bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF STEROID EXCRETION IN DEPRESSED PATIENTS BEFORE AND AFTER ELECTRO-CONVULSIVE THERAPY
Authors: Ferguson H. C. , Bartram A. C. G. , Fowlie H. C. , Cathro D. M. , Birchall K. , Mitchell F. L.
Published: December 2008

Using a method dependent upon paper chromatography, the urinary excretion of the individual corticosteroids and the individual 17-oxosteroids has been studied before and after electro-convulsive therapy in five female patients suffering from a depressive illness. The corticosteroids, which are normally associated with stress, were found to show a fall in excretion from abnormally high levels before treatment to normal levels thereafter. The 11-deoxy-17-oxosteroids, on the other hand, showed a low level of excretion prior to treatment which was followed by a rise to normal values in clinical remission. These findings are discussed.
THE EFFECTS OF CORTISOL ON THE INCORPORATION OF GLYCINE CARBON INTO THE NUCLEIC ACIDS OF NORMAL AND MALIGNANT TISSUES
Authors: de Loecker W.
Published: December 2008

Normal and hepatoma bearing rats were treated with cortisol in order to study the effect of adrenal steroids on nucleic acid metabolism of different tissues. Normal liver, precancerous liver, hepatoma nodules and skeletal muscle were used in these experiments.

The incorporation of 14C from glycine-2-14C into RNA and DNA fractions of different tissues was examined.

The incorporation of glycine carbon into RNA of normal and precancerous liver was found to be stimulated by cortisol treatment.

The RNA fraction of hepatoma tissue of non treated animals showed a higher incorporation level than that observed in liver, but incorporation was drastically inhibited by cortisol.

The DNA fraction of hepatoma tissue showed a higher incorporation than the DNA fraction from the other tissues examined, and followed the same incorporation pattern as RNA.

The incorporation of 14C into the nucleic acids of skeletal muscle was not affected by cortisol treatment.
AUTORADIOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION STUDIES WITH 14C-CORTISONE AND 14C-CORTISOL
Authors: Hanngren Å , Hansson E. , Sjöstrand S. E. , Ullberg S.
Published: December 2008

The distribution of 14C-labelled cortisone and cortisol was investigated by wholebody autoradiography in mice.

No clear difference in distribution pattern was found between the two substances. Both were rapidly distributed in all tissues. Apart from organs such as liver, kidney and intestines, selective accumulation was observed in bronchial mucosa, ductus epididymis, vas deferens, interstitial cells of testicle and ovary, and epithelium of the yolk sac. Fairly high concentrations were found in brown fat and in pituitary gland. Both radioactive substances penetrated the placental barrier, but uptake was lower in foetuses than in maternal tissues. The adrenal cortex was the only organ in foetuses to show accumulation. Very little activity was seen in adrenal cortex of the dams. Radioactivity in joints (cartilage and synovial fluid) was low. The sclera, iris and superficial cell layers of the lens showed accumulation of activity. The radioactive substances were seen in choroid plexus and in cerebrospinal fluid. They were evenly but very scantily distributed in brain tissue. The formation and distribution of metabolites are discussed.
ATYPICAL HYPOPARATHYROIDISM
Authors: King Lionel R. , Goldsmith Richard E.
Published: December 2008

Three patients with atypical, intermittent tetany of recent origin, hypocalcaemia, hypocalciuria and normal serum inorganic phosphorus concentration are described. Two patients were postoperative from thyroidectomy by more than 20 years and one had recently experienced metastatic malignant invasion of the thyroid area. A variety of studies showed that these patients were neither normal nor typically hypoparathyroid in the laboratory. Two hypotheses, each with some support are: 1. that the patients were not totally aparathyreotic, and 2. that, while aparathyreotic, they had adapted to the abnormal state by some mechanism operative in the absence of parathyroid hormone.
THE PERCHLORATE TEST IN JUVENILE AUTO-IMMUNE THYROIDITIS
Authors: Nilsson Lars R. , Berne Eric
Published: December 2008

Using the perchlorate test an iodine binding defect in the thyroid was demonstrated in 12 of 25 patients with juvenile auto-immune thyroiditis (aged 7–17 years). Six of the 7 patients with a fall of more than 10 per cent in activity following administration of perchlorate were definitely hypothyroid. When the perchlorate test was positive (> 5 per cent fall) the iodine uptake tended to be low and the protein-bound radioactivity high in conventional 131I tests.

The iodine binding defect underlying the abnormal perchlorate response is probably the result of a progressive thyroid disorder which impairs the iodine binding process more than the iodide concentrating mechanism.
IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE SEX-DEPENDENT PREALBUMIN IN MOUSE URINE AND ON ITS OCCURRENCE IN THE SERUM
Authors: Rümke Ph. , Thung P. ].
Published: December 2008

Using an antiserum against a protein, which is electrophoretically a pre-albumin and which has previously been described as occurring specifically in mouse urine, it has been found that this protein occurs in the serum of both male and female mice of various strains, its concentration in the serum being about 200 to 400 times lower than in the urine. In the serum, as in the urine, the concentration of this protein is higher in adult male and testosterone-treated female mice than in infantile male or untreated female mice. In the serum, the values found in these two categories are of the order of 50 to 150 and 10 to 20 μg/ml respectively. Our data indicate that male sex hormone stimulates the production of this protein, which probably originates in the liver and is concentrated and excreted by the kidneys.
THE ACTION OF FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE AND OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN UPON STEROID SYNTHESIS BY RABBIT OVARIAN TISSUES IN VITRO
Authors: Gospodarowicz Denis
Published: December 2008

Rabbit ovarian follicles have been incubated with sodium acetate-14C with and without the presence of gonadotrophin. The major radioactive metabolites found were dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol, testosterone, and 17α-oestradiol. Lesser amounts of radioactivity were found in pregnenolone, progesterone, androstenedione, and oestrone. The results are interpreted as evidence that two metabolic pathways exist in the follicle; the major one giving rise to androgens and oestrogens from Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroids while the other pathway involves pregnenolone and progesterone as intermediates. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) both increased the incorporation of acetate-14C into steroids and decreased the specific activity of cholesterol. The site of action of the gonadotrophins in the metabolic sequence is discussed.
THE IN VITRO PRODUCTION OF ANDROGENS BY FOLLICULAR TISSUE OF RABBITS
Authors: Gospodarowicz Denis
Published: December 2008

Incubation in vitro of rabbit follicles in separate experiments with dehydroepiandrosterone-14C (DHEA-14C), progesterone-14C and pregnenolone-3H in the presence of FSH gave the following results: 39 % of the radioactivity of DHEA-14C is converted to androstenedione and testosterone, while only 3 % of the radioactivity of either progesterone-14C or pregnenolone-3H is found in the androgen fraction. From the ratio of testosterone to androstenedione formed from the three precursors, the results are interpreted to mean that DHEA and pregnenolone, and not progesterone, are precursors of androgens in the follicle.
TEMPORAL ASPECTS OF DECIDUAL CELL REACTION
Authors: von Berswordt-Wallrabe Ilse , Geller H.-F. , Herlyn U.
Published: December 2008

Temporal aspects of the decidual cell reaction (DCR) were studied in 331 pseudopregnant (lactogenic hormone treated) rats under rhythmical and permanent illumination. The peak of uterine sensitivity to the trauma in rats, exposed to light for 14 hours/day was found at 2 p. m. on day 4, and in rats, exposed to permanent illumination at 6 a. m. on day 4 of pseudopregnancy. Rats, traumatized during the decreasing phase of sensitivity, only showed the DCR restricted adjacent to the cervix. Standardized light exposure is postulated for studies on the DCR.
SYNTHETIC ACTIVITY IN MOUSE ORGANS MAINTAINED ON CHEMICALLY-DEFINED MEDIA.
Authors: Lostroh Ardis J.
Published: December 2008

Atrophic uteri taken from ovariectomized C57 B1 mice hypertrophy when maintained as organ cultures in an atmosphere of 5 % CO2 – 95 % O2 on a medium made up of 4 parts Waymouth's-199 synthetic medium and 1 part agar. Cells of both the endometrium and myometrium respond. Net amounts of protein are synthesized by the explants; after 6 days of culture, the net increment of protein was 60 % on the basal medium alone and 80 % when insulin was included.

An effect of insulin on the specific radioactivity of uterine protein was evident as early as 8 hours after the explants had been placed on the culture medium that contained leucine-1-14C. The differences between the control and insulin groups were progressively accentuated over the course of the first 5 days of culture, but were not always apparent after as long as 6 days.
THE ANTIGENIC PROPERTIES OF PIG INSULIN
Authors: Brunfeldt K. , Deckert T.
Published: December 2008

In the present study rabbits were immunized with insulin preparations of various degrees of purity. Antibody formation was determined by Boyden's haemagglutination method (Boyden 1951), by Berson et al.'s chromatoelectrophoresis (Berson et al. 1956) and by agar electrophoresis In the two last mentioned methods highly purified 131I-pig insulin was used. The agglutination method gave a positive reaction with sera from rabbits immunized with the two least purified preparations, A-insulin and B-insulin, thus suggesting the formation of antibodies against impurities in these two preparations. On the other hand, agar electrophoresis, and to a lesser degree chromatoelectrophoresis, gave positive reactions with sera from all groups. Thus it was shown that antibodies were also formed in rabbits immunized with even the most purified insulin preparation. Antibody formation was, however, most pronounced in those rabbits which had been vaccinated with the most impure insulin preparation.

By continuous paper electrophoresis the purest of the insulin preparations used for immunization could be separated into two fractions. The slowest migrating fraction tested by the haemagglutination test showed a weak but positive reaction indicating traces of impurities.

Thus, although the possibility of a cross reactivity between insulin and the impurities demonstrated cannot be rejected, the results obtained do not allow of any definite decision on this question. The negative inhibition with the purest insulin preparation, however, suggests that there is no common antigenicity.
THE POSSIBLE OCCURRENCE OF TWO INBORN ERRORS OF IODINE METABOLISM IN ONE PATIENT
Authors: Wiener J. D. , Lindeboom G. A.
Published: December 2008

The occurrence of two separate inborn errors of iodine metabolism in one patient has been suggested by some authors but doubted by others. The combination of two other mechanisms may explain most of these cases: one defect may be conditioned by another, or the defects may have a common underlying cause. A seemingly impeded deiodination of iodotyrosines, found together with one of the other defects in a hypothyroid patient, may be an example of the first mechanism. The second mechanism might be involved when the primary abnormality is located in the biogenesis of thyroglobulin. In the absence of normal thyroglobulin, three successive reactions could secondarily be influenced: the iodination, the »coupling« and the proteolysis. Thus, when two or more of these reactions are found to be (partially) blocked, defective thyroglobulin biogenesis should be considered as a possibility.

A case is presented in which such a defect was at first suggested by the simultaneous occurrence of circulating iodinated protein-like compounds (defective proteolysis) and the secretion of large amounts of iodide by the thyroid (hampered coupling), and was subsequently confirmed by the electrophoretic analysis of a thyroid extract which showed an absence of normal thyroglobulin. Furthermore, additional evidence is presented on a similar patient described in a previous paper. Finally, a survey is given of sixteen other patients described in the literature in whom the existence of defective thyroglobulin biogenesis was either suggested by the occurrence of two seemingly separate defects or confirmed by the absence of normal thyroglobulin.
STUDIES ON THE TURN-OVER OF SIMULTANEOUSLY INJECTED GUINEA-PIG ALBUMIN-125I AND THYROXINE-131I IN SKIN, WOUNDS AND LIVER OF GUINEA PIGS
Authors: Moltke Erik , Funch-Rosenberg Hans , Hansen Heinz J. M.
Published: December 2008

The distribution of simultaneously injected 125I-labelled guinea-pig albumin and 131I-labelled thyroxine in the skin, skin-wounds and liver of guinea-pigs has been investigated. In the plasma albumin was retained in larger amounts than thyroxine but the activities decreased from 2–24 hours after the injection (h. p. i.) at exactly the same rate. In the liver the uptake of thyroxine was considerably higher than that of albumin, but both decreased at the same rate as in the plasma. In the skin thyroxine was also taken up in relatively larger amounts than albumin at 2 and 6 h. p. i.; thyroxine decreased at the same rate as in the plasma, while the uptake of albumin increased. In 7-day wounds the thyroxine content was only a little higher than in normal skin at 2 h. p. i. while the albumin content had markedly increased; thyroxine decreased and albumin increased at the same rates as in skin. Fresh wounds showed a very high uptake of both albumin and thyroxine with no decrease from 2–24 h. p. i.; the relation between the amounts was close to – but significantly different from – that seen in plasma.

The results clearly indicate that albumin and thyroxine move quite independently of each other in skin, old skin-wounds and liver. In fresh wounds, however, there is a constant thyroxine-albumin ratio during the experimental period.
DECREASED EFFECTIVENESS OF ALDOSTERONE ON ACTIVE SODIUM TRANSPORT BY THE ISOLATED TOAD BLADDER IN THE PRESENCE OF OTHER STEROIDS
Authors: Crabbé Jean
Published: December 2008

Aldosterone can stimulate the active transport of sodium by the isolated toad bladder in vitro. Corticosterone, cortisol, 17β-oestradiol and progesterone had no such effect despite incubation of the preparation with more than 100 times the smallest effective concentration of aldosterone. When the serosal surface of the membranes was exposed to 10 μg% d-aldosterone combined with 100 times this concentration of corticosterone, cortisol or progesterone, the stimulating action of aldosterone was reduced. Spirolactone SC 9420 failed to exert by itself a significant effect on the isolated toad bladder in vitro, but this compound blocked the stimulation by aldosterone of active sodium transport in vitro when present at concentrations 50 times those of aldosterone. When the concentration ratio was 10:1, a hormonal effect could be demonstrated, except at the highest concentration of the drug used.
COMBINED MALIGNANT EXOPHTHALMOS OF GRAVES' DISEASE AND DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, TREATED BY HYPOPHYSEAL STALK SECTION
Authors: Schlesinger F. G. , Schwarz F. , der Kinderen P. J. , Parren H. G. , Verbiest H.
Published: December 2008

Graves' disease developed in a 45 years old male patient suffering from long standing diabetes mellitus with mild retinopathy.

During a period of overtreatment with antithyroid drugs and following psychological stress, progressive oedematous exophthalmos developed which caused an unusual and very alarming ophthalmological picture. Initially there was a good response to 131I and corticosteroid therapy, but later on pituitary stalk section had to be done, after which the condition of the eyes improved.

The clinical picture was interpreted as the result of Graves' disease in a patient whose vessels were already damaged by diabetic retinopathy.

Serum EPS activity was elevated before the operation and could not be demonstrated postoperatively.
A CLINICAL BIOASSAY METHOD OF LONG-ACTING CORTICOTROPHIN PREPARATIONS AND ITS APPLICATION AS AN INTRAMUSCULAR CORTICOTROPHIN TEST
Authors: Colldahl H. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

The corticosteroidogenetic potency of a corticotrophin preparation – given as an intravenous infusion – was compared in asthmatic patients with that of the same preparation dissolved in an aqueous polyphloretin phosphate solution and given as a single intramuscular injection. Four-point assays with a completely randomized block design were employed, each patient being injected with each of the four doses in a different order.

The results indicate that for the purposes of a clinical corticotrophin (ACTH)-test, the 8-hours' intravenous infusion of corticotrophin can suitably be replaced by a single intramuscular injection of a mixture of corticotrophin and polyphloretin phosphate.

The clinical bioassay described appears also suitable for the assessment of the corticosteroidogenetic potency of various types of long-acting corticotrophin preparations.
CATABOLISM OF 14C-HISTAMINE IN ADRENOCORTICAL INSUFFICIENCY IN MAN
Authors: Falkheden Thomas , Lindell Sven-Eric , Westling Håkan
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretion of 14C-histamine and its metabolites was studied in four patients following an intravenous injection of 14C-labelled histamine. Two patients were investigated before and after hypophysectomy, which induced laboratory evidence of adrenocortical insufficiency. Two subjects with pituitary insufficiency (gonadal and adrenocortical insufficiency) due to a chromophobe adenoma were studied before and during cortisone therapy.

The presence of adrenocortical insufficiency was associated with a slower rate of elimination into the urine of unchanged 14C-histamine. There was no evidence of a decreased inactivation of 14C-histamine as revealed by analyses of the urinary metabolites.
COMPARATIVE SKIN TESTS WITH ANIMAL AND SYNTHETIC CORTICOTROPHIN IN PATIENTS HYPERSENSITIVE TO ANIMAL CORTICOTROPHIN
Authors: Buytendijk H. J. , Maesen Fr.
Published: December 2008

A study of the literature shows that 5 % of patients are hypersensitive to animal ACTH. Anaphylactic shock, even with a fatal issue, may occur (van Ufford 1952; Hill & Swinburn 1954; Eisalo et al. 1956). The same rather high percentage was also found for our own patients.

In seven patients who had previously shown violent clinical reactions following the use of animal ACTH (Cortrophin), comparative skin tests were carried out with Cortrophin and the synthetic ACTH preparation, tetracosapeptide (CIBA 30.920-Ba).

All patients showed a markedly positive skin reaction to the highly purified animal ACTH (Cortrophin); in two of these patients, the reaction occurred late. Skin reactions to the synthetic ACTH were negative. The synthetic ACTH, must be regarded as a valuable addition in the therapeutic use of ACTH, particularly in patients predisposed to allergic reactions (asthmatics).
EFFECT OF LARGE DOSES OF RADIOIODINE ON THYROID FUNCTION
Authors: Jovanović M. , Djurdjević Dj. , Sinadinović J.
Published: December 2008

The effects of relatively high doses of 131I (150 μc/100 g body weight) were observed on the percentage deposition of 131I in the thyroid glands of rats, and on the pattern of histological localization as shown by autoradiograms.

At 24 hours after dosage, there was no interference in the capability of the gland to concentrate iodine and to convert it to the organic form. However, there was a marked inhibition of the transfer of thyroglobulin from the cells to the colloid as shown by the autoradiograms.

The possible use of this behaviour as a method for study of the mechanism of hormone synthesis is illustrated.
EFFECT OF LARGE DOSES OF RADIOIODINE ON THYROID FUNCTION
Authors: Jovanović M. , Djurdjević Dj. , Sinadinović J.
Published: December 2008

The effect was studied of large doses of radioiodine on the relative amounts of various organic iodine compounds present in the thyroid glands of rats. At 24 hours there was no effect of radiation from 131I on the relative amounts of diiodotyrosine, monoiodotyrosine, and thyroxine plus triiodothyronine found in the gland. After 48 hours and 5 days, during which time there is known to be considerable destruction of epithelial cells, there was an inhibition of thyroxine synthesis but not of the iodination of tyrosine. There is evidence that even at some days after irradiation at the levels used some follicles are preserved and able to synthesize hormones.
IDIOPATHIC HYPOPARATHYROIDISM WITH UNUSUAL BONE CHANGES AND SPASTIC PARAPLEGIA
Authors: Gibberd F. B.
Published: December 2008

A patient, aged 32 years, with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism with unusual bone changes and spasticity is described. In addition she had abnormal thyroid function tests and hypertension. Her brother had ankylosing spondylitis.

In the pelvis and lumbar spine there was well marked sclerosis and calcification of the ligaments and tendon insertions. The condition was unlike ankylosing spondylitis in that there was no sclerosis of the sacroiliac joints and in the lumbar spine the anterior longitudinal ligament was not involved. The similarity to a case described by Salvesen & Bøe (1953) is discussed and the suggestion made that the bone changes are a characteristic feature of some cases with hypoparathyroidism.
TIME OF ERUPTION OF THE PERMANENT TEETH, CEPHALOMETRIC AND TOOTH MEASUREMENT AND SULPHATION FACTOR ACTIVITY IN 45 PATIENTS WITH TURNER'S SYNDROME WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF X CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS
Authors: Filipsson R. , Lindsten J. , Almqvist S.
Published: December 2008

The time of eruption of the permanent teeth, the development of the cranial skeleton, and the size of the teeth and dental arches as well as the serum sulphation factor activity were studied in 45 patients with Turner's syndrome with different types of X chromosome aberrations. A tendency to an earlier eruption of the permanent teeth was found. The significance of hormonal factors and of the dysplastic skeletal structure for the eruption of the teeth are discussed. The cephalometric analysis revealed a retarded development of the cranial skeleton. Appositional and sutural growth as well as growth in the condylar cartilage and the spheno-occipital synchondrosis, were affected. The development of the facial skeleton reached a level corresponding to that of 11 year-old girls, while that of the posterior portion of the cranial base did not reach this level. The latter finding may explain the posterior rotation of the facial skeleton in relation to the cranial base. The mesio-distal width of the permanent teeth was smaller than normal, and the frequency of root resorptions of the idiopathic type was increased in the patients. The space and space differences of the dental arches were normal. The mean level of the serum sulphation factor activity was increased. It seems likely that the abnormal X chromosome constitutions form the background to the changes in the hard tissues and that these tissue changes may be of major significance for the disturbed development of the teeth and skeleton in patients with Turner's syndrome.
FAT MOBILISING EFFECT OF OESTROGENS
Authors: Laron Zvi , Kowadlo-Silbergeld Avivah
Published: December 2008

Groups of starved rats of both sexes were treated with three daily injections of either oestradiol benzoate (OB) alone or in combination with testosterone propionate (TP). The effect of these hormones on the concentration of the plasma unesterified fatty acids (UFA) was studied by withdrawing blood daily from the heart. For control conditions, groups of rats were treated with either olive oil, the vehicle of the above hormones, or no injection at all. It was found that oestradiol benzoate, 5 mg per dose, caused a mean rise of plasma UFA up to 1376 ± 209 μeq/litre; 10 mg OB per dose elevated the mean plasma UFA concentration to 3492 ± 246 μeq/litre; and a combination of 5 mg OB + 10 mg TP per dose resulted in a mean plasma UFA concentration of 2379 ± 236 μeq/litre.

It is concluded that oestrogens possess a fat mobilising property similar to and possibly stronger than that of androgens.
EVIDENCE FOR A CALCITONIN EFFECT IN MAN.
Authors: Haas Heinrich G. , Affolter Heinz , Dubach Ulrich C.
Published: December 2008

In 1962 Copp et al. (1962) demonstrated a second, plasma calcium lowering factor from the parathyroid glands called calcitonin. These findings were subsequently confirmed by Kumar et al. (1963). Up to the present, however, calcitonin has not been demonstrated in man.

In a patient with hypocalcaemic tetany the injection of a commercial parathyroid extract caused the same changes in plasma calcium as described by Copp et al. (1962) in dogs, i. e. an initial fall and a subsequent rise in the calcium level. In addition, changes in plasma magnesium paralleling those of calcium were also observed.
INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF ESTRIOL-16,17-DISODIUM SUCCINATE ON LOCAL HAEMORRHAGES INDUCED BY SNAKE VENOM IN CANINE HEART-LUNG PREPARATIONS
Authors: Bonta I. L. , de Vos C. J. , Delver A.
Published: December 2008

In heart-lung preparations of dogs, the effect of estriol-16,17-disodium succinate** was studied on circumscribed pulmonary haemorrhages induced by the local application of cobra venom on to the lung surface. Aqueous solutions of estriol-16,17-disodium succinate were either applied topically at the site of exposure to the venom, or added to the perfusing blood.

Irrespective of the route of administration, estriol-16,17-disodium succinate delayed the appearance and diminished the intensity of the haemorrhages.

The weak estrogenic activity of estriol-16,17-disodium succinate, the use of an isolated organ system and the rapidity with which it develops all suggest that the antihaemorrhagic effect and the conventional estrogenic effects occur independently. The use of heparinized dogs and defibrinated blood both favour the view that the antihaemorrhagic effect observed was of vascular origin. Some possibilities regarding more detailed aspects of the mechanism of this effect are discussed.
EFFECT OF MUSCULAR EXERCISE ON THE PLASMA LEVEL OF CORTISOL IN MAN
Authors: Cornil A. , De Coster A. , Copinschi G. , Franckson J. R. M.
Published: December 2008

Intense muscular exercise performed on a bicycle ergometer by untrained normal men is accompanied by a significant fall in the plasma cortisol level. This observation suggests an increased utilization or diffusion of cortisol during exercise.
VASOPRESSOR AND OXYTOCIC ACTIVITIES IN HUMAN HYPOTHALAMUS, POSTERIOR AND ANTERIOR LOBES OF THE PITUITARY GLAND
Authors: Barnafi L. , Croxatto H.
Published: December 2008

The distribution and individual variation of vasopressor and oxytocic activities in the hypothalamus, posterior and anterior lobe of the pituitary gland of 13 women and 15 men were studied.

The results showed great individual variation of vasopressor and oxytocic activities in the posterior and anterior lobes, whereas in the hypothalamus a relatively constant hormonal activity was found. No significant sex differences were noted with respect to the content of the vasopressor and oxytocic activities in the hypothalamus and posterior lobe. In the anterior lobe of the female, a higher vasopressor activity was found than in males. No relationship could be established between the distribution of these activities and the pathological condition preceding death.
REPRODUCTIVE CAPACITY AND BEHAVIOURAL OESTRUS IN THE RAT BEARING HYPOTHALAMIC IMPLANTS OF SEX STEROIDS
Authors: Lisk Robert D.
Published: December 2008

Neural implants of the sex steroids, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone in the female rat indicate that only oestrogen will inhibit pregnancy in 100 % of an experimental class. The most sensitive locus was the arcuate-mammillary nuclear regions of the hypothalamus. Although, progesterone in no way inhibits pregnancy and testosterone does so only very weakly both of these hormones appear to interfere with the normal process of parturition resulting in prolonged labour and death of mothers and foetuses.

The mating behaviour of the intact rat was altered only after oestrogen implants. Large implants resulted in constant mating behaviour and no pregnancies. Small implants in the mating center resulted in single matings from which pregnancies ensued and further mating did not occur. Thus in the intact rat the response of the mating center to oestrogen was different than in the castrate animal, indicating the modifying influences of other hormones or nervous reflexes in the operational control of this brain region.
ADRENAL CORTICAL HORMONES AND RESISTANCE TO HISTAMINE STRESS IN THE INFANT RAT
Authors: Schapiro Shawn
Published: December 2008

The adrenal gland corticosterone concentration in the infant rat is similar to that found in the intact unstressed normal adult. 1–2 day old rats did not respond to histamine administration with an increase in adrenal cortical hormone content while adults exhibited the expected increase. The 90 minute dose-mortality relationship for histamine was determined on these stress-non-responsive infant rats. Prior treatment with cortisone, cortisol, corticosterone or ACTH did not significantly influence the number of deaths occurring at a given dose of histamine. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that, in the otherwise normal animal, the abrupt secretion of ACTH and the adrenal cortical hormones in response to acute stress may not contribute stress resistance to contemporaneous insults, at least to those allied to histamine administration.
CONCURRENT 3β-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE DEFICIENCY IN ADRENAL AND SCLEROCYSTIC OVARY
Authors: Axelrod Leonard R. , Goldzieher Joseph W. , Ross S. David
Published: December 2008

In vivo and in vitro studies were performed in a virilized patient with enlarged sclerocystic ovaries, in whom urinary corticoid excretion was not suppressed by dexamethasone. Both ovarian and adrenal tissues were incubated with 5-pregnenolone-4-14C and the metabolites isolated and definitively identified. Both tissues showed a relative deficiency of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The ovarian aromatizing mechanism was intact. 5-Androstene-3β,17β-diol was the major adrenal biosynthetic product, and its metabolites were identified in the urine. The abnormality of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal regulatory system resembled that seen in Cushing's syndrome, but the clinical manifestations were altered by the steroid enzyme abnormality.
STUDIES ON THE AROMATISATION OF NEUTRAL STEROIDS IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Authors: Jaffea R. , Pionb R. , Eriksson G. , Wiqvist N. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

Using a variety of experimental techniques, including perfusion of placentas in situ, injection into the intact foeto-placental unit via the umbilical vein, as well as long-term administration into the amniotic sac or antecubital vein of the mother, very little if any oestrone, 17β-oestradiol- or oestriol-like radioactive material could be detected in the placenta, foetal tissues and urine of the mother following the administration of labelled progesterone.

The results are interpreted as supporting the concept that progesterone is not a significant precursor of placental oestrogens.
SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF URINARY 11-DEOXY- AND 11-OXYCORTICOSTEROIDS USING BISMUTHATE OXIDATION AND COLUMN CHROMATOGRAPHY
Authors: Copinschi G. , Cornil A. , Leclercq R. , Franckson J. R. M.
Published: December 2008

A new method is described for the measurement of urinary 17-ketogenic steroids (17-KGS), including a column chromatographic fractionation of the 17-ketosteroids formed during oxidation. This method allows the simultaneous determination of the excretion of the 11-deoxysteroids and 11-oxysteroids.

Preliminary studies were carried out on pure reference steroids. The yield of the oxidation and the reproducibility of the method were determined. The excretion of 17-KGS was determined for normal male subjects. Classical stimulation and inhibition tests of the adrenal secretion (ACTH, metopirone, dexamethasone and piromen) were performed in eight patients. The results of these tests illustrate the practical value of the method.
OBSERVATIONS OF THE EFFECT OF ORGANIC DYES AND DIPHENYLHYDANTOIN ON THE IN VITRO BINDING OF RADIOACTIVE 131I LABELED L-THYROXINE, L-TRIIODOTHYRONINE AND TETRAIODOTHYROACETIC ACID BY HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES AND SERUM PROTEINS
Authors: Olichney M. J. , Crispell K. R. , Harrah J. D.
Published: December 2008

The human erythrocyte is used as a model to study the in vitro binding of thyroid hormones to tissue proteins. Studies on the in vitro binding of 131I labeled 1-thyroxine, 1-triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyroacetic acid to human erythrocytes in buffered saline are reported. The effect of human serum, human serum albumin, the organic dyes, Evans Blue and Trypan Blue and diphenylhydantoin sodium on the binding of these labeled hormones to human erythrocytes has been studied.

Evans Blue dye will block the in vitro uptake by the erythrocyte of 1-thyroxine and 1-triiodothyronine but not tetraiodothyroacetic acid. This suggests that the binding of the latter to the erythrocyte is qualitatively different than that of 1-thyroxine or 1-triiodothyronine. Trypan Blue decreased the serum binding of 1-thyroxine and tetraiodothyroacetic acid while 5,5-diphenylhydantoin reduced the serum binding of 1-thyroxine and 1-triiodothyronine. These results are in accord with the binding properties of human serum proteins for thyroid hormones as demonstrated by other techniques.
VARIATIONS OF THYROID HORMONE TRANSPORT IN THE BLOOD OF NORMAL CHILDREN AND OF CHILDREN WITH MONGOLISM
Authors: Ferrier P. E. , Lemarchand-Beraud T.
Published: December 2008

Several authors have reported a peculiar elevation of the labeled triiodothyronine uptake by the erythrocytes in mongoloid children. The present study was undertaken to verify this observation and if possible to explain it by investigating the capacity of the thyroid hormone carrier proteins in these children. A series of control children was first tested in order to obtain standard reference values. The results confirmed the elevation of the 131T3 E. U.§ in mongols, but this high uptake was not accounted for by a decreased TBP or TBPA capacity, and did not seem to be accompanied by a shortened half-life of thyroxine. Euthyroid control children had a decreased TBPA binding.
FATE OF OESTRIOL-16,17 DIHEMISUCCINATE AFTER ORAL ADMINISTRATION TO RATS
Authors: van der Vies J.
Published: December 2008

After oral administration to rats oestriol-16,17 dihemisuccinate is almost exclusively resorbed in the unchanged form and at a slower rate than oestriol itself.

Via the portal vein it is transported to the liver and the peripheral circulation.

In the liver, hydrolysis of the ester takes place rapidly and the free oestriol formed also enters the blood.

In the blood the half life time of oestriol-16,17 dihemisuccinate is 7.6 minutes and that of oestriol 10.3 minutes.

Elimination from the body occurs via the bile in which conjugates were found similar to those occurring after administration of oestriol.

The ways in which oestriol dihemisuccinate is resorbed, distributed and eliminated differ from those of oestriol itself. This might well be a significant factor in its pharmacological and clinical effectiveness.
HEMMUNG DER UTERUSWIRKUNG VON OXYTOCIN DURCH GESTAGENE
Authors: Neumann F. , Hempel R.
Published: December 2008

In vivo Assays:

Oil and water-soluble steroids have been investigated for their oxytocin-antagonism in pregnant rabbits treated with oxytocin. The uterine immobilizing effect is more marked after treatment with hydroxyprogesterone-derivatives than following the administration of 19-nor-testosterone-derivatives.

In vivo investigations on the latent period show the following: after intramuscular administration of a micro-crystalline suspension, the latent period is 2–3 hours and is at least three hours following the administration of an oily solution. The maximum activity of the oily solution is obtained after 6 hours at the earliest and this occurs even later following the administration of the micro-crystalline suspension. There is no difference in latent period between the intravenous and intramuscular administration of micro-crystalline suspension.

The water-soluble progestational agents examined in in vivo tests are 17-hemi-sulphate-esters of various 17α-hydroxyprogesterone-derivatives, Except for one compound* it was possible to prevent the oxytocin induced abortion with all substances in vivo. However, to achieve the inhibitory effect, very high doses of the water-soluble progestational agents were required. The duration of activity of these substances is limited to 2–3 hours.

In vitro Assays:

In addition, the water-soluble compounds were, with one exception also tested in vitro on the isolated rat uterus. It was possible to suppress the oxytocin-induced single contraction of the rat uterus.
HEMMUNG DER UTERUSWIRKUNG VON OXYTOCIN DURCH WASSERLÖSLICHE STEROIDE
Authors: Hempel R. , Neumann F.
Published: December 2008

Various water-soluble steroids were tested in vitro on the isolated rat uterus for their oxytocin-antagonistic activities.

Using progestional agents (19-nor-17α-hydroxyprogesterone-17-hemisulfate-sodium, Δ1,6-17α-hydroxyprogesterone-17-hemisulfate-sodium) oestrogens (oestrone-hemisulfate-sodium), and corticoids (dexamethasone-21-hemisulfate-sodium) it was possible to suppress both the oxytocin-induced single contraction and the spontaneous rhythm intensified by oxytocin. Except for the Δ1,6-17α-hydroxyprogesterone-sulfate-sodium, these compounds were unable to inhibit the single contractions of the uterus induced by serotonin, bradykinin and barium chloride.

Following the administration of a mixture of the different watersoluble steroids an additional effect was observed.

Based on these results, it can be assumed that the oxytocinantagonistic effect represents an activity per se which is peculiar to certain steroid structures.
INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS STEROIDS ON TESTES AND ACCESSORY SEX ORGANS IN THE RAT
Authors: Kind Fred A. , Maqueo M. , Dorfman Ralph I.
Published: December 2008

Various neutral steroids were studied in intact male rats for their ability to influence testicular function, particularly spermatogenesis. The compounds were injected once daily for 21 days, starting at 21 days of age. One day after the last injection, testicular histology and testis, ventral prostate, and seminal vesicle weights were determined. In some experiments, after the standard 21 day treatment period, testicular histology and function were evaluated after 30 and 60 day post-treatment recovery periods.

2α-Hydroxymethyl-17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one, 2-hydroxy-5α-androst-2-en-17β-ol, 2,17α-dimethyl-5α-androst-2-en-17β-ol and 2-formyl5α-androst-2-en-17β-ol caused decreases in testicular, ventral prostate and seminal vesicle weight and produced arrest of spermatogenesis. These effects were reversible and testis weight and histology, as well as fertility, were restored in the post-treatment period. 19-Norprogesterone, which did not produce convincing testicular atrophy, did cause significant decreases in ventral prostate and seminal vesicle weight. Chlormadinone showed a similar picture, although direct antagonistic testicular effects were also seen. The lowered ventral prostate and seminal vesicle weights produced by these compounds may be an expression of their antiandrogenic activity.
ON THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF NANDROLONE PHENYLPROPIONATE AND NANDROLONE DECANOATE IN RATS
Authors: van der Vies J.
Published: December 2008

It has been shown that the duration of action as well as the ratio of anabolic and androgenic activities of nandrolone esters depend on the rate at which they are absorbed from an intramuscular depot.

Following release from the depot the nandrolone esters are rapidly hydrolyzed in the blood and the resulting nandrolone was found to be the ultimate active compound affecting m. levator ani and seminal vesicles. However, the rate and concentration at which nandrolone reaches these receptors is fully determined by the rate of absorption of the ester.

This dependence explains why nandrolone released from its esters in vivo has pharmacological effects quite different from those occurring after administration of nandrolone in a single dose or in equally divided doses. The findings further demonstrate that the rate at which a drug enters the body and particularly the variations of this rate in the course of time, not only determine the intensity and duration of action but also change its pharmacological pattern. The latter conclusion is not limited to the nandrolone esters but can be expected to hold true for other drugs as well.
DIURNAL RHYTHM IN THE ADRENAL CORTICAL SECRETION AND IN THE RATE OF METABOLISM OF CORTICOSTERONE IN THE RAT
Authors: Saba P. , Carnicelli A. , Saba G. C. , Maltinti G. , Marescotti V.
Published: December 2008

The diurnal rhythm in the adrenal secretion, the plasma levels, and the rate of disappearance of corticosterone (11β,21-dihydroxy-pregn-4-ene3,20-dione) from plasma has been studied in rats seven and thirty days after optic enucleation.

Some important differences have been observed as compared with normal animals.

The influence of the photoperiod on the hypophyseal-adrenal axis, on the steroid blood levels, and on the hormone metabolism is discussed.
EIN FALL VON PSEUDO-PSEUDOHYPOPARATHYREOIDISMUS MIT PATHOLOGISCH-ANATOMISCHEM BEFUND
Authors: Schwarz Gerhard
Published: December 2008

A case of pseudo-pseudohypoparathyroidism in a man aged 60 is reported. At autopsy three normal parathyroid glands were identified, in which signs of normal age involution were absent. There were no histological changes in the kidneys. The bones showed a diminished density and the histological characteristics of osteoporosis. In the shortened metacarpal, the line of epiphyseal fusion was still visible.
THE EXCRETION OF CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN BY MEN WITH TESTICULAR TUMOURS
Authors: Hobson Bruce M.
Published: December 2008

The excretion of HCG by 240 men with testicular tumours was investigated using the female toad Xenopus laevis as the test animal. Men with choriocarcinoma excreted up to 2 000 000 IU HCG per litre, an amount comparable to that produced by women with choriocarcinoma. Eight men with tumours described as seminoma were shown, by means of this biological test, to be excreting large amounts of HCG. This method is particularly useful in establishing the presence of chorionic tissue in testicular tumours and enables a more accurate diagnosis to be made. Thirty eight of the 47 men who excreted HCG are dead and such methods of treatment as castration followed by X-irradiation of the abdomen and chest or hypophysis, hypophysectomy or the use of methotrexate were ineffective. The prognosis for men who excrete HCG is very poor and the disease is rapidly fatal.
LONG TERM OBSERVATION OF THE GROWTH PROMOTING ACTION OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN
Authors: Reiss Max , Hillman Janet , Pearse J. J. , Reiss Jean M. , Daley Nelly , Suwalski R.
Published: December 2008

The growth rates of a series of physically and mentally retarded male patients aged 7½ – 13½ years were studied before, during, and after treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin. HCG was given for two to seven months and a final check was made one to three years after treatment stopped. The rate of growth of the patients was considerably increased during treatment, frequently exceeding that seen during a normal pubertal growth spurt. Although the growth rate decreased after treatment stopped, it remained above the pre-treatment level. No evidence of premature epiphyseal closure was seen. The majority of the patients achieved a higher height and weight percentile.

Changes in blood alkaline phosphatase, inorganic phosphorus and calcium were measured and were similar to those seen after treatment with human growth hormone. The acute effect of an injection of HCG on plasma non-esterified fatty acids was different from that reported for human growth hormone since no change was seen in the rise of free fatty acids during fasting.

It is assumed that treatment with HCG triggers the endogenous production of steroids which, in their turn, stimulate pituitary anterior lobe activity.
RENAL EXCRETION OF SYNTHETIC ARGININE-VASOPRESSIN INJECTED INTO DOGS
Authors: Thorn N. A. , Smith M. W.
Published: December 2008

The renal excretion of antidiuretic activity was measured in 2 trained, hydrated dogs after injection of synthetic arginine-vasopressin in doses ranging from 4–50 mU/kg.

An average of 12% of the antidiuretic activity of the injected doses appeared in the urine. This percentage was independent of the dose over the range studied.

The present findings support the hypothesis that arginine-vasopressin in the dog is excreted by the kidneys mainly by glomerular filtration.
THE EFFECT OF ESTRIOL-16,17-DIHEMISUCCINATE ON VASCULAR PERMEABILITY AS EVALUATED IN THE RAT PAW OEDEMA TEST
Authors: Bonta I. L. , de Vos C. J.
Published: December 2008

On the basis of previous findings it was suggested that estriol-16,17-dihemisuccinate might counteract the development of induced local oedemas. To test this assumption, a study was performed using the rat paw oedema test. Depending on the material used, three types of oedema could be produced:

Rapid and transient type, when serotonin, histamine, compound 48/80, chicken egg white and polyvinylpyrrolidone were the inducers.

Slow and long lasting type, with kaolin as inducer.

Rapid and long lasting type when cobra venom served as inducer.

Cyproheptadine inhibited the rapid and transient type of oedema, except when polyvinylpyrrolidone was used. Furthermore cyproheptadine counteracted the rapid phase of the oedema produced by cobro venom, but did not influence the slow and long lasting oedema induced by kaolin or the delayed phase of the cobra venom oedema.

Phenylbutazone counteracted the slow and long lasting swelling induced by kaolin and the delayed phase of swelling induced by the snake venom, but exerted no effect on any rapid and transient oedema, or on the early phase of oedema produced by snake venom.

Estriol-16,17-dihemisuccinate did not selectively inhibit any one kind of oedema more than another, but counteracted at approximately equal potency all the types of oedema studied.
METABOLISM OF PREGNENOLONE-3-SULPHATE IN THE PERFUSED DOG LIVER
Authors: Voigt K. D. , Tamm J. , Volkwein U. , Schedewie H.
Published: December 2008

Pregnenolone-sulphate (400 mg) was perfused through isolated dog livers. The following steroids were isolated in the perfusate: pregnenolone, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androst-5-ene-diol and the two steroid conjugates, i. e. pregnenolone-sulphate and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate. Two »free« steroids and one steroid conjugate could not be characterized. A tentative scheme for the metabolic pathways of pregnenolone-sulphate is presented.
THE EFFECT OF METFORMIN ON WEIGHT LOSS IN OBESITY
Authors: Pedersen Jørgen
Published: December 2008

In seven hospitalised obese patients (one diabetic, two with questionable diabetes, and four non-diabetic subjects) the average weight loss on a 1250 calorie diet was 20 per cent greater with than without metformin. The weight loss depended on the dosage of metformin.

Based on the present results and investigations the outline of a new investigation is presented.