bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parlodel LAR® in the treatment of macroprolactinomas
Authors: Kocijancic Andreja , Prezelj Janez , Vrhovec Ivan , Lancranjan Ioana 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Eight patients with macroprolactinomas were treated with a long-acting injectable form of bromocriptine, depot-bromocriptine (Parlodel LAR). With the exception of one male patient who had partial and shortlasting suppression of PRL levels after two injections and who underwent a second adenomectomy, the patients were given Parlodel LAR injections at 28-day intervals for six months. In all patients, there was a significant fall in serum PRL levels after the first injection. PRL secretion was suppressed to within the normal range in 3 of 7 patients on long-term treatment. PRL was consistently within the normal range in 2 patients from the sixth week and in one, from the 14th week onwards. In the other 4 of 7 patients, a marked suppression of PRL secretion, resumption of menses, and normal libido and potency were recorded. In 3 of 8 patients, no adverse effects were noted. Two patients reported short-lasting nausea, one vomiting, one constipation and in 2 patients, orthostatic dizziness occurred after the first injection. Subsequent injections, however, were well tolerated systematically and locally. Five patients had CT scan evidence of tumour shrinkage. A very large tumour virtually disappeared after the first injection of 50 mg depot-bromocriptine in one patient. The decrease of serum PRL secretion within the first 12 hours after injection did not predict normalization of serum PRL levels during long-term treatment, whereas the fall of serum PRL levels to below 5% of the basal values within the first months of treatment could be a good indicator for the final outcome.
Isolation of several fractions from human serum, inhibiting rabbit cartilage metabolism in vitro
Authors: Du Caju Marc V. L. , Rooman Raoul P. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
In contrast to the well characterized serum stimulators of cartilage metabolism, information is scarce on the nature of circulating inhibitors. Human serum was fractionated by molecular sieving chromatography on Sephadex G-200, G-75, G-50 and Biogel P-4 gels. Six fractions with molecular weights of 150, 45, 30, 16, 9 and 1.2 kD inhibited [35S]sulphate incorporation into rabbit cartilage segments. All fractions but the smallest one exhibited their inhibitory effect only in the serum-stimulated cartilage. The 1.2 kD fraction impaired [35S]sulphate and [3H]methyl-thymidine incorporation into the cartilage segments in both stimulated and basal conditions. A seventh inhibitory fraction corresponded to the serum salt peak.
Identification and partial characterization of a growth hormone-binding protein in rat serum
Authors: Emtner Morgan , Roos Paul 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
A binding protein for growth hormone in serum from female rats has been identified and partially characterized. Serum was incubated with 125I-labelled human GH and fractionated on an agarose HPLC column. Complexes between the binding protein and 125I-hGH were detected as a peak eluted at a volume corresponding to a relative molecular weight of 159000 ± 11000 (N=8). The peak was not seen when the incubation was carried out in the presence of excess unlabelled hGH. The 125I-hGH bound with high affinity (Ka=0.87 ± 0.3 l/nmol;N=3) and the binding was time- and dose-dependent. Bound 125I-hGH was displaced by rat GH and bovine GH, but not by rat prolactin. The protein was not detected in radioreceptor assay by the commonly used polyethylene glycol precipitation technique and was not recognized by a monoclonal antibody raised against lactogenic receptors from female rat liver. Covalent cross-linking of 125I-hGH to serum revealed in SDS electrophoresis two labelled complexes with molecular weights of 62300 ± 3900 and 77600 ± 4100, respectively (N=10).
Autoantibodies to insulin do appear in non-diabetic patients with autoimmune disorders: Comparison with anti-immunoglobulin antibodies and other autoimmune phenomena
Authors: Di Mario Umberto , Perfetti Riccardo , Anastasi Emanuela , Contreas Giovanna , Crisà Laura , Tiberti Claudio , Amendolea Maria A. , Masala Cesare 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Insulin- and anti-immunoglobulin-antibodies have been recently reported in pre-diabetic subjects: the former has been proposed as a predictive marker of Type I diabetes in non-diabetic-subjects. To evaluate the diabetes-related specificity of these antibodies, the presence of insulin autoantibodies, using a recently developed and highly sensitive competitive radioimmune assay, and of anti-immunoglobulin antibodies together with that of immune complexes and of other autoantibodies has been investigated in patients with organ- or non-organ-specific autoimmune diseases. One hundred and eleven serum samples were assayed from patients with Graves' disease, primary hypothyroidism, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, Addison's disease, chronic autoimmune hepatitis, pernicious anemia, lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis, together with 45 serum samples from normal subjects. From patients with autoimmune diseases, 32.4% of all sera revealed values of insulin autoantibodies above the limit of positivity (p<0.001); anti-immunoglobulin antibodies were present in 4.1% of patients (NS); immune complexes were found in 19.5% (NS) of all patients, but in 38% of patients with Graves' disease and chronic hepatitis (p<0.02). There was a trend for multiple autoantibody positivity to be associated with high levels of insulin autoantibodies (p<0.05). Thus, whereas contrary to expectation anti-immunoglobulin antibodies are not associated with non-diabetes-related autoimmune diseases, increased humoral immunoresponsiveness to endogenous insulin appears to be related to autoimmunity in general rather than restricted to Type I diabetes.
Lack of antibody formation during long-term subcutaneous treatment with the somatostatin analogue octreotide in acromegaly
Authors: van Liessum Peter A. , Swinkels Leon M. , Pieters Gerlach F. , Ross Alec A. , Smals Anthony G. , Benraad Theo J. , Kloppenborg Peter W. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Serum samples from 13 patients with active acromegaly on long-term sc treatment with octreotide (SMS 201-995, 1-36 months, mean daily dose 285 μg) were taken 12 h after the injection of their regular evening doses. Octreotide assay was performed using 125I-Tyr-SMS and a polyclonal rabbit anti-serum. For assessment of antibody formation both serum coated charcoal adsorption (adsorption of free octreotide) and polyethylene glycol precipitation (precipitation of IgG complexes) were used. The mean binding percentage in the patients proved to be similar to that of 5 healthy volunteers (p>0.10). No specific binding was detected, whatever method used. No correlation was found between the binding percentages and octreotide serum levels, duration of octreotide treatment or daily octreotide dose (p>0.10). These results strongly suggest that clinically relevant endogenous antibody formation is not a frequent event during long-term sc treatment of acromegalic patients with octreotide.
Ageing does not influence the ultrashort feedback control of GnRH secretion in vitro
Authors: Messi Elio , Zanisi Mariarosa , Martini Luciano 
Published: December 2008

Abstract.
Evidence indicates that long and short feedback systems are altered in the aged male rat. Data also indicate the existence of an ultrashort feedback mechanism controlling GnRH secretion. The present experiments were performed to test whether the ultrashort feedback control of GnRH is operating also in old male rats. Mediobasal hypothalami of 18-month-old male rats were perifused in vitro either in the presence or in the absence of a GnRH agonistic analogue (Buserelin: [D-Ser(TBU)6, Des-Gly10]GnRH ethylamide) and stimulated with 5-min pulses of K+ (for a total of six pulses) in order to test their ability to release GnRH. The hypothalamic fragment was exposed to the GnRH analogue either for a part of the experimental period (at the beginning or at the end) or for the whole duration of the perifusion. In both cases, the presence of the analogue diminished or totally abolished the responses to K+ stimulation. This is in line with the results obtained in young animals. The data suggest that the ultrashort feedback mechanism controlling GnRH release is normally functioning also in aged male rats despite the fact that other types of feedback mechanisms (long and short loop) are substantially altered.
Effects of angiotensin II, ACTH, and KCl on the adrenal renin-angiotensin system in the rat
Authors: Sasamura Hiroyuki , Suzuki Hiromichi , Kato Ryuichi , Saruta Takao 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Angiotensin II, ACTH and potassium chloride were administered to rats for 6 days and the effects on adrenal renin-like activity and adrenal angiotensin II/III immunoreactivity were investigated. Rats infused with angiotensin II(140 pmol/min) either ip or sc showed increases in adrenal angiotensin II/III immunoreactivity (p<0.05) and plasma aldosterone concentration (p<0.05), but no change in adrenal renin-like activity. Captopril treatment of angiotensin Il-infused rats caused a slight decrease in angiotensin II/III immunoreactivity which did not reach statistical significance. In contrast, rats treated with ACTH (Cortrosyn-Z, 3 IU/day, sc) showed an increase in adrenal renin-like activity (p<0.01), but no significant change in adrenal angiotensin II/III immunoreactivity. Rats treated with KCl in drinking water showed increases (p<0.05) in adrenal renin-like activity, adrenal angiotensin II/III immunoreactivity, and plasma aldosterone. These results suggest that angiotensin II, ACTH and potassium, three major regulators of aldosterone secretion by the adrenal gland, have different effects on the adrenal renin-angiotensin system when administered in vivo.
Lipolysis in isolated epididymal adipocytes from genetically obese Zucker rat treated with 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine
Authors: Lebrazi Halima , Chomard Philippe , Dumas Paul , Autissier Nicole 
Published: December 2008

Abstract.
Glycerol released by isolated epididymal adipocytes was measured in 6-8 weeks old genetically obese (fa/fa) and lean (C.c.a/-) male Zucker rats, ip treated or not treated with T3 (0.46, 2.3 and 4.6 nmol/100 g in a single injection or 4.6 nmol · (100 g)−1 · day−1 for 5 days). In the non-treated rats, lipolysis was less stimulated by adrenalin or isoproterenol in obese than in lean rats, whereas it was stimulated by theophylline up to the same level in both kinds of rats. A single injection of the T3 (highest dose) increased isoproterenol-induced lipolysis in the lean but not in the obese rats. The 5-day T3 treatment caused a stimulation of the adrenalin- or isoproterenol-induced lipolysis in both kinds of rats. However, the stimulation was lower in the obese than in the lean rats. This treatment increased theophylline-induced lipolysis in the lean but not in the obese rats. It did not affect significantly the theophylline-induced lipolysis stimulated by adrenalin or isoproterenol in either obese or lean rats. These findings show that mild hypothyroidism of obese rat is partly responsible for the impaired sensitivity of its adipose tissue to lipolytic drugs. The apparently low T3 sensitivity of obese rat adipose tissue is discussed.
Pyridostigmine enhances, but does not normalise, the GH response to GH-releasing hormone in obese subjects
Authors: Castro R. C. , Vieira J. G. H. , Chacra A. R. , Besser G. M. , Grossman A. B. , Lengyel A. M.J. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Obese patients are characterised by several neuroendocrine abnormalities, including characteristically a decrease in growth hormone responsiveness to GH-releasing hormone. In normal subjects, the GH response to GHRH is enhanced by the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, pyridostigmine. We have studied the effect of this drug on GH secretion in gross obesity. Twelve obese patients were studied (mean weight 156% of ideal) and compared with a group of 8 normal volunteers. Each subject was initially studied on two occasions, in random order, with GHRH (1–29) NH2 100 μg iv alone and following pretreatment with pyridostigmine 120 mg orally one hour prior to GHRH. In obese patients, the GH response to GHRH was significantly blunted when compared to controls (GH peak: 20 ± 4 vs 44 ± 16 μg/l; mean ± sem). After pyridostigmine, the response to GHRH was enhanced in the obese subjects, but remained significantly reduced compared to non-obese subjects treated with GHRH and pyridostigmine (GH peak: 30 ± 5 vs 77 ± 20 μg/l, respectively). In 6 subjects, higher doses of GHRH or pyridostigmine did not further increase GH responsiveness in obese patients. Our results suggest that obese patients have a disturbed cholinergic control of GH release, probably resulting from increased somatostatinergic tone. This disturbed regulation may be responsible, at least in part, for the blunted GH responses to provocative stimuli.
Thyroid sonography in autoimmune thyroiditis. A prospective study on 123 patients
Authors: Nordmeyer Johann P. , Shafeh Taher A. , Heckmann Christian 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Thyroid sonography was used to assess 2322 patients attending our clinic over a 3-year period. Sonography, in combination with clinical and laboratory findings, enabled us to detect autoimmune thyroiditis in 123 patients, 67 of whom could be classified as euthyroid, 17 as latent hypothyroid, and 39 as overtly hypothyroid. Consequently without the use of sonography (or thyroid antibody measurements) it would not have been possible to make a diagnosis in over half of our patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Sonography was also of considerable value in establishing the absence of autoimmune thyroiditis as out of the 2322 patients we examined, autoimmune thyroiditis could be excluded on the basis of sonography alone (absence of diffuse hypoechoicity) in 1962 (84%). Thyroid volume ranged from < 5 to 112 ml with the majority of patients having a volume of 21-30 ml and the overtly hypothyroid group showing a shift to smaller volumes. The data suggested that thyroid volume changes over the range of the disease from euthyroid to overtly hypothyroid.
Chronic treatment by the calcium channel blocker ± PN 200-110 in the rat counteracts the stimulations of pituitary weight, prolactin release and pituitary C-kinase activity induced by a chronic estradiol treatment, in vivo
Authors: Touraine Ph. , Birman P. , Bai-Grenier F. , Dubray C. , Peillon F. , Joubert(Bression) D. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
In order to investigate whether a calcium channel blocker could modulate the protein kinase C activity in normal and estradiol pretreated rat pituitary, female Wistar rats were treated or not (controls) with ± PN 200-110 (3 mg · kg−1 · day−1, sc) for 8 days or with estradiol cervical implants for 8 or 15 days, alone or in combination with PN 200-110 the last 8 days. Estradiol treatment induced a significant increase in plasma prolactin levels and pituitary weight. PN 200-110 administered to normal rats did not modify these parameters, whereas it reduced the effects of the 15 days estradiol treatment on prolactin levels (53.1 ± 4.9 vs 95.0 ±9.1 μg/l, p<0.0001) and pituitary weight (19.9 ± 0.4 vs 23.0 ± 0.6 mg, p <0.001), to values statistically comparable to those measured after 8 days of estradiol treatment. PN 200-110 alone did not induce any change in protein kinase C activity as compared with controls. In contrast, PN 200-110 treatment significantly counteracted the large increase in soluble activity and the decrease in the particulate one induced by estradiol between day 8 and day 15. We conclude that PN 200-110 opposed the stimulatory effects of chronic in vivo estradiol treatment on plasma prolactin levels and pituitary weight and that this regulation was related to a concomitant modulation of the protein kinase C activity.
Neuroendocrinological effects of ketoconazole in rats
Authors: Irsy Gabor , Koranyi Lajos 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
The effect of ketoconazole on steroid synthesis was studied in intact (sham-operated) and castrated male and ovariectomized female rats. Rats were given 25 mg/kg ketoconazole twice a day im for 5 days. The influence of ketoconazole was also investigated on hormone release altered by GnRH, estradiol and haloperidol. The following hormones were measured: serum LH, PRL, testosterone, corticosterone, 17-OH-progesterone, estradiol, and dopamine content of the tubero-infundibular area. Ketoconazole treatment resulted in a significant decrease of testerone level (from 7.93 ± 1.99 to 3.83 ± 0.94 nmol/l), whereas LH, PRL, corticosterone and 17-OH-progesterone remained unchanged in the male rat. The effect of castration on LH level was reduced by ketoconazole in male (from 590 ± 35 to 390 ± 25 μg/l) and female rats (from 468 ± 22 to 346 ± 39 μg/l), but the GnRH-stimulated LH release in castrated and ovariectomized animals was unchanged. The suppressive action of estradiol on LH in ovariectomized rats was enhanced (from 160 ± 41 to 64.6 ± 12.9 μg/l), and its priming effect on PRL release was diminished by ketoconazole (from 598 ± 81 to 281 ± 66 μg/l). Ketoconazole failed to modify the tubero-infundibular dopamine content and haloperidol-induced PRL release. It can be assumed that in addition to its inhibitory role of steroid biosynthesis ketoconazole has an influence on central mechanisms underlying LH and PRL release.
Radioiodine therapy in voluminous multinodular non-toxic goitre
Authors: Vereist Jean , Bonnyns Marc , Glinoer Daniel 
Published: December 2008

Abstract.
Large doses of radioiodione were administered since 1969 to 15 euthyroid patients with compressive voluminous goitres. A decrease in goitre size was observed in all patients (between 15 and 63%, average 39%). Maximal effect on goitre size was attained rapidly, partially already after less than one year and was almost maximal after 24 to 30 months. No significant local adverse reactions were observed; no patient required steroid administration. Hypothyroidism followed radioiodine administration in 30% of the patients after 2 years; after 8 years, all those who had survived were hypothyroid, requiring substitution therapy. In all patients there was a marked improvement in compression symptoms. The use of radioactive iodine therapy constitutes an alternative to surgery in selected patients with large compressive goitres in whom surgery is contraindicated because of age or other medical conditions.
Effects of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on progesterone formation in cultured human granulosa cells
Authors: Olsson Jan-Henrik , Åkesson Ingegerd , Hillensjö Torbjörn 
Published: December 2008

Abstract.
Human granulosa cells from follicles of natural cycles (13 women) in mid- or late follicular phase were cultured in modified Medium-199. Human luteinizing hormone (100 μg/l), follicle-stimulating hormone (100 μg/l) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) (10−12 to 10−6 mol/l) alone or in combination were added to the culture medium. Medium content of progesterone was analysed. In granulosa cells obtained in the mid-follicular phase, the basal progesterone formation averaged 0.5 pg · cell−1 · (48 h)−1· FSH caused a 3-fold stimulation. GnRHa (10−6 mol/l) had a variable influence on the basal progesterone formation, whereas it consistently inhibited (40–50%) the FSH response. In granulosa cells from late follicular phase basal progesterone formation averaged 5 pg · cell−1 ·(48 h)−1 and was stimulated 3-to 6-fold by LH. GnRHa (10−6 mol/l) stimulated the basal progesterone formation and caused a tended to potentiate the LH response on progesterone formation. It is concluded that GnRHa at relatively high concentrations exerts direct effects on gonadotropin-stimulated progesterone formation of human granulosa cells and that these effects are different (inhibitory or stimulatory) dependent on the degree of follicular maturation, and/or type of gonadotropin used.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of testosterone enanthate and dihydrotestosterone enanthate in non-human primates
Authors: Weinbauer Gerhard F. , Jackwerth Bettina , Yoon Yong-Dal , Behre Hermann M. , Yeung Ching-Hei , Nieschlag Eberhard 
Published: December 2008

Abstract.
The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of testosterone enanthate and dihydrotestosteroneenanthate were compared in orchidectomized cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and in intact GnRH agonist-suppressed rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Following a single im injection of 32.8 mg testosterone enanthate or 32.7 mg dihydrotestosteroneenanthate, i.e. 23.6 mg of pure steroid, in the orchidectomized cynomolgus monkeys, serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels rose to 400 and 800% of baseline, respectively, within 24 h. Androgen levels remained in that range for 3-5 days followed by a continuous decline until baseline values were attained after 4-5 weeks. The areas under the testosterone- and dihydrotestosterone-curves did not differ significantly 2290±340 (dihydrotestosterone-enanthate) vs 2920±485 (testosteroneenanthate) suggesting that similar amounts of steroid had been released from the respective ester preparation. Mean half-life estimates of the terminal elimination phase were 4 and 7 days for testosterone-enanthate and dihydrotestosterone-enanthate, respectively. In a second experiment rhesus monkeys received, at 4-weekly intervals, sc implantation of a biodegradable polylactic:polyglycolide rod loaded with the GnRH agonist buserelin. The last injection was given during week 20. GnRH agonist treatment suppressed serum bioactive LH, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels, testicular size, sperm production, and seminal carnitine content. The ejaculatory response to electrostimulation and the masturbatory behaviour were abolished. Testosterone or dihydrotestosterone injections at the same doses as above were given in week 10, 14, 17 and 20 of GnRH agonist treatment. Serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels were stimulated 9- and 4-fold, respectively. Mean half-life estimates for testosterone-enanthate and dihydrotestosterone were 5 and 7 days, respectively. Both ester preparations completely restored the ejaculatory response, ejaculate size, masturbatory behaviour, and seminal carnitine levels. In conclusion, androgen substitution with dihydrotestosterone-enanthate, in equivalent doses, is as effective as testosterone-enanthate in restoring reproductive functions in hypogonadal monkeys.
Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome Type II in patients with idiopathic Addison's disease
Authors: Papadopoulos Konstantin I. , Hallengren Bengt 
Published: December 2008

Abstract.
The frequency of polyglandular autoimmune syndrome Type II, (idiopathic or autoimmune Addison's disease associated with autoimmune thyroid disease, and/or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus), was retrospectively investigated in 44 patients (26 females and 18 males) with idiopathic Addison's disease (median age at onset 32.5 years, range 8–62; median observation time 17 years, range 0.5–41) evaluated between 1966 and 1988 in the Department of Endocrinology, General Hospital, Malmö. Twenty-two patients (16 females and 6 males) fulfilled the criteria for polyglandular autoimmune syndrome Type II and of these 16 had autoimmune thyroid disease and 9 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In 7 of 9 patients insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus developed prior to Addison's disease, whereas autoimmune thyroid disease was diagnosed before as well as after Addison's disease and with a similar age distribution as Addison's disease. In conclusion, the present study indicates that polyglandular autoimmune syndrome Type II occurs in about 50% of patients with idiopathic Addison's disease and that autoimmune thyroid disease is more common than insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in these patients. The present study also indicates that insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus precedes Addison's disease in a majority of these patients and usually develops at a young age, whereas autoimmune thyroid disease precedes as well as succeeds Addison's disease and occurs at all ages in these patients.