bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth hormone binding protein and growth hormone availability in acromegalic patients treated with long-acting octreotide (Sandostatin-LAR)
Authors: Fisker Sanne , Kaal Andreas , Montini Marcella , Pedroncelli Alberto , Pagani Giorgio , Ørskov Hans 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Objective: In the medical treatment of acromegaly different factors are influencial; among these the impact on growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) has not been clarified.
Design: Twenty acromegalic patients and nineteen age- and gender-matched normal subjects participated in this study. The patients were treated for 21 months with depot long-acting microsphere-enclosed octreotide (Sandostatin-LAR). Previously, all the patients were treated s.c. with octreotide t.i.d. After a 2-week wash-out period (baseline) the patients received the first i.m. injection of the long-acting octreotide. The first two injections were administered at 60-day intervals; thereafter the injections were at 28-day intervals.
Methods: The levels of GHBP, complexed GHBP, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were determined in fasting serum samples.
Results: In the 2-week wash-out period GHBP levels decreased from 1·13 ± 0·17 to 0·92 ± 0·15 nmol/l (P < 0·05). During the 21-months treatment, GHBP increased again to 1·10 ± 0·16 nmol/l. In the age- and gender-matched control group GHBP levels were significantly higher at all times (1·95 ± 0·21 nmol/l, P(all) < 0·02). Mean levels of 8-h GH decreased from 12·6 ± 2·58 μg/l at baseline to 1·97 ± 0·20 μg/l after 21 months of treatment (P < 0·05). Mean 8-h GH levels were unchanged during long-acting octreotide treatment compared with levels during s.c. treatment (1·97 ± 0·20 μg/l and 1·90 ± 0·20 μg/l respectively). In fasting blood samples GH-complexed GHBP ranged from 13·8 ± 2·4% (9 months) to 25·4 ± 4·5% (baseline) of total GHBP. Serum IGF-I increased from 367 ± 45 to 764 ± 80 μg/l (P < 0·05) during the 2-week wash-out period and decreased to 290 ± 35 μg/l (P < 0·05) after 21 months of treatment with long-acting octreotide. IGF-I levels after 21 months were significantly lower than during s.c. octreotide treatment (P < 0·05).
Conclusion: Serum GHBP levels are similar during treatment with long-acting octreotide as compared with regular octreotide. Furthermore, significant changes in GHBP can occur within 2 weeks. Finally, in addition to the lowering effect on GH levels, the induced increase in GHBP levels may imply a further advantage in octreotide treatment of acromegaly, circulating GH bound to GHBP may less readily reach the tissues.
European Journal of Endocrinology 136 61–66
Increased neutrophil insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor expression and IGF-I-induced functional capacity in patients with untreated Laron syndrome
Authors: Bjerknes Robert , Vesterhus Per , Aarskog Dagfinn 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a growth hormone-dependent peptide with growth and immunoregulatory properties, and in Laron syndrome growth hormone insensitivity induces impaired production of IGF-I. In the present study we have determined the neutrophil expression of IGF-I receptors (IGF-I-Rs), as well as the IGF-I-induced priming of neutrophil functional capacity, in two children with Laron syndrome treated with recombinant human IGF-I, and in age-matched controls. Before treatment, the patient neutrophil expression of IGF-I-Rs was significantly increased. However, with replacement therapy the neutrophil IGF-I-R expression was downregulated to levels similar to those of the controls within one month. In the patients, the phagocytic capacity and oxidative burst of unprimed neutrophils were normal and similar to controls before the start of treatment. Moreover, IGF-I efficiently primed both patient and control neutrophils to increase their phagocytic capacity and oxidative burst in vitro. However, before therapy, the priming response to IGF-I was significantly stronger in the neutrophils in the patients than in the controls. The present data support earlier studies by us and others demonstrating that IGF-I is a potent regulator of mature neutrophil function, but also suggest that these leukocytes may function normally in the presence of very low levels of IGF-I in vivo.
European Journal of Endocrinology 136 92–95
Late post-prandial hypoglycaemia as the sole presenting feature of secreting pancreatic β-cell adenoma in a subtotally gastrectomized patient
Authors: Del Sindaco Paola , Casucci Giovanni , Pampanelli Simone , Polonsky Kenneth , Fanelli Carmine , Torlone Elisabetta , Santeusanio Fausto , Brunetti Paolo , Bolli Geremia B 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
In this paper we describe for the first time late post-prandial hypoglycaemia as the sole presenting feature of an insulinoma in a patient who had previously undergone subtotal gastrectomy. The symptoms of hypoglycaemia always occurred 1–3 h after meals, not in the fasting state. Because of the history of gastrectomy and because post-prandial hypoglycaemia was reproduced by an oral glucose tolerance test, the diagnosis of reactive hypoglycaemia was made. Eighteen months later a fasting test was performed: venous plasma glucose decreased from 3·8 mmol/l to 2·7 mmol/l between 14 and 20 h of fast while plasma immunoreactive insulin did not decrease and plateaued at 185 pmol/l. Plasma C-peptide (0·9 nmol/l) and proinsulin (70 pmol/l, split 64, 65) were also elevated. All islet hormones increased in response to i.v. glucose and were suppressed after diazoxide. Although pre-operative procedures were negative in localizing an insulinoma, the patient underwent an operation and an insulinoma was detected at the body level of the pancreas. Thus, insulinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of reactive hypoglycaemia in gastrectomized patients. Response of islet hormones to glucose and their suppression by diazoxide are evidence of a secreting insulinoma even in the absence of preoperative localization of the pancreatic adenoma.
European Journal of Endocrinology 136 96–99
Lack of suppressive action of luteal factors from sheep corpus luteum on LH response to exogenous LHRH in ovariectomized, pregnant and post-partum ewes
Authors: Al-Gubory Kaïs Hussain 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
In vivo studies have provided evidence of a non-steroidal factor from ovine corpora lutea (CL) of pregnancy called LH-release inhibiting factor (LH-RIF), which specifically inhibits tonic LH release without affecting FSH secretion. To study the possible pituitary site of action of LH-RIF and other factors from sheep CL of pregnancy, the LH response to LHRH was investigated in ovariectomized (OVX) ewes pretreated with ovine luteal extract (oLE) from CL of mid-pregnancy, and in pregnant and post-partum ewes from which the CL were removed at mid-pregnancy. In view of the fact that human follicular fluid (hFF) contains a non-steroidal factor, called gonadotrophin surge-attenuating factor, which attenuates the LHRH-induced LH release, it was clearly important to examine the LHRHinduced LH release in OVX ewes pretreated with oLE or hFF. In experiment 1, the LH and FSH responses (the maximum LH and FSH concentrations, the time to maximum LH and FSH concentrations and the area under the LH and FSH response curves) to a single i.v. injection of 5 μg of the LHRH agonist buserelin was not significantly different between ewes pretreated with oLE and ewes pretreated with BSA. Although the LHRH-induced LH and FSH release was slightly attenuated in OVX ewes pretreated with hFF as compared with OVX ewes pretreated with BSA, the maximum LH and FSH concentrations and the area under the LH and FSH response curves were not significantly different between the two groups of ewes. In experiment 2, the LH responses to a single i.v. injection of 0.5 μg LHRH on days 80 and 100 of pregnancy were not significantly different between intact ewes and ewes from which the CL were removed on day 70 of pregnancy. In both groups of ewes the maximum LH concentration and the area under the LH response curve were significantly lower (p<0·02) on day 100 than on day 80 of pregnancy. In experiment 3, the LH responses to a single i.v. injection of 50 μg LHRH on day 140 of pregnancy and on day 10 post-partum were not significantly different between intact ewes and ewes from which the CL were removed on day 70 of pregnancy. In both groups of ewes the maximum LH concentration and the area under the LH response curve were significantly lower (p<0·01) on day 140 of pregnancy than on day 10 post-partum.
These experiments provide evidence for a lack of suppressive action of luteal secretory products from the ovine CL of pregnancy on the pituitary LH response to LHRH in OVX, pregnant and post-partum ewes.
European Journal of Endocrinology 136 114–120
Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy in the treatment of thyroid and parathyroid diseases
Authors: Bennedbæk Finn Noe , Karstrup Steen , Hegedüs Laszlo 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Relevant English language articles published from 1966 to 1995 regarding ethanol therapy in the treatment of thyroid and parathyroid diseases were identified through a MEDLINE search and manual searches of identified articles.
The sclerosing properties of ethanol have been recognized for many years and have offered interventional possibilities in the management of various benign as well as malignant lesions. The mechanism of action of ethanol appears to be related to a direct coagulative necrosis and local partial or complete small vessel thrombosis. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) is rapid and performed on an out-patient basis and has now gained wide acceptance due to the accumulating evidence of the efficacy and safety of this therapeutic tool. Yet, there is a lack of prospective, randomized clinical trials comparing PEIT with 131I therapy or surgery with regard to its effects, especially long-term ones and it should therefore still be considered an experimental procedure.
In benign endocrine diseases, PEIT has shown promising results in the treatment of autonomous thyroid nodules, benign solitary cold solid as well as cystic thyroid nodules and parathyroid tumours. Its use in pretoxic and toxic thyroid nodules has been evaluated in several uncontrolled studies, all demonstrating a high success rate in spite of the large number of treatments needed. So far efficacy and cost-effectiveness seem inferior to 131I and surgery. Short-term results of PEIT in benign cystic thyroid nodules are convincing with a high cure rate, but no controlled studies with long-term results are available. Preliminary results suggest that PEIT could become an alternative to surgical excision or levothyroxine therapy in the symptomatic solid cold benign thyroid nodule.
Ultrasound-guided PEIT of parathyroid tumours has proven to be a useful method in highly selected patients in whom surgery has been found non-attractive and medical treatment ineffective. However, no prospective randomized trials have been published comparing the results of PEIT in parathyroid tumours with conventional surgical and medical treatments.
PEIT has never been tested against standard therapy, but seems inferior to 131I and surgery. Side-effects caused by ethanol injection are generally few and transient and are related to the injection into solid nodules rather than cysts. Ethanol injection into solid profund nodules may seriously jeopardize subsequent surgery because of perinodular fibrosis. As an experimental procedure, not yet evaluated sufficiently, it should be reserved for patients who cannot or will not undergo standard therapy. Caution in routine use is advisable.
European Journal of Endocrinology 136 240–250
Apoptosis and p53 suppressor gene protein expression in human anterior pituitary adenomas
Authors: Green Victoria L , White Michael C , Hipkin Leslie J , Jeffreys Richard V , Foy Patrick M , Atkin Stephen L 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Human anterior pituitary adenomas proliferate and express the p53 tumour suppressor gene protein, but it is not known if apoptosis (programmed cell death) occurs. Therefore, the detection of apoptosis was undertaken in tumorous human anterior pituitary tissue and compared with p53 protein expression, tumour type and tumour size. Apoptosis (detected by the in situ end labelling technique) and p53 suppressor gene protein (detected by DO. 1-antibody immunocytochemistry) were determined in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue from 37 human pituitary adenomas (2 macroprolactinomas, 9 somatotrophinomas and 26 non-functioning adenomas). Two normal anterior pituitaries were also included in this study. Pre-operative tumour size was scored 1 to 4 from magnetic resonance imaging radiology. Apoptosis was found in 7 of 29 tumours (24%), 11% of somatotrophinomas and 33% of non-functioning adenomas, although this difference was not significant. The p53 tumour suppressor protein was found in 7 of 31 tumours (23%), 33% of somatotrophinomas and 19% of nonfunctioning adenomas. Apoptosis and p53 protein expression were not found in normal anterior pituitary. In conclusion, apoptosis occurs in human anterior pituitary adenomas, but no significant association was found between apoptosis and p53 protein expression, tumour type or tumour size.
European Journal of Endocrinology 136 382–387
Pulsatile gonadotrophin secretion in hypothyroid women of reproductive age
Authors: Tomasi Paolo A , Fanciulli Giuseppe , Zini Michele , Demontis Maria A , Dettori Alessandra , Delitala Giuseppe 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Hypothyroid women may have various disturbances of the reproductive system. Although menstrual cycle disturbances and infertility have been reported in hypothyroidism, gonadotrophin levels have usually been found in the normal range. We have investigated whether female hypothyroid patients of reproductive age have any alteration in the pulsatile secretory pattern of gonadotrophin secretion. LH and FSH were assayed on days 2–5 of the menstrual cycle in blood samples taken every 10 min for 8 h from six hypothyroid women and six age-matched control subjects. Pulsatility was analysed using the Cluster and Detect programs. There was no significant difference in the number of peaks identified (3·7±0·8 vs 3·7±0·8 for LH, and 3·7±0·8 vs 4·2±0·5 for FSH), the mean duration of peaks (LH: 68·0±6·9 vs 72·±5·1 min; FSH: 81·9±8·1 vs 71·2±10·3 min), the area under the peaks (LH: 91·5±20·4 vs 148·2±55·1IU/l per min; FSH: 71·5±4·5 vs 62·7±15·0IU/l per min), and the incremental amplitude from baseline (LH: 2·2±0·4 vs 3·0±0·8 IU/l; FSH: 1·4±0·2 vs 2·1±0·5IU/l). However, the absolute pulse amplitude was greater in hypothyroid patients (LH: 14·5±1·4 vs 8·3±1·3 IU/l, FSH: 9·0±1·5 vs 5·8±1·2 IU/l, P=0·04), as were the integrated concentrations (LH: 6·6±0·7 vs 3·3±0·4OU/l per min, P<0·01; FSH: 4·3±0·4 vs 2·1±0·5IU/l per min, Oestradiol values were comparable in the two groups 42·7±0·4 vs 43·±9·7 pg/ml). These results indicate that in hypothyroid women there is an increased baseline level with a normal pulsatility of the gonadotrophin secretion. Similar oestrogen levels in both groups, and normal or nearnormal cycles in our patients suggest either a decreased biological potency of the gonadotrophins or a mild ovarian resistance.
European Journal of Endocrinology 136 406–409
Lack of relationship between 17-hydroxyprogesterone response to buserelin testing and hyperinsulinemia in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Şahin Yilmaz , Ayata Demet , Keleştimur Fahrettin 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Objective: To determine whether hyperinsulinism affects cytochrome P450c 17α activity by investigating the correlation between 17–hydroxyprogesterone (17–OHP) hyper-responsiveness to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, buserelin, and the insulin response to oral glucose in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Design: Ultrasound, clinical and hormonal parameters were used to define PCOS in this prospective clinical study. We investigated the correlation between the 17–OHP response to buserelin testing and the insulin response to oral glucose in PCOS.
Methods: Twenty-eight women with PCOS and eighteen normal women were included in the study. 17–OHP response to buserelin, and insulin and C–peptide responses to oral glucose were measured. Results: Twenty–live women with PCOS had an increased 17–OHP response. The PCOS patients showed significantly higher mean post–glucose load insulin and C–peptide levels than controls (P<0·05). No significant correlations were found between basal 17–OHP and fasting insulin or fasting C–peptide, between peak 17–OHP and fasting insulin, peak insulin or peak C–peptide, between 17–OHP area under the curve (AUC) and insulin AUC or C–peptide AUC, and between percent increment in 17–OHP and insulin AUC or C–peptide AUC (P >0·05).
Conclusions: Lack of a relationship between the 17–OHP response to the GnRH agonist buserelin and hyperinsulinism suggests that hyperinsulinism may not play a role in the dysregulation of the cytochrome P450c17α enzyme seen in PCOS.
European Journal of Endocrinology 136 410–415
Oestrogen replacement does not restore the reduced GH-releasing activity of Hexarelin, a synthetic hexapeptide, in post-menopausal women
Authors: Arvat E , Gianotti L , Broglio F , Maccagno B , Bertagna A , Deghenghi R , Camanni F , Ghigo E 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Hexarelin (HEX), a synthetic hexapeptide, has a strong and reproducible GH-releasing activity in man after intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal and oral administration. Its effect undergoes age-related variations, being reduced in elderly subjects. In spite of evidence in animals showing that the activity of GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) is positively influenced by oestrogens, in young adults no sex-related difference has been found in the GH response to HEX or to other GHRPs. We aimed to clarify the influence of the menopause and oestrogens on the GH-releasing activity of HEX. We studied the GH response to the acute administration of the maximal effective dose of HEX (2 μg/kgi.v.) in 24 young women (YW, age: 27·3±0·5 years; body mass index (BMI): 20·7±0·3 kg/m2). 14 post-menopausal women (PW, age: 52·9±1·2 years; BMI: 23·2±0·9 kg/m2) and 14 aged women (AW, age: 68·9±1·5 years; BMI: 21·7±0·7 kg/m2). In 10 post-menopausal women the GH response to HEX was also studied after 3 months of transdermal oestradiol treatment (delivery 50 μg/die). Basal oestrogen and GH levels in PW were lower than those in YW (oestrogen: 4·8±3·6 vs 42·0±3·4 pg/ml (mean±s.e.m.), P< 0·001; GH: 1·5±0·5 vs 2·9±0·6 μg/l, P< 0·02) and similar to those in AW (oestrogen: 1·3±0·4 pg/ml; GH: 0·9±0·2 μg/l). IGF-I levels in PW were not different from those in YW (174·4±11·9 vs 195·5±14·9 μg/l) and higher than those in AW (109·8±15·8 μg/l, P<0·01). The GH response to HEX in PW (areas under the curve±s.e.m.: 453·6±56·0 μg.min/l) was lower (P<0·002) than that in YW (1630·4±259·7 μg.min/l) while it did not differ from that in AW (781·8±189·3 μg.min/l). In PW 3-month oestrogen administration increased oestradiol levels (38·3±5·9 vs 0·8±0·4 pg/ml, p<0·001) making them similar to those recorded in YW, while it failed to modify both basal GH and IGF-I levels (GH: 1·8±0·6 vs 1·5±0·7 μg/l; IGF-I: 164·6±14·3 vs 175·0±12·3 μg/l). Also the GH response to HEX was not modified by oestradiol treatment (518·4±125·6 vs 425·4±69·3 μg.min/l). In conclusion, present data confirm the strong GH-releasing effect of Hexarelin in humans and demonstrate that its activity is already reduced in post-menopausal women to an extent overlapping that in elderly women. Moreover, oestrogen treatment is not able to restore it. Thus, the lack of oestrogens does not seem to account for the reduced somatotroph responsiveness to GHRPs in the post-menopausal period.
European Journal of Endocrinology 136 483–487
Assessment of thyroid growth stimulating activity of immunoglobulins from patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases by cytokinesis arrest assay
Authors: Miyamoto Shinichi , Kasagi Kanji , Alam Mohammad Sayeedul , Misaki Takashi , Iida Yasuhiro , Konishi Junji 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Objective: To develop a novel bioassay for the assessment of thyroid cell growth stimulating activity using cytochalasin B (CB) and to test immunoglobulins (IgGs) from patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases.
Design: The assay is based on the principle that growing cells during incubation with CB show an increased number of nuclei in a cell (N/C index), since CB. at appropriate concentrations, is known to inhibit cytoplasmic cleavage without affecting nuclear mitosis. The N/C index represents potential DNA production while cells are incubated with CB.
Methods: FRTL-5 thyroid cells were incubated with various thyroid stimulators in TSH-free medium containing 2 mg/l CB for 3 days. After the incubation, the cells were harvested in trypsin/EDTA to obtain single cell suspension, fixed, dropped onto a glass slide, stained and observed under a microscope to determine the N/C index.
Results: Bovine TSH at 10−3–1·0 U/l, forskolin at 1×10−7–10−5 mol/l, cholera toxin at 10×10−5–10−3 mg/l, or (Bu)2cAMP at 1× 10−5–10−3 mol/l increased the N/C index up to approximately 2·0 in a dose-dependent manner. IgGs not only from 27 patients with untreated goitrous Graves' disease but also from 14 patients with goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis elicited an increase in the N/C index, which exceeded the mean+2s.d. of the values for 17 normal subjects (mean ± s.d., 1·063 ±0.014). Four patients with primary myxedema displayed a normal N/C index. In Graves' disease, the N/C index did not correlate significantly with thyroid stimulating antibodies (TSAb) activities but did correlate significantly with estimated goiter size (P<0·05). IgGs containing blocking-type TSH-receptor antibodies inhibited the TSH- or Graves' IgG-stimulated increase in N/C index almost completely, but did not influence the stimulatory effect of IgG from two patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Conclusions: We have developed a sensitive and simple assay for thyroid growth stimulating activity by using CB, and found that all tested patients with goitrous Graves' disease and goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis have thyroid growth stimulating immunoglobulins whose activity does not correlate with TSAb.
European Journal of Endocrinology 136 499–507