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H Schmidt-Gayk

Publications and source records attributed to H Schmidt-Gayk.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Detection of recent ethanol intake with new markers: comparison of fatty acid ethyl esters in serum and of ethyl glucuronide and the ratio of 5-hydroxytryptophol to 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in urine.

BACKGROUND: At present, recent ethanol consumption can be routinely detected with certainty only by direct measurement of ethanol concentration in blood or urine. Because ethanol is rapidly eliminated from the circulation, however, the time span for this detection is in the range of hours. Several new markers have been proposed to extend the detection interval, but their characteristics have not yet justified their use in routine clinical practice. We therefore investigated three new markers and compared their kinetics and sensitivities: (1) fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in serum, (2) ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in urine, and (3) the ratio of 5-hydroxytryptophol to 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HTOL/5-HIAA) in urine. METHODS: Seventeen healthy men participated in a drinking experiment. Blood and urine samples were collected twice daily on three consecutive days and once daily on days 4 and 5. Ethanol concentration was determined by gas chromatography, FAEE levels, by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, EtG concentration, by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and 5-HTOL/5-HIAA ratio, by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The peak serum ethanol concentrations of the subjects ranged from 5.4 to 44.7 mmol/liter (mean +/- SD, 30.1 +/- 9.1 mmol/liter). In the case of the serum ethanol determination, 100% sensitivity was reached only immediately after the end of the drinking experiment, and in the case of FAEE levels and 5-HTOL/5-HIAA ratio, it tested for 6.7 hr after the end of the ethanol intake. Thereafter, these latter parameters declined until 15.3 hr (FAEEs) and 29.4 hr (5-HTOL/5-HIAA), subsequently remaining in a stable range until 78.5 hr without further decrease. In contrast, EtG concentration showed 100% sensitivity until 39.3 hr and thereafter decreased, falling to below the limit of quantification of 0.1 mg/liter at 102.5 hr. CONCLUSION: After moderate drinking, EtG in the urine proved to be a superior marker of recent ethanol consumption in healthy subjects. This is because EtG is a direct ethanol metabolite, it occurs in the urine only when ethanol has been consumed, and its sensitivity remains at the level of 100% for 39.3 hr.

Adult↗

Subpressor dose asymmetric dimethylarginine modulates renal function in humans through nitric oxide synthase inhibition.

Increased blood concentrations of the endogenous nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) have been linked to high blood pressure and to cardiovascular mortality. We evaluated the effects of a subpressor ADMA dose on NO production, renal hemodynamics, sodium handling and active renin and noradrenalin plasma concentrations in 12 healthy subjects (age 26 +/- 1 year) using a double-blind placebo-controlled study design. Infusion of ADMA caused a significant decrease in plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels, i.e. the second messenger of NO (from 6.1 +/- 0.4 to 4.3 +/- 0.3 pmol/l; p < 0.05). In parallel, effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) decreased while renovascular resistance (RVR) increased significantly (ERPF from 667 +/- 9 to 603 +/- 10 ml/min/1.73 m2; RVR from 79 +/- 2 to 91 +/- 2 ml/min/mm Hg; both p < 0.05 vs. baseline). Infusion of placebo did not cause significant changes in plasma cGMP levels, ERPF and RVR (cGMP from 5.7 +/- 0.5 to 5.9 +/- 0.6 pmol/l; ERPF from 665 +/- 12 to 662 +/- 11 ml/min/1.73 m2; RVR from 79 +/- 2 to 78 +/- 2 ml/min/mm Hg; all non-significant). Moreover, urinary sodium excretion was significantly lower with infusion of ADMA as compared with placebo infusion (128 +/- 8 vs. 152 +/- 7 micromol/min; p < 0.05). In contrast, blood pressure, active renin and noradrenalin plasma concentrations did not change significantly with either infusion protocol. Acute infusion of a subpressor ADMA dose modulates several aspects of renal function in humans without affecting the activity of the renin-angiotensin and sympathetic system. Whether chronic (intrarenal) NO synthase inhibition in individuals with increased ADMA blood levels may cause persistent renal vasoconstriction and sodium retention must be evaluated.

Adult↗

Hormonal and biochemical normalization and tumor shrinkage induced by anti-parathyroid hormone immunotherapy in a patient with metastatic parathyroid carcinoma.

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism, and the efficacy of medical therapy and chemo- and radiotherapy is poor in recurrent or metastatic disease. We report the first case of PTH immunization in which tumor shrinkage accompanied hormonal, biochemical, and clinical improvements in a patient with metastatic parathyroid carcinoma.A 50-yr-old woman with refractory parathyroid carcinoma and pulmonary metastases was immunized eight times between February 2001 and December 2003 with bovine and modified human PTH fragments and intact human PTH, mixed with Freund's adjuvant. Total and ionized calcium and PTH levels were assayed weekly for 6 months and regularly thereafter. Thoracic computed tomography scans were performed regularly. Antibodies to all PTH fragments were detected after two immunizations. Baseline PTH and total calcium were 213.0 ng/liter and 13.96 mg/dl, respectively, and remained elevated during the first three immunizations. From the fourth immunization onward, PTH and calcium decreased, and the patient's clinical condition improved markedly. PTH and calcium levels have remained controlled for more than 24 months, and the sizes (surface area) of pulmonary metastases decreased from baseline by 39-71%. This is the first evidence that PTH immunization not only can improve clinical, hormonal, and biochemical measures in parathyroid carcinoma but also has an antitumor effect.

Animals↗

Risk factors in alcohol associated breast cancer: alcohol dehydrogenase polymorphism and estrogens.

Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk for breast cancer, even if consumed in moderate doses. Since acetaldehyde is a carcinogenic factor associated with chronic alcohol consumption, individuals with the alcohol dehydrogenase 1C*1 allele (ADH1C*1 allele) seem to be at particular risk, since this allele encodes for a rapidly ethanol metabolizing enzyme leading to increased acetaldehyde levels. Since recent epidemiological studies demonstrated an increased risk for breast cancer for individuals with the ADH1C*1 allele, we have investigated here ADH1C genotypes in moderate alcohol consumers. Furthermore, estradiols are also known risk factors for breast cancer and acute alcohol ingestion in high doses results in increased serum estradiol concentrations. Thus, in the present study, we tested the effect of low ethanol doses on estrogen serum concentrations. We analyzed the ADH1C genotype in 117 moderate alcohol consumers with breast cancer and in 111 age-matched women with alcohol associated diseases without cancer (74 cirrhotics, 22 patients with pancreatitis and 15 alcohol dependent patients). In addition, 107 healthy controls were studied. Genotyping of the ADH1C-locus was performed using polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism methods on leukocyte DNA. To study the effects of ethanol on estradiol levels, ethanol in a dose of 0.225 g/kg body weight was given orally to 8 premenopausal women at various time points of their menstrual cycle. Thereafter estradiol serum concentrations were measured over time. The allele frequency of the ADH1C*1 allele was found to be significantly increased in moderate alcohol consumers with breast cancer as compared to age-matched alcoholic controls without cancer (62% vs. 41.9%, p=0.0035). Women with the ADH1C*1,1 genotype were found to be 1.8 times more at risk for breast cancer than those with another genotype (95% CI 1.431-2.330, p<0.001). Oral ethanol increased serum estradiol levels significantly by 27-38%. The data demonstrate that moderate alcohol consumers with the ADH1C*1 allele have an increased risk to develop breast cancer and even small amounts of alcohol increase serum estradiol levels significantly in premenopausal women especially in the midphase of the menstrual cycle.

Adult↗

A case of neuroendocrine oncogenic osteomalacia associated with a PHEX and fibroblast growth factor-23 expressing sinusidal malignant schwannoma.

Oncogenic osteomalacia is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome that is characterized biochemically by hypophosphatemia and low plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and clinically by osteomalacia, pseudofractures, bone pain, fatigue, and muscle weakness. We present a patient with a malignant schwannoma as the underlying cause of this disorder. A permanent cell line (HMS-97) derived from this tumor showed evidence of neuroendocrine differentiation by immunohistochemistry and of neurosecretory activity by electron microscopy. The cell line did express PHEX (phosphate-regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidases located on the X-chromosome) and FGF-23 (fibroblast growth factor-23) transcripts on northern hybridization; however, none of the known mutations from the related mendelian disorders of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets or autosomal-dominant hypophosphatemic rickets could be detected. Tumor cell (HMS-97)-derived conditioned medium did not inhibit phosphate transport in a standard opossum kidney cell assay and in animal experiments. The medium also showed no PTH1- or PTH2-receptor-stimulating bioactivity. HMS-97 cells might be useful for further studies that aim to determine the genetic mechanism that leads to the observed PHEX and FGF-23 expression, both of which might have a direct role in the pathogenesis of oncogenic osteomalacia. In addition, these cells might be a useful tool for the investigation of neuroendocrine Schwann cell function and autoimmune peripheral nerve disease.

Female↗

Development of a novel immunoradiometric assay exclusively for biologically active whole parathyroid hormone 1-84: implications for improvement of accurate assessment of parathyroid function.

We developed a novel immunoradiometric assay (IRMA; whole parathyroid hormone [PTH] IRMA) for PTH, which specifically measures biologically active whole PTH(1-84). The assay is based on a solid phase coated with anti-PTH(39-84) antibody, a tracer of 125I-labeled antibody with a unique specificity to the first N-terminal amino acid of PTH(1-84), and calibrators of diluted synthetic PTH(1-84). In contrast to the Nichols intact PTH IRMA, this new assay does not detect PTH(7-84) fragments and only detects one immunoreactive peak in chromatographically fractionated patient samples. The assay was shown to have an analytical sensitivity of 1.0 pg/ml with a linear measurement range up to 2,300 pg/ml. With this assay, we further identified that the previously described non-(1-84)PTH fragments are aminoterminally truncated with similar hydrophobicity as PTH(7-84), and these PTH fragments are present not only in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (2 degrees -HPT) of uremia, but also in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (1 degrees -HPT) and normal persons. The plasma normal range of the whole PTH(1-84) was 7-36 pg/ml (mean +/- SD: 22.7 +/- 7.2 pg/ml, n = 135), whereas over 93.9% (155/165) of patients with 1 degrees -HPT had whole PTH(1-84) values above the normal cut-off. The percentage of biologically active whole PTH(1-84) (pB%) in the pool of total immunoreactive "intact" PTH is higher in the normal population (median: 67.3%; SD: 15.8%; n = 56) than in uremic patients (median:53.8%; SD: 15.5%; n = 318; p < 0.001), although the whole PTH(1-84) values from uremic patients displayed a more significant heterogeneous distribution when compared with that of 1 degrees -HPT patients and normals. Moreover, the pB% displayed a nearly Gaussian distribution pattern from 20% to over 90% in patients with either 1 degrees-HPT or uremia. The specificity of this newly developed whole PTH(1-84) IRMA is the assurance, for the first time, of being able to measure only the biologically active whole PTH(1-84) without cross-reaction to the high concentrations of the aminoterminally truncated PTH fragments found in both normal subjects and patients. Because of the significant variations of pB% in patients, it is necessary to use the whole PTH assay to determine biologically active PTH levels clinically and, thus, to avoid overestimating the concentration of the true biologically active hormone. This new assay could provide a more meaningful standardization of future PTH measurements with improved accuracy in the clinical assessment of parathyroid function.

Adult↗

Disordered calcium homeostasis of sepsis: association with calcitonin precursors.

BACKGROUND: Hypocalcemia and increased serum levels of calcitonin precursors are common in critically ill patients, especially in those with sepsis. We investigated calcium homeostasis in such patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum concentrations of total and ionized calcium and known factors influencing or reflecting calcium homeostasis were measured in 101 consecutive patients of a medical intensive care unit. Calcitonin precursor levels were determined using a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Critical illness per se was associated with decreased serum total and ionized calcium levels, which correlated with the severity of the underlying disease as measured by the APACHE II score. In addition, total and ionized hypocalcemia was more pronounced with increasing severity of infection (P < 0.02), and occurred in parallel with a marked increase of calcitonin precursors (P < 0.001). Mature calcitonin levels, however, remained normal. Changes of serum ionized calcium concentrations from admission to discharge correlated significantly with changes in the serum calcitonin precursor concentration (r2 = - 0.14, P < 0.001). Circulating vitamin D levels, parathyroid hormone levels and other markers reflecting calcium homeostasis did not correlate with the severity of infection. CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill patients with sepsis, markedly elevated circulating calcitonin precursors might play a role in the development of the pronounced hypocalcemia. The specific calcitonin precursor(s) responsible for this effect and the pathophysiological mechanism remain to be elucidated.

Adult↗

Circaannual rhythms and interactions of vitamin D metabolites, parathyroid hormone, and biochemical markers of skeletal homeostasis: a prospective study.

Recent studies suggest a circannual pattern of bone turnover. To further investigate the underlying mechanisms, 41 healthy subjects (25-80 years old) living in a southwestern German city were studied prospectively over a period of 18 months. Participants were examined every 4 weeks, and blood and urine samples were obtained on each visit. The following parameters were measured: serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3], 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], and parathyroid hormone (PTH), as regulators, and serum total alkaline phosphatase (TAP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), urinary total pyridinoline (PYD), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and the aminoterminal telopeptide of collagen type I (NTX), as biochemical markers of bone turnover. The presence of significant circannual rhythms for the various markers was tested using the Pharmfit method. In the total group, 25(OH)D3, 1,25(OH)2D3, and PTH as well as BAP, PYD, DPD, and NTX showed a significant seasonal variation. 25(OH)D3 revealed the highest amplitude (38.0%) with an acrophase in August. Levels of the biochemical markers and of PTH were highest in winter with amplitudes of up to 17.7% (DPD). Results were most pronounced in premenopausal women, in subjects <50 years of age, and in subjects who did show a significant individual rhythm in 25(OH)D3 levels. No differences were found regarding other anthropometric or life style factors. Correlation analyses revealed strongest associations between the amplitudes of a vitamin D metabolite and a biochemical marker in premenopausal women. We conclude that specific markers of bone turnover show significant circannual rhythms. These changes are related directly to variations in the hormonal regulation of skeletal homeostasis. In postmenopausal women and in men, other effects may superimpose the circannual variation of biomarkers of bone turnover.

Adult↗

Detection of colorectal neoplasms by the highly sensitive hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex in feces.

Screening for fecal occult blood by means of guaiac tests has an unsatisfactory sensitivity for the detection of colorectal neoplasms. The immunological determination of human hemoglobin in feces has a higher sensitivity and specificity, but hemoglobin is degraded during its transport through the gastrointestinal tract. We compared the hemoglobin test to a newly developed immuno-chemiluminometric (ILMA) assay for quantifying the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex in feces which shows high stability against degradation. From each of 621 patients with gastrointestinal complaints before scheduled colonoscopy we collected two 1-ml samples from a single stool; there were no dietary restrictions. The sensitivity for detecting colorectal carcinomas proved 87% with hemoglobin. With the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex it was 87% at a cutoff level of 1.5 microg/g feces, 83% at 2.0 microg/g feces, and 78% at 2.5 and 3.0 microg/g feces. The sensitivity for detecting large adenomatous polyps was 54% with hemoglobin, 76% with the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex at a cutoff point of 1.5 microg/g feces, 73% with the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex at 2.0 and 2.5 microg/g feces, and 65% with the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex at 3.0 microg/g feces. The optimal cutoff point for the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex was estimated to be 2.0 microg/g stool. The specificity for hemoglobin (99%) was significantly higher than that for the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex at 2.0 microg/g feces (96%). Immunological determination of the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex in feces has a comparable sensitivity as the fecal hemoglobin assay for colorectal carcinomas and a significantly higher sensitivity for adenomatous polyps but a significantly lower specificity. Its use for colorectal cancer prevention is currently being evaluated in a screening study.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Insulin-like growth factor 1 and 2 serum concentrations in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism and adynamic bone disease.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor-1 and -2 exert well characterized effects on bone metabolism via paracrine and endocrine pathways. However, the role of circulating levels of IGFs and their binding proteins (IGFBP) in renal bone disease is still controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To investigate whether circulating IGFs play a role in the pathogenesis of different forms of renal bone disease, we performed a cross sectional study in 38 stable dialysis patients (32 hemodialysis, 6 peritoneal dialysis). Patients were selected for the type of bone disease according to biochemical bone markers and bone histology. 25 Patients had adynamic bone disease (ABD; defined by plasma iPTH < 1,5 fold the upper limit of normal). Thirteen patients had secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT; defined by plasma iPTH > 10 fold the upper limit of normal). Serological diagnosis was confirmed in a subgroup of patients by bone histology (12 patients with type IIa according to Delling, ABD; 9 patients with type IIIb according to Delling, sHPT). Patients with signs or symptoms of aluminum toxicity were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Serum IGF-1 and -2 concentrations were comparable in both groups and were within the reported normal range for an age matched healthy control population. They did not correlate with biochemical markers (iPTH, bAP, osteocalcin) or histological manifestations of renal bone disease. Furthermore, semiquantitative analysis of IGFBP-2 and -3 carried out in patients with bone biopsies did not correlate with biochemical markers or histological indices of renal bone disease. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in contrast to previous reports, the present data do not confirm a correlation between serological or histological markers of renal osteodystrophy and circulating IGF-1 or -2 or IGFBP-2 and -3. This does not exclude that potential alterations of the local IGF system may play a role in the pathogenesis of uremic bone disease.

Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder↗

Treatment of osteopenia and osteoporosis after kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Osteopenia and osteoporosis are frequent complications after kidney transplantation. Data for the treatment of low bone mass after kidney transplantation are not available. METHODS: To test the efficacy of antiresorptive treatment, 46 patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis after kidney transplantation (bone mineral density < or =1.5 SD below normal) were randomly assigned to three groups cyclically treated as follows: group 1 with daily oral clodronate (800 mg) and group 2 with daily intranasal calcitonin (200 IU) for 2 weeks every 3 months. These two groups were compared with a control group (group 3). Every patient was supplemented with 500 mg of calcium per day. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck before and after the 12-month treatment period. RESULTS: BMD at the lumbar spine was increased by 4.6% in the clodronate group (n=15, P=0.005), by 3.2% in the calcitonin group (n=16, P=0.034), and by 1.8% in the control group (n=15, P=0.265). However, the differences in BMD changes among the groups were not statistically significant. During therapy, serum calcium decreased slightly in all groups by 4.6%; however, parathyroid hormone values increased significantly in the treatment groups by 116%. Therapy was well tolerated without impact on graft function. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclical therapy with clodronate or calcitonin appears to induce a gain in BMD at the lumbar spine in patients with low bone mass after kidney transplantation. This treatment had no adverse impact on graft function but may aggravate preexisting secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Urinary glycosylated, free and total pyridinoline and free and total deoxypyridinoline in diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Published data on bone metabolism in diabetes mellitus are conflicting. We have measured pyridinium crosslinks, biochemical markers of bone resorption, in order to evaluate bone resorption in diabetes mellitus. We also wished to investigate whether, as a consequence of chronic hyperglycaemia, pyridinoline is glycosylated to a greater extent in patients with diabetes mellitus. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: This cross sectional study included 142 patients (64 males, 78 females) with insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM and NIDDM). These patients were compared to a healthy control group of 99 individuals (39 males and 60 females). MEASUREMENTS: Pyridinium crosslinks, glycosylated, free and total pyridinoline (gPYD, fPYD, tPYD) and free and total deoxypridinoline (fDPD, tDPD) were measured in a spot urine sample by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Urinary creatinine, albumin and glucose were also measured. RESULTS: In the diabetic group, values of urinary gPYD and tDYD were significantly lower than in controls. gPYD excretion was lowest in patients with severe glycosuria. Free pyridinium crosslinks, both fPYD and fDPD, were excreted to a significantly lower extent. The molar ratio of tPYD to tDPD was significantly increased in diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased excretion of tDPD suggests low bone resorption in IDDM and NIDDM. Pyridinoline is not glycosylated to a greater extent in diabetes mellitus and tends to be decreased in proportion to the degree of glycosuria. Excretion of gPYD, fPYD and fDPD is depressed in severe glycosuria. Diminshed degradation to the final products, fPYD and fDPD, might represent increased resistance to enzymatic activity or diminished enzymatic activity. The increased molar ratio tPYD/tDPD in urine suggests an increased ratio in bone collagen in diabetes mellitus.

Adolescent↗

Does the vitamin D receptor genotype predict bone mineral loss in haemodialysed patients?

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene BsmI-polymorphism is a genetic determinant of bone metabolism. DESIGN: To test this hypothesis, the relationship between VDR genotypes, bone mineral density (baseline and after 18 months) and parameters of calcium metabolism and bone turnover were investigated prospectively in 88 haemodialysed patients not receiving active vitamin D metabolites. METHODS: Whole body, lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). In addition calcium, phosphorus, 25(OH)D3, 1,25(OH)2D3, osteocalcin serum concentrations, alkaline phosphatase activity and intact 1,84 PTH levels were measured. RESULTS: VDR genotype BB, Bb and bb were found in 27, 49 and 24% of patients. Initial BMD (g/cm2) of whole body, lumbar spine and femoral neck did not differ between genotypes (whole body: BB 1.055 +/- 0.120, Bb 1.082 +/- 0.102, bb 1.128 +/- 0.120; lumbar spine: BB 1.075 +/- 0.199, Bb 1.079 +/- 0.185, bb 1.099 +/- 0.170; femoral neck: BB 0.808 +/- 0.160, Bb 0.862 +/- 0.127, bb 0.842 +/- 0.125; mean +/- SD), but the decrease of whole body and femoral neck BMD during 18 months was significantly (P < 0.02) different between the genotype groups (whole body: BB -0.048 +/- 0.028, Bb -0.031 +/- 0.029, bb -0.024 +/- 0.023; femoral neck BB -0.044 +/- 0.069, Bb -0.032 +/- 0.081, bb -0.012 +/- 0.029 g/cm2). CONCLUSION: This preliminary study suggests faster mineral loss in BB genotype of VDR in haemodialysed patients.

Adolescent↗