bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lipoprotein‐induced modulation of cyclosporine‐A‐mediated immunosuppression
Authors: RÖDL S. , FUCHS G. , KHOSHSORUR G. , IBERER F. , TSCHELIESSNIGG K. H. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Human serum lipoproteins form complexes with cyclosporine‐A and act as a carrier of cyclospor‐ine‐A in vivo. We compared the immunosuppressive effects of free cyclosporine‐A, a complex composed of cyclosporine‐A and lipoproteins, free cyclosporine‐A in the presence of each unbound lipoprotein, and each lipoprotein without cyclosporine‐A with one another at concentrations comparable with in vivo conditions on PHA‐stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells.Free cyclosporine‐A reduced the proliferation of the PHA‐stimulated mononuclear cells to 50% at a concentration of 300 ng ml‐1 (SD±30, n= 12) lipopro‐tein‐deficient medium.Cyclosporine‐A loaded into VLDL showed a 50% proliferation rate reduction at 60 μg VLDL ml‐1 (SD± 10, n= 12) and 180 ng cyclosporine‐A ml‐1. In the presence of 100 ng ml‐1 cyclosporine‐A 180 μg ml‐1 VLDL (SD μ 25,n= 12) showed a proliferation rate reduction of 50%. In the same way VLDL without cyclosporine‐A induced a reduction to 50% at 740 μg ml‐1 (SD ± 30, n=12).Cyclosporine‐A loaded into LDL showed a 50% proliferation rate reduction at 27 μg ml‐1 LDL (SD ± 5, n= 12) with 80 ng ml‐1 cyclosporine‐A. In the presence of 100 ng ml‐1, cyclosporine‐A 150 μg ml‐1 LDL (SD±25, n=12) showed a proliferation rate reduction of 50%. In the same way, LDL without cyclosporine‐A induced a reduction to 50% at 950 μg ml‐1 (SD ± 50, n=12).HDL stimulates prolferation at concentrations of 32 to 1000 μg HDL ml‐1. Concentrations higher than 1000 μg HDL ml‐1 are inhibitory. Comparing the activity of each lipoprotein in the presence of free cyclosporine‐A with each lipoprotein‐cyclosporine‐A complex, we found that the cyclosporine‐A‐VLDL complex yields a reduced lymphocyte proliferation activity, the cyclosporine‐A‐HDL complex produces nearly the same activity and the cyclosporine‐A‐LDL complex induces a higher activity in comparison with the unlinked cyclosporine‐A.Therefore, we suggest that lipoproteins may play an important role in the cyclosporine‐A‐mediated immunosuppression as the cyclosporine‐A‐LDL complex augments the cyclosporine‐A immunosuppressive power.
Platelet P1, P4‐Di (adenosine‐51) tetraphosphate (AP4A) in migraine patients before and during β‐adrenoceptor blockade
Authors: WINTHER K. , HEDMAN C. , FLODGAARD H. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. P1, P4‐Di(adenosine‐51) tetraphosphate (AP4A) is a metabolically inactive nucleotide which can be released from platelet dense granules. This study was designed firstly, to investigate whether platelet content of AP4A was decreased in patients with classical migraine and secondly, whether the content of AP4A was changed by β‐adrenoceptor blockade.No significant difference in platelet dense granule content of AP4A, was observed between 10 migraine patients and 10 normal controls. Both metoprolol, a β1‐selective blocker and propranolol, a non‐selective beta‐blocker significantly decreased the migraine attack rate. However, while propranolol significantly reduced the platelet content of AP4A, metoprolol did not.Therefore, the present data suggest that platelet dense granule release, as estimated by the content of AP4A is not of major importance in migraine.
Role of excretory graft function for erythropoietin formation after renal transplantation
Authors: ECKARDT K.‐U. , FREI U. , KLIEM V. , BAUER C. , KOCH K. M. , KURTZ A. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. To examine the role of renal excretory function for erythropoietin (EPO) formation we have determined the kinetics of plasma immunoreactive EPO (irEPO) in patients with end‐stage renal disease undergoing renal allotransplantation (RTX).In 13 patients with immediate excretory graft function (imGF) and stable haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations (median Hb9–5gdl‐1and median irEPO 18 mU ml‐1before RTX) irEPO increased significantly on day 4 after RTX to a median value of 29 mU ml‐1and 2 days later reached a plateau of 34.4±3.3 mU ml‐1(mean ± SD of daily median values during days 6–20). In patients with imGF having acute blood loss and subsequently receiving transfusions, irEPO responded in an inverse fashion to changes in Hb concentrations.In 12 patients with delayed graft function (dGF) (median Hb 8.8 gdl‐1and median irEPO 15 mU ml‐1before RTX) irEPO levels during the period of excretory failure remained either unchanged or displayed marked variations with peak values greatly exceeding those of patients with imGF. These variations were not related to changes in Hb concentrations and irEPO levels did not change following alterations in Hb concentrations. Upon recovery of excretory function irEPO approached the values found in patients with imGF.The results suggest that an intact excretory renal function is not a prerequisite for the capability to produce EPO, but correlates with the oxygen‐dependent regulation of EPO formation.
The activity of cholesteryl ester transfer protein is decreased in hypothyroidism: a possible contribution to alterations in high‐density lipoproteins
Authors: DULLAART R. P. F. , HOOGENBERG K. , GROENER J. E. M. , DIKKESCHEO L. D. , ERKELENS D. W. , DOORENBOS H. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The activity of cholesteryl ester transfer protein is instrumental in the distribution of cholesteryl ester between lipoproteins in plasma. We measured the activity of cholesteryl ester transfer protein in plasma, designated cholesteryl ester transfer activity, as the rate of cholesteryl ester transfer between exogenous radiolabelled low‐density and high‐density lipoproteins. The effect of hypothyroidism on cholesteryl ester transfer activity was investigated in 13 athyreotic patients who were studied in the hypothyroid condition and in the euthyroid state, after they had received triiodothyronine supplementation for 33 to 67 days.During hypothyroidism plasma total cholesterol, very‐low‐ plus low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, plasma triacylglycerol, apolipoprotein A1 and B were significantly higher than in the euthyroid state. Cholesteryl ester transfer activity was 15% lower during hypothyroidism (P < 0.02), and an effect of treatment duration was observed. The changes in high‐density lipoprotein total cholesterol (P < 0.02), free cholesterol (P < 0.001), triacylglycerol (P < 0.05) and the free cholesterol/cholesteryl ester molar ratio in high‐density lipoproteins (P < 0.01) were inversely related to the changes in cholesteryl ester transfer activity.We concluded that thyroid hormone is involved in the regulation of cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity, and that cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity may play a role in the alterations in high‐density lipoprotein lipids observed in hypothyroidism.
Role of excretory graft function for erythropoietin formation after renal transplantation
Authors: ECKARDT K.‐U. , FREI U. , KLIEM V. , BAUER C. , KOCH K. M. , KURTZ A. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. To examine the role of renal excretory function for erythropoietin (EPO) formation we have determined the kinetics of plasma immunoreactive EPO (irEPO) in patients with end‐stage renal disease undergoing renal allotransplantation (RTX).In 13 patients with immediate excretory graft function (imGF) and stable haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations (median Hb9–5gdl‐1 and median irEPO 18 mU ml‐1 before RTX) irEPO increased significantly on day 4 after RTX to a median value of 29 mU ml‐1and 2 days later reached a plateau of 34.4±3.3 mU ml‐1 (mean ± SD of daily median values during days 6–20). In patients with imGF having acute blood loss and subsequently receiving transfusions, irEPO responded in an inverse fashion to changes in Hb concentrations.In 12 patients with delayed graft function (dGF) (median Hb 8.8 gdl‐1 and median irEPO 15 mU ml‐1 before RTX) irEPO levels during the period of excretory failure remained either unchanged or displayed marked variations with peak values greatly exceeding those of patients with imGF. These variations were not related to changes in Hb concentrations and irEPO levels did not change following alterations in Hb concentrations. Upon recovery of excretory function irEPO approached the values found in patients with imGF.The results suggest that an intact excretory renal function is not a prerequisite for the capability to produce EPO, but correlates with the oxygen‐dependent regulation of EPO formation.
The influence of gestational age on bilirubin conjugation in newborns
Authors: ULLRICH D. , FEVERY J. , SIEG A. , TISCHLER T. , BIRCHER J. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Unconjugated, mono‐ and diconjugated bilirubin levels were determined in serum soon after birth, and followed up for several days. Fourteen preterm neonates were studied with a gestational age below 33 weeks (n= 7) or between 34 and 37 weeks (n= 7), respectively, as well as 19 full‐term newborns either untreated (n= 9) or treated by phototherapy (n= 10). Bilirubin and its derivatives were analysed by alkaline methanolysis and spectrometry after separation by thin‐layer chromatography.In normal full‐term neonates total and unconjugated bilirubin reached peak levels at days 2–4. Thereafter, a decline of 11 % per day was detectable. Monoconjugates in serum amounted to 3.1 ± 1.1% of total pigment and remained at that level. The relative amount of diconjugates increased from 0.55 ± 0.25% (2–4th postnatal day) to 1.62 ± 0.99% (9–13th day of life). The rapid decline of unconjugated bilirubin paralleled by an increase of diconjugates are an expression of the maturation process for bilirubin conjugation.The premature neonates with less than 33 weeks gestation exhibited an increase of unconjugated serum bilirubin up to the 4–5th postnatal day, the decline thereafter amounted 2% per day. The fraction of 2.3 ± 1.1% monoconjugates was small and exhibited only a moderate increase in the follow up. In contrast diconjugates were undetectable or very low and remained at this level. These results suggest the presence of a more severe immaturity as well as a slower maturation process of bilirubin conjugation in preterm newborns.A subgroup of full‐term neonates treated by phototherapy showed highest serum bilirubin levels at the first days of life and the lowest monoconjugate fraction (1.2 ± 1±1%). In the follow up the monoconjugates rose slightly, whereas the diconjugate fraction remained very low. These findings in this subgroup of full‐term newborns might indicate a more severe conjugation defect for bilirubin as well as a bilirubin overload in respect to a limited bilirubin glucuronidation capacity.Analysis of bilirubin pattern in serum seems to allow prediction of the severity and the maturation rate of bilirubin conjugation.
Serum hyaluronate and type III procollagen aminoterminal propeptide concentration in chronic liver disease. Relationship to cirrhosis and disease activity
Authors: RAMADORI G. , ZÖHRENS G. , MANNS M. , RIEDER H. , DIENES H.P. , HESS G. , ZUM BÜSCHENFELDE K.‐H.MEYER 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. To analyse the relationship between the presence of liver cirrhosis and hepatic inflammation and the serum concentrations of the aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen type III (P‐III‐NP) and of hyaluronic acid (HA) in chronic liver disease, we measured P‐III‐NP and HA concentrations in paired serum samples from 133 patients with various chronic liver diseases, from 22 patients with acute hepatitis and from 50 healthy age‐matched controls. In 24 (of the 133) patients with autoimmune chronic liver disease, follow‐up determination was performed during therapeutic treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. Compared with controls P‐III‐NP concentrations (medians) were significantly elevated in 65% of patients with chronic active hepatitis (P=0.00097) and in 79% of patients with active liver cirrhosis (P=0.0126) but not in patients with chronic persistent hepatitis (P= 0.06). Serum concentrations (medians) of HA were increased (P= 0.0058) in 32% of patients with chronic active hepatitis and in 91% of patients with active cirrhosis (P < 6.10‐7). The difference of HA serum concentrations but not that of P‐III‐NP serum concentrations in patients with chronic active hepatitis and in patients with active cirrhosis was statistically significant. HA and P‐III‐NP serum concentrations were significantly elevated in 22 patients with acute hepatitis. Serum concentrations of P‐III‐NP in patients with autoimmune chronic liver disease significantly decreased during immunosuppressive therapy in patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (P= 0.0001) and in patients with autoimmune active cirrhosis (P= 0.0039); HA serum concentration decreased to normal level in patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (P= 0.0017); in contrast, when cirrhosis was present, serum HA levels decreased but remained elevated (P= 0.129).It is concluded that determination of HA serum concentrations will help to differentiate chronic active hepatitis from active cirrhosis. While elevated P‐III‐NP serum concentrations mainly correlate with inflammatory activity, elevated HA serum concentrations seem to be an expression of mainly the reduced functional (clearance function) capacity of the liver in chronic liver diseases. Therefore determination of HA serum concentration is of greater diagnostic value, especially when inflammatory activity is low.
Insulin time‐dependent effects on the leg exchange of glucose and amino acids in man
Authors: LUNDGREN F. , EDÉN E. , ARFVIDSSON B. , LUNDHOLM K. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Time‐dependent effects of insulin on the leg exchange of glucose, lactate, glycerol, free fatty acids (FFA) and amino acids were measured in relation to oxygen uptake (leg and whole body) and whole body glucose assimilation including oxidation. Seven healthy males (58 ± 3 years of age) were investigated before operation of uncomplicated inguinal hernia or varicose veins. Euglycaemic glucose clamp investigations with systemic hyperinsulinaemia between 100–120 mU 1‐1 were used. Metabolic measurements were performed before and during hyperinsulinaemia at 2 and 6 h following the start of glucose clamp to evaluate the time‐dependency of insulin actions.Whole body glucose uptake increased continuously for up to 6 h (from 4·7 ± 0·7 to 8·0 ± 0·8 mg/kg/min, P<0·01) despite stable plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin. This was also true for glucose oxidation. Whole body oxygen uptake did not change significantly during the clamp while the leg exchange of oxygen uptake did (from 5·9 ± 0·86 μmol/100 g/min to 11·6 ± 2·4, P<0·01). Insulin effect on leg blood flow was time‐dependent and increased two‐fold (2·3 ± 0·4 ml/100 g/min to 4·4 ± 0·9, P<0·001) during clamp. The leg production of lactate increased continuously, accounting for approximately 15% of the glucose uptake across the leg, but the rise in arterial lactate did not reach the level of statistical significance. Plasma FFA concentrations decreased in a time‐dependent manner during clamp, while the leg exchange of FFA switched rapidly to a stable net uptake. Arterial concentrations of amino acids declined with time. The leg release of the sum of all amino acids decreased also in a time‐dependent manner and then switched to a net uptake, mainly depending on an increasing uptake of leucine, valine and methionine. The release of phenylalanine and tyrosine, which are not metabolized in peripheral tissues, were not significantly influenced by prolonged hyperinsulinaemia.The results demonstrate that the euglycaemic glucose clamp procedure is not associated with steady‐state metabolism for glucose assimilation, oxygen uptake, lactate formation and amino acid exchange either measured across the whole body or peripheral tissues. The results also support a recent finding in our laboratory that insulin in itself does not inhibit net degradation in human peripheral tissues including the leg skeletal muscles.
Adrenergic regulation of lipolysis in human fat cells during exercise
Authors: WAHRENBERG H. , BOLINDER J. , ARNER P. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The adrenergic regulation of lipolysis was studied, before and after 30 min of submaximal exercise, in isolated adipocytes removed from the abdominal and gluteal regions of healthy non‐obese men and women. Noradrenaline‐induced lipolysis was significantly enhanced in gluteal adipocytes from men but not in women after exercise. However, the pure beta‐adrenergic responsiveness was equally increased in gluteal adipocytes of both sexes after exercise, as judged by the effect of isoprenaline. Furthermore, the alpha2‐adrenergic anti‐lipolytic responsiveness was more apparent after exercise in females than in males thereby counter‐balancing the increase in the beta‐adrenergic effect in the gluteal region in the former. The increased beta‐adrenergic responsiveness induced by exercise in gluteal adipocytes of males could be mimicked by agents acting at the levels of adenylate cyclase, coupling proteins, phosphodiesterase, and protein kinase and seems to be due to an adaptive enhancement at the hormone‐sensitive‐lipase level. There was no change in the stoichiometric properties of beta‐adrenoceptors of gluteal adipocytes after exercise. Abdominal adipocytes of both sexes were four to five times more responsive to noradrenaline than gluteal ones. However, exercise induced no further enhancement of the catecholamine‐stimulated lipolysis rate in fat cells from this site.Thus, the influence of exercise on catecholamine‐stimulated lipolysis is regional and sex dependent. Men, but not women, have a greater ability to adapt lipolysis to increasing energy demands during exercise that are due to an acute increase in the effectiveness of the hormone‐sensitive lipase complex. This effect was observed only in the gluteal region, whereas lipolysis in the abdominal region did not adapt to exercise. Women, in general, were more responsive than males to catecholamines in the abdominal region.
Desogestrel in hormone replacement therapy: long‐term effects on bone, calcium and lipid metabolism, climacteric symptoms, and bleeding
Authors: MARSLEW U. , RIIS B. J. , CHRISTIANSEN C. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Seventy‐three healthy, postmenopausal women, aged 45–54 years, were randomly assigned to one of three groups for 2 years of treatment: 17β‐oestradiol 1·5 mg on days 1–12 and 17β‐oestradiol 1·5 mg+desogestrel 150 μg on days 13–24 (E2/DG) or oestradiol valerate 2 mg on days 1–11 and oestradiol valerate 2 mg+medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg on days 12–21 (E2V/MPA) or placebo. Fifty‐seven women (78%) completed the study.Bone mineral content of the distal regions of the forearms (measured by single photon absorptiometry, SPA) and bone mineral density of the spine (measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry, DXA) showed increases of 0·5‐1% and 4–5%, respectively, in the hormone groups over 2 years. The placebo group exhibited a decrease in spinal bone density of 2% per year, and in the forearm of 2·5‐3·5% per year. Biochemical estimates of bone turnover (serum alkaline phosphatase and fasting urinary calcium) decreased significantly to premenopausal levels in the hormone groups but remained unchanged in the placebo group.In both hormone groups total cholesterol decreased by about 9% (P < 0·001), whereas low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased by 16% in the E2/DG group and 20% in the E2V/MPA group (P < 0·001). High density lipoprotein cholesterol showed only minor, insignificant changes in the hormone groups. The placebo group had virtually unchanged values.Climacteric symptoms, including hot flushes, were significantly reduced in both hormone groups. Bleeding occurred regularly in about 80% of the women.We conclude that both combinations of oestrogen and progestogens effectively prevent postmenopausal bone loss and are appropriate alternatives in hormone replacement therapy.
Effects of muscarinic blockade on insulin secretion and on glucose‐induced thermogenesis in lean and obese human subjects
Authors: SCHNEEBERGER D. , TAPPY L. , TEMLER E. , JEQUIER E. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. To determine whether hyperinsulinaemia of human obesity is dependent on the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, and whether activation of the parasympathetic nervous system plays a role in glucose‐induced thermogenesis, the metabolic effect of a continuous intravenous glucose infusion [44·4 μmol kg‐1 body weight (bw) min‐1] with or without atropine infusion was assessed in 11 obese patients and 10 lean controls.Compared with lean controls, obese patients had increased basal and glucose‐stimulated plasma insulin and C‐peptide concentrations and increased plasma glucose concentrations during glucose infusion. Glucose oxidation during i.v. glucose was lower in obese patients than in lean controls. Glucose‐induced thermogenesis was similar in obese patients and in lean controls.Atropine infusion did not affect basal plasma glucose, insulin or free fatty acid concentrations nor glucose‐stimulated plasma glucose, insulin, C‐peptide, glucagon or free fatty acid concentrations in both groups of subjects. Glucose and lipid oxidation rates and glucose‐induced thermogenesis were also unaffected by atropine administration.It is concluded that (1) glucose‐stimulated hyperinsulinaemia in human obesity is not dependent on a hyperactivity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which indicates that human obesity is different from most animal models of obesity; (2) glucose‐induced thermogenesis is similar in obese and lean subjects when a similar load of glucose is administered; (3) inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system does not affect the thermic effect of i.v. glucose.
Blockade of glucocorticoid receptors prevents the increase in urea synthesis after hysterectomy in rats
Authors: HEINDORFF H. , ALMDAL T. P. , VILSTRUP H. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The postoperative increase in hepatic conversion of amino nitrogen to urea nitrogen seems to be a primary cause of post‐surgical catabolism. The importance of glucocorticosteroids for the spontaneous urea nitrogen synthesis rate (UNSR) and for the maximally amino acid‐stimulated capacity of urea nitrogen synthesis (CUNS) was investigated 3 and 24 h postoperatively, respectively, in hysterectomized rats.Corticosteroid effects were neutralized by gluco‐corticoid receptor blockade by the pharmacological analogue RU486.Hysterectomy doubled UNSR from 3·16 ± 0·20 to 6·12 ± 0·27 μmol (per min per 100 g body weight) after 3 h (P < 0·01) and increased CUNS by 40% from 7·47 ± 0·30 to 10·29 ± 0·41 μmol (per min per 100 g body weight) after 24 h (P < 0·01). These changes were both normalized by the receptor blockade. Hysterectomy decreased total blood α‐amino nitrogen concentration by 25% from 3·4 ± 0·2 to 2·6 ± 0·2 mmol l‐1 (P < 0·05) 3 h after surgery, which was normalized by glucocorticoid receptor blockade. Hysterectomized rats lost 10 ± 1 g the first 24 h after surgery. The blockade reduced the weight loss to 6 ± 1 g body weight (P < 0·05) without changing food intake.The results indicate that glucocorticoid action plays a major role in the postoperative increase in hepatic amino nitrogen conversion.