bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of maternal iodine deficiency and thyroidectomy on basal neuroendocrine function in rat pups
Authors: Kondo K , Levy A , Lightman S L
Published: December 2004

We have used in situ hybridization histochemistry to investigate the effects of maternal thyroidectomy and chronic maternal iodine deficiency on basal neuroendocrine function in rat pups. Specifically, we have measured hypothalamic thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) and pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) expression together with circulating levels of tri-iodothyronine (T3) in rat pups delivered from and suckled by thyroidectomized or iodine-deficient dams. Because of the close interaction between the thyroid, adrenal and growth hormone axes, we have also examined hypothalamic corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GRH) transcripts at the same time points: birth, 1 month and 2 months of age.

Three weeks after surgical thyroidectomy, adult female Sprague–Dawley rats proved unable to carry pups to term and lactate successfully. Pups delivered from thyroidectomized dams given a small replacement dose of T3 during pregnancy were significantly lighter than controls (84 ± 3%) and had markedly depressed plasma T3 levels (36 ±6% of control). Hypothalamic CRH and GRH transcript levels were significantly decreased in pups at birth (to 8±2·5% and 24 ± 8% of control respectively) but had returned to normal by 1 month after delivery. Pituitary TSH transcript levels and hypothalamic levels of TRH transcripts, however, were similar to those of controls.

Only one of seven dams fed a low-iodine diet for 6 months produced live pups, and these were too few in number to produce significant data. Dams fed a lowiodine diet from 4 months before mating, however, did produce live pups and although they were not significantly lighter than control pups at birth, by 1 month after birth, they were significantly lighter (72 ± 3% of controls). Circulating T3 levels were not significantly different from control at any time point examined. Hypothalamic TRH levels were significantly elevated at birth (451 ± 138% of control), but this difference was not maintained at 1 or 2 months after birth despite the lactating dams being maintained on the low-iodine diet. Pituitary TSH levels showed an upward trend at all time points that reached significance at 1 month after birth (204 ± 19%; P<0·05). Hypothalamic CRH and GRH transcript levels were not different from controls at any time point.

In summary, chronic iodine deficiency or thyroidectomy with low-level T3 replacement in Sprague–Dawley rats markedly impaired fertility and the ability to carry pups to term, and produced an unexpectedly modest up-regulation of the hypothalamo–pituitary–thyroid axis and down-regulation of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 152, 423–430
Continuous intracerebroventricular administration of a corticotropin releasing hormone antagonist amplifies spontaneous growth hormone pulses in the rat
Authors: Mounier F , Pellegrini E , Kordon C , Epelbaum J , Bluet-Pajot M T
Published: December 2004

Involvement of endogenous corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) in the regulation of spontaneous growth hormone (GH) secretion was investigated. A CRH antagonist, α helical CRH 9–41, was intracerebroventricularly infused for 36 h at a rate of 1 μg/0·5 μl/h to freely moving, cannulated adult male rats. Serial blood samples were drawn every 20 min for the last 8 hours of α helical CRH 9–41 infusion. The treatment induced a marked increase in GH peak amplitude without affecting either trough levels or numbers of peaks. In parallel, levels of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) mRNA in the arcuate nucleus, but not of somatotropin release inhibiting hormone (SRIH) mRNA in the periventricular and arcuate nuclei, were increased. These data suggest that, in addition to its action in the stress-induced inhibition of GH secretion through regulation of periventricular SRIH neurons, CRH can also act as a modulator of endogenous GH secretion through regulation of arcuate GHRH neurons. Whether the modulatory effects of CRH on GHRH neurons are direct or indirect remains to be established.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 152, 431–436
Ethanol, growth hormone and testosterone in peripubertal rats
Authors: Tentler J J , LaPaglia N , Steiner J , Williams D , Castelli M , Kelley M R , Emanuele N V , Emanuele M A
Published: December 2004

The deleterious effects of ethanol on the hypothalamic pituitary growth hormone axis in adult male humans and animals have been well documented. It is also well established that ethanol has toxic effects on testicular function in adult humans and animals. Much less is known, however, about the effects of ethanol on the growth hormone (GH) axis and testicular function in adolescence. Recent studies have established that adolescent problem drinking is a widespread and growing threat to the health of young people in the United States. In the present study, therefore, we investigated if acute ethanol exposure in peripubertal male Sprague–Dawley rats altered normal pituitary and testicular function.

Serum levels of GH and testosterone were measured at 1·5, 3, 6, and 24 h after a single i.p. injection of either saline or 3 g/kg body weight ethanol. Histologic analysis as well as serum testosterone levels allowed us to assign animals to either early puberty (35-day-old animals), mid-puberty (41-day-old animals), or young adult (51- and 66-day-old animals) status. Ethanol produced significant decrements in serum testosterone in the 51-and 66-day-old animals, with a trend toward suppression in the 41-day-old group. Furthermore acute ethanol administration significantly decreased serum GH (P< 0·0001 by 3 way ANOVA) demonstrating a significant effect of ethanol on serum GH in all age groups and at all time points studied when compared with saline injected controls (P<0·01 by Tukey's studentized range test). Despite this significant fall in peripheral GH levels, there was no decrease in either GH mRNA or growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) mRNA levels nor in hypothalamic concentration of GRF peptide.

We conclude that, as in adult animals, acute exposure to ethanol causes a prolonged and severe decrement in serum GH which is possibly mediated at the level of secretion. In addition, there is attenuation in testosterone secretion. These data are all the more important since GH and testosterone play critical roles in organ maturation during this stage of development.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 152, 477–487
Differential effect of insulin treatment on islet amyloid polypeptide (amylin) and insulin gene expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats
Authors: Mulder H , Ahrén B , Sundler F
Published: December 2004

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is a β cell hormone, which forms islet amyloid in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and may oppose insulin action and release. Therefore, the previously observed relative overexpression of IAPP compared with insulin in streptozotocin-treated rats could be unfavourable if it occurs in diabetes. Using quantitative in situ hybridization, we examined whether insulin treatment affected IAPP and insulin gene expression and their ratio at day 8 and 20 after induction of streptozotocin diabetes (plasma glucose ∼ 30 mm). Total islet IAPP mRNA levels were less reduced than those of insulin at both time points. Differential regulation of the two hormones was further reflected by mean IAPP mRNA levels in the remaining islet cells being unaffected by streptozotocin treatment, whereas those of insulin were reduced. At both time points, insulin treatment decreased total islet levels of IAPP and insulin mRNA even more, IAPP mRNA levels being less reduced. Mean insulin mRNA levels, but not IAPP mRNA levels, in the remaining islet cells were reduced by insulin treatment. Between time points, total islet mRNA levels were higher at day 20, while mean mRNA levels in the remaining islet cells were unchanged, suggesting that regeneration of β cells had occurred. In contrast, insulin gene expression was the same at both time points in insulin-treated rats, suggesting that insulin impaired insulin expression. To summarize, we found that IAPP and insulin were differentially expressed in experimental diabetes and that insulin treatment inhibited insulin, but not IAPP, gene expression. It is therefore unlikely that insulin will protect against amyloid formation and metabolic perturbations which may arise as a consequence of IAPP overexpression.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 152, 495–501
MATERNAL DIABETES INDUCES UPREGULATION OF HEPATIC INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR BINDING PROTEIN-1 MRNA EXPRESSION, GROWTH RETARDATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY AT THE SAME STAGE OF RAT FETAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Rajaratnam Veeraramani S. , Webb Peggy J. , Fishman Renata B. , Streck Randal D.
Published: December 2004

Since maternal diabetes is associated with fetal growth abnormalities in humans and rats, effects of maternal diabetes on fetal expression of genes regulating growth are of interest. Increased expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 (IGFBP-1) is associated with several examples of growth retardation and is upregulated in response to diabetes. As we have shown previously, IGFBP-1 expression is upregulated in gestational day (GD) 14 rat fetuses in response to maternal diabetes. Here we analyze the effect of streptozotocin-induced maternal diabetes on IGFBP-1 mRNA expression during GD12-16 of rat fetal development, using in situ hybridization. IGFBP-1 mRNA was more abundant in GD12-14 fetal livers from diabetic dams than in livers of age-matched controls. This upregulation is not due to the approximately 1-day fetal developmental delay associated with maternal diabetes, as there is no gross difference in the level of IGFBP-1 mRNA in GD13 vs GD12 or GD14 vs GD13 control fetal livers. At GD15-16, however, we detected little difference in IGFBP-1 expression between experimental and control fetuses. This transient period of maternal diabetes-stimulated IGFBP-1 mRNA expression (GD12-14) is coincident with the sensitive period for maternal diabetes-induced defects in fetal growth and development, suggesting that IGFBP-1 is involved in the regulation of fetal growth and development in response to the maternal condition.
Thyroid hormone and glucocorticoid regulation of pituitary growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor gene expression
Authors: Korytko A I , Cuttler L
Published: December 2004

The GH-releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) is a critical link between hypothalamic GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and pituitary GH secretion. However, the factors that regulate GHRH-R are not well understood. Despite the importance of thyroid hormone and glucocorticoids in influencing the GH axis in vivo, it is not known whether these hormones act directly at the pituitary to regulate expression of GHRH-R. We tested the effects of T3 and hydrocortisone on GHRH-R gene expression in primary pituitary cell cultures of adult male rats. Pituitary cells were treated for 24 h with increasing concentrations of T3 (0.06-60 nM) or hydrocortisone (2.8 nM-2.8 μM). GHRH-R mRNA levels were assessed by ribonuclease protection assay. T3 caused a striking dose-dependent increase in GHRH-R mRNA, reaching levels 5.1 ± 0.5 fold over controls (P<0·001). Hydrocortisone also stimulated a marked dose-dependent increase in GHRH-R mRNA, reaching levels 5.6 ± 0.7 fold over controls (P<0·001). Combined treatment with both hormones did not cause further augmentation of GHRH-R mRNA levels. These data indicate that T3 and hydrocortisone act directly at the pituitary as potent regulators of GHRH-R gene expression.
Two oxytocin-binding site subtypes in rat kidney: pharmacological characterization, ontogeny and localization by in vitro and in vivo autoradiography
Authors: Arpin-Bott M P , Waltisperger E , Freund-Mercier M J , Stoeckel M E
Published: December 2004

The localization of oxytocin (OT)-binding sites in the developing rat kidney and their pharmacological characterization were investigated by means of autoradiographic techniques. The cellular localization was studied by application of the histoautoradiographic technique to (1) frozen sections and semithin sections from kidney slices incubated in vitro in the presence of a 125I-labelled OT antagonist and (2) frozen and semithin sections from kidneys after in vivo systemic infusion of the radioligand. Pharmacological characteristics were determined in competition experiments by using quantitative film autoradiography.

Specific OT-binding sites were first detected at embryonic day 17 (E17) in the cortex. At early stages up to postnatal days (PN30), the cortical OT-binding sites were highly concentrated on the juxta- and paraglomerular portion of the distal tubule; in the adult they were restricted to the macula densa. In the medulla, OT-binding sites were first detected at E19 when this region is forming; they were localized on the thin limb of Henle's loop. These data obtained by in vitro binding were confirmed by in vivo binding at PN30 which showed, in addition, the presence in one rat of OT-binding sites in the inner stripe of the outer medulla.

At all stages examined (PN15 to PN90), cortical OT-binding sites had a higher selectivity for OT versus vasopressin (IC50=0·78 ± 0·04 nm and 8 ± 0·5 nm respectively at PN90) than medullary sites (IC50= 1·9 ± 0·27 nm and 2±1·13 nm respectively at PN90). These data suggest that the OT-binding sites of the macula densa and thin Henle's loop, detected in the rat kidney, represent two subtypes of OT receptors which could mediate distinct effects of OT on kidney function.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 153, 49–59
Solid-phase assay for insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding to IGF-binding protein-3: application to the study of the effects of antibodies and heparin
Authors: Koedam J A , Hoogerbrugge C M , van Buul-Offers S C , Van den Brande J L
Published: December 2004

The availability and activity of insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) are largely determined by a group of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). We have developed a new assay to characterize the interaction between the IGFs and IGFBP-3. In this assay, recombinant IGFBP-3 (5 ng) was immobilized on plastic microtitre wells, after which radiolabelled IGF-I or -II was allowed to bind. The assay is highly specific, since neither IGF bound to control wells blocked with albumin. By constructing both saturation and competition binding curves, equivalence of binding between the radiolabelled and native IGF ligands could be demonstrated. From these curves, reliable specific activities of the tracers were calculated. Scatchard plots of both types of data produced identical results for dissociation constants and number of binding sites. The affinity of IGF-II was twice as high as the affinity of IGF-I (dissociation constants of 44 and 102 pm respectively).

The assay was used to show that polyclonal anti-IGFBP-3 antibodies could block binding of IGF. Alkylating agents and NaCl were without effect, but chaotropic salts such as CaCl2 and NaSCN decreased IGF binding to IGFBP-3. IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3, but not an N-terminal fragment of IGFBP-3, could effectively block binding of both IGF-I and IGF-II to the solid-phase IGFBP-3. Increasing concentrations of heparin had little or no effect on IGF-I binding, but strongly inhibited IGF-II binding. This was shown to be a consequence of a decrease in both the affinity and the number of binding sites. Possibly, the interaction of IGFBP-3 with heparin or heparin-like structures in vivo can lead to the selective release of IGF-II from this binding protein. Our results with heparin also suggest that the binding sites on IGFBP-3 for IGF-I and IGF-II are not completely identical.

This assay can be applied to the study of various aspects of the interaction between the IGFs and IGFBP-3, such as the effects of interfering substances and structure–function relationships of both moieties of the complex.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 153, 87–97
Immunoneutralization of interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6 or interferon does not prevent the LPS-induced sick euthyroid syndrome in mice
Authors: Boelen A , Platvoet-ter Schiphorst M C , Wiersinga W M
Published: December 2004

The sick euthyroid syndrome is a state of altered thyroid hormone metabolism which occurs during illness. The pathogenesis is incompletely understood but recent studies indicate a role of cytokines. It is unknown if cytokines released during illness are directly responsible for the changes in thyroid hormone metabolism. Therefore we studied if previous immunoneutralization of cytokines can prevent endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide LPS), induced sick euthyroid syndrome.

LPS administration resulted in systemic illness, an increase in serum tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) and interleukin (IL)-6 and a decrease in serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Immunoneutralization of the effects of cytokines was accomplished by administration of monoclonal antibodies against mouse IL-1 type-1 receptor (IL-1R), TNFα, IL-6 or interferon (IFNα) prior to LPS. The LPS-induced release of cytokines was affected by previous immunoneutralization as compared with control experiments with normal immunoglobulin (IgG): anti-IL-1R did not affect serum TNFα but decreased serum IL-6, anti-TNFα decreased serum TNFα but not IL-6, anti-IL-6 did not affect serum TNFα but hugely increased IL-6 and anti-IFNγ decreased both serum TNFα and IL-6. Specific immunoneutralization of IL-1, TNFα or IFNγ did not prevent the LPS-induced decrease in serum T3, T4 and liver 5′-deiodinase mRNA. However, immunoneutralization of IL-6, although not preventing the fall in serum T3 and T4, did mitigate the LPS-induced decrease in liver 5′-deiodinase mRNA.

In view of possible non-specific effects of the huge dose of immunoglobulins (1 mg), used only in the immunoneutralization of IL-6, we repeated the experiment with F(ab′)2 fragments of anti-IL-6 antibodies. Compared with F(ab′)2 fragments of control IgG, anti-IL-6 F(ab′)2 did not affect the LPS-induced rise in serum TNFα or the decrease in serum T3 and T4 and liver 5′-deiodinase mRNA. Serum IL-6 levels induced by LPS were, however, cleared more rapidly from the circulation when anti-IL-6 F(ab′)2 fragments rather than intact anti-IL-6 were administered. In conclusion, immunoneutralization of IL-1, TNFα or IFNγ did not prevent the LPS-induced sick euthyroid syndrome in mice; immunoneutralization of IL-6, however, transiently inhibits the LPS-induced decrease of liver 5′-deiodinase mRNA.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 153, 115–122
Parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related protein receptor expression in nude mice with a transplantable canine apocrine adenocarcinoma (CAC-8) and humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy
Authors: Gröne A , McCauley L K , Capen C C , Rosol T J
Published: December 2004

The effect of humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy (HHM) on parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormonerelated protein (PTH/PTHrP) receptor expression was investigated in nude mice with subcutaneous transplantation of an adenocarcinoma line (CAC-8) which produces PTHrP. Serum calcium and PTHrP concentrations were analysed by colorimetric assay and a two-site IRMA respectively. Mice were hypercalcaemic (3·3 ±0·1 mmol/l) compared with non-tumour-bearing control mice (2·1 ± 0·1 mmol/l) and had elevated serum PTHrP concentrations (30·4 ±3·4 pmol/l) compared with non-tumour-bearing control mice (0·7 ±0·1 pmol/l. Lumbar vertebrae were analysed by histomorphometry. Tumourbearing mice had a significant (P<0·01) increase in resorptive perimeter, increased numbers of osteoclasts/mm endosteum and increased endosteal bone-forming perimeter. Total RNA was isolated from calvarium, humerus and kidney and analysed for PTH/PTHrP receptor expression by Northern blot analysis. There was no significant difference between PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA expression in the kidneys and humeri of tumourbearing mice compared with non-tumour control mice, but a significant increase in PTH/PTHrP receptor expression in calvaria. Kidneys and vertebral bodies were stained for PTH/PTHrP receptor protein by immunohistochemistry. Renal proximal tubules (especially the basolateral regions) and endosteal osteoblasts of control and tumourbearing mice stained positive for PTH/PTHrP receptor. These results demonstrated that HHM induced by increased serum PTHrP concentrations did not result in down-regulation of PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA or protein expression in vivo.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 153, 123–129
Jurkat cell proliferative activity is increased by luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone
Authors: Azad N , LaPaglia N , Kirsteins L , Uddin S , Steiner J , Williams D W , Lawrence A M , Emanuele N V
Published: December 2004

Jurkat cells were used to study the immunomodulatory role of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in immune cells. The Jurkat cell, a human mature leukemic cell line, phenotypically resembles resting human T lymphocytes and has been widely used to study T cell physiology. The data from this study demonstrate that the Jurkat cell concentration of immunoreactive LHRH was 210 ± 36 pg/106 cells and that of proLHRH was 188 ± 27 pg/106 cells (means ± s.e.m.). The authenticity of this LHRH immunoreactivity is documented in two ways. First, both Jurkat LHRH and proLHRH immunoreactivity demonstrate dilutional parallelism with hypothalamic LHRH and proLHRH. Second, Jurkat lysates show LHRH bioactivity by releasing luteinizing hormone from rat anterior pituitary cells in culture. The presence of substantial amounts of LHRH in medium in which Jurkat cells were cultured for 72 h indicated that LHRH can be released from the cells. Using specific primers to exons 2 and 4 of the LHRH gene, we have found that Jurkat cells (like human T cells) express LHRH mRNA.

The LHRH agonist, des-Gly10,d-Trp6-LHRH ethylamide, significantly increases the proliferative activity of Jurkat cells, as assessed by tritiated thymidine incorporation, from 15 980 ± 1491 c.p.m. in controls to 28 934 ± 3395, 30 457 ± 3861 (P=0·05 vs control) or 35 299 ± 5586 c.p.m. (P<0·01 vs control) with 10−11, 10−9 or 10−7 m agonist respectively. LHRH antagonist, [d-pGlu1,d-Phe2,d-Trp3,6]-LHRH, at a concentration of 10−8 m decreases Jurkat cell proliferative activity from 17 145 ± 526 c.p.m. in control medium to 10 653 ± 1323 c.p.m. (P=0·05). Co-incubation with the LHRH antagonist completely inhibits the proliferative stimulation induced by the LHRH agonist. Furthermore, applying monoclonal LHRH antibody to Jurkat cells inhibits the cell proliferative activity assessed by tritiated thymidine incorporation from 19 900 ± 2675 c.p.m. in controls to 15 680 ± 2254, 15 792 ± 1854 and 9700 ± 908 c.p.m. in media with 1:40, 1:20 and 1:10 dilution of purified antibody respectively (P<0·01, 1:10 dilution compared with control). In addition, the cAMP level in LHRH-stimulated Jurkat cells is decreased to 74, 27 and 57% of control levels after 15, 30 and 45 min respectively of exposure to 10−7 m LHRH agonist.

In summary, Jurkat cells produce, process and release immunoreactive and bioactive LHRH, as do normal human T cells. Endogenous and exogenous LHRH increase Jurkat cell proliferative activity, and cAMP may be involved in LHRH-induced Jurkat cell proliferation. The Jurkat cell may be a useful model with which to study the role of LHRH in human T cell function.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 153, 241–24
Testosterone-induced susceptibility to Plasmodium chabaudi malaria: persistence after withdrawal of testosterone
Authors: Benten W P M , Ulrich P , Kühn-Velten W N , Vohr H-W , Wunderlich F
Published: December 2004

Testosterone induces susceptibility to Plasmodium chabaudi malaria by imposing restrictions on those mechanisms which mediate resistance controlled by genes of the H-2 complex and the non-H-2 background in mice. This study investigated whether these restrictions are abolished after withdrawal of testosterone. Female mice of the inbred strain C57BL/10 were treated with 0·9 mg testosterone twice a week for 3 weeks and testosterone was then withdrawn for 12 weeks. The treatment raised plasma testosterone levels from 0·18 ng/ml to 3·79 ng/ml. After the testosterone treatment, these levels progressively dropped and reached 0·21 ng/ml by week 12 after testosterone withdrawal. Surprisingly, however, the testosterone-induced susceptibility still persisted. When mice were challenged on week 12 after testosterone withdrawal, P. chabaudi infections were still fatal in testosterone-treated mice, in contrast to self-healing infections in resistant, i.e. untreated, control mice. In addition, testosterone caused a persistent decrease in the levels of total IgG antibodies, especially IgG1 and IgG2b isotypes. In contrast, testosterone-induced changes in spleen cells, such as the reduction in number by 50%, the relative increase in CD8+ cells and the decrease in Ig+ cells, as well as the acquisition of the susceptible phenotype, were completely reversed on week 10 after testosterone withdrawal at the latest. Testosterone did not affect the production of the TH1-signalling cytokine interferon-γ and the TH2-signalling cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 in response to P. chabaudi malaria. Together, our data indicated that the gene-controlled host resistance to P. chabaudi malaria is subject to superior hormonal imprinting: when once induced by testosterone, mechanisms which suppress resistance thus causing susceptibility persist independently of testosterone.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 153, 275–281
Stem cell factor and c-kit in the mammalian testis: lessons originating from Mother Nature's gene knockouts
Authors: Loveland K L , Schlatt S
Published: December 2004

Analysis of mice with naturally occurring mutations in the genes encoding the tyrosine kinase receptor protein, c-kit, and its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF), has implicated these proteins in testicular development and function because of the phenotype of these mice of reduced or absent fertility. Descriptive and functional studies have highlighted the involvement of these proteins in primordial germ cell migration and survival, and in spermatogonial proliferation, survival and adhesion. This review summarises the current knowledge regarding functions of c-kit and SCF in the testis and discusses the implications of information gleaned from other biological systems.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 153, 337–344
Platelet-derived growth factor, insulin-like growth factors, fibroblast growth factors and transforming growth factor β do not account for the cell growth activity present in bovine milk
Authors: Belford D A , Rogers M-L , Francis G L , Payne C , Ballard F J , Goddard C
Published: December 2004

Cation-exchange chromatography effectively concentrates the cell growth activity present in whey and we have used this process as a basis to characterise further the growth factors present in bovine milk. Under neutral conditions, total bioactivity in the growth factor-enriched cation-exchange fraction chromatographed with an apparent molecular mass of 80–100 kDa. In contrast, acid gelfiltration chromatography resolved two peaks of cell growth activity. A peak at 15–25 kDa contained the bulk of growth activity for Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts while bioactivity for L6 myoblasts and skin fibroblasts eluted with a molecular mass of 6 kDa. A peak of inhibitory activity for Mv1Lu and MDCK cells also eluted at 15–25 kDa. Both IGF-I and IGF-II were purified from fractions that eluted at 6 kDa, although the IGF peptides alone did not account for the total bioactivity recovered. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), identified by radioreceptor assay, eluted at a slightly higher molecular mass than the peak of growth activity for Balb/c 3T3 cells, and an anti-PDGF antibody was without effect on the growth of Balb/c 3T3 cells in response to the whey-derived factors. Further purification of the inhibitory activity for epithelial cells yielded a sequence for transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and all inhibitory activity for Mv1Lu cells was immuno-neutralised by an antibody against TGF-β. In contrast, this antibody decreased the growth of Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts in the whey-derived extract by only 10%. Finally, a cocktail of recombinant growth factors containing IGF-I, IGF-II, PDGF, TGF-β and fibroblast growth factor 2 stimulated growth of Balb/c 3T3 cells to a level equivalent to only 51% of that observed in the milk-derived growth factor preparation. We conclude that: (i) cell growth activity recovered from bovine whey is present in acid-labile high molecular weight complexes; (ii) all cell growth inhibitory activity for epithelial cells can be accounted for by TGF-β; (iii) IGF-I and IGF-II co-elute with the major peak of activity for L6 myoblasts and skin fibroblasts, although the IGF peptides alone do not explain the growth of these cells in the whey-derived extract; and (iv) neither PDGF nor TGF-β account for the 15–25 kDa peak of Balb/c 3T3 growth activity. These data suggest the presence of additional mitogenic factors in bovine milk.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 154, 45–55
Age and sex related differences in serum levels of unconjugated dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulphate in normal subjects
Authors: Šulcová J , Hill M , Hampl R , Stárka L
Published: December 2004

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and unconjugated dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) have been determined in the blood serum of normal subjects of both sexes from 1 month to 100 years of age. In total, 92 girls, 49 boys, 211 women and 110 men were investigated. The effects of age and sex on the levels of the hormones were measured.

DHEAS levels declined rapidly during the first year of life and were maintained at a minimum level for 5 years. They increased significantly from 6 to 7 years of age and reached maximum levels in women at about 24 years and in men at about 30 years of age. They then declined rapidly in both sexes but the fall which occurred after 50 and 60 years of age respectively was only moderate. Age-related unconjugated DHEA levels were different. After the first month of life DHEA levels were relatively high and declined more slowly. The minimum level was observed in girls between 5 and 7 years and in boys between 5 and 9 years of age. A significant rise then began and levels reached a maximum in women as well as in men at about 20 years of age. In men levels then declined up to the age of 80. In women the DHEA levels declined during the next 15 years and from approximately 36 years of age they again rose significantly up to a second peak. A mild but significant decline then resumed.

There was a difference in the levels of DHEA and DHEAS depending on sex. Unlike DHEAS, unconjugated DHEA was higher in women than in men. However, this difference was significant only in some age groups: during puberty (between 11 and 15 years of age), in the premenopausal period (between 36 and 45 years of age) and in the older group (after 60 years of age).

Age- and sex-related dependencies were different between DHEAS and DHEA. They indicate the possible variable secretion and dynamics of their (inter)conversion. We have concluded that DHEA measurements cannot be a substitute for DHEAS and vice versa.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 154, 57–62
Evidence suggesting that cadmium induces a non-thyroidal illness syndrome in the rat
Authors: Pavia M A , Paier B , Noli M I , Hagmüller K , Zaninovich A A
Published: December 2004

The effect of in vivo administration of cadmium chloride on the pituitary-thyroidal axis was assessed in 200 g body weight Wistar rats. A dose of 2·5 mg/kg body weight was injected i.v. 24 h before the experiments were initiated. Plasma thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) concentrations in cadmium-treated rats were significantly (P<0·01) decreased, whereas plasma TSH failed to increase in response to low T4 and T3. However, the TSH response to TRH and the pituitary content of TSH in these rats were both normal. Cadmium induced a significant (P<0·01) decrease in 4-h thyroidal 131I uptake and in thyroid/plasma radioactivity ratio. The in vitro conversion of T4 to T3 in the pituitary was significantly (P<0·01) blocked by cadmium whereas there was no in vivo effect. Parameters of peripheral T4 kinetics in cadmium-treated rats, such as metabolic clearance rate (P<0·01), fractional turnover rate (P<0·01), absolute disposal rate (P<0·05), urinary clearance (P<0·05) and faecal clearance (P<0·05), were all decreased by cadmium. The lack of response of TSH to low plasma T4 and T3 and the normal response to exogenous TRH in this and in other non-thyroidal illness syndromes produced by other pathologies suggest a decreased stimulation of pituitary thyrotrophs by endogenous TRH.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 154, 113–117
Characterization of the binding of 3,3′-di-iodo-l-thyronine to rat liver mitochondria
Authors: Lombardi A , Moreno M , Horst C , Goglia F , Lanni A
Published: December 2004

The binding of labelled 3,3′-di-iodo-l-thyronine (3,3′-T2) to isolated rat liver mitochondria has been characterized. Specific binding could be detected only in the inner mitochondrial membrane, not in other mitochondrial subfractions. The composition of the incubation medium influenced the binding capacity, the best combination of high specific binding and low non-specific binding being observed in phosphate buffer, pH 6·4.

The specific binding of 3,3′-T2 to mitochondria requires low ionic strength: concentrations of K+ and Na+ higher than 10 mmol/l and 0·1 mmol/l respectively resulted in a decreased binding capacity. The optimal calcium ion concentration was in the range 0·01–1·0 mmol/l. Varying magnesium ion, over the range of concentrations used (0·1–100 mmol/l), had no effect. Both ADP and ATP, at over 1 mmol/l, resulted in an inhibition of the specific binding. Incubation with protease resulted in a decrease in specific binding and an increase in non-specific binding, thus indicating the proteic nature of the binding sites. In addition to the above factors in the local environment the thyroid state of the animal might influence the 3,3′-T2-binding capacity. In fact, the thyroid state of the animal seemed not to have an influence on the affinity constant, but it did affect binding capacity.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 154, 119–124
Mitogenic effects of thyroxine and TRH on thyrotrophs and somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland in thyroidectomized rats
Authors: Quintanar-Stephano A , Valverde-R C
Published: December 2004

The question of whether thyroxine (T4) and TRH have a mitogenic effect on pituitary thyrotrophs and somatotrophs in thyroidectomized rats was investigated. Mitoses were counted in hematoxylin–eosin-stained or periodic acid–Schiff–hematoxylin-stained pituitary slides or immunostained for TSH or GH using male rats thyroidectomized for 5 months. Ten days before they were killed groups of rats were injected with different doses of T4 (0·5, 3 or 10 μg i.m. every second day for 10 days), TRH alone (100 ng s.c. three times a day for 10 days), or T4 plus TRH (same doses as above). Mitoses (stopped with colchicine) were counted in 1 mm2 areas at a magnification of × 1000. In thyroidectomized rats, mitoses were not significantly increased and treatment with TRH or 0·5 μg T4 alone in thyroidectomized rats did not affect mitotic counts. In thyroidectomized rats treated with higher doses of T4, mitoses were increased in a dose-dependent fashion. Simultaneous administration of TRH and T4 had a significant synergistic effect on pituitary mitoses in a T4 dose-dependent manner. The treatments also had differential effects on the relative percentages of cellular types in mitosis. Thus, 60% somatotrophs and 12·5% thyrotrophs were found in the euthyroid group. In thyroidectomized and thyroidectomized plus TRH groups, no somatotrophs in mitosis were seen, while thyrotrophs were 28·5% and 33·3% respectively. In thyroidectomized rats treated with low doses of T4, somatotrophs and thyrotrophs in mitosis increased to 38·4% and 80% respectively and, with simultaneous administration of a low dose of T4 plus TRH, although less effective than T4 alone, mitosis increased in somatotrophs and thyrotrophs to 11·1% and 54·5% respectively. A high dose of T4 alone did not increase the mitotic figures in somatotrophs (38·8%), while it diminished the percentage of thyrotrophs to 25%. The administration of high doses of T4 plus TRH had an opposite effect on the mitotic figures of somatotrophs and thyrotrophs and thus the percentage of somatotrophs increased to 50% while thyrotrophs decreased to 5·5%. Ten days of treatment with T4 were insufficient to reverse the histology to euthyroidism. It can be concluded that in long-standing hypothyroidism: (1) thyroid hormone replacement elicits a dose-dependent and differential proliferative response on pituitary thyrotrophs and somatotrophs, (2) TRH is devoid of mitogenic effects when administered alone and (3) the proliferative response of somatotrophs to T4 is enhanced by its co-administration with TRH, suggesting a permissive and/or synergistic effect of the thyroid hormone and TRH.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 154, 149–153
Glucose homeostasis with infinite gain: further lessons from the Daisyworld parable?
Authors: Koeslag J H , Saunders P T , Wessels J A
Published: December 2004

A major unresolved physiological problem is how the rate of hepatic glucose production is increased to match the increased rate of glucose utilization during exercise without a change in arterial blood glucose level. A homeostat with such capabilities is said to have infinite gain.

Daisyworld is an imaginary planet orbiting a variable star. The only life is black and white daisies. Black daisies retain heat, slightly warming the planet; white daisies cool it. When the two types of daisies grow best at slightly different temperatures, variations in solar luminosity (over a wide range) cause the ratio of white:black daisies to vary in a manner that keeps the planetary temperature constant. This model therefore achieves infinite gain by having two opposing but interdependent controllers.

Here we suggest that the pancreatic islet α- and β-cells might act as black and white daisies. For the analogy to apply, glucagon and insulin must not only have opposing effects on the blood sugar concentration, but the secretion of the one has, at some quantum level, to be at the expense of the other. Electrical coupling between heterocellular groups of α- and β-cells within the pancreatic islets suggests that this might indeed be the case. α-Cell activity must, furthermore, promote secretory activity in other α-cells; similarly with β-cells. This is probably mediated via pancreastatin and γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) which are paracrinically co-secreted with glucagon and insulin, respectively. α-Cell activity spreads (at the expense of β-cell activity) when the blood glucose level is below set point, while β-cell activity progressively replaces α-cell activity above set point. At set point changes in the ratio of α:β-cell activity are inhibited.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 154, 187–192
Evidence for steroidogenic luteal cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia during pregnancy in the rat
Authors: Gaytán F , Bellido C , Morales C , Aguilar E , Sánchez-Criado J E
Published: December 2004

The proliferative activity of the rat corpus luteum was studied on days 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19 and 21 of pregnancy. Proliferating cells were detected by the immunohistochemical demonstration of DNA-incorporated 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and by the presence of mitoses. Steroidogenic luteal cells showed two proliferative waves on days 12–15 and on day 21, when relatively abundant BrdU-labeled and mitotic cells were observed. These cells were clearly distinguishable from non-steroidogenic cells by their round nuclei and large polygonal cytoplasm. The proliferative activity on days 12–15 was coincident with an increase in the size of the cells and in progesterone concentrations. On the other hand, the proliferative activity of non-steroidogenic luteal cells (especially endothelial cells of the blood and lymphatic vessels) followed a different pattern. These cells intensely proliferated on days 2–3 of pregnancy and this proliferative activity was significantly higher than that observed in non-pregnant rats on metestrus and diestrus. A new proliferative wave was observed on days 12–15, in association with the increase in the proliferative activity of steroidogenic cells. The presence of both BrdU-labeled and mitotic steroidogenic luteal cells provides evidence that these cells do proliferate and that both hypertrophy and hyperplasia are involved in the increase in the parenchyma of the corpus luteum during pregnancy. Also, the results suggest that different mechanisms are involved in the regulation of the proliferative activity in the corpus luteum at different times during pregnancy.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 154, 211–217
Changes in tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and association of p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with IRS-1 after feeding in rat liver in vivo
Authors: Ito Y , Ariga M , Takahashi S-I , Takenaka A , Hidaka T , Noguchi T
Published: December 2004

The binding of insulin to its receptor rapidly induces intrinsic insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity, resulting in tyrosine phosphorylation of various cytosolic substrates, such as insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) which, in turn, associates with a p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) followed by activation of this enzyme.

In the present study, we have examined these early steps of insulin signalling in rat liver in vivo after food ingestion. After fasting for 22 h, a 12% casein diet was available ad libitum throughout the 8-h experimental period. Plasma insulin concentrations increased within 45 min after feeding, reached a maximum at 1·5 h and gradually decreased until 8 h. Autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor β-subunit in liver was detected even during fasting and increased about 1·5-fold at 1·5 h after feeding. Basal tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 was detectable during starvation, increased about twofold at 3 h after feeding and levels were maintained until 8 h. The content of the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase associated with IRS-1 also increased after feeding in parallel with the changes in tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1.

Because tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor β-subunit and IRS-1 and the association of the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase with IRS-1 in liver were closely correlated with the changes in the plasma concentration of insulin, we concluded that endogenous insulin secreted in response to eating caused these insulin-dependent intracellular changes in the liver.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 154, 267–273
Central cholinergic regulation of pancreatic polypeptide secretion in conscious dogs
Authors: Okita M , Inui A , Baba S , Kasuga M
Published: December 2004

The secretion of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is regulated by fluctuations in blood glucose concentrations and food intake, in which vagal-cholinergic mechanisms play an important role, especially for the cephalic phase of PP secretion. In this study, we examined whether central cholinergic mechanisms are also important for PP secretion by relaying information in the brain to the vagus nerve and the muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the pancreas.

Atropine sulfate (20–200 μg) was administered into the lateral cerebral ventricle and its effects on the basal secretion of PP as well as the secretions stimulated by insulin-induced hypoglycemia (Actrapid MC, 0·25 U/kg) and a mixed meal (243 kcal) were studied in seven dogs. Intralateral cerebroventricular (ILV) atropine (100 and 200 μg) abolished the fluctuations in basal PP secretion without appearing in the plasma. Pretreatment with 20, 100, and 200 μg ILV atropine significantly decreased the PP response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, with the integrated PP response to 58, 32, and 26% of that of controls respectively. Atropine (100 μg ILV) significantly reduced the postprandial PP secretion in both the cephalic and the gastrointestinal phases, whereas increased insulin and glucose levels were unaffected.

Centrally administered atropine was able to suppress the basal secretion of PP as well as the secretions stimulated by hypoglycemia and food intake. These findings suggest that (1) the spontaneous release of PP is governed by an oscillating, central cholinergic tone, and (2) the stimulating PP secretion is, at least in part, regulated by the central cholinergic system.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 154, 311–317
Local regulation of epididymal anion secretion by pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide
Authors: Zhou WL , Leung PS , Wong TP , Dun NJ , Wong PY , Chan HC
Published: December 2004

The present study investigated the role of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the regulation of electrogenic anion secretion by the rat cauda epididymal epithelium. PACAP38, which has been shown to affect secretory function in various exocrine and endocrine tissues, gave rise to a concentration-dependent increase in the short-circuit current (Isc). The PACAP38 effect was restricted to the apical aspect of the epididymal cells. The Isc response to PACAP38 was abolished in Cl-(-)free solution and completely inhibited by the Cl- channel blocker, diphenylamine-dicarboxylic acid. The Isc response to PACAP38 was also suppressed by pretreatment of the cells with the adenylate cyclase inhibitor, MDL12330A. The localization of PACAP38 was further investigated using an immunohistochemical technique. PACAP38 immunoreactivity was observed in the cauda epididymal tubules as well as in the cultured epithelium, indicating its epithelial origin. The present results suggest that Cl- secretion in the epididymis may be regulated by PACAP38, which could be locally synthesized and released by the epithelial cells, in a paracrine or autocrine fashion.
Influence of ovariectomy on metabolic and endocrine parameters during sexual development in the female pig
Authors: Prunier A , Louveau I
Published: December 2004

During pubertal maturation, the increase in blood concentrations of sexual steroids is associated with a spurt in plasma IGF-I in primates, rats and cattle. However, data on the influence of sex steroids on plasma IGF-I during this physiological period are contradictory. Therefore, the present experiment was undertaken to understand better the relationships between pubertal development, energy metabolic regulation and the IGF-I/IGFBP system in crossbred gilts (Large White x Landrace). Circulating concentrations of hormones and metabolites were examined in ovariectomized (n = 6) and sham-operated females (n = 9) during sexual development. Surgery and first blood samplings were performed at 70 days of age. Growth curves were similar in ovariectomized and entire females. First oestrus and ovulation occurred between 178 and 209 days in entire gilts. From 84 days of age, plasma FSH concentration was lower in sham-operated than in ovariectomized gilts (P < 0.01) showing the negative feedback exerted by ovarian secretions on the gonadotrophin axis in entire gilts. Preprandial concentration of plasma glucose was not influenced by age whereas plasma free fatty acids decreased with age (P < 0.01). Concentrations of both metabolites were similar in ovariectomized and entire gilts. Plasma IGF-I and 43-39 kDa IGFBP levels increased whereas plasma 34 kDa IGFBP decreased with age (P < 0.01) and none of the levels differed between ovariectomized and entire gilts (P > 0.1). This experiment shows that gonadal steroids are not involved or play only a minor role in the control of IGF-I and IGFBP plasma levels during pubertal development in the female pig.