The effect of fasting on the hormonal response to graded exercise.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Hagen.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Investigations in a 14 year old girl with arrested growth for 2 years, delayed pubertal development, hypernatraemia without thirst, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipaemia are reported. The hypernatraemia was accompanied by a low vasopressin concentration with an abnormal response to thirst, high plasma renin but normal plasma aldosterone concentrations. Treatment with vasopressin and increased fluid intake decreased serum sodium levels. Serum gonadotrophins were low; GH response during an insulin tolerance test was subnormal and basal serum Prl concentration was elevated. Bone age, thyroid function and adrenal function were normal. After initiation of bromocriptine treatment her growth accelerated and regular menstruations commenced. The serum gonadotrophin levels increased and showed pulsatile release. A hypothalamic disorder is suggested, but no cerebral lesion could be demonstrated.
The physiological changes in plasma prolactin concentration were studied in 447 normal subjects, including 65 men, 75 pre-menopausal women and 307 post-menopausal women. The within-day and day-to-day variation as well as the circadian and circannual rhythm of plasma prolactin levels were determined. Furthermore, the relationship between changes in prolactin and oestradiol-17 beta levels during the normal menstrual cycle and in the climacteric was studied. Pre-menopausal women had significantly (P less than 0.01) higher basal plasma prolactin concentration than men and post-menopausal women. Furthermore, they had significantly (P less than 0.01) higher day-to-day variation than men. This suggests that prolactin in women is secreted in a pulsatile fashion. Only small seasonal variations in both sexes were seen. The levels of plasma prolactin during the ovulatory and the luteal phase in the cycle were significantly (P less than 0.02) higher than that of the follicular phase, and a positive correlation between changes in plasma concentration of oestradiol-17 beta and prolactin was found. Also in post-menopausal women a relationship between plasma concentration of prolactin and oestradiol-17 beta was seen. It is concluded that the assessment on the physiological variation recorded during sleep in both sexes. However, only in women day-to-day changes and the changes related to the menstrual cycle and the climacteric are of importance.
The influence of endogenous hyperprolactinaemia on oral glucose tolerance in normal women post-partum was studied. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed 8 weeks after delivery in 23 women, 13 of whom were breastfeeding. The lactating women had significantly higher plasma prolactin values before and during the OGTT than the non-lactating women (P less than 0.005). Fasting values of serum FSH, LH, progesterone and plasma glucagon were similar in the two groups. The non-lactating women had higher fasting concentrations of serum oestradiol (P less than 0.0005), plasma glucose (P less than 0.05) and insulin (P less than 0.05) than the lactating women. After oral glucose no differences were found between lactating and non-lactating women in changes in plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon concentrations. It is concluded that lactating women 8 weeks post-partum do not have an impaired OGTT compared to non-lactating women despite elevated plasma prolactin levels.
A 2-year double-blind trial designed for studying the separate and combined effects of bendroflumethiazide (BFTZ) and cyclical administration of 17 beta-estradiol + estriol/norethisterone (E/N) on coronary risk factors and bone mineral loss (reported elsewhere) was undertaken. Serum lipids, fasting blood glucose, body weight and blood pressure were measured every 3 months in 97 normal women in their early menopause. All participants received a supplement of 500 mg calcium and were randomized to one of the following treatment groups: 1) placebo (P) + P (n = 33); 2) P + E/N (n=21); 3) BFTZ + E/N (n=22); and 4) BFTZ + P (n=21). As compared with placebo BFTZ raised serum cholesterol by 6.0% (p less than 0.01), decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p less than 0.01) and reduced body weight (p less than 0.001). E/N decreased serum cholesterol by 9.8% (p less than 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure to the same extent as BFTZ (p less than 0.01), but left systolic blood pressure unchanged. Neither BFTZ nor E/N affected serum triglycerides or blood glucose significantly. During their combined use E/N easily overcame the hypercholesterolemic action of BFTZ, as serum cholesterol remained 6.5% and 12.5% below the mean values of the placebo and BFTZ group, respectively (p less than 0.001). The tendency of both BFTZ and E/N to raise serum triglycerides was added to cause a significant increase of 6.5% (p less than 0.01). No other additive effects were observed. In conclusion, the thiazide increased one (serum cholesterol) and decreased another (blood pressure) of the important coronary risk factors, whereas cyclical estrogen/-gestagen reduced both risk factors, also when given in combination with thiazide.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
With the aim of preventing postmenopausal bone loss, a placebo-controlled double-blind trial of 2 years duration was performed. We randomized 315 healthy volunteers in their early natural menopause to seven treatment and three placebo groups: 17 beta-oestradiol, oestriol and sequential norethisteron (hormones); bendroflumethiazide 5 mg/day (thiazide); hormones and thiazide; sodium fluoride 20 mg/day; vitamin D3 2000 IU/day (D3); fluoride and D3; and 1 alpha (OH) vitamin D3 0.25 microgram/day (1 alpha D3). All participants were given daily calcium supplement of 500 mg. Every 3 months we measured the bone mineral content (BMC) of both forearms by photon absorptiometry and chemical quantities in blood and 48 h urinary collections. The study was completed by 264 (84%). The combined placebo groups showed a linear fall in BMC reaching 3.3% after 2 years (P < 0.001). Hormones and hormones and thiazide led to a 2.5% gain in BMC (P < 0.01). Thiazide alone postponed the BMC fall for 6 months. After 2 years the thiazide group showed a BMC fall of 1.5% (P < 0.05), less than that of the placebo group (P < 0.05). BMC declined by 3.6%, 4.5%, 3.7% and 3.7% during the respective use of fluoride, D3, fluoride and D3 and 1 alpha D3. Nevertheless, the urinary calcium excretion during 1 alpha D3 and D3 treatment was 1--1.5 mmol/day higher than in the placebo groups. Apparently, there is no real alternative to oestrogen/gestagen in the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
The prolactin, LH, FSH, growth hormone and cortisol responses to surgical stress were studied in female patients receiving halothane (general) anaesthesia or epidural analgesia. Plasma cortisol, prolactin, and growth hormone concentrations increased during surgery, and post-operatively in patients operated under general anaesthesia, but not in patients operated during epidural analgesia. Gonadotrophin concentrations were unchanged in the general anaesthesia group until 9 h after stimulation when levels decreased slightly. In contrast plasma gonadotrophin levels decreased immediately after the administration of epidural analgesia and during the following 9 h. It is concluded that neurogenic blockade inhibits the anterior pituitary response to surgical stress.
Concentrations of human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP) in serum were measured in the fasting state and after a meal in 19 control subjects and 24 patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). The severity of CP was characterized on the basis of the duodenal lipase concentration after a test meal (Lundh test). Basal and postprandial HPP concentrations were significantly (p less than 0.01) decreased in severe and moderate chronic pancreatitis and in diabetes secondary to pancreatitis. There was only a weak correlation (r = 0.44; p less than 0.05) between exocrine secretion and delta HPP in CP. Fifty-eight percent of patients with CP had serum concentrations of HPP within the normal range, limiting the value of serum HPP measurement in the diagnosis of CP.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The prevalence of sexual dysfunction and the pituitary-gonadal function were studied in 72 consecutive diabetic male patients. Sexual dysfunction was found in 43% and in these patients peripheral neuropathy was significantly more frequent than in patients with normal sexual function. Sexual dysfunction was more frequent in patients at the age of 50--55 years than in young diabetics (age 25--30 years). No significant correlation between sexual dysfunction and the duration of the disease and no difference in the serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, testosterone and oestradiol-17beta between patients with normal and reduced sexual function was found. It is concluded, that sexual dysfunction is not accompanied by altered serum concentrations of testosterone, oestradiol 17beta, gonadotrophins or prolactin. Sexual dysfunction correlates with peripheral neuropathy, but the high prevalence of dysfunction in males with short duration of diabetes without neuropathy makes other causes likely.
Blood glucose concentration and insulin secretion expressed by peripheral plasma insulin (IRI) and C-peptide levels were measured during saline and sulpiride infusion in five normal men. In another experiment the same variables were analysed in six normal males before and during oral sulpiride treatment for 5 days. The i.v. and oral administration of sulpiride resulted in a significant rise in serum prolactin levels. The stimulated serum prolactin concentrations were equivalent to those seen during stress. The sulpiride induced hyperprolactinaemia did not change blood-glucose, plasma IRI levels, hepatic insulin removal and glucose utilization during basal conditions or after i.v. glucose administration.
The influence of hyperprolactinaemia on endocrine functions in forty-two consecutive patients with untreated pituitary tumours was studied. Patients with acromegaly, Cushing's disease and Nelson's syndrome were excluded. Sixteen patients (eleven men and five women) had a pituitary adenoma with suprasellar extension and twenty-six (eleven men and fifteen women) had a small intrasellar tumour. Basal plasma prolactin concentration was measured in all. Thyroid function was assessed by plasma thyroxine (T4) and TSH concentrations, adrenocortical function and growth hormone (GH) secretion by the maximum plasma cortisol, adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and GH concentrations, respectively, during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia (tITT). Gonadal function was studied by measuring plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), oestradiol-17 beta and in men, testosterone. On the basis of computer assisted tomography of the sella turcica, the tumour volume was calculated. The basal plasma prolactin concentration was elevated in 69% of the patients. Decreased GH secretion was the most frequent pituitary dysfunction (78%) followed in men by gonadal insufficiency (77%), adrenocortical insufficiency (31%) and thyroid insufficiency (21%). There was no difference between patients with elevated and normal plasma prolactin concentration as to the tumour volume and any of the endocrine variables.
Testicular and liver biopsies were obtained from thirty consecutive patients at the age of 30 and 64 years with chronic alcoholism (daily consumption of 72 g of alcohol or more for at least five years). The spermatogenesis was normal in 12 patients (40 per cent), moderately reduced in 15 patients (50 per cent) and severely reduced in 3 patients (10 per cent). No relation between the presence of liver disease as assessed by histological examination of the liver biopsy and the impairment in the spermatogenesis could be demonstrated.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Testis and liver histology, and pituitary-testicular function were studied in thirty chronic alcoholics. Severe reduction of spermatogenesis was found in 30% and in these patients serum follicle stimulating hormone and prolactin concentrations were significantly higher. There was no correlation between abnormalities in the liver and testis. The serum testosterone was normal in most cases. Sexual dysfunction and testicular atrophy occurred in more than half of the patients and were not related to liver disease. Testicular disorder in chronic alcoholism may be independent of liver disease.