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Biomedical subjects

F Labrie

Publications and source records attributed to F Labrie.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

Inhibition of basal and adrenocorticotropin-stimulated plasma levels of adrenal androgens after treatment with an antiandrogen in castrated patients with prostatic cancer.

The basal plasma levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S), and testosterone were studied in 20 patients with advanced prostatic cancer receiving combined treatment with an LHRH agonist and an antiandrogen [5,5-dimethyl-3-[4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-2 4-imidazolidinedione]. After 60 days of combined antihormonal therapy, plasma levels of testosterone decreased from 5.44 +/- 0.44 (SEM) to 0.136 +/- 0.052 ng/ml (2.5% of control). Somewhat unexpectedly, the plasma concentrations of the adrenal androgens DHEA and DHEA-S were reduced to 45 +/- 7 and 64 +/- 4% of control, respectively. The maximal reduction in plasma adrenal androgen levels occurred between 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Whereas the increase in serum cortisol, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations 2 1/2 h after the injection of 0.25 mg human ACTH 1-24 was not affected by the combined treatment, the increment of DHEA and androstenedione after the same stimulus was reduced from 3.1 +/- 0.98 and 0.73 +/- 0.11 to 1.48 +/- 0.5 and 0.31 +/- 0.05 ng/ml, respectively. The reduced levels of serum DHEA and DHEA-S were not due to the LHRH agonist by itself, since similarly low levels of serum DHEA and DHEA-S were found in patients surgically castrated and receiving the same antiandrogen. These data suggest that treatment with an antiandrogen in castrated men inhibit the formation of adrenal androgens due to a blockade at the level of 17, 20-desmolase. The efficiency of the new combined antihormonal therapy (castration and antiandrogen) aimed at complete androgen neutralization in prostate cancer is thus further facilitated.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Modulation of rat pituitary gonadotrophin secretion by porcine granulosa cell 'inhibin', LH releasing hormone and sex steroids in rat anterior pituitary cells in culture.

The incubation of female rat adenohypophysial cells in primary culture with porcine granulosa cell culture medium (GCM) led to the complete inhibition of responses of LH and FSH to LH releasing hormone (LHRH) as well as to the inhibition of spontaneous release of FSH. These effects of GCM suggest the specificity of the 'inhibin'-like activity of this material. Granulosa cell culture medium completely reversed the stimulatory effect of oestradiol-17 beta on the responses of LH and FSH to LHRH, as well as reversing the stimulatory effect of progesterone, oestradiol or a combination of both steroids on the spontaneous release of FSH, while not affecting the spontaneous release of LH. The antioestrogenic effects of progesterone observed on the response of LH to 0.3 nM-LHRH were amplified in the presence of GCM while the stimulatory effects of progesterone, oestradiol or both on the response of FSH to 0.3 nM-LHRH were completely reversed by the medium. Moreover, the presence of GCM led to an additive inhibitory effect with dihydrotestosterone on the response of LH to LHRH while it completely reversed the stimulatory effect of the androgen on spontaneous and LHRH-induced FSH release. The present data show that the presence of porcine granulosa cell 'inhibin' activity can exert marked interactions with sex steroids in the control of gonadotrophin secretion. This 'inhibin' activity reversed all the stimulatory effects and potentiated all the inhibitory effects of sex steroids on gonadotrophin secretion. Although the physiological role of 'inhibin' remains to be defined well, the importance of this activity is clearly demonstrated in anterior pituitary cells in culture.

Animals↗

Growth hormone-releasing factor stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in the anterior pituitary gland.

Synthetic human pancreatic growth hormone-releasing factor (hpGRF)(1-40)-NH2 stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in rat anterior pituitary particulate fraction at an ED50 value of approximately 150 nM. GTP more than doubles the stimulatory effect of hpGRF and PGE2 on [32P] cyclic AMP formation. The present data show that hpGRF as well as PGE2, another potent stimulus of GH secretion, act at least partly, through GTP-dependent mechanisms in their coupling with adenylate cyclase.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Stimulation by prostaglandin F2 alpha of phosphatidic acid-phosphatidylinositol turnover in rat luteal cells.

Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF 2 alpha) causes a rapid and marked increase of [32P]-orthophosphate incorporation into phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidic acid (PA) in rat luteal cells in culture. The incorporation of radioactivity is increased as early as 2 and 5 min after PGF 2 alpha addition into PA and PI, respectively, and by 10 min has reached a 2-fold stimulation over control in both lipid moieties. The labeling of other phospholipids is not affected. PGF 2 alpha exerts its stimulatory effect at an ED50 value of approximately 200 and 60 nM on PI and PA labeling, respectively. By contrast, human chorionic gonadotropin has no effect alone and does not interfere with the PGF 2 alpha-induced stimulation of PA-PI labeling. The striking similarity between the effects of PGF 2 alpha and LHRH on PA-PI labeling suggests that the two agents may exert their direct action on the corpus luteum via a common intracellular mechanism involving acidic phospholipid metabolism.

Animals↗

Comparative study of central dopaminergic properties of RU 29717 (N-propyl-9-oxaergoline) and pergolide.

RU 29717, a 9-oxaergoline derivative, has been compared with pergolide in a variety of biochemical and behavioural tests indicative of dopaminergic (DAergic) activity. RU 29717 and pergolide have a similar affinity for DA receptors labelled by [3H]spiroperidol or [3H]dihydroergocryptine ( [3H]DHEC) by using striatal or anterior pituitary membranes respectively. Both compounds stimulate the striatal DA-sensitive adenylate cyclase and inhibit the activity of this enzyme in dispersed cells from the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary gland. In anterior pituitary cells in primary culture, they decrease prolactin release with the same efficacy. In vivo, they exert a long-lasting inhibition of the reserpine-induced hyperprolactinemia. They equally retard the alpha-MPT-induced disappearance of striatal DA and increase striatal acetylcholine levels. In behavioural models, the similarity between RU 29717 and pergolide is also evident: they induce contralateral circling in animals lesioned unilaterally with 6-OHDA, produce stereotyped behaviour and have emetic activity within the same dose range. Therefore, RU 29717, like pergolide, is a potent direct acting DAergic agonist. In experimental models used to investigate this activity at the striatal or the anterior pituitary levels the compounds present a similar profile of action.

Acetylcholine↗

Additive effects of epinephrine and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on adrenocorticotropin release in rat anterior pituitary cells.

The ability of epinephrine to potentiate the action of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) was studied in rat anterior pituitary cells in primary culture. Increasing concentrations of epinephrine cause a maximal 6.5-fold stimulation of ACTH release while a 10-fold increase is induced by 5 nM CRF. The two substances exert an additive effect on ACTH release. Although epinephrine alone has no effect on cyclic AMP levels, it causes a maximal 4-fold increase in CRF-induced cyclic AMP accumulation. The stimulatory effect of epinephrine on both parameters is inhibited by the highly specific alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin but not by the beta-adrenergic antagonist (-)propranolol. Dexamethasone causes a 75% inhibition of ACTH release induced by the combined action of CRF and epinephrine. The present data show that the additive effect of epinephrine on CRF-induced ACTH release is achieved through an alpha-adrenergic receptor and is accompanied by a marked stimulation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

New approach in the treatment of prostate cancer: complete instead of partial withdrawal of androgens.

To completely eliminate androgens of both testicular and adrenal origin, 37 previously untreated patients with advanced (stages C or D) prostatic cancer received the combination therapy using an LHRH agonist (HOE-766) and a pure antiandrogen (RU-23908). The response criteria developed by the National Prostatic Cancer Project were used. A positive response (assessed by bone scan and/or serum prostatic acid phosphatase measured by radioimmunoassay was observed in 29 of the 30 cases who could be evaluated by these objective criteria (97%). The objective response was parallel to a rapid and marked improvement of the clinical signs and symptoms related to prostate cancer (prostatism, bone pain, and general well being). In marked contrast, the same combination therapy applied to patients previously treated with high doses of diethylstilbestrol (13 patients) showed a positive objective response in only 55% of cases. In 23 previously castrated patients showing relapse, an objective response was seen in only 25% of cases after neutralization of adrenal androgens by the antiandrogen. Previous treatment with chlorotrianisene (TACE) had no detectable effect on prostatic cancer and patients having previously received such treatment had a rate of positive response similar to previously untreated patients (five of five). In the previously untreated patients receiving the combination therapy, a 60% fall in serum prostatic acid phosphatase was observed as early as five days after starting treatment, at a time when the serum androgen concentration was 100% to 200% above control. Combined treatment with the pure antiandrogen completely prevents flare-up of the disease, a complication previously found in a significant proportion of patients treated with an LHRH agonist alone. The present data show that complete withdrawal of androgens by combined hormonal therapy with the LHRH agonist (or castration) and a pure antiandrogen leads to a positive objective response in more than 95% of cases as opposed to 60%-70% as reported by many groups using the previous partial hormonal therapy (castration or high doses of estrogens). Adrenal androgens are most likely responsible for this difference. The present study also shows that the proportion of androgen-sensitive cells decreases from more than 95% in untreated patients to 25% to 55% after previous partial hormonal therapy. Such data clearly indicate that the previous partial hormonal therapy exclusively aimed at neutralizing testicular androgens left 25% to 55% of cancer cells having a relatively low sensitivity to androgens in a hormonal milieu compatible with their continuous growth. No clinical or biochemical side effect could be detected except those related to reduced serum androgen levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acid Phosphatase↗

Biphasic effect of estradiol and domperidone on lingual dyskinesia in monkeys.

In previous work, we demonstrated in animals and humans an antidopaminergic effect of estradiol at the level of the striatum. In the present study, we tested the effect of a large dose of estradiol (0.5 mg s.c.) administered either acutely or during several days in four female ovariectomized monkeys, displaying a persistent buccolingual dyskinesia due primarily to a midbrain lesion, but which is markedly enhanced by dopaminergic agonists. One of the monkeys also displayed a lesion-induced parkinsonian-like tremor of the opposite limbs. Chronic administration of estradiol markedly reduced the apomorphine-induced potentiation of the dyskinesia but did not affect the tremor. A single dose of estradiol was followed after 24 h by a 75% reduction of the effect of apomorphine on the dyskinesia but a 50% increase in the response to apomorphine was seen after 2 weeks. The response was at the control level after 30 days. Domperidone, a peripheral dopamine agonist that does not cross the blood-brain barrier and which causes an elevation of prolactin similar to that seen after estradiol, is followed by a similar biphasic modification of the response to apomorphine. Our results suggest that estradiol may have opposite effects on the sensitivity of the striatal dopamine receptors and therefore on dyskinesia, depending on the time of observation. An elevation of prolactin appears to have similar effects. Moreover, some effects of these hormones may be delayed by several days to weeks in primates.

Animals↗

New hormonal treatment in cancer of the prostate: combined administration of an LHRH agonist and an antiandrogen.

At doses which have no or minimal inhibitory effect when administered alone, the LHRH agonist [D-Ser(TBU)6,des-Gly-NH10(2)] LHRH ethylamide (HOE-766) and the antiandrogen RU-23908 administered simultaneously cause a marked inhibition of ventral prostate and seminal vesicle weight after 5 months of treatment. The effect of the LHRH agonist is due to a blockage of the testicular steroidogenic pathway. The same LHRH agonist administered to adult men with cancer of the prostate causes a marked inhibition of serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone to castration levels within 1-2 weeks. Administration of the pure antiandrogen to men with cancer of the prostate already receiving the LHRH agonist does not interfere with the LHRH agonist-induced blockage of androgen biosynthesis: Moreover, objective signs of remission of the disease were rapidly observed in 8 out of 10 patients. The ease of application of this new form of hormonal therapy which neutralizes androgens from all sources should facilitate its early administration and thus minimize the development of metastases and androgen-resistant cell clones.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Multiple factors involved in the control of ACTH and alpha-MSH secretion.

Alpha 1-adrenergic agents are potent stimulators of ACTH secretion directly at the pituitary level as observed using anterior pituitary cells in primary culture and by in vivo studies. On the other hand, beta-adrenergic as well as antidopaminergic agents are also potent stimulators of ACTH secretion but at a suprapituitary level, since no effect of these compounds are observed in vitro. CRF administration has been found to lead to rapid and parallel increases in ACTH and alpha-MSH concentrations in rat plasma and the mechanism of action of CRF has been studied in vitro using rat anterior and intermediate lobe of pituitary gland for ACTH and alpha-MSH secretion, respectively. In both cases, CRF stimulates adenylate cyclase activity at ED50 values of 70 and 350 nM for ACTH and alpha-MSH, respectively. CRF stimulates adenylate cyclase activity at least partly through a guanyl nucleotide-dependent mechanism. Using rat pars intermedia cells in culture, we have demonstrated the presence, in addition of a CRF receptor, of a beta 2-adrenergic receptor which stimulates cyclic AMP accumulation and alpha-MSH secretion and of a dopaminergic receptor which inhibits cellular activity. These results have been confirmed in in vivo studies where isoproterenol and thioproperazine (a dopamine antagonist) lead to a rapid increase of alpha-MSH secretion.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Distribution of corticotropin-releasing factor in ovine brain determined by radioimmunoassay.

We have developed and used a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay to demonstrate the presence of CRF-like immunoreactivity in extra-hypothalamic areas of ovine brain. Synthetic CRF displaced antibody bound tracer at an ED50 value of 200 pg and there was no cross-reactivity with LHRH, TRH, ACTH, beta-endorphin and several other peptides. Displacement of bound 125I-CRF by brain extracts exhibited curves parallel to synthetic CRF standards. Highest concentrations (1 ng/mg tissue) of CRF-like immunoreactivity were found in the median eminence but surprisingly, high concentrations of CRF-like immunoreactivity were found in frontal, parietal, occipital and particularly temporal areas of cerebral cortex. Much lower concentrations were found in other brain areas including the basal ganglia, limbic system and brain stem.

Animals↗

Rat ovarian epidermal growth factor receptors: characterization and hormonal regulation.

Rat ovarian epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors were characterized in total ovarian homogenate obtained from animals at random stages of the estrous cycle. A single class of specific and high-affinity binding sites with an apparent dissociation constant (KD) of 1.1 +/- 0.2 nM and a total site number of 78 +/- 4 fmoles/mg protein (652 +/- 17 fmoles/100 mg wet tissue) was observed. In 4-day cycling rats, ovarian EGF receptor levels are high (200 fmoles/100 mg ovary) on the morning of estrus as well as in the afternoon of proestrus and are lower by 30, 60 and 55% on the morning of diestrus I, diestrus II and proestrus, respectively. Chronic administration of an LHRH agonist is accompanied by low ovarian EGF receptor levels comparable to those observed on diestrus II. In intact or hypophysectomized female rats pretreated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropins, administration of ovine follicle-stimulating hormone or human chorionic gonadotropin increases ovarian EGF receptor concentration and content while the administration of ovine prolactin, 17 beta-estradiol or progesterone has no effect. Treatment with dihydrotestosterone or testosterone slightly reduces ovarian EGF binding in intact but not hypophysectomized animals. The variation of ovarian EGF receptor levels observed during the estrous cycle as well as the modulation of these receptors by the administration of exogenous gonadotropins suggest that EGF could well play a physiological role in the regulation of ovarian functions.

Animals↗

CRF stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland.

Ovine corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in homogenate of the intermediate lobe of the bovine pituitary gland at an ED50 value of 150 nM. GTP increases the stimulatory effect induced by CRF as well as by the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol on [32P]cyclic AMP formation in rat pars intermedia homogenate. In addition, GTP is required for inhibition by dopamine of the stimulatory action of both CRF and isoproterenol. The present data show that CRF stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland at least partly through a GTP-dependent mechanism. Moreover, dopamine can interfere with the action of CRF as well as that of isoproterenol, thus indicating that the neurohormone could be involved, in addition to beta-adrenergic agents, as stimulator of pars intermedia cell activity.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Interactions between growth hormone-releasing factor, prostaglandin E2 and somatostatin on cyclic AMP accumulation in rat adenohypophysial cells in culture.

Synthetic human pancreatic growth hormone-releasing factor (hpGRF(1-40)-NH2) causes a 100% stimulation of cyclic AMP cell content in rat adenohypophysial cells in culture as early as 1 min after its addition while a maximal 33-fold increase is measured at 40 min. Somatostatin (10 nM) causes a 40-60% inhibition of GRF-induced cyclic AMP accumulation while GH release is inhibited by 90-95% at all time intervals. The inhibitory effect of somatostatin is exerted on the maximal effect of GRF while the ED50 values of GRF action on cyclic AMP cell content (approximately 1 nM) and GH release (approximately 0.1 nM) are not affected by the tetradecapeptide. Prostaglandin E2 causes a 2.5-fold increase in cyclic AMP levels within 1 min after its addition with a maximal 25-fold stimulation measured at 30 min. Although not completely additive, the stimulatory effects of PGE2 and GRF together on cyclic AMP cell content and GH release are more potent than when either substance is present alone. The inhibitory effects of somatostatin on PGE2 action are analogous to those observed in the presence of GRF. The present data suggest that the hypothalamic control of GH secretion by GRF and somatostatin results, at least to a large extent, from the balance between the stimulatory action of GRF and the inhibition of somatostatin on the adenylate cyclase system.

Animals↗

Gonadotroph and corpus luteum responses to two successive intranasal doses of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist at different days after the midcycle luteinizing hormone surge.

Two successive intranasal doses (300 micrograms at 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.) of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist (D-Ser[TBU]6-des-Gly-NH2(10))LH-RH ethylamide (Buserelin) were administered on days 1 to 10 after the midcycle luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in 33 normally cycling women. Maximal stimulation of gonadotropins was observed at 4 hours and was of higher amplitude in the first 2 days after the LH surge. The response to the second dose was markedly blunted, showing pituitary refractoriness. On each day of treatment there was a progressive increase of serum estradiol, which was maximal (threefold) 4 hours after the second dose of Buserelin. Serum progesterone (P) levels were not significantly changed on days 1 to 4, but they were increased by 50% at 10 hours on days 5 to 10. Daily blood samples revealed that following treatment on days 1 to 4 after the midcycle LH surge, serum P profiles were lower than in control cycles, without change in the length of the luteal phase. Starting on treatment day 5, a precocious luteolysis was induced, as illustrated by an early fall in serum P levels and shortening of the luteal phase (1 to 4 days). All posttreatment control cycles were normal. The results of this time study indicate that an appropriate treatment with an intranasal Buserelin administered at any time between days 1 to 10 after the midcycle LH surge impair luteal function and could lead to a new postcoital contraceptive approach.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Gonadotropins and estradiol responses to single intranasal or subcutaneous administration of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist in the early follicular phase.

Single increasing intranasal and subcutaneous doses of a potent luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonistic analog (D-Ser[TBU]6-des-Gly-NH2(10))LH-RH ethylamide (Buserelin) were administered on day 2 or 3 of the follicular phase in 59 normal women. Groups of five or six volunteers received intranasal doses ranging from 50 to 1300 micrograms and subcutaneous doses varying between 0.3 and 30 micrograms of the LH-RH agonist. Maximal amplitude of the serum gonadotropin response is observed at 6 hours. A sixfold increase is obtained for luteinizing hormone (LH) at a 200 micrograms intranasal dose, whereas maximal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulation (threefold) is reached at a lower dose (100 micrograms). A 1000-micrograms dose elicits a more prolonged stimulation, levels of FSH and LH being two and five times above control levels at 11 hours. Similar response curves are obtained by the subcutaneous route, a maximal stimulation being reached at 3 micrograms for FSH and at 10 micrograms for LH. Serum estradiol levels are maximally increased at 11 hours after administration of 10 and 200 micrograms of the analog by the respective subcutaneous and intranasal routes. Twenty-four-hour response curves of gonadotropins indicate that the efficacy of the intranasal route is approximately 3% to 5% of the subcutaneous route. These observations should provide information useful in the investigation of the antifertility effects and medical treatments using an intranasal LH-RH agonist in the human being.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Synthesis and central dopaminergic activities of (+/-)-hexahydro-7H-indolo[3,4-gh][1,4]benzoxazine derivatives [(+/-)-9-oxaergolines].

The synthesis and biological activities of a series of (+/-)-hexahydro-7H-indolo[3,4-gh][1,4]benzoxazine derivatives [(+/-)-trans-9-oxaergolines] with central dopamine (DA) agonist properties are described. The compounds were prepared from [2aRS-(2a alpha,4 beta,5 alpha)]-4-amino-1,2,2a,3,4, 5-hexahydro-1-(phenylmethyl)benz[cd]indol-5-ol (6b) by alkaline cyclization of the corresponding N-chloracetamide 7b, followed by reduction of the amido group [5aRS-(5a alpha, 6a beta, 10a alpha)]-4,5,5a,6,6a,7,9, 10a-octahydro-4-(phenylmethyl)-7H-indolo[3,4-gh][1,4]benzoxazin-8-one (8b) with LiAlH4. After debenzylation of the resulting amine 9a, the indoline ring of [5aRS-(5a alpha, 6a beta, 10a alpha)]-4,5,5a,6,6a,8,9, 10a-octahydro-7H-indolo[3,4-gh][1,4 ]benzoxazine (10a) was dehydrogenated with MnO2 to give (+/-)-trans-9-oxaergoline (11a), which can be alkylated on the nitrogen (11b,c and 12) and brominated in position 2 (13a,b). The compounds were examined in vitro for their ability to bind to DA receptors and to inhibit prolactin (PRL) secretion in pituitary cells in culture, in vivo both for their DA stimulant effects at the striatal level (circling in 6-OHDA-lesioned animals, DA turnover, and stereotypy) and inhibitory effects on plasma PRL levels in rats, and for their emetic effects in dogs. Most of the tested compounds were active in these tests, and the potency of (+/-)-trans-6-n-propyl-9-oxaergoline (11c) was comparable to that of pergolide mesylate.

Animals↗