with an increased mean 24-h PRL amplitude, whereas the 24-h PRL pulse frequency (N = 4) was lower relative to controls. No circadian PRL rhythm was present. After octreotide and bromocriptine treatment the mean 24-h PRL concentration and mean 24-h PRL pulse amplitude were unchanged, but a clear nocturnal increase of PRL now was observed. Analysis of the temporal coupling between TSH and PRL release by bivariate autoregressive modeling revealed significant cross-correlations in all three periods investigated (coefficients in the range 0.34–0.76, median 0.52; p<0.01) between TSH and PRL concentrations with a lag time of 10–20 min. We conclude that pulsatile TSH and PRL release in this mixed TSH- and PRL-secreting pituitary adenoma was autonomous in nature. The observed dampening of the nocturnal increase of TSH and PRL is putatively related to a lack of TRH receptors in these tumors. The observed co-secretion of TSH and PRL suggests synthesis of both hormones by the same cell.

R Adriaanse, Department of Endocrinology F5-171, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Octreotide exerts different effects in vivo and in vitro in Cushing's disease
Authors: Stalla Günter K , Brockmeier Steffi J , Renner Ulrich , Newton Chris , Buchfelder Michael , Stalla Johanna , Müller O Albrecht
Published: December 2008

Stalla GK, Brockmeier SJ, Renner U, Newton C, Buchfelder M, Stalla J, Müller OA. Octreotide exerts different effects in vivo and in vitro in Cushing's disease. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:125–31. ISSN 0804–4643

The effect of the long-acting somatostatin analog octreotide (SMS 201-995) on adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion was studied in five patients with untreated Cushing's disease in vivo and in six human corticotropic adenoma cell cultures in vitro. For the in vivo study, 100 μg of octreotide sc was given 30 and 180 min after cannulation of the cubital vein and 100 μg of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) was injected iv at 210 min. Serum ACTH and cortisol levels were measured for 390 min. In vivo, octreotide had no significant effect either on basal or CRH-stimulated ACTH levels and did not influence cortisol levels. The in vitro studies were conducted with corticotropic adenoma cell cultures derived from adenoma tissue obtained from six patients with Cushing's disease. In four of six cell cultures, octreotide (1 nmol/l–1 μmol/l) inhibited basal ACTH secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition ranged from 70 to 92% for 1 nmol/l octreotide to 14–46% for 1 μmol/l octreotide as compared to controls (100%). In three of three octreotide-responsive adenoma cell cultures investigated, CRH-stimulated ACTH secretion was suppressed by octreotide. Hydrocortisone pretreatment in vitro abolished the inhibitory effect of octreotide on ACTH secretion in one octreotide-responsive corticotropic adenoma cell culture. In conclusion, we showed that octreotide in most cases could inhibit the ACTH release from human corticotropic adenoma cells in vitro but had no suppressive effect on ACTH levels of patients with Cushing's disease in vivo. This discrepancy could be due to a somatostatin receptor down-regulation by cortisol at the hypercortisolemic state in vivo.

Günter K Stalla, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Institute, Kraepelinstr. 10, D-80804 Munich, Germany
Autoimmune thyroid disorders and coeliac disease
Authors: Collin Pekka , Salmi Jorma , Hällström Olavi , Reunala Timo , Pasternack Amos
Published: December 2008

Collin P, Salmi J, Hällström O, Reunala T, Pasternack A. Autoimmune thyroid disorders and coeliac disease. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:137–40. ISSN 0804–4643.

Eighty-three patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders were screened for coeliac disease. The screening was performed with IgA-class reticulin and endomysium antibody, IgA- and IgG-class gliadin antibody tests, and various biochemical tests for malabsorption. None of the tested subjects had selective IgA deficiency, which excludes the possibility of not detecting positives by an IgA-class test. Of the 83 patients, three asymptomatic coeliac patients were found, and one patient with coeliac disease previously diagnosed, an overall frequency of 4.8%. In addition, 25 patients with a solitary nodule of the thyroid gland were examined and one of them (4%) was found to have coeliac disease. By contrast, one (0.4%) out of 249 age- and sex-matched blood donors was found to have coeliac disease. All newly detected coeliac patients had IgA-class gliadin, reticulin and endomysium antibodies, but none of the patients had any gastrointestinal symptoms or abnormal biochemical findings suggesting coeliac disease. Treatment of thyroid disorders and coeliac disease was successful in these patients. The present results confirm that the frequency of subclinical coeliac disease is increased among patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders. IgA-class reticulin, endomysium or gliadin antibody tests are suitable screening methods for detecting these patients, as far as selective IgA-deficiency is excluded.

Pekka Collin, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Tampere, PO Box 607, SF-33101 Tampere, Finland
Estradiol regulation of mRNA expression of stimulatory G-protein α-subunit in white adipose tissue from female rats
Authors: De Pergola Giovanni , Xu Xuefan , Carlsson Björn , Eriksson Peter , Edén Staffan , Giorgino Riccardo , Björntorp Per
Published: December 2008

De Pergola G, Xu X, Carlsson B, Eriksson P, Edén S, Giorgino R, Björntorp P. Estradiol regulation of mRNA expression of stimulatory α-subunit in white adipose tissue from female rats. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:146–50. ISSN 0804–4643

Adipose tissue has been recognized as a major peripheral metabolic target of estrogens. The present study was addressed to examine in female rats whether differences in the adipose tissue mRNA expression of α-subunit of stimulatory (Gs) and/or inhibitory (Gj) G-proteins exist between intact and ovariectomized rats, the latter with or without estradiol or testosterone treatment. The fat cell membrane protein amount of Gs and Gj α-subunit also was examined. All these parameters were evaluated in parametrial fat tissue samples obtained from 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats. A group of rats (N=20) was investigated for evaluation of mRNA expression and another group (N=20) for quantification of the protein amount of Gs and Gj α-subunit. Each group was represented by five control rats (sham-operated), five ovariectomized (OVX) rats, five ovariectomized rats treated with estradiol (OVXE) and five ovariectomized rats treated with testosterone (OVXT). Ribonucleic acid extracted from adipose tissue and analyzed by northern blot with Gαs, Gαi-1 and Gαi-2 cRNA probes revealed three major bands with estimated sizes of 1.9, 3.5 and 2.35 kb, respectively. Messenger RNA quantitative analysis, by a solution of hybridization RNAase protection assay on total nucleic acid samples, showed that the amount of Gαi-1 and Gαi-2 mRNA was similar within the different groups, whereas the Gαs mRNA was significantly less abundant (p <0.01) in OVX and OVXT rats than in control or OVXE rats. No difference in Gαs mRNA content was found between control and OVXE rats. As with mRNA analysis, protein quantitative analysis by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in fat cell membrane preparation showed that the amount of Gαi(1–2) was similar within the different groups and that the Gαs content was significantly higher in control and OVXE rats than in OVX and OVXT rats (p<0.01). This study in female rats shows that estradiol may be involved in the control of protein amount and mRNA expression of Gs α-subunit in adipose tissue. These results may explain in part how estrogens regulate the variations of body fat mass in female rats.

Giovanni De Pergola, via Putignani 236, 70122 Bari, Italy
Progesterone stimulates fibronectin production by chicken granulosa cells in vitro
Authors: Asem Elikplimi K , Conkright Michael D , Novero Ruben P
Published: December 2008

Asem EK, Conkright MD, Novero RP. Progesterone stimulates fibronectin production by chicken granulosa cells in vitro. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:159–65. ISSN 0804–4643

Experiments were conducted in vitro to examine the effect of progesterone on fibronectin production by chicken ovarian granulosa cells. Granulosa cells isolated from the largest (F1: mature) and third-largest (F3: developing) preovulatory follicles as well as from a pool of immature small yellow follicles (SYF) of the domestic chicken ovary were incubated in serum-free Medium-199 and the amounts of fibronectin and progesterone produced were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay, respectively. The amounts of basal fibronectin and progesterone produced by granulosa cells from F1, F3 and SYF follicles increased with advancing stages of follicular development. Thus, the quantity of basal fibronectin secreted by granulosa cells was directly proportional to the amount of progesterone produced by them. Exogenously supplied progesterone increased the amount of fibronectin secreted by F1 and F3 cells in a dose-dependent manner, but its effect on SYF cells was marginal. Cyanoketone (an inhibitor of progesterone synthesis) suppressed basal fibronectin production by F1 and F3 granulosa cells and its inhibitory action was reversed by exogenous progesterone. The progesterone antagonist RU 486 also attenuated basal fibronectin production by F1 and F3 granulosa cells, but only the highest concentration affected SYF cells. The inhibitory effect of RU 486 was diminished in the presence of exogenous progesterone. These data show that progesterone regulates fibronectin production by chicken granulosa cells. They suggest that in avian granulosa cells, endogenous progesterone can stimulate fibronectin synthesis in an intracrine or autocrine manner.

EK Asem, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 1246 Lynn Hall, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1246. USA
l-Triiodothyronine acutely increases Ca2+ uptake in the isolated, perfused rat heart. Changes in l-type Ca2+ channels and β-receptors during short- and long-term hyper- and hypothyroidism
Authors: Gøtzsche Liv Bjørn-Hansen
Published: December 2008

Gøtzsche LB-H. l-Triiodothyronine acutely increases Ca2+ uptake in the isolated, perfused rat heart. Changes in l-type Ca2+ channels and β-receptors during short- and long-term hyper- and hypothyroidism. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:171–9. ISSN 0804–4643

Acutely administered triiodothyronine (T3) in supraphysiological doses has been shown to exert an acute positive inotropic effect in vivo a few minutes after intravenous administration. To investigate whether this effect could be explained by an acutely increased Ca2+ uptake in the myocardium, an isolated perfused rat heart model ad modum Langendorff was established. The acute stimulative effect of T3 on myocardial Ca2+ uptake was determined indirectly by measuring changes in Ca2+ concentration in the perfusate following coronary perfusion with 45Ca2+-containing buffer. Perfusion with T3 gave rise to dose-dependent reductions in perfusate Ca2+ within 20 s. Following 10−9 and 10−11 mol/l T3, the effect was small and usually lasted less than 1 min. Perfusion with 10−6 and 10−7 mmol/l T3 resulted in a decrease in perfusate Ca2+, which remained stable throughout 4–6 min of observation. Calcium channel blockade with nifedipine prevented the decrease in perfusate Ca2 +, suggesting that voltage-operated Ca2+ channels are involved in the increased Ca2 + uptake. A washout period with T3-free buffer re-established the Ca2+ concentration in the perfusate, suggesting that the effect is reversible. Calcium channels have been suggested to be regulated directly by T3. Maximum binding capacities for myocardial Ca2+ channels and β-receptors were determined by binding studies with [3H]PN200-110 and [125I]iodocyanopindolol in short-term and long-term hyper- and hypothyroid rats. After 2 and 8 weeks, Ca2+-channel maximum binding capacities were reduced by 25% and 23% in hyperthyroid rats (p<0.05) and increased by 33% and 23% in hypothyroid rats (p<0.05). β-Receptor binding capacities were increased by 33% and 50% in hyperthyroid rats (p<0.05) and reduced by 28% and 47% (p<0.05) in hypothyroid rats. The reduced Ca2+-channel maximum binding capacity during chronic hyperthyroidism is hypothesized to be a secondary event to a T3-induced increase in myocardial Ca2+ uptake in hyperthyroid rats, serving a protective role against Ca2+ overloading of the cell. The acute increase in Ca2+ uptake following T3 administration may explain the reported acute inotropic effect of T3.

Liv Bjørn-Hansen Gøtzsche, Medical Department (Diabetes and Endocrinology), Århus Kommunehospital, University Hospital of Århus, DK-8000 Århus C, Denmark
Effect of P1-purinergic agonist on thyrotropin stimulation of H2O2 generation in FRTL-5 and porcine thyroid cells
Authors: Björkman Ulla , Ekholm Ragnar
Published: December 2008

Björkman U, Ekholm R. Effect of P1-purinergic agonist on thyrotropin stimulation of H2O2 generation in FRTL-5 and porcine thyroid cells. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:180–6. ISSN 0804–4643

Our previous studies have shown that the generation of H2O2 in FRTL-5 thyroid cells is regulated via both the adenylate cyclase/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and Ca2+/phosphatidylinositol pathway: thyrotropin (TSH) stimulates H2O2 generation through both pathways, via the former at a low concentration and via the latter at a high concentration. In porcine thyrocytes in primary culture H2O2 generation is stimulated only via the Ca2+/phosphatidylinositol route. In the present study we explored the effect of a P1-purinergic agonist (phenylisopropyladenosine, PIA) on stimulations induced by TSH and by adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an activator of the Ca2+/phosphatidylinositol cascade via the P2-purinergic receptor. In FRTL- 5 cells, PIA potentiated H2O2 generation stimulated by TSH at 10U/l (but not at 1 U/l), Ca2+ mobilization induced by TSH and Ca2+ mobilization induced by ATP at 1 μmol/l (but not 10 μmol/l). Phenylisopropyladenosine strongly inhibited TSH-induced cAMP accumulation in FRTL-5 cells. In pig thyrocytes, PIA had no effect on H2O2 generation stimulated by TSH or ATP and no effect on ATP-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization. Also, PIA did not inhibit TSH-stimulated cAMP accumulation in pig thyrocytes, and by itselfhad no effecton H2O2 generation or Ca2 + mobilization. Thus, in FRTL-5 cells, but not in porcine thyrocytes, PIA modulates TSH-stimulated H2O2 generation by enhancing the Ca2+/phosphatitylinositol route and inhibiting the adenylate cyclase/cAMP route of the TSH signal. The net result of this modulation apparently depends on the balance between inhibition of the cAMP route and enhancement of the Ca2+ route. This may explain the lack of potentiation observed by 1 U/1 TSH.

Ragnar Ekholm, Department of Anatomy, Medicinaregatan 3, S-413 90 Göteborg, Sweden
Enhanced cell proliferation by hyperprolactinemia in both exocrine and endocrine pancreas in mice
Authors: Matsuda Manabu , Mori Takao , Park Min K , Yanaihara Noboru , Kawashima Seiichiro
Published: December 2008

Matsuda M, Mori T, Park MK, Yanaihara N, Kawashima S. Enhanced cell proliferation by hyperprolactinemia in both exocrine and endocrine pancreas in mice. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:187–94. ISSN 0804–4643

Effects of hyperprolactinemia induced by ectopic anterior pituitary grafting on the pancreas were studied in male SHN mice. After pituitary grafting, the weight of pancreas rapidly increased. A similar increase in pancreatic weight was observed during lactation, a condition associated with elevated prolactin levels. Results of DNA and protein assays revealed that the increase in pancreatic weight in both pituitary-grafted and lactating mice was mainly due to the increase in the cell number, because the total DNA content per pancreas was greater in these mice than the controls. An increase in fluid volume or hypertrophy of cells also contributes to the weight increase; in contrast, the DNA and protein contents per unit tissue weight decrease. The rate of DNA synthesis determined by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine labeling was higher both in acinar cells and islet B cells in pituitary-grafted mice han in the controls. Thus, hyperprolactinemia stimulates cell proliferation in exocrine pancreas as well as endocrine islets. The effect of prolactin seems to be indirect on acinar cells, because only B cells showed prolactin immunoreactivity in the mouse pancreas. In addition, insulin might not be a mediator of the prolactin effect on acinar cells, because the serum insulin level in pituitary-grafted mice failed to show any change.

Manabu Matsuda, Zoological Institute, School of Science, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113, Japan
Low cord blood levels of catecholamine from a newborn of a pheochromocytoma patient
Authors: Dahia Patricia LM , Hayashida César Y , Strunz Célia , Abelin Neusa , Toledo Sérgio PA
Published: December 2008

Dahia PLM, Hayashida CY, Strunz C, Abelin N, Toledo SPA. Low cord blood levels of catecholamine from a newborn of a pheochromocytoma patient. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;130:217–19. ISSN 0804–4643

Association of pheochromocytoma and pregnancy is rare and usually related to high maternal and fetal mortality rates. Maternal effects of the tumor have been studied extensively and the clinical outcome has markedly improved during the last decade. However, the role of excess catecholamines on fetal development has been discussed very little. We report here a case of pheochromocytoma during pregnancy, in which catecholamine levels from the cord blood were low despite simultaneous elevated maternal values (1.93 and 29.46 nmol/l norepinephrine, respectively), possibly owing to the high activity of the catecholamine degradative enzymes monoamine oxidase and COMT at the placental level. We suggest that in pregnancies complicated by pheochromocytoma, fetal well-being may be related mainly to good control of maternal blood pressure instead of to the amount of catecholamines in the fetal circulation, because the placenta performs a protective role through an effective process of hormone inactivation.

Patricia LM Dahia, Endocrine Genetics Unit, University of ã Paulo School of Medicine, 455 Dr. Arnaldo Ave, 4th Floor, Room 50, 01246–913 São Paulo, Brazil