Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F E Kaiser

Publications and source records attributed to F E Kaiser.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Gonadotropin determinations and thyrotropin-releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone testing in critically ill postmenopausal women with hypothyroxinemia.

Critically ill patients often have altered serum levels of thyroid hormones. The present study was undertaken to further define hormonal changes in such patients. Since postmenopausal women have normally elevated gonadotropin levels, this group was chosen as the study population. Thirteen critically ill patients with serum T4 concentrations below 5 micrograms/dl (group I), 16 critically ill patients with T4 concentrations of 5 micrograms/dl or greater (group II), and 19 normal subjects (group III) were studied. Basal gonadotropin levels (FSH and LH) were significantly lower (P less than 0.01) in both critically ill groups. The LH level in group I was 36.5 +/- 39.3 (+/- SD) mIU/ml, in group II it was 45.3 +/- 30.4, and in group III it was 75.3 +/- 24.4. The FSH level in group I was 43.0 +/- 39.7 (+/- SD) mIU/ml, in group II it was 78.0 +/- 37.9, and in group III it was 133.0 +/- 38.2. Most group I patients had LH and FSH concentrations far below the normal postmenopausal range. The response to dynamic testing with TRH and LRH revealed a significantly lower incremental TSH response to TRH in group I (8.0 +/- 5.6 mIU/ml) compared to that in group III (13.7 +/- 2.8; P less than 0.05). However, the maximal responses of FSH and LH to LRH were not different between groups I and III, despite the fact that 2 of 10 group I patients had no response. These data indicate that a subset of patients with the low T4 syndrome have hypogonadotropism, inappropriate to their menopausal state. This suggests that acute critical illness may cause hypothalamic or pituitary dysfunction, only part of which is recognized as the low T4 syndrome. The mechanism for this dysfunction and its importance in contributing to the overall mortality in this group is unknown.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Steroid use in the elderly. Guidelines for avoiding adverse effects.

The effects of aging on adrenal function should be considered when prescribing steroid for the elderly. For glucocorticoids, the changes of decreased production and decreased clearance are relatively balanced, resulting in levels that are still within the normal range. Responses of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to stress are not altered. However, androgens appear to be affected by an "adrenopause," the mechanism(s) and the clinical relevance of which remain to be elucidated. The risk/benefit factors in steroid use are always of utmost concern. The physician may consider lowering the steroid dose in elderly patients of asthenic build because of the diminution of muscle mass and plasma volume that occurs with aging. Despite the physiologic changes that accompany aging, steroid used carefully and appropriately can be both safe and effective in the elderly.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1984

Variables affecting measurement of human red cell Na+,K+ATPase activity: technical factors, feeding, aging.

Because it has been suggested that decreased activity at the erythrocyte sodium pump might be the cause of age-related decreases in basal oxygen consumption, we have examined age-associated changes in Na+,K+-ATPase activity in red cell membranes. The initial portion of this study was directed toward elucidating possible methodological pitfalls in membrane preparation which might account for some of the variable results reported in prior erythrocyte Na+,K+-ATPase studies. We found that two of four red cell membrane fractions have substantial Mg2+-ATPase activity and contribute a significant portion of total membrane protein. As these two fractions contain little Na+,K+-ATPase activity their contamination of the other two fractions could cause significant variation in measured Na+,K+-ATPase activity. Additionally, we found that meal feeding raised Na+,K+-ATPase activity necessitating that measurements be made in the fasting state. With these methodological variables controlled, we found only a 10.8% coefficient of variation between fasting samples obtained on separate days in eight subjects. Using this methodology, we observed no correlation of Na+,K+-ATPase specific activity with age in males, and only a weak correlation in females who showed decreasing Na+,K+-ATPase specific activity occurring with advancing age. These observations suggest that changes in erythrocyte Na+,K+-ATPase activity do not cause the age-related fall in basal oxygen consumption.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1984

The effects of chronic renal failure and hemodialysis on human red and white cell calmodulin levels.

Red blood cell (RBC) and polymorphonuclear white blood cell (WBC) calmodulin levels were measured in 25 uremic patients on regular hemodialysis. Uremic patients had significantly higher RBC [11.45 +/- 0.66 (+/-SE) fg/cell] and WBC (590.5 +/- 110 fg/cell) calmodulin levels than normal subjects (8.62 +/- 0.37 and 130 +/- 30 fg/cell; P less than 0.05). An extremely high RBC calmodulin level (20.58 fg/cell) was found in a patient with sickle cell anemia. Uremic patients on dialysis for 2 yr or more had lower RBC (10.99 +/- 0.58 fg/cell) and WBC (390 +/- 50 fg/cell) calmodulin levels than those who were on dialysis for less than 2 yr (RBC, 12.30 +/- 1.56 fg/cell; WBC, 943 +/- 256 fg/cell; P less than 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in calmodulin levels when different subgroups of uremic patients were compared, e.g. patients with diabetes mellitus or those receiving supplemental vitamin D, anabolic steroids, or antihypertensive medications. We conclude that calmodulin levels are elevated in uremic patients on regular hemodialysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

The effects of aging and diabetes mellitus on human red and white cell calmodulin levels (chemotaxis/phagocytosis/calcium).

Both the calcium ion and calmodulin have been proposed to play a role in producing the intracellular effects of insulin. Abnormalities in calmodulin levels have previously been reported in tissues from diabetic animals. Thus, using a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay, we measured calmodulin levels in red cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes from humans with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients have significantly lower white cell calmodulin levels than age-matched controls. There were no significant differences in red cell calmodulin levels in diabetics compared with controls. Red cell calmodulin levels in normal subjects were decreased with advancing age. We conclude that the alteration in calmodulin levels in leukocytes from diabetics may be associated with the decreased neutrophil function that has been observed in diabetics.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

A pituitary parasellar tumor with extracranial metastases and high, partially suppressible levels of adrenocorticotropin and related peptides.

We report the history, laboratory findings, and studies performed on a 27-yr-old patient with a metastatic parasellar adenoma of the pituitary and Cushing's syndrome. She developed intense hyperpigmentation and extraordinarily high ACTH levels after bilateral adrenalectomy in 1974. With the exception of marked hyperpigmentation, she did well on glucocorticoid replacement therapy until August 1979, when multiple hepatic nodules were observed during a cholecystectomy. Histological studies and immunoperoxidase staining indicated that these lesions were pituitary tumor metastases. What were presumed to be metastatic lesions also developed in lungs and bone. This combination of liver, bone, and lung metastases from primary pituitary tumors has not previously been reported. Immunoreactive plasma ACTH concentrations were as high as 230,000 pg/ml. Similarly, high levels of plasma immunoreactive beta MSH and immunoreactive beta-endorphin were found. High doses of glucocorticoids reduced the concentration of ACTH to one seventh to one tenth the basal level. The sensitivity of plasma ACTH to exogenous steroid administration strongly suggests that an intact intracellular mechanism for negative feedback control of ACTH secretion persisted within the tumor cells. The rapid rise in ACTH and related peptides and the development of metastases after adrenalectomy suggest that both the secretory capacity and the oncogenic potential of the parasellar tumor were chronically inhibited by glucocorticoid hormones.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1983

Hyperthyroidism appearing as hyperemesis gravidarum.

Vomiting is a poorly recognized manifestation of hyperthyroidism. During pregnancy, this appearance can be indistinguishable from hyperemesis gravidarum. Two patients with intractable hyperemesis gravidarum were found to have hyperthyroidism. Their symptoms resolved when thyroid functions returned to normal. Given the ease of laboratory confirmation, excellent therapy, and the seriousness of delay in diagnosis, thyrotoxicosis should be considered in patients with unusual or severe hyperemesis gravidarum.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Ophthalmic timolol treatment causing altered hypoglycemic response in a diabetic patient.

A diabetic patient experienced a dangerous alteration in hypoglycemic symptoms during treatment with ophthalmic timolol maleate. Before and after timolol therapy, hypoglycemic reactions were characterized by sweating, uneasiness, and prompt resolution with glucose treatment. During timolol therapy, reactions were characterized by a changed mental status (including seizures on occasion) and a relative resistance to glucose treatment. Caution must be exercised in the use of even topically applied beta-adrenergic blockers in diabetic patients who are prone to hypoglycemia.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Thyroid hormone-carbohydrate interaction in the rat: correlation between age-related reductions in the inducibility of hepatic malic enzyme by triiodo-L-thyronine and a high carbohydrate, fat-free diet.

Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated an age-related decrease in hepatic malic enzyme (ME) levels and in the response of ME to triiodo-l-thyronine (T(3)). Moreover, we have recently shown a synergistic interaction of T(3) and a high carbohydrate diet in the induction of this enzyme. Studies were therefore undertaken to assess the response of aging rats to a high carbohydrate diet and to test the effect of such dietary manipulations on the responsiveness of ME to T(3). For this purpose, a new radio-immunoassay for ME was developed that, because of a 10-fold higher sensitivity, was particularly suited to the measurement of the low concentrations of hepatic enzyme in older animals. The level of ME per milligram of DNA fell approximately 70% between 1 and 6 mo with only minor further changes demonstrated between 6 and 18 mo. In contrast, the level of ME per milligram DNA in brain was slightly increased in the older animals. Although the absolute increment of hepatic ME resulting from seven daily injections of T(3) (15 mug/100 g body wt) fell with age, the ratio of the ME content per milligram DNA to that observed in control animals maintained on a regular chow diet remained relatively constant with an average value of 11.1. The responsivity of hepatic ME to a high carbohydrate, fat-free diet also decreased with age and could not be attributed exclusively to a reduction in food consumption. The age-related reduction in ME responsivity to dietary stimuli appeared to be due to a reduction in the formation of the specific messenger, (m)RNA for ME as determined in an in vitro translational assay. Our data are consistent with the following hypothesis. There is an age-related decreased hepatic responsivity to a high carbohydrate dietary stimulus. Thyroid hormone administration, as previously postulated by us, interacts with a product or an intermediate of carbohydrate metabolism in a multiplicative fashion. As a consequence, the absolute increment of ME induced by T(3) administration also declines with age.

Aging↗
PubMed1980

Synergism of thyroid hormone and high carbohydrate diet in the induction of lipogenic enzymes in the rat. Mechanisms and implications.

We have investigated the relationship between the administration of triiodothyronine (T3) and a high carbohydrate (CHO) fat-free diet in the induction of lipogenic enzymes in two rat tissues, liver, and fat. Male thyroidectomized rats were treated with graded daily doses of T3 and either supplemented with a high CHO diet or left on a regular diet. Enzymes studied included malic enzyme (ME), fatty acid synthetase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. In the liver, all four lipogenic enzymes showed a synergistic response between T3 administration and high CHO feeding. In fat, ME also responded synergistically. The interaction was reflected in an increased sensitivity to T3. The dose of T3 required to achieve 50% maximal response was reduced three- to seven-fold by the high CHO diet. This phenomenon could not be attributed to a dietary-induced alteration either in T3 metabolism or in number or affinity of the T3-nuclear receptors. Moreover, studies of the relative rate of synthesis of ME suggested a simultaneous time of onset in the induction of ME, within 2 h after the application of either T3 or CHO. Thus, it is unlikely that either stimulus is secondary to the other. Since parallel experiments from this laboratory (Towle, Mariash, and Oppenheimer,1980. Changes in hepatic levels of messenger ribonucleic acid for malic enzyme during induction by thyroid hormone or diet. Biochemistry. 19: 579-585.) show that ME induction both by CHO and T3 is mediated by an increase in specific messenger RNA for ME, the interaction of T3 and the dietary factor occurs at a pretanslational level.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1976

Automated gel permeation chromatographic cleanup of animal and plant extracts for pesticide residue determination.

Applications of an improved gel-solvent system for cleanup of pesticide residues by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were investigated. Elution characteristics using Bio-Beads SX-3 gel and a toluene-ethyl acetate (1+3) elution solvent were determined for 16 nonionic chlorinated pesticides, 3 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 14 chlorophenoxy herbicide esters, and 7 organophosphate insecticides. Elution patterns for vegetable and animal lipids were also studied. Quantitative recoveries of the pesticides were achieved. No liquid-liquid partitioning cleanup steps were required with any type of nonionic chlorinated pesticide or sample matrix. Only GPC cleanup was required for the nonionic chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, and organophosphate pesticide residues in chicken and turkey fat samples. Electron capture and flame photometric detectors were used in the gas chromatographic method for the respective pesticides. Samples containing up to 0.5 g lipid each were processed at the rate of one every 30-40 min with the automated system. Results were in excellent agreement with those from accepted manual partitioning methods and were achieved with significant savings of both labor and chemicals.

Adipose Tissue↗