bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE INDEPENDENT EFFECTS OF HYPERANDROGENAEMIA, HYPERINSULINAEMIA, AND OBESITY ON LIPID AND LIPOPROTEIN PROFILES IN WOMEN*
Authors: GRAF MARGARET J. , RICHARDS CHARLOTTE J. , BROWN VIRGIL , MEISSNER LES , DUNAIF ANDREA 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe performed this study to clarify the independent effects of hyperandrogenaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, and obesity on lipid and lipoprotein levels in women with hyperandrogenaemia (HA) and anovulation which we designated as the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO). We examined fasting lipid, lipoprotein, sex hormone and insulin levels in 38 women (21 obese (ob), 17 non‐obese (nob) with HA and anovulation (PCO) and 38 normal ovulatory women (21 obese, 17 non‐obese), matched for age and weight. The women with PCO had significantly increased androgen levels compared to the normal women. However, total oestradiol levels were similar in the PCO and normal women. Mean fasting insulin levels and 2‐h glucose levels (both P < 0.001) were significantly higher in ob PCO women. There were significant decreases (P|Ml0.01) in high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in both the obese groups (ob PCO and ob normal) compared to the non‐obese (nob PCO and nob normal) groups. Otherwise, mean lipid and lipoprotein levels did not differ in the ob or the nob PCO women compared to the control groups. The correlations between sex hormone, lipid and lipoprotein levels differed in the four groups of women. After statistical adjustment for potential hormonal interactions, nob PCO women had significant positive correlations between testosterone and LDL levels (R=0.51, P < 0.05) and insulin and TTG levels (R. 0.61, P < 0.01). Ob normal women had a significant positive correlation between oestrone and TTG levels (R=0.44, P|Ml0.05). We conclude that (1) PCO women are in a low to intermediate risk group for cardiovascular disease based on their lipid and lipoprotein profiles; (2) obesity, but neither hyperandrogenaemia nor hyperinsulinaemia, was associated with significant decreases in HDL levels and was therefore the major factor affecting lipid profiles in PCO; (3) a significant relationship existed between androgen and lipoprotein levels only in nob PCO women, suggesting that the mechanisms underlying these associations are complex.
DECREASING INCIDENCE OF THYROTOXICOSIS IN AN ENDEMIC GOITRE INLAND AREA OF SWEDEN
Authors: LUNDGREN EWA , CHRISTENSEN SVEND BORUP 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYFour hundred and sixty‐seven new cases of thyrotoxicosis were diagnosed during the period 1975‐1 984 in a demographically well defined Swedish inland county, with about 134000 inhabitants, where goitre has been considered endemic. This corresponds to a mean annual incidence of all thyrotoxicosis of 34–7/100 000. The mean incidence of toxic diffuse goitre was 16.6/100 000 and of toxic nodular goitre 18–4/100 000. The mean incidence of all thyrotoxicosis fell from 39.2 to 30.2/100000/year between the first and the second 5‐year period of the study (P <0.01); this was entirely due to a decrease in the incidence of toxic nodular goitre (22.6 to 14.1/100000/year) whereas the incidence of toxic diffuse goitre did not change significantly. The decrease in the incidence of toxic nodular goitre was evenly distributed over all age groups and over rural and urban areas of the county.
BONE MINERAL DENSITY AND THYROID HORMONE THERAPY
Authors: RIBOT C. , TREMOLLIERES F. , POUILLES J. M. , LOUVET J. P. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the evolution of femoral and vertebral bone mineral density (BMD) in hypothyroid subjects treated with replacement doses (mean |Mp SD dose of L‐thyroxine = 135 |Mp 32 μg/day) as compared to an untreated group. Vertebral bone density was also measured in other patients who had been treated for at least 2 years with either suppressive (mean dose =154 |Mp 36 μg/day, n= 28) or replacement doses (mean dose = 104 |Mp 52 μg/day, n= 21) according to the thyrotrophin response (TSH) to the thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) administration. In primary hypothyroid patients, a mean decrease of 5.4% (P < 0.01) for vertebral BMD, 7.3% (P <0.01) for trochanter and 7% (P < 0.001) for femoral neck was observed after 1 year of treatment. This loss was unrelated either to age or to menopausal status (ANOVA). A clinical and hormonal state of euthyroidism was reached since the 3rd month of treatment. Fasting urinary calcium/creatinine excretion was increased significantly (P < 0.05) at the 3rd month, and plasma osteocalcin (OC) increased significantly from the 3rd month onwards (P < 0.05) up to the 12th month (P < 0.025). In the cross‐sectional study, vertebral BMD was not significantly different from age‐matched normal values in patients receiving either substitutive or suppressive doses of LT4. These results suggest that in the case of primary hypothyroidism even appropriate thyroid replacement therapy could lead during the first year of treatment to a significant reduction in vertebral and femoral BMD. However, the fact that an increased fracture rate has not been documented in long‐term treated patients, and the results of our cross‐sectional study, suggest that this bone mass reduction could be transient and reversible due to new bone formation at the end of the resorptive sequence.
THYROXINE‐BINDING PREALBUMIN GENE POLYMORPHISM: A POPULATION STUDY
Authors: AKBARI M. T. , FITCH N. J. , FARMER M. , DOCHERTY K. , SHEPPARD M. C. , RAMSDEN D. B. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe human thyroxine‐binding prealbumin (TBPA) gene was examined for restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in normal subjects and a subject with euthyroid hyperthyroxinaemia, due to increased thyroxine binding by TBPA, using 16 restriction enzymes. Only Taq I and Msp I were shown to detect RFLPs. In a male of the normal population and one of his daughters, an additional Taq I site was found in the 3|M′‐flanking region of the TBPA gene. The RFLP in a subject with euthyroid hyperthyroxinaemia was due to the deletion of a MspI site. All three subjects with RFLPs were heterozygous.
RAPID AND LONG‐LASTING SUPPRESSION OF PROLACTIN SECRETION AND SHRINKAGE OF PROLACTINOMAS AFTER INJECTION OF LONG‐ACTING REPEATABLE FORM OF BROMOCRIPTINE (PARLODEL LAR)*
Authors: SCHETTINI GENNARO , LOMBARDI GAETANO , MEROLA BARTOLOMEO , COLAO ANNAMARIA , MILETTO PAOLO , CARUSO ENZO , LANCRANJAN IOANA 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYFive patients with PRL‐secreting macroadenoma and nine patients with PRL‐secreting microadenoma or idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia were treated with monthly administrations of long‐acting bromocriptine suitable for repeatable injections (Parlodel LAR) for 1–12 cycles of treatment. A significant shrinkage of tumour mass and the recovery of visual field defects were observed in patients with macroprolactinoma. Plasma PRL levels decreased to 16.8 and 18.1% of pretreatment values, in macroprolactinoma and idiopathic or microadenoma‐tous hyperprolactinaemic subjects, respectively, during the first cycle of treatment, reaching the normal range in three patients of each group. During the following cycles of treatment, two patients with macroprolactinoma and one patient with idiopathic or microadenomatous hyperprolactinaemia became normoprolactinaemic. Adverse reactions generally did not last beyond the first days of administration and decreased with the progression of the treatment. In conclusion, its effectiveness and the fact that it is well tolerated, may suggest that this form of bromocriptine may be used as a first therapeutic approach for patients with PRL‐secreting adenomas, particularly when shrinkage of a macroadenoma is urgently required.
THE EFFECT OF AMIODARONE ON THE CONTROL OF HYPERTHYROIDISM BY PROPYLTHIOURACIL
Authors: RAJATANAVIN RAJATA , CHAILURKIT LA‐OR , KONGSUKSAI ATANA , TEERAVANINTHORN UTHAI , HIMATHONGKAM THEP 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe studied the efficacy of amiodarone (800, 600, 400 and 200 mg orally daily during weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively) plus propylthiouracil (PTU, 100 mg orally every 8 h) in comparison to PTU alone in the early treatment (28 days) of Graves'disease patients. Circulating T3 and T4 decreased earlier and more markedly in the amiodarone plus PTU‐treated group. An initial rise of circulating rT3 above the base‐line value followed by a gradual decline was observed in the former group while only a decline below the base‐line values was observed in the latter group. The resting pulse rate decreased and body weight increased significantly in the amiodarone plus PTU‐treated group. In the PTU‐treated group, significant weight gain was observed later in the course of treatment while no significant reduction in pulse rate was observed. No major side‐effects of amiodarone were observed during the course of treatment. This study suggested that the combination of amiodarone and PTU was more efficacious than PTU alone in reducing circulating T3, T4 and clinical hyperthyroidism early in the course of treatment of patients with Graves'disease. This regimen has an additional potential advantage because of the antiarrhythmic property of amiodarone, especially in situations when a beta‐blocker is contraindicated.
OVERNIGHT URINARY GROWTH HORMONE MEASUREMENT IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ACROMEGALY
Authors: LUNT H. , TUCKER J. , BULLEN H. , GIBBS C. , WILKIN T. J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYSeveral studies report higher urinary GH excretion in acromegalic patients compared to control subjects. We investigated the diagnostic potential of overnight urinary GH excretion in acromegaly, using a recently developed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Overnight urine samples were obtained from 117 control subjects and nine patients with untreated acromegaly. GH excretion was higher in acromegalic patients compared to control subjects, with geometric mean total overnight values of 46.35 and and 5.73 μU respectively. The range for total overnight urinary GH in control subjects was 0.75–21.75μU and two of the nine patients with untreated acromegaly had GH measurements within this range. Urinary GH measurements were corrected using predictive clinical variables but this resulted in minimal improvement in discrimination between control subjects and acromegalic patients. Lack of complete discrimination between control subjects and acromegalic patients limits the usefulness of a single overnight urinary GH measurement as a screening test for acromegaly.
IN‐VIVO BIOACTIVITY OF GONADOTROPHIN SURGE ATTENUATING FACTOR (GnSAF)
Authors: MESSINIS IOANNIS E. , TEMPLETON ALLAN 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYGonadotrophin surge attenuating factor (GnSAF) is a nonsteroidal ovarian factor responsible for the attenuation of the endogenous LH surge in superovulated cycles. To study the bioactivity of GnSAF in vivo, the pituitary response to exogenous GnRH was investigated in 13 normally ovulating women during spontaneous and FSH‐treated cycles. GnRH experiments were per‐formed at three stages of both spontaneous and FSH cycles, i.e. early (n = 8), mid‐ (n = 8) and late follicular phase (n = 8). LH response to GnRH increased significantly from the early to late follicular phase in the spontaneous cycles, while in the FSH cycles it decreased significantly in mid‐ and increased in late follicular phase. A marked attenuation of the LH response to GnRH during both the mid‐ and late follicular phase was seen in the FSH as compared to the corresponding spontaneous cycles. We conclude that in superovulated cycles small, growing follicles produce GnSAF.
EFFECT OF ENHANCEMENT OF ENDOGENOUS CHOLINERGIC TONE WITH PYRIDOSTIGMINE ON GROWTH HORMONE (GH) RESPONSES TO GH‐RELEASING HORMONE IN PATIENTS WITH CUSHING'S SYNDROME
Authors: LEAL‐CERRO A. , PEREIRA J. L. , GARCIA‐LUNA P. P. , ASTORGA R. , CORDIDO F. , CASANUEVA F. F. , DIEGUEZ C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYGrowth hormone (GH) secretion in patients with Cushing's syndrome is diminished to all the stimuli tested so far but the precise mechanisms through which this occurs are unknown. In order to investigate whether increased somatostatinergic tone might be responsible for this alteration, we studied the effect of pyridostigmine (120 mg p. o. at ‐60 min), which activates cholinergic synapses and thus suppresses hypothalamic somatostatin release on GH responses to GHRH (100 μg, i. v. at 0 min), in six patients with Cushing's syndrome. We found that while pyridostigmine markedly potentiated GH responses to GHRH, in all the normal subjects tested (n=12), neither GHRH alone nor GHRH plus pyridostigmine elicited any increase in GH secretion in any of the patients with Cushing's syndrome. This suggests that chronic glucocorticoid excess induces marked alterations in the hypothalamic control of GH secretion.
THE INFLUENCE OF OCTREOTIDE TREATMENT ON PULSATILE GROWTH HORMONE RELEASE IN ACROMEGALY
Authors: ROELFSEMA F. , de BOER H. , FRÖLICH M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe pulsatile release of GH was investigated in eight active acromegalic patients before and during a subcutaneous infusion of 300 μg octreotide/24 h for 4 weeks. The number of GH pulses increased from a basal value of 14.4/24h to 16‐3/24h during octreotide therapy. At the same time the mean GH concentration, valley concentration, peak height and amplitude decreased significantly. The inhibitory effect of octreotide on pulse characteristics did not depend on the time of day. IGF‐I levels also decreased significantly; in five patients normal levels were reached. IGF‐I levels correlated significantly with the mean GH level (r = 0.714, P > 0‐001), mean valley concentration (r=0.697, P > 0.00) and, to a lesser extent, area under the curve (r = 0‐436, P=0.033), but not the number of pulses. Plasma octreotide levels did not correlate with pulse parameters. In all but one patient a circadian rhythm was present during both the basal study and octreotide therapy. Compared with surgically treated acromegalics, the number of GH pulses was higher in untreated and octreotide‐treated patients. This study demonstrates the pulsatile release of GH in active acromegaly both before and during octreotide therapy. This result suggests that endogenous GHRH is important for the generation of GH pulses in this disease.
PHARMACOLOGICAL‘RESCUE’OF THE CORPUS LUTEUM RESULTS IN INCREASED INHIBIN PRODUCTION
Authors: IL LINGWORTH P. J. , REDDI K. , SMITH K. , BAIRD D. T. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYInhibin production by the corpus luteum was investigated by undertaking pharmacological rescue of the corpus luteum with hCG in four healthy women. Blood samples were collected daily for two menstrual cycles. Starting 7 days after the LH surge in the second cycle, incremental doses of hCG (125–8000 IU) were administered daily for 7 days resulting in hCG levels comparable to those seen in normal pregnancy. Following hCG, the luteal phase was prolonged and there were significant increases in the plasma concentrations of inhibin (P < 0.05), and oestradiol (P<0.05). The progesterone concentration was maintained at the mid‐luteal phase peak and as a result was significantly higher than those on the equivalent days of the control cycle (P< 0.05). It was concluded that rescue of the corpus luteum with physiological levels of hCG resulted in a significant output of inhibin, thus suggesting that the corpus luteum is a significant source of inhibin in early pregnancy.
LUTEINIZING HORMONE AND FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE SECRETION PATTERNS IN GIRLS THROUGHOUT PUBERTY MEASURED USING HIGHLY SENSITIVE IMMUNORADIOMETRIC ASSAYS
Authors: WENNINK JOHANNA M. B. , VAN DE WAAL HENRIETTE A. DELEMARRE , SCHOEMAKER RIK , SCHOEMAKER HELGA , SCHOEMAKER JOOP 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYPulsatile gonadotrophin secretion patterns were studied in 36 healthy girls by measuring every 10 min and applying immunoradiometric assays (IRMA). Different stages of puberty were associated with significant changes in the plasma LH and FSH levels, pulse numbers (Pno) and pulse amplitudes (pA). Plasma LH was not detectable by day or night in young prepubertal girls (B 1), neither was plasma oestradiol (E2); however, plasma FSH was detectable in a pulsatile pattern. In the older prepubertal girls (B1‐onset) a discrete pulsatile LH pattern became detectable only during the night; plasma FSH tended to rise, while E2 became just detectable. In the early pubertal girls (B2) most daytime LH values were above the detection limit, in some with low‐amplitude pulses. At night, pulses with a wide range of pulse amplitudes were detected. Plasma FSH increased further, plasma E2 only slightly. With the progression of puberty the plasma LH and FSH levels, Pno and pA increased significantly from stage B2 to B3 during the day (P |Ml 0.05) and close to significance during the night (0‐05 |Ml P |Ml 0.1). However, in stage B4 the secretory characteristics tended to decline, while from stage B3 onwards plasma E2 started to rise rapidly (P 0.05, during the night from stage B2 to B3, during the day from B3 to B4m —). Simultaneous LH and FSH pulses were observed throughout puberty, usually during the night. Using these IRMA methods nocturnal LH in older prepubertal girls and both diurnal and nocturnal FSH pulsatility could be demonstrated in young prepubertal girls. From this study we conclude that (1) puberty in girls, as in boys, may be brought about by an increasing GnRH secretion both in frequency and amplitude, first appearing during the night. This increased GnRH stimulation results in LH secretion only during the night; (2) a cyclical pulsatile LH pattern including an LH surge can be established before the menarche; the capacity for positive feedback activity is not the final maturation characteristic to achieve an ovulatory menstrual cycle.
COMPOSITION OF INTACT HORMONE AND FREE SUBUNITS IN THE HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN‐LIKE MATERIAL FOUND IN SERUM AND URINE OF PATIENTS WITH CARCINOMA OF THE BLADDER
Authors: ILES R. K. , LEE C. L. , OLIVER R. T. D. , CHARD T. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYEctopic‐hCG production occurs in approximately 30% of urothelial cancers. However, the clinical features which might be expected to result from elevated hCG levels are rare. We now show that in six of seven metastatic and 20 of 21 localized (Ta‐T4) positive hCG bladder cancer patients, only the free β‐subunit of hCG and its respective urinary breakdown product, β‐core, could be detected in clinical samples. Since only intact hCG is biologically active, this explains the discrepancy between biochemical and clinical findings.
DECREASED SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN (SHBG) AND INSULIN‐LIKE GROWTH FACTOR BINDING PROTEIN (IGFBP‐1) IN EXTREME OBESITY
Authors: WEAVER J. U. , HOLLY J. M. P. , KOPELMAN P. G. , NOONAN K. , GIADOM C. G. , WHITE N. , VIRDEE S. , WASS J. A. H. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYObesity may be characterized by abnormal sex steroid secretion and reduced sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) which in turn is related to fat distribution and insulin secretion. Recent in‐vitro and in‐vivo evidence suggests that insulin is the common mechanism regulating the secretion of SHBG and insulin‐like growth factor small binding protein (IGFBP‐1). IGFBP‐1 appears not only to be a carrier for insulin growth factors (IGFs) but also to play an active role in growth processes, independent of growth hormone secretion. We have examined the possible relationship between fasting insulin, SHBG, testosterone, IGF‐1, IGFBP‐1 and fat distribution in 25 extremely obese, menstruating women (mean weight 107 |Mp 3 kg) with normal glucose tolerance. Fat distribution was assessed from measurements of the waist to hip ratio (W/H). The obese women showed an elevated fasting insulin (mean |Mp SEM; 21 |Mp 2 μmo1/1), a normal IGF‐1, but reduced IGFBP‐1 (14.6 |Mp 2, μg/1); in 15 women IGFBP‐1 levels were undetectable by the present assay. In addition, SHBG levels were reduced in the obese women (24|Mp2 nmol/1) but total testosterone values (1.9 |Mp 0.1 nmo1/1) were normal. The elevated fasting insulin levels were positively correlated with increasing upper segment obesity as expressed by a rising W/I‐1 ratio (P < 0.01, r2=0.306) and inversely correlated with SHBG (P <0.01, r2= 0.483). Similarly, reduced SHBG values showed an inverse correlation with increasing W/H ratio (P < 0.001, r2= 0.383). No correlation was found between IGFBP‐1 and W/H ratio but a strong positive correlation was seen between IGFBP‐1 and SHBG (P < 0.001, r2=0.466). Furthermore, an equally significant inverse correlation was found between IGFBP‐1 and insulin levels (P <0.001, r2=0.474). Testosterone and fasting IGF‐1 did not show any correlation with the studied variables. Multivariate analysis suggested that insulin was the strongest factor involved in the regulation of IGFBP‐1 levels, whereas the level of SHBG was primarily determined by IGFBP‐1 concentration and W/H ratio. We conclude that reduced SHBG and IGFBP‐1 found in extreme obesity are inversely correlated to the prevailing hyperinsulinaemia and to increasing upper segment obesity. These findings provide further evidence to support the hypothesis for insulin being an important regulator of both binding proteins, SHBG and IGFBP‐1.
CONTINUOUS SUBCUTANEOUS GHRH(1‐29)NH2 PROMOTES GROWTH OVER 1 YEAR IN SHORT, SLOWLY GROWING CHILDREN
Authors: BRAIN C. E. , HINDMARSH P. C. , BROOK C. G. D. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have treated eight pre‐pubertal children with partial GH insufficiency with continuous subcutaneous infusions of GHRH(1‐29)NH2 at a dose of 60 ng/kg/ min for periods of up to 1 year. In five children treated for 1 year, mean growth velocity increased from 4.6 cm/year (range 4.4‐5.2) to 7.0 cm/year (5.7‐8.7) (P = 0.04). Three children treated for 3‐6 months showed similar height velocity increases. A return to pretreatment growth rates was seen after cessation of treatment in all children. Twenty‐four‐hour GH profiles performed at intervals of 3 months showed sustained augmentation of pulsatile GH secretion without evidence of desensitization. The presence of pulsatile GH secretion during continuous GHRH administration provides strong evidence in man for the role of somatostatin in determining GH pulse frequency. The ability of the pituitary to respond to a supramaximal bolus of GHRH remained constant during the treatment. Continuous administration of GHRH(l‐29)NH2 will become a practicable treatment when formulated into a sustained release or depot preparation. We have shown this to be an effective therapy for some short, slowly growing children. Further studies are required to establish the optimal dosage regimen.