Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Gomez-Sanchez

Publications and source records attributed to C Gomez-Sanchez.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of 18-hydroxylated steroids on corticosteroid production by human aldosterone synthase and 11beta-hydroxylase.

In glucocorticoid-suppressible hyperaldosteronism, 11beta- hydroxylase activity is impaired. A chimeric enzyme formed from the control elements of 11beta-hydroxylase and the structural elements of aldosterone synthase is expressed ectopically in the zona fasciculata, thus exposing cortisol to aldosterone synthase. Increased quantities of 18-hydroxycortisol and 18-oxocortisol are synthesized, which, it has been suggested, might have a local inhibitory effect on the normal 11beta-hydroxylase. The effects of these compounds and also of 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone were tested in cells stably transfected with CYP11B1 and CYP11B2, the genes encoding 11beta-hydroxylase and aldosterone synthase, respectively. Neither 18-hydroxycortisol nor 18-oxocortisol affected the efficiency of use of 11-deoxycorticosterone or 11-deoxycortisol as substrates by the enzymes. 18-Hydroxydeoxycorticosterone significantly reduced the conversion rate of 11-deoxycorticosterone to corticosterone and that of 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol by both enzymes, but the production rate of 18- hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone by aldosterone synthase increased. Aldosterone synthase was able to convert 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone to 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone, although its affinity for this substrate was lower (4.76 micromol/liter) than that for 11-deoxycorticosterone (0.11 micromol/liter). 11beta-Hydroxylase was unable to convert 18- hydroxydeoxycorticosterone to 18-hydroxycorticosterone. 18-Hydroxycortisol and 18-oxocortisol are not, therefore, the cause of lower 11beta-hydroxylase activity in glucocorticoid- suppressible hyperaldosteronism. 18-Hydroxydeoxycorticosterone can be converted to aldosterone, but its local concentration in man and its K(m) suggest that it is unlikely to be important.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Specific hydroxylations determine selective corticosteroid recognition by human glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors.

The ligand binding domains of the human mineralocorticoid receptor (hMR) and glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) display a high sequence homology. Aldosterone and cortisol, the major mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid hormones, are very closely related, leading to the cross-binding of these hormones to both receptors. The present study reports on the mechanism by which hMR and hGR are activated preferentially by their cognate hormones. We found that the ability of corticosteroids to stimulate the receptor's transactivation function is depending on the stability of the steroid-receptor complexes. In the light of a hMR structural model we propose that contacts through the corticosteroid C21 hydroxyl group are sufficient to stabilize hMR but not hGR and that additional contacts through the C11- and C17-hydroxyl groups are required for hGR.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Recombinant CYP11B genes encode enzymes that can catalyze conversion of 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol, 18-hydroxycortisol, and 18-oxocortisol.

CYP11B1 (11beta-hydroxylase) and CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) are 93% identical mitochondrial enzymes that both catalyze 11beta-hydroxylation of steroid hormones. CYP11B2 has the additional 18-hydroxylase and 18-oxidase activities required for conversion of 11-deoxycorticosterone to aldosterone. These two additional C18 conversions can be catalyzed by CYP11B1 if serine-288 and valine-320 are replaced by the corresponding CYP11B2 residues, glycine and alanine. Here we show that such a hybrid enzyme also catalyzes conversion of 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol, 18-hydroxycortisol, and 18-oxocortisol. These latter two steroids are present at elevated levels in individuals with glucocorticoid suppressible hyperaldosteronism (GSH) and some forms of primary aldosteronism. Their production by the recombinant CYP11B enzyme is enhanced by substitution of further amino acids encoded in exons 4, 5, and 6 of CYP11B2. A converted CYP11B1 gene, containing these exons from CYP11B2, would be regulated like CYP11B1, yet encode an enzyme with the activities of CYP11B2, thus causing GSH or essential hypertension. In a sample of 103 low renin hypertensive patients, 218 patients with primary aldosteronism, and 90 normotensive individuals, we found a high level of conversion of CYP11B genes and four cases of GSH caused by unequal crossing over but no gene conversions of the type expected to cause GSH.

Case-Control Studies↗

Quantitation of cortisol and related 3-oxo-4-ene steroids in urine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with stable isotope-labeled internal standards.

A method for the profiling of several important 3-oxo-4-ene urinary steroids is reported. The methodology is combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) utilizing stable isotope-labeled internal standards. The following standards were obtained or easily synthesized: [9, 11, 12, 12-2H4]cortisol, [1,2-2H2] and [9, 12, 12-2H2]cortisone, [1,2-2H2]6 beta-hydroxycortisol, and [1,2-2H2]18-hydroxycortisol. We found the following excretions of free steroids for normal adult males and females: cortisol (males mean +/- SD, 35 +/- 13; females mean +/- SD, 23 +/- 13), cortisone (males mean +/- SD, 58 +/- 23; females mean +/- SD, 50 +/- 22), 6 beta-hydroxycortisol (males mean +/- SD, 164 +/- 59; females mean +/- SD, 108 +/- 55), and 18-hydroxycortisol (males mean +/- SD, 148 +/- 55; females mean +/- SD, 71 +/- 30). For 18-hydroxycortisol in particular, the excretions were much higher for males than for females. We found that the larger part of urinary cortisol and cortisone is not free but is released from conjugation by enzymes present in snail digestive juice. Using a pooled urine sample from an equal number of male and female subjects, we found that for cortisol 29% was excreted free, 28% as glucuronide and 43% as other conjugates (probably sulfates). For cortisone 41% was free, 45% beta-glucuronide and 14% as other conjugates. Relatively little (3-8%) of the hydroxylated cortisols were excreted conjugated.

Adolescent↗

Do thymic-neuroendocrine interactions play a role in the antihypertensive effect of neonatal thymectomy in Lyon hypertensive rats?

Previous studies showed that neonatal thymectomy prevented the spontaneous increase in blood pressure in genetically hypertensive rats (LH) of the Lyon strain, leaving untouched that of their normotensive controls (LN). As the thymus is connected to the neuroendocrine system through secretion of hormonal factors, we investigated the possible role played by these factors in hypertension of LH rats. To that end we studied, in sham-operated and neonatally thymectomized LH rats, the blood pressure effects of thymostimulin, a partially purified thymus extract and examined whether changes in major neuroendocrine factors of blood pressure regulation occurred in thymectomized LH rats. Thymostimulin (1 or 10 mg/kg/48 h) did not modify blood pressure in sham-operated LH rats and failed to consistently increase it in neonatally thymectomized animals. Urinary mineralocorticoids, catecholamines and their metabolites, and plasma renin levels were not altered by neonatal thymectomy. Plasma testosterone was decreased to a similar degree by neonatal thymectomy in LH and normotensive controls. These results do not favor a pressor role of thymic hormonal factors in LH rats and show that the antihypertensive effect of neonatal thymectomy is not secondary to a decreased secretion of catecholamines, renin, mineralocorticoids, and testosterone. They therefore suggest that the role of the thymus in genetically hypertensive LH rats is more likely mediated by cellular immune mechanisms than by hormonal processes.

Animals↗

A prolactin release inhibiting activity isolated from neurointermediate lobe extracts is an endothelin-like peptide.

A prolactin release-inhibiting factor has been reported in extracts of rat and bovine neurointermediate lobes of the pituitary gland. This material when isolated by Sephadex G-25 chromatography or by C-8 high pressure liquid chromatography coelutes with synthetic forms of all members of the mammalian endothelin family of peptides and with their immediate precursors, big-ET-1 and big-ET-3. The endogenous material crossreacts in an endothelin radioimmunoassay. Immunohistochemical analysis of endothelin-like immunoreactivity in the neurointermediate lobe revealed a predominantly intermediate lobe localization. Individual immunopositive cells were visualized in the intermediate lobe. Preabsorption of chromatographically isolated prolactin release-inhibiting activity with an endothelin antiserum which recognizes all members of the ET family of peptides abolishes its in vitro bioactivity. These results suggest that a prolactin release-inhibiting activity present in the neurointermediate lobe is endothelin or an endothelin-like peptide.

Animals↗

Hyperprolactinemia in systemic lupus erythematosus: association with disease activity.

This study was designed to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of hyperprolactinemia in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other rheumatic diseases. Basal levels of prolactin were determined in 130 nonselected sera from patients with rheumatic diseases including 45 with SLE, 31 with rheumatoid arthritis, 23 with osteoarthritis, 18 with fibromyalgia, and 13 with polymyalgia rheumatica. Serum samples of 28 healthy subjects were used as normal controls. Serum prolactin was measured by radioimmunoassay. ANA, anti-DNA, RNP, Sm, Ro, La, and anticardiolipin antibodies were determined by standard techniques. Elevated serum levels of prolactin (PRL greater than 20 ng/ml) were found in a subset of SLE patients. In addition, a direct correlation with clinical disease and serological (ANA) activity was also found. These findings suggest a potential role for this immunoregulatory hormone in SLE pathogenesis.

Adult↗

Aldosterone response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in hemodialysis patients.

To investigate possible abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in patients with chronic renal failure on dialysis, we have examined the effects of insulin-induced hypoglycemia on the adrenal steroid responses. In normal subjects, plasma aldosterone and cortisol concentrations increase significantly in response to hypoglycemia, with good correlation. In the patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) however, insulin-induced hypoglycemia fails to elicit significant increases in the plasma cortisol and aldosterone levels. To test the adrenal responsiveness to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), we administered ACTH to both groups. Plasma cortisol and aldosterone responses are similar in both groups suggesting that the adrenal responsiveness to ACTH is not impaired. We also investigated the responsiveness of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in response to volume contraction by hemofiltration in patients with ESRD. Neither plasma renin activity nor plasma aldosterone concentration change significantly following such contrived volume contraction. These results reveal several endocrinologic abnormalities in the patients with ESRD on chronic hemodialysis.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Blood pressure and metabolic effects of 18-oxo-cortisol in sheep.

18-Oxo-cortisol (18-oxo-F) has been isolated from the urine of subjects with primary aldosteronism. This study examines the pressor, mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid effects of 18-oxo-F in conscious sheep--a well studied species for the assessment of the pressor effect of steroid hormones. 18-oxo-F (24 mg/day i.v. for 5 days, n = 3) increased mean arterial pressure MAP (64 +/- 2 mmHg control and 75 +/- 6 mmHg on day 5 P less than 0.001). There was no change in heart rate. Plasma [K+] decreased from a control of 4.3 +/- 0.1 mmol/l control to 2.9 +/- 0.3 mmol/l on day 5 (P less than 0.001). Urinary Na+ excretion decreased on the first infusion day (233 +/- 18 mmol/day control and 124 +/- 20 mmol/day on infusion day 1 P less than 0.001). Urinary K+ excretion was reduced on days 1, 4 and 5 of the infusion. Thus in sheep, 18-oxo-F increased blood pressure associated with in vivo evidence of mineralocorticoid activity.

Animals↗

Suppression of plasma renin and aldosterone in stress-salt hypertension in dogs.

Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) of 12 intact chronically instrumented dogs were measured at midday after 1) 7-12 days of normal sodium intake and no behavioral stress, 2) 7-12 days of continuous saline infusion (1.34 l/day) only, and/or 3) 7-12 days of saline infusion and avoidance-conditioning sessions. The saline infusion procedure did not significantly change arterial pressure or heart rate relative to base line but was associated with a consistent decrease in PRA (-0.90 +/- 0.38 ng angiotensin I . ml-1 . h-1) and PAC (-3.6 +/- 1.1 ng/dl). The combination of saline infusion and avoidance conditioning resulted in significant elevations in arterial pressure, but, again, both PRA (-1.46 +/- 0.16 ng angiotensin I . ml-1 . h-1) and PAC (-3.7 +/- 1.1 ng/dl) were significantly decreased. These results show that high sodium intake decreased aldosterone via suppression of renin release but do not rule out a possible hypertensinogenic role for stress-induced adrenocorticotrophic hormone-sensitive corticoids.

Aldosterone↗

Bromocriptine and the hypothalamic hypophyseal function in patients with chronic renal failure on chronic hemodialysis.

Ten patients with chronic renal failure on chronic hemodialysis had the following tests to evaluate the integrity of the hypothalamic hypophyseal axis: (A) glucose tolerance test, (B) thyrotropin releasing hormone stimulation test, (C) clonidine stimulation test, (D) insulin induced hypoglycemia, and (E) LH/RH stimulation test. The majority of those tests were abnormal and prolactin values were found to be moderately elevated in all the patients. Bromocriptine (1.25 mg twice a day) was given to all the patients for 1 month and then, while on bromocriptine, the tests were repeated. Although there is a decrement in the concentration of serum prolactin level, none of the hypothalamic hypophyseal abnormalities were corrected. However, five of the ten patients reported an improvement of their impotence with bromocriptine. The patients who responded had high levels of FSH and LH with levels of testosterone above 1 mg/mL. The nonresponders had low FSH and LH levels and very low testosterone levels. Therefore, bromocriptine, although possibly beneficial in some dialysis patients, is not a drug that can normalize abnormal functioning of hormones in the dialysis population.

Adult↗

Evidence supporting the renal synthesis of 19-nor-deoxycorticosterone.

The fraction of urine containing free steroids was analyzed in a specimen obtained from a patient with 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency and contained deoxycorticosterone (DOC) (approximately 0.9 micrograms/24 h), 19 nor-DOC (approximately 1.1 micrograms/24 h) and tetrahydro-DOC (approximately 15.2 micrograms/24 h). These steroids were identified by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. If present, tetrahydro-19-nor-DOC was at a concentration below the limits of detection, but it was the major metabolite found in urine of a normal person after ingestion of the steroid. This strongly suggests that little 19-nor-DOC passes through the liver after synthesis and is therefore further evidence that the final stage of its synthesis occurs in the kidney in close proximity to the site of excretion.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

Aldosterone suppression with dopamine infusion in low-renin hypertension.

A dopaminergic mechanism has been proposed to suppress aldosterone secretion. To assess the possibility that a defect in the dopaminergic mechanism might enhance aldosterone secretion in hypertensive patients, we determined basal and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-stimulated plasma aldosterone (PA), cortisol, renin activity, and potassium concentrations before and during dopamine receptor stimulation with dopamine infusion and bromocriptine administration and dopamine receptor blockade with metoclopramide. The patient study groups included: (a) seven patients with low-renin hypertension and abnormal aldosterone suppression with sodium loading and presumed bilateral zona glomerulosa hyperplasia (ZGHP); (b) two patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma; (c) five patients with low-renin hypertension but normal aldosterone suppression with sodium loading; and (d) six patients with normal-renin hypertension. Dopamine infusion in patients with ZGHP caused PA to fall (P less than 0.01) into the normal range, but did not block the enhanced (P less than 0.05) aldosterone response to ACTH that is characteristic of these patients. Dopamine infusion in patients with low-renin hypertension but normal aldosterone suppression also suppressed PA (P less than 0.01), whereas it had no effect upon PA in patients with normal-renin hypertension or aldosterone-producing adenoma and did not blunt the PA response to ACTH in either group. Bromocriptine administration had no effect upon basal or ACTH-stimulated PA. Dopamine infusion in patients with ZGHP also enhanced (P less than 0.05) diuresis and natriuresis in comparison with normal-renin patients. Metoclopramide administration increased (P less than 0.01) PA in all patients. Thus, a dopaminergic mechanism appears to be important in the regulation of aldosterone secretion in patients with ZGHP and in other low-renin hypertensives with normal aldosterone suppression with sodium loading. In contrast, this latter group does not exhibit an enhanced aldosterone response to ACTH. Both of these groups differ from normal-renin hypertensives, who have no PA suppression with dopamine infusion.

Adenoma↗

Evaluation of the hypothalamic hypophyseal adrenal axis in patients receiving long-term hemodialysis.

Several alterations are present in the hypothalamic hypophyseal regulation of many hormones in patients with chronic renal failure. Evaluation of the hypothalamic hypophyseal adrenal axis in these groups of patients demonstrated normal levels of plasma cortisol. Dexamethasone suppression is abnormal after administration of 1 mg of oral dexamethasone, but normal after 3 mg. Dexamethasone blood levels were lower than the control after administration of 1 mg of oral dexamethasone. A dexamethasone metabolic clearance showed a similar half-life between the patients and controls. Oral absorption study showed poor absorption of the drug. Therefore, there is a problem of gastrointestinal absorption producing the abnormal dexamethasone suppression test in patients with renal failure. Results of metyrapone tests were normal. Corticotropin stimulation tests elicited a normal response. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia does not produce an increment in plasma cortisol or adrenocorticotropic hormone levels.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Role of osmolality in blood pressure stability after dialysis and ultrafiltration.

To clarify the mechanisms involved in the stability of blood pressure during ultrafiltration (UF) alone versus regular dialysis, this study systematically examined the importance of changes in serum potassium, osmolality, and plasma norepinephrine during several dialysis maneuvers. Six stable, normotensive chronic dialysis patients were subjected to a uniform 2 to 3% decrease in body weight during the 2 hours of each dialysis maneuver. Supine to upright mean blood pressure (MBP) decreased (90 to 75 mm Hg, P less than 0.05), and three patients became symptomatic after weight loss during regular dialysis, but orthostatic blood pressure was stable (89 to 86 mm Hg, NS) and the patients were asymptomatic after UF and weight loss. Isokalemic regular dialysis did not afford hemodynamic stability, as orthostatic MBP declined (85 to 56 mm Hg, P less than 0.02), and four of the patients were again asymptomatic after standing. A continuous hypertonic mannitol (25%) infusion during the 2-hour dialysis, however, kept osmolality from decreasing and was associated with a stable orthostatic MBP (89 to 83 mm Hg, NS). A continuous infusion of isotonic mannitol (5%) given in a volume of five times that of the hypertonic mannitol failed to prevent orthostatic hypotension (80 to 60 mm Hg, P less than 0.005). Plasma norepinephrine concentrations were high in these patients and increased only modestly after weight loss. These results implicate constant plasma osmolality as a critical protective factor of blood pressure during UF and further demonstrate that changes in blood pressure may be associated from changes in both serum potassium and plasma norepinephrine concentration.

Blood↗

Water and electrolyte movement and mucosal morphology in the jejunum of patients with portal hypertension.

Intestinal secretion and intercullular space dilatation can be induced in animal models by acute elevation of intravascular volume or portal pressure. We examined whether patients with increased portal venous pressure might represent a clinical counterpart to these animal models. Portal venous pressure, determined by hepatic wedge pressure measurement, was elevated to 10-55 mmHg (mean 29 mmHg) in 8 patients with chronic liver disease without diarrhea. Intestinal transport studies utilizing a steady-state perfusion technique revealed normal absorption of a plasmalike electrolyte solution. A solution dsigned to unmask intestinal secretion demonstrated no difference from control subjects in the movement of water, electrolytes, or protein into the intestional lumen. There was no correlation of absorption of secretion with hepatic wedge pressure. Jejunal biopsy revealed a significant increase in dilatation of intercellular spaces in patients compared to controls; this increase was not correlated with hepatic wedge pressure, but was significantly inversely correlated to plasma renin and aldosterone concentration. We conclude that patients with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension absorb water and electrolytes normally, but have mild morphologic alterations in the intestinal mucosa, possibly related to intravascular volume status.

Adult↗