bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF HYDROCORTISONE ON AMMONIA INTOXICATION IN THE ADRENALECTOMIZED RAT
Authors: Paik Woon Ki , Lee Hyang Woo , Kim Sangduk
Published: December 2008

Adrenalectomy induces a hypersensitivity in the rat to ammonia intoxication. Daily injection of hydrocortisone hydrochloride to adrenalectomized rats restored normal sensitivity to ammonia intoxication, with concomitant restoration of liver urea-synthesizing capacity to the normal value. When injected with a large dose of ammonium acetate, hydrocortisone-treated adrenalectomized rats were able to reduce the plasma ammonia concentration much more rapidly than the adrenalectomized control rats. However, neither the increase in liver urea synthesis nor the more rapid decrease in the plasma ammonia concentration were sufficient to explain the protective action of hydrocortisone against ammonia intoxication.
GONADOTROPHIN SUPPRESSION BY STEROIDS IN NORMAL, ADULT MALE RATS
Authors: Verjans H. L. , Eik-Nes K. B.
Published: December 2008

Effects of subcutaneous administration of various doses of different steroids on serum levels of LH and FSH in normal, adult male rats were investigated. Each steroid was injected daily during 7 days in doses of 50, 25, 12.5 or 6.25 μg per 100 g body weight. Ring A 5α-reduced testosterone metabolites exerted high activity in suppressing serum LH and FSH levels. 5α-Androstane-3β,17β-diol had in the doses tested, however, no such effects on serum gonadotrophins. Serum LH concentrations in normal rats appeared more sensitive to steroid treatment than serum FSH concentrations.
TRIIODOTHYRONINE AND THYROXINE NUCLEAR RECEPTORS IN LYMPHOCYTES FROM NORMAL, HYPER- AND HYPOTHYROID SUBJECTS
Authors: Lemarchand-Béraud Th. , Holm A.-Ch. , Scazziga B. R.
Published: December 2008

In an investigation of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) receptors in humans, the lymphocyte was chosen as the target cell. This study was performed to elucidate whether T3 and T4 bind to different receptors, if T4 is bound only after conversion into T3, and whether there is any modification of the receptors in hyper- and hypothyroidism. Lymphocytes were found to possess a high-affinity, limited-capacity binding sites for both T4 and T3. The mean equilibrium affinity constant (Ka) was 2.28 · 1010 ± 0.21 m−1 for T3, and 0.98 · 1010 ± 0.16 m−1 for T4. The mean number of saturable binding sites was 115 for T3, and 102 for T4. The binding capacities and affinities also determined in the lymphocyte nuclei isolated after incubation of the intact cell, were similar to those observed in the intact cells. In competition experiments, labelled T4 was as readily displaced by T3 as by T4 itself, whereas labelled T3 was displaced only by a 40 times higher concentration of T4 than T3. These observations suggest identical receptors for the two hormones and a binding of T4 as such, provided it is not in competition with T3. In lymphocytes from hyperthyroid patients, receptor affinities and numbers remained unchanged. In lymphocytes from hypothyroid patients, the affinity was normal, but the mean number of T3 binding sites was increased to 310 (P < 0.001), to return to normal after a few months of treatment.
TRANSPLANTABLE THYROID TUMOUR IN RATS: IODOAMINO ACID DISTRIBUTION IN SUCCESSIVE TUMOUR GENERATIONS
Authors: Volpert E. M. , Prezyna A. P.
Published: December 2008

All first generation thyroid tumours in rats, produced by 3 μc 131I followed by LID, were uniformly functional, containing MIT, DIT, T4, T3, and in some cases, T′3. All fourth generation tumours were nonfunctional as tested. Second and third generation tumours were biochemically unpredictable, some containing all IAA including T′3, others only MIT, I− and a trace DIT. Degree of dedifferentiation and of autonomy did not necessarily correlate with loss of function. Results could be explained by postulating nodules with differing biochemical properties within individual tumours.
FREE AND SOLVOLYSABLE DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE AND ANDROSTERONE IN BLOOD OF MAMMALS UNDER PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND FOLLOWING ADMINISTRATION OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE
Authors: Fehér T. , Bodrogi L. , Fehér K. G. , Poteczin E. , Kölcsey I. S.
Published: December 2008

A gas chromatographic method has been employed for the determination of dehydroepiandrosterone (D), androsterone (A), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DS) and androsterone sulphate (AS) in the peripheral blood of human subjects and in various mammals under physiological conditions and after the administration of D or DS. Unconjugated D has been isolated and the resting level determined in the rat, rabbit, dog, sheep, pig and cow, while DS was detectable in the peripheral circulation of the rat, dog and pig. Unconjugated A was present in blood of the rodents and domestic ungulates studied, while the parent sulphate could be demonstrated only in rat, dog, pig and cow. The plasma of lower mammals contained D in higher (0.8–10.9 μg/100 ml), and DS, if any, in lower level (1.5–5.7 μg/100 ml) than the human plasma samples (0.1–2.7 and 86–308 μg/100 ml, respectively). There was a more pronounced increase in D and A than in the DS and AS level in the rat and dog following administration of D. On the contrary, exogenous D hardly affected unconjugated D and appreciably enhanced the DS level in human plasma. The conclusion drawn for human subjects, that D is the metabolically active and DS the reserve hormone, does not seem to be valid for all the animals here studied.
URINARY ALDOSTERONE EXCRETION RATE AND PLASMA ALDOSTERONE CONCENTRATION IN THE RAT: EFFECT OF ACTH, DOC, FUROSEMIDE AND OF CHANGES IN SODIUM BALANCE
Authors: Hilfenhaus Mathias
Published: December 2008

In rats kept under standard conditions urinary aldosterone excretion rate (UAER) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) showed a circadian rhythm with peak values at the beginning of the dark period and lowest values of the beginning of the light period. In rats treated with a single dose of DOC (2 mg/kg sc) or given saline as drinking water UAER and PAC decreased to very low levels. Restriction of dietary sodium for 5 weeks increased UAER and PAC 60-fold and 100-fold, respectively. Treatment with ACTH (250 or 500 μg/kg iv) stimulated UAER 8 h following injection and PAC 1 h after injection. In rats treated with a single dose of furosemide (25 mg/kg sc) PAC increased to maximal values within 90 min and reached control values within 24 h. Twenty-four hours-UAER also increased after furosemide treatment.

UAER paralleled PAC under all experimental conditions tested. Therefore, our results suggest that UAER is a reliable index of the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in rats under conditions of low and high aldosterone secretion. Measurement of UAER is a useful tool for studies on aldosterone levels in rats over a long period of time.
EFFECT OF PIPERAZINE OESTRONE SULPHATE ON SERUM LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS IN MENOPAUSAL WOMEN
Authors: Isaacs A. J. , Havard C. W. H.
Published: December 2008

Twenty menopausal women and 2 women with gonadal dysgenesis were treated with piperazine oestrone sulphate 1.5–3 mg daily on a cyclical basis for a period of 6 months. Fasting serum lipids and lipoprotein esterified fatty acid indices (EFI) were estimated before starting treatment and after 3 and 6 months. There were small falls in serum cholesterol (significant at 3 months) and beta-lipoprotein EFI (significant at 6 months). Serum triglyceride and pre-beta-lipoprotein EFI rose significantly at both 3 and 6 months. Serum total phospholipid levels were reduced (significant at 6 months) with most marked changes in the sphingomyelin fraction. Other parameters were not significantly altered.
EFFECT OF LOCAL OR PARENTERAL APPLICATION OF ACTH OR HYDROCORTISONE ON BOVINE CORPUS LUTEUM FUNCTION
Authors: Wagner W. C. , Strohbehn R. E. , Larson P. A.
Published: December 2008

Studies were conducted to determine the effect on corpus luteum (CL) function of ACTH or hydrocortisone administered by ovarian perfusion on day 11 of the oestrous cycle or by carotid infusion on days 2–9 of the oestrous cycle. No significant local effects on CL function were observed during the ovarian perfusion study. Continuous carotid infusion of ACTH or hydrocortisone on days 2–9 resulted in a decreased slope of the progesterone increase during the infusion period. However, no difference in plasma progesterone level on days 9–11 between control and treated cycles was detected and there was no difference between treated and control CL at day 11 with regard to CL weight or progesterone content. The data suggest a possible direct effect of hydrocortisone on either the hypothalamus or pituitary which results in decreased progesterone secretion but not CL development. No residual effect was observed.
DIVERGENT EFFECTS OF 6-PROPYLTHIOURACIL ON 3,5,3′-TRIIODOTHYRONINE (T3) AND 3,3′,5′-TRIIODOTHYRONINE (RT3) SERUM LEVELS IN MAN
Authors: Westgren U. , Melander A. , Wåhlin E. , Lindgren J.
Published: December 2008

The effect of 6-propylthiouracil (PTU) on the peripheral conversion of thyroxine (T4) to 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,3′,5′-triiodothyronine (reverse T3, rT3) was investigated by assessments of the concentrations of T4, T3, and rT3 in peripheral venous blood from T4-treated healthy volunteers given PTU, 4 × 150 mg daily. Within on day of PTU administration, serum T3 concentrations were reduced, and those of rT3 enhanced. These deviations lasted as long as PTU was given (five days), and there was a rapid return towards normal within one day after PTU administration ceased. It seems probable that, in man, PTU can evoke a diversion of T4 monodeiodination, less being converted to the metabolically active T3 and more to the metabolically inactive rT3. It is possible that the rapidity whereby PTU can reduce T3 levels can offer an advantage in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.
IN VIVO STUDIES ON THYROXINE AND TRIIODOTHYRONINE METABOLISM IN THE RAT
Authors: Zaninovich Angel A. , Boado R. , Degrossi O. , Matty A. J.
Published: December 2008

The reciprocal effects of loading amounts of thyroxine (T4) or triiodothyronine (T3) on the in vivo deiodination of their 125I-labelled isotopes by the rat were studied. It was found that the deiodination of a tracer amount of [125I]T3 as measured by the 24-h urinary 125iodide was significantly decreased after administration of a loading dose of non-radioactive T4. A similar decrease in deiodination of [125I]T3 was observed following the injection of a T3 load. In experiments in which the deiodination of [125I]T4 was assessed, the effects on this of loading doses of non-radioactive T4 or T3 differed; while stable T4 induced a significant decrease in deiodination of [125I]T4, stable T3 was without effect. The data is in agreement with the view that T4 and T3 share tissue deiodinating sites and that in such a system T4 appears to have a stronger avidity for those sites.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REGULATION OF RAT LIVER PHOSPHOENOLPYRUVATE CARBOXYKINASE (GTP) BY INSULIN INSIGNIFICANCE OF A CYCLIC AMP-INDEPENDENT MECHANISM
Authors: Seitz H. J. , Krone W. , Tarnowski W.
Published: December 2008

The effect of re-feeding glucose, protein or fat and the effect of insulin injection on the activity of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP: oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (transphosphorylating) EC 4.1.1.32), the concentration of hepatic cyclic AMP and the level of serum insulin was investigated in starved rats.

Under all conditions examined the concentration of serum insulin was elevated to a high degree. However, only rats re-fed with glucose responded to the increase in serum insulin with a decrease in PEP carboxykinase activity, while the activity of the enzyme remained unchanged or was elevated after re-feeding protein or fat or after insulin injection, respectively.

Since under all conditions there was a close correlation between cyclic AMP concentration and PEP carboxykinase activity, but not between the insulin level and enzyme activity, it is concluded that the hormone physiologically regulates PEP carboxykinase activity by decreasing the intrahepatic cyclic AMP concentration rather than by the postulated cyclic AMP-independent inhibition of specific mRNA translation.
TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE HUMAN ENDOMETRIUM AND DECIDUA
Authors: Hagenfeldt K. , Landgren B.-M. , Plantin L.-O. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

By means of neutron activation analysis, 25 trace elements, which are usually present in biological material, were estimated in 31 specimens of human endometrial tissue obtained at various phases of the menstrual cycle and in 14 specimens of decidua from the 12th to 18th week of pregnancy.

Among the 13 trace elements invariably found in all specimens, the levels of copper, potassium, rubidium, antimony and zinc were significantly higher and those of bromine, selenium and sodium significantly lower in the endometrium than in the decidua. No difference was found in the levels of gold, calcium, cobalt, cesium and iron.

Among the 12 trace elements which were found only occasionally, chromium, mercury, silver and cadmium were detected in approximately half and cerium and scandium in approximately one-fourth of the 45 samples studied. Arsenic, barium, lanthanum, molybdenum, samarium and strontium were detected only rarely.

The cyclic variations in the endometrial levels of calcium, rubidium and copper were highly significant and those in the levels of gold, cesium, iron, potassium and zinc probably significant.
TEMPORAL CHANGES IN THE HYPOTHALAMIC AND SERUM LUTEINIZING HORMONE-RELEASING HORMONE (LH-RH) LEVELS AND THE CIRCULATING OVARIAN STEROIDS DURING THE RAT OESTROUS CYCLE
Authors: Kalra Pushpa S. , Kalra Satya P.
Published: December 2008

Cycling female rats were sacrificed at various times during the 4-day oestrous cycle. LH-RH in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) and serum LH-RH, LH, oestradiol (Oe2), and progesterone were analyzed by radioimmunoassays. The MBH LH-RH content was lowest at 19.55–20.15 h during pro-oestrus but increased gradually through oestrus and dioestrus I to significantly higher values at noon of dioestrus II, and then decreased precipitously at 18.00 h. Although serum LH levels remained basal from midnight of pro-oestrus through dioestrus II, serum LH-RH levels were significantly elevated at 12.00 and 21.00 h on oestrus (vs. the midnight prooestrus levels) and declined between 15.00 and 22.00 h of dioestrus I. In conjunction with high Oe2 titres, LH-RH in the MBH and serum declined initially during pro-oestrus between 14.07–14.45 h and then increased abruptly between 14.55–15.55 h; the pre-ovulatory rise in serum LH was observed from 16.05 h onwards. LH-RH activity in the MBH and serum receded gradually to the early afternoon levels by 19.55–24.00 h while the peak in serum LH was observed at 17.05–18.05 h. These studies suggested that the hypersecretion of the MBH LH-RH (synthesis + release) may be responsible for the pre-ovulatory discharge of LH.
REVERSIBLE PLASMA AND RED BLOOD CELLS VOLUMES INCREASES IN ACROMEGALY
Authors: Strauch G. , Lego A. , Therain F. , Bricaire H.
Published: December 2008

Plasma volume (PV) and red blood cells volume (RBCV) were measured in 76 normotensive acromegalic patients (42 males and 34 females) and compared with those of 28 controls on the basis of body surface. In untreated males PV and RBCV were significantly higher than in normals (P <0.001) and total blood volume (TBV) was above the normal range in 85 %. Untreated females also showed an elevated PV but had significantly lower RBCV than the male patients. The only vascular volume of the patients which correlated significantly with the body weight or surface was RBCV in females.

One to five studies were done after treatment in 52 patients and analyzed as a function of plasma GH levels. Plasma volume reverted to the normal range (males) or was significantly lower than in untreated patients (females) in the groups of patients with normal GH levels while RBCV normalized at higher GH concentrations. At similar GH levels, treated patients without pituitary failure (n = 35) or given T4 and/or cortisol substitution for hypopituitarism showed similar vascular volumes. The plasma volume and TBV in both sexes and RBCV in males was significantly correlated with Log 10 GH levels. It is concluded from these data and other experimental evidence that endogenous GH hypersecretion is responsible for the reversible PV and RBCV increases frequently found in acromegalic patients.
BONE CHANGES IN HYPERTHYROIDISM: INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BONE MORPHOMETRY, THYROID FUNCTION AND CALCIUM-PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM
Authors: Mosekilde Leif , Melsen Flemming , Bagger Jens Peder , Myhre-Jensen Olaf , Sørensen Niels Schwartz
Published: December 2008

Iliac-crest biopsies were obtained from 40 untreated hyperthyroid patients after double-labelling with tetracycline. Histomorphometric analyses were performed on undecalcified and decalcified bone sections. The morphometric and chemical data were compared with those in normal control groups and the results of the morphometric analyses were related to thyroid function and to chemical quantities of calcium-phosphorus metabolism.

The bone turn-over was increased in the hyperthyroid patients with an increase both in bone resorption and bone formation. Serum alkaline phosphatase was increased and positively correlated to the amount of osteoid and to the extent of tetracycline-labelled surfaces. The osteoclastic resorption was positively and the bone formation inversely correlated to thyroid activity. This might explain the reduced amount of trabecular bone found in hyperthyroidism. The most striking feature was, however, a pronounced increase in osteoclastic activity in cortical bone followed by increased porosity. The osteoclastic resorption in cortical bone was positively correlated to serum concentrations and urinary excretions of calcium and phosphorus. This indicates that increased cortical osteoclastic resorption is mainly responsible for bone mineral mobilisation in hyperthyroidism.
THE IMPORTANCE OF INSULIN, CORTISOL, PROGESTERONE AND PROLACTIN FOR THE MAMMOTROPHIC EFFECT OF PREGNANT RAT SERUM
Authors: Peters J. M.
Published: December 2008

In order to explain the increased mammotrophic activity of pregnant rat serum, some hormones known to have an in vitro effect on the mammary gland were added to non-pregnant rat serum and their effect compared with that of pregnant rat serum. The addition of insulin to the culture medium increased the mammotrophic effect of pregnant rat serum, but a difference between non-pregnant and pregnant rat serum could be demonstrated either in the presence or absence of a high concentration of insulin. While pregnant rat serum had a mammogenic (i. e. growth-promoting) effect, cortisol had no such effect and antagonized the mitotic activity induced by the pregnant serum.

Pregnant rat serum was active at such low concentrations, that the progesterone content of pregnant rat serum could not explain the mammogenic activity of the latter. Moreover, the combination of progesterone with non-pregnant rat serum did not produce other changes produced by pregnant rat serum alone such as cytoplasmic opalescence and the localized development of vacuolization and secretion.

Prolactin with non-pregnant rat serum produced a mammotrophic effect which was in all respects similar to that of pregnant rat serum. An effect could be demonstrated at 0.08 μg prolactin/ml medium. However, again pregnant rat serum was active at such low concentrations that the prolactin content of pregnant rat serum could not explain the mammotrophic effect of pregnant rat serum. Moreover, the effect of pregnant rat serum could not be blocked with rabbit anti-rat prolactin serum, but the anti-serum blocked the effect of rat prolactin added to non-pregnant rat serum.

The results exclude the possibility that insulin, cortisol, progesterone or prolactin can account for the mammotrophic activity in pregnant rat serum. They provide indirect evidence for the importance of rat chorionic mammotrophin.
INSULIN SECRETION IN INSULIN-REQUIRING DIABETICS BEFORE AND DURING INSULIN TREATMENT
Authors: Enk Bernard
Published: December 2008

Endogenous insulin secretion after different stimuli was determined in insulin requiring diabetics without circulating insulin antibodies.

Four groups of non-obese diabetics were investigated and compared with 111 controls.

Group I: 14 patients with mild diabetes, not yet requiring insulin; diagnosis before the age of 30 years. Group II: 19 ketonuric patients just before being started on insulin treatment. Group III: 18 patients during remission after an average of 16.5 months' insulin treatment. Group IV: 13 patients with no remission period or relapse after an average of 19.5 months on insulin treatment. Blood glucose and immunoreactive insulin were measured during fasting and after iv secretin, iv tolbutamide, iv GTT, and oral GTT, followed by combined iv tolbutamide and glucagon stimulation.

A considerable insulin secretion could be demonstrated in group I, whereas in group II only a very low insulin peak was obtained after secretin and the combined injection of glucagon and tolbutamide. In group III considerable insulin secretion was demonstrated, whereas in group IV only a very low insulin peak was obtained. A significant correlation between the degree of metabolic control and endogenous insulin secretion was found.
STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF SOMATOSTATIN ACTION ON INSULIN RELEASE
Authors: Efendić S. , Lins P. E. , Luft R. , Sievertsson H. , Westin-Sjödal G.
Published: December 2008

Eighteen analogues of somatostatin have been used in order to elucidate the structure-activity relationship of the peptide on the release of insulin and glucagon from the isolated perfused rat pancreas. Neither the amino terminal nor a free carboxyl terminal seemed to be essential for the activity of the cyclic peptide. Addition of amino acids to the amino terminal did not decrease the activity. On the other hand, minor changes in the structure of linear somatostatin, which lead to the loss of ability to form a cyclic peptide, impaired the activity. Deletion of Asn5 was accompanied by decreased action on glucagon but not on insulin release.

It seems that the major actions of somatostatin on the pancreas are bound to the amino acid sequence 4–13 in the molecule and to the ability of the molecule to cyclize.
ADRENOCORTICAL RESPONSE UPON REPEATED STIMULATION WITH CORTICOTROPHIN IN PATIENTS LACKING ENDOGENOUS CORTICOTROPHIN SECRETION
Authors: Kolanowski J. , Esselinckx W. , de Deuxchaisnes C. Nagant , Crabbé J.
Published: December 2008

The role played by a normal endogenous corticotrophin secretion in the mechanism by which adrenocortical steroidogenic response to ACTH increases as a result of previous administration of the peptide, was assessed by repeated ACTH administration in 25 patients under prolonged cortico-therapy and in 13 patients with anterior hypophyseal insufficiency. The response to ACTH (250 μg tetracosapeptide iv over 8 h) was evaluated on the basis of changes in plasma cortisol and in the urinary excretion of cortisol and 17-ketogenic steroids.

The steroidogenic response to the first ACTH infusion was markedly reduced in these patients when compared to control subjects, or even to subjects on short-term dexametasone. However, in these patients as in normals, acute ACTH administration was followed by a phase, lasting for 3 days at least, during which the steroidogenic response to further ACTH stimulation was increased.

When ACTH was infused repeatedly on 4 consecutive days in patients on long-term cortico-therapy, adrenocortical responsiveness was rapidly restored to normal. By contrast, when ACTH was administered every fourth day, a less pronounced enhancement of adrenocortical responsiveness occurred, the secretory activity returning to previous hypo-adrenal state between each stimulation..

These data indicate that the mechanism of amplified adrenocortical response to ACTH does not require continuous endogenous corticotrophin secretion. They further suggest that intermittent corticotrophin therapy may be more adequate in promoting recovery of adrenocortical function on steroid withdrawal than a schedule consisting of daily ACTH administration, since the latter is thought to slow down hypothalamic-pituitary activity because of concomitant sustained enhancement of steroidogenesis.
EFFECTS OF ACTH AND DEXAMETHASONE ON THE ZONA GLOMERULOSA OF THE RAT ADRENAL CORTEX: AN ULTRASTRUCTURAL STEREOLOGIC STUDY
Authors: Nussdorfer Gastone G. , Mazzocchi Giuseppina , Robba Claudia , Belloni Anna S. , Rebuffat Piera
Published: December 2008

The effects of a chronic treatment with ACTH and dexamethasone on the zona glomerulosa of intact rat adrenals were investigated by morphometric methods and electron microscopy. It was found that ACTH increases the volume of the zona glomerulosa, of the cells, nuclei, mitochondrial compartment as well as the surface of SER and mitochondrial cristae. Also noticeable was the hypertrophy of the Golgi apparatus. Opposite effects were obtained after dexamethasone treatment. These findings are interpreted as indicating that ACTH is involved in the maintenance and stimulation of the growth and steroidogenic capacity of the adrenal zona glomerulosa.
DEMONSTRATION OF AN FSH RECEPTOR IN A FUNCTIONING GRANULOSA CELL TUMOUR
Authors: Davy Margaret , Torjesen P. A. , Aakvaag A.
Published: December 2008

Hormone production in a patient suffering from a late recurrence of a granulosa cell tumour has been studied pre- and post-operatively, and a vein on the tumour surface was cannulated at operation to collect tumour vein blood for pre-operative studies. Elevation in the plasma oestradiol level and depression in FSH and LH were found pre-operatively, and elevations were found in tumour vein oestradiol and 17α-hydroxyprogsterone. Plasma oestradiol level returned to normal postoperatively whereas FSH and LH levels were persistently depressed.

FSH receptors were found in this tumour, and on the basis of this finding, gonadotrophins were given to athymic nude mice in an attempt to support the growth of the granulosa cell tumour implanted in these animals. We demonstrated that gonadotrophins have supported the tumour tissue, but not promoted growth.
PITUITARY LH AND FSH AND TESTOSTERONE SECRETION IN INFANTS WITH UNDESCENDED TESTES
Authors: Job Jean-Claude , Gendrel Dominique , Safar Anne , Roger Marc , Chaussain Jean-Louis
Published: December 2008

Twelve male infants with undescended testes (5 bilaterally, 7 unilaterally) were studied between the ages of 1 week and 11 months. As in older pre-pubertal cryptorchid boys, a significant decrease of the LH response to LH-RH test was found, while basal plasma levels of gonadotrophins and FSH response to LH-RH were normal. Plasma testosterone levels were in the normal range, and Leydig cells responded to stimulation by HCG, the degree of this response being significantly and positively correlated to the LH peak elicited by LH-RH. It may be concluded that some early defect of the pituitary-Leydig cell axis is associated with undescended testes.
SPONTANEOUS REGRESSION OF ENLARGEMENT OF THE SELLA TURCICA AND OF ASSOCIATED PANHYPOPITUITARY SYMPTOMS
Authors: Vogt J. H.
Published: December 2008

The case history of a woman born in 1946 is given. In 1968 she developed a syndrome of headache, fever, elevated antistreptolysin titer, enlarged and ballooned sella turcica, hypothyroidism secondary to TSH deficiency, secondary amenorrhoea of pituitary genesis, probable growth hormone deficiency, and secondary adrenocortical insufficiency. From 1972 all the mentioned pituitary defects of function disappeared, and the sella turcica gradually became normal in size as shown by X-ray examination.
PITUITARY LUTEINIZING HORMONE (LH), FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH) AND PROLACTIN FROM BIRTH TO PUBERTY IN FEMALE AND MALE RATS
Authors: Döhler K.-D. , von zur Mühlen A. , Döhler U.
Published: December 2008

Pituitary content and concentration of LH, FSH and prolactin were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) at 2-day intervals from birth to puberty in female and male rats. During the first 2 to 3 weeks of life all hormones were low in pituitary content and concentration in both sexes. They all increased in females during the third and fourth week, but decreased sharply during the days before vaginal opening. During the first ovulatory cycle pituitary content and concentration of LH and prolactin increased again, FSH, however, remained low. In males, pituitary LH, FSH and prolactin content reached peak levels during puberty. Our results show a distinct sexual dimorphism for pituitary FSH. Pituitary LH and prolactin content and concentration patterns show similar tendencies in both sexes with a delay of several days in males. The dramatic changes in female pituitary hormone concentrations just before the first ovulation were not detected in males before the first occurrence of mature spermatozoa in the tubuli of the testes.
SECRETIN: HIGH PLASMA LEVELS IN DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: Trimble Elisabeth R. , Buchanan K. D. , Hadden D. R. , Montgomery D. A. D.
Published: December 2008

Plasma immunoreactive secretin levels were measured in 22 newly diagnosed non-ketotic, maturity-onset diabetics and 10 healthy control subjects during 50 gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The test was repeated in the diabetic group after 6 months' dietary treatment. At diagnosis the fasting secretin levels in the diabetics were higher than in control subjects but fell within the normal range following dietary treatment. In the diabetics there was a significant positive correlation between the fasting glucose and fasting secretin levels at the time of diagnosis. Suppression of secretin levels occurred during the OGTT, both in diabetic and control subjects.
DECREASE OF NON-SUPPRESSIBLE INSULIN-LIKE ACTIVITY AFTER PANCREATECTOMY AND NORMALIZATION BY INSULIN THERAPY
Authors: Eigenmann J. E. , Becker M. , Kammermann B. , Leemann W. , Heimann R. , Zapf J. , Froesch E. R.
Published: December 2008

Non-suppressible insulin-like activity (NSILA-S) was determined in 5 dogs before and after pancreatectomy and again during insulin therapy. All NSILA-S determinations were carried out on serum samples which were passed over Sephadex G-50 columns equilibrated with 1 m acetic acid. The levels of NSILA-S decreased drastically shortly after pancreatectomy and rose slowly after institution of insulin therapy, to normal levels. During the period of severe diabetes after pancreatectomy the concentration of growth hormone was elevated. These findings indicate that 1) the pancreas cannot be the site of synthesis and release of NSILA-S, 2) NSILA-S levels do not always parallel growth hormone levels and 3) the synthesis and secretion of NSILA-S among other factors is under the control of insulin.
IN VITRO TEMPORAL cAMP AND CORTISOL RESPONSES TO ACTH BY THE NORMAL HUMAN ADRENAL GLAND
Authors: Honn Kenneth V. , Chavin Walter
Published: December 2008

The in vitro temporal cAMP and cortisol responses of normal human adrenocortical tissue to ACTH were evaluated. ACTH stimulated rapid increases in cAMP levels and cortisol output, however, significantly increased cAMP levels preceded steroid output only at the higher ACTH doses studied. Cortisol output plateaued with ACTH (10–100 mIU/ml) while cAMP levels continued to increase. The findings indicate that the unitary role of cAMP as the second messenger of ACTH action in the human adrenal cannot be assumed from data derived from lower forms and that the mechanism of action of ACTH in the human may be modulated by additional factors.
A NEW ASSAY METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF OESTROGEN RECEPTORS
Authors: Asai Masafusa
Published: December 2008

A new assay method was developed to determine the quantity of oestrogen cytoplasmic receptors which are capable of associating with acceptor sites on chromatin. The quantity of oestrogen receptor complexes associated with chromatin is of paramount importance in the mechanism of action of oestrogen. This method is based on the specific binding properties of oestrogen to the receptor and on the binding of the complex to chromatin. Cytosol was pre-incubated with [3H] oestradiol-17β ([3H]Oe2) to form a complex, and further incubated with a constant amount of chromatin. After this the quantity of [3H]Oe2 cytosol receptor complexes specifically associated with the chromatin was determined. The binding activity of the chromatin to the [3H]Oe2 receptor complex was stable for at least six months in 0.15 m NaCl at −20°C. This method enables us to determine the quantity of the biologically active oestrogen receptors more specifically than with other methods.
URINARY GONADOTROPHINS AND LUTEINIZING HORMONE-RELEASING HORMONE (LH-RH) LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY DURING THREE NORMAL REPRODUCTIVE CYCLES
Authors: Bourguignon J. P. , Franchimont P.
Published: December 2008

Highly specific and sensitive radioimmunological methods were applied to determine the levels of LH-RH like immunoreactivity in urine previously extracted by spherosil and methanol, and to assay the gonadotrophins, after extraction with acetone.

The endogenous urinary LH-RH like immunoreactivity material was identified by chromatography on Sephadex G25, as having physicochemical properties similar to those of the hormone found in unextracted urine after iv injection of synthetic LH-RH, but different from those of the synthetic decapeptide.

The LH-RH like immunoreactivity and the gonadotrophins were assayed in daily collected urine during the reproductive cycle of 3 normal women. A midcycle peak of both FSH and LH was found in each subject. No increases of LH-RH like immunoreactivity were found before or concomittant with the gonadotrophins surge. But peaks of urinary LH-RH like immunoreactivity were observed during the luteal phase, without subsequent increase of gonadotrophin secretion.
EFFECT OF PIRIBEDIL ON PLASMA PROLACTIN LEVELS IN WOMEN WITH PUERPERAL OR PATHOLOGICAL HYPERPROLACTINAEMIA
Authors: Müller Eugenio E. , Genazzani Andrea R. , Murru Serena , Fioretti Piero
Published: December 2008

In women with physiological puerperal hyperprolactinaemia, acute administration of Piribedil (100 mg po), a drug which stimulates dopamine receptor sites, was as effective as that of 2-Br-α-ergocryptine (CB 154, 5 mg po) in suppressing the elevated baseline plasma prolactin (PRL) levels. In two hyperprolactinaemic women with radiological evidence of an intrasellar pituitary tumour, Piribedil (100 mg po), in contrast to CB 154 (5 mg po), failed to modify plasma PRL levels, whereas in 3 other hyperprolactinaemic women with no radiological evidence of pituitary tumour, its effect was not clear-cut, even though it could not be differentiated from that of CB 154. These results indicate that Piribedil is an effective suppressor of plasma PRL levels in the human and suggest that its action is more evident in puerperal than in pathological hyperprolactinaemia.
GROWTH HORMONE RELEASING FACTOR AND THE BIOASSAY-RADIOIMMUNOASSAY PARADOX REVISITED
Authors: Vodian Morton A. , Nicoll Charles S.
Published: December 2008

Relationships between depletion of growth hormone (GH) from the rat adenohypophysis and its release into the circulation were re-evaluated using bioassay (BA: rat tibia test) and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Anaesthetized male rats were injected with a putative growth hormone releasing factor ("GRF") and killed 15 and 30 min later. For the assays, the plasma and adenohypophyses were pooled; the latter were separated into granule and cytosol fractions prior to assay.

Fifteen minutes after "GRF" injection the BA recorded a 75 % depletion of GH from the granular fraction but the RIA measured a loss of only 13 %. By 30 min both assays recorded restoration of pituitary GH. Only slight changes occurred in the levels of BA- or RIA-detectable GH in the cytosol fractions. The massive depletion of bioassayable GH from the granule fraction was accompanied by a large increase (3.2 mU/ml) in the plasma concentration of BA-detectable hormone by 15 min. The slight depletion of RIA-detectable GH that occurred during this time was associated with a meagre increase (0.05 mU/ml) in the plasma level of immunoreactive GH. The plasma concentration of BA- and RIA-detectable GH did not change significantly between 15 and 30 min.

Analysis of the relationship between depletion of GH from the pituitary and its release into the extrapituitary compartment disclosed that the BA recordings of these events were in excellent quantitative agreement but RIA measurements were not. The results confirm that biologically active GH can be depleted from and released by the adenohypophysis in vivo independently of RIA-detectable GH.
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF HIGH DOSE OF DES-ASP1-,ILEU8-ANGIOTENSIN II IN MAN
Authors: Kono Tsuyoshi , Oseko Fumimaro , Ikeda Fumitake , Nanno Masataka , Endo Jiro
Published: December 2008

The biological activity of high doses of des-asp1-,ileu8-angiotensin II (AIIIA) was studied in man. In 5 normal men an intravenous infusion of 600 ng/kg/min of AIIIA for 30 min caused a slight rise in blood pressure, a decrease in plasma renin activity and an increase in plasma aldosterone. This dose inhibited pressor and steroidogenic actions of angiotensin II infused into the same 5 normal men at a rate of 20 ng/kg/min for 30 min. These results are considerably different from our previous report using lower dose (200 ng/kg/min) of AIIIA and indicate that in man AIIIA has both agonist and antagonist activities on the peripheral arterioles as well as on the adrenal cortex.
HCG-BINDING CAPACITY OF THE RAT OVARY DURING PREGNANCY
Authors: Siebers J. W. , Wuttke W. , Engel W.
Published: December 2008

During pregnancy, binding of 125I-labelled HCG to the rat ovary increases markedly from the 3rd to the 17th day of pregnancy but is reduced drastically at the end of pregnancy and after delivery. At the 17th day of pregnancy the HCG-binding capacity of the rat ovary is raised 76-fold in comparison to oestrous rats (17th day of pregnancy: 128 × 10−15 mol/mg wet weight; oestrus: 1.67 × 10−15 mol/mg wet weight). It is assumed that only LH receptors not occupied by endogenous hormone are covered by our assay. The high number of "free" ovarian HCG receptors during pregnancy apparently represents "spare" receptors, the functional significance of which remains unclear. It is suggested that the metabolic activity of the ovarian luteal cells during pregnancy is not restricted by the number of HCG receptors present, but through the level of the endogenous gonadotrophic hormone and/or some unknown factors residing in the luteal cell.
IMMUNOCHEMICAL COMPARISONS BETWEEN A LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT ADENOHYPOPHYSEAL CONSTITUENT AND THE GONADOTROPHINS
Authors: Hall H. , Dubois M. P.
Published: December 2008

A biologically active peptide (called sperm-releasing substance, abbreviated SRS) with a molecular weight of about 5000, prepared from bovine adenohypophyses, has been compared with the known adenohypophyseal glycoprotein hormones using immunological methods. By means of immunofluorescence it can be seen that antisera against SRS have an affinity for the gonadotrophic cells in the anterior pituitary. Using complement fixation assay and immunodiffusion, no similarity between SRS and FSH can be found, while there are great resemblances between the reactions of LH and those of SRS. From the radioimmunoassay studies, it can be seen that the α-subunit of LH reacts in the same way as SRS in the different systems. However, using immunofluorescence, the antiserum against SRS has an affinity for the gonadotrophic cells only, like anti-LHβ, and not for the thyrotrophic cells, as has anti-LHa. The reasons for these different results are discussed.
ECTOPIC ACTH SYNDROME AND MEDULLARY THYROID CARCINOMA
Authors: Keusch G. , Binswanger U. , Dambacher M. A. , Fischer J. A.
Published: December 2008

A 40 year old patient with medullary thyroid carcinoma subsequently developed Cushing's syndrome with presumably ectopic ACTH formation. The immunoreactive calcitonin in the plasma was greatly and ACTH slightly increased. Despite the excessively high calcitonin concentration the patient finally developed a serious osteoporosis which presumably resulted from Cushing's syndrome. In this case at least, a raised endogenous plasma calcitonin level did not prevent an osteoporosis caused by hypercortisolism. The autopsy revealed a bilateral hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex and a normal pituitary gland suggesting that Cushing's syndrome was probably caused by an ectopic ACTH source.

Twenty-two additional cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma with Cusing's syndrome reported in the literature have been reviewed. Eighteen out of 23 patients were alkalotic which is typical of an ectopic ACTH production. In these patients the characteristic clinical signs of hypercortisolism were nearly as frequently observed (70 %) as in patients with non-ectopic Cushing's syndrome (91 %). An ectopic Cushing's syndrome occurs only in 2–4 % of advanced cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma and is a serious complication. Among the 23 patients 18 died with an average survival time of only 4.5 months after the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome was established.
THYROXINE METABOLISM IN DIABETIC RATS
Authors: Zaninovich A. A. , Brown T. J. , Boado R. , Bromage N. R. , Matty A. J.
Published: December 2008

The metabolism of thyroxine (T4) was determined in untreated and in insulin-treated diabetic rats. The results were compared with those obtained in a control group. Male Wistar rats weighing approximately 200 g were made diabetic by the intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (6.5 mg/100 g body weight) and 17 of those with blood sugar levels above 500 mg/100 ml were studied. In addition, 11 insulin-treated diabetic and 18 control rats were investigated. All the animals were injected intravenously with a tracer dose of [125I]T4 (1 μCi and 0.015 μg). After this blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture at 16, 24, 40 and 48 h. The 24-h urinary excretion of inorganic 125iodide was also determined. The parameters of T4 metabolism were obtained by the least squares method and by an extrapolation technique. In untreated diabetic rats the fractional T4 turnover was 4.4%h, the distribution space 36.7 ml/100 g body weight, metabolic clearance 1.57 ml/100 g/h and urinary clearance 0.33 ml/100 g/h. The 24-h urinary excretion of 125iodide was 21.3 % of the injected radioactivity. Of these values the distribution space (P < 0.001) and metabolic clearance (P < 0.05) were significantly increased above those in the control animals. In insulin-treated rats all parameters were within normal values. Among these groups the serum T4 concentration was measured in 6 control, 5 untreated diabetic and 6 insulin-treated animals. The untreated diabetic animals had a significantly decreased serum T4 level but this was balanced by an enlarged distribution space so that the final hormone degradation was normal. In addition, the T4 binding activity of serum was assessed by the in vitro red cells uptake of [125I] T4 and by determining the proportion of serum free T4. Both these indices indicated a decrease in serum binding activity in the diabetic animals. The data suggest that the fall in serum T4 levels observed in the untreated diabetic rats was the result of decreased plasma binding of T4 and an increase in distribution space precipitated by lack of insulin.
ISLET CONTENTS OF CYCLIC 3′,5′-GUANOSINE MONOPHOSPHATE UNDER CONDITIONS WHICH AFFECT THE CYCLIC 3′,5′-ADENOSINE MONOPHOSPHATE
Authors: Gagerman Eva , Hellman Bo
Published: December 2008

The sensitivity of the radioimmunoassay for cGMP was considerably increased by previous 2′-O-succinylation of the nucleotide. The basal content of cGMP in β-cell-rich pancreatic islets isolated from ob/ob-mice was similar to that of cAMP, i. e. about 3 μmoles per kg dry weight. Extracellular Ca2+ was a prerequisite for maintaining this amount of cGMP. The islet cGMP differed from cAMP in being only slightly enhanced or not affected at all when the islets were exposed to high concentrations of glucose, the sulphydryl reagents chloromercuribenzene-p-sulphonic acid and iodoacetamide, or the potent phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine. The data obtained suggest that the turnover rate for cGMP is much slower than that for cAMP in the pancreatic β-cells. The interrelationships between the two cyclic nucleotides do not seem to fit into a simple pattern of antagonism.
SOMATOMEDIN PRODUCTION IN NORMAL ADULTS AND CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS
Authors: Schimpff R. M. , Lebrec D. , Donnadieu M.
Published: December 2008

The somatomedin (SM) activity was measured in blood samples withdrawn simultaneously from hepatic (HV) and peripheral (PV) veins in 10 adult patients without liver disease (control group) and in 18 alcoholic patients with cirrhosis.

SM activity in the control group was 1.27 ± 0.18 U/ml (mean ± sem) in the HV and 1.00 ± 0.17 U/ml in the PV. In patients with cirrhosis the SM activity was respectively 0.50 ± 0.05 and 0.56 ± 0.06 U/ml. SM activity was greater in the normal subjects than in the cirrhotic patients (P < 0.001 when SM activity measured in the HV, and P < 0.01 when measured in the PV).

Close examination of the means of differences of SM activity between the HV and PV, showed that the differences were significantly different from 0 in control only (P < 0.02). At least, this difference (0.275 ± 0.093 U/ml) is greater (P < 0.01) than the one observed in cirrhotic patients (0.066 ± 0.036 U/ml).

In 16 subjects, the hepatic blood flow was measured, and the mean hepatic SM activity production was estimated to be 398 ± 334 U/min in 6 subjects from the control group, and 16 U/min in 10 patients with cirrhosis. The difference is significant (P < 0.01). The relationship between SM activity, biochemical liver function parameters, hepatic blood flow and immunoreactive growth hormone were also studied. The results confirm that the liver is involved in serum somatomedin activity generation.
IN VITRO RESPONSES OF FOCAL HYPERPLASTIC TISSUE OF THE HUMAN ADRENAL ZONA FASCICULATA TO ACTH
Authors: Honn Kenneth V. , Chavin Walter , Singhakowinta Amnuay
Published: December 2008

The temporal cAMP, cortisol and aldosterone responses to ACTH of focal hyperplasia of the zona fasciculata and of normal human adrenocortical tissue were investigated. ACTH significantly increased cAMP levels (1 min) and cortisol output (2 min) in normal adrenal tissue but not in hyperplastic tissue. However, following ACTH treatment cortisol and aldosterone production were depressed in the abnormal adrenal tissue below the untreated or the ACTH stimulated normal adrenal tissue. In addition, basal cortisol and aldosterone production of the hyperplastic adrenal tissue was elevated above that of the normal adrenal tissue. These findings suggest that the cAMP second messenger concept may be only one of several mechanisms in the modulation of human adrenocortical function.