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Biomedical subjects

H Vierhapper

Publications and source records attributed to H Vierhapper.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

CYP11B1 mutations causing congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency.

Accurate knowledge of the molecular basis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency is a prerequisite for genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and treatment. Analysis of nine patients suffering from severe manifestations of this disorder led to the identification of seven novel mutations in their CYP11B1 genes. A Caucasian patient was homozygous for the missense mutation R448H, previously found only in Jews of Moroccan origin. An Iranian patient was found to be homozygous for a different mutation in the same codon, R448C. Of four unrelated patients, two were homozygous for a nonsense mutation (W247X), whereas two others were compound heterozygotes for W247X in combination with either R448H or E371G. Two other patients were homozygous for either the missense mutation A331V or an in-frame CTG insertion adjacent to codon 464 (InsCTG464). One patient was a compound heterozygote for two mutations in exon 2, a 28-bp deletion (delta 28bpEx2) and the missense mutation V129M. All of the missense mutations and the CTG insertion caused a complete loss of steroid 11 beta-hydroxylating activity when expressed in cultured cells. These data support previous suggestions of mutational hot spots in CYP11B1 and confirm that severe clinical manifestations are associated with complete loss of enzymatic activity.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

Kinetics of plasma cyclic GMP and atrial natriuretic peptide after intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous injection of 50 micrograms hANP in man.

Plasma kinetics of immunoreactive natriuretic peptide (IR-ANP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were studied after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) application of 50 micrograms human ANP (hANP) in six healthy, male volunteers. The study was single blind. Mean base-line IR-ANP value (N = 54) was 10.8 +/- 1.8 pmol/l. Five min after injection peak IR-ANP concentrations were reached i.v.: 149.5 +/- 94, i.m.: 25.6 +/- 10.8 and s.c.: 18.3 +/- 3.3 pmol/l while cGMP levels reached maximum values at 15 min or 30 min after application: i.v.: 30.6 +/- 12.1, i.m.: 19.2 +/- 8.5 and s.c.: 17.3 +/- 12.3 nmol/l with a mean base-line value of 13.2 +/- 2.1 nmol/l. The calculated corresponding areas under the IR-ANP curves (AUC) achieved about 22% bioavailability for i.m. and s.c. in comparison with the i.v. application. cGMP bioavailability was about 32%. No statistical difference was calculated between i.m. and s.c. application of 50 micrograms hANP. Changes in IR-ANP levels after i.m. and s.c. administration were not accompanied with effects on urine and electrolyte excretion while there was only a tendency in urine volume and sodium increase after i.v. administration. In conclusion after i.m. or s.c. application of hANP only a minor fraction (approximately 1/5) of IR-ANP is available in circulation in comparison with i.v. application with little or no biological effects.

Adult↗

Activated naive CD4+ peripheral blood T cells in autoimmune thyroid disease.

To better understand the clinical significance of changes in lymphocytes in thyroid disease this study analyzed the proportion of CD19+, CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells among circulating lymphocytes in Graves' disease (GD, n = 34) and autoimmune hypothyroidism (AH, n = 28) vs healthy subjects (n = 15). In addition, the expression of CD25 and CD45 isoforms on CD4+ T cells as well as their modulation by methimazole in patients with GD was measured using three color flow cytometry. It was observed that, irrespective of age, both patients with GD (17.6 +/- 7.0% +/- SD) and those with AH (19.0 +/- 9.5%) had an increased percentage of the CD25+CD45RA+ (naive) subpopulation of helper cells vs healthy subjects (7.9 +/- 2.3%, p < 0.0001). In patients with AH peripheral memory cells and hence overall CD25+ cells were more frequent among helper cells (56.7 +/- 12.2%) than in healthy subjects (40.8 +/- 14.0%, p < 0.001). Patients with GD (46.2 +/- 13.4%) did not differ from normal subjects in this respect. Treatment of GD with MMI reduced the percentage of CD25+CD45RA+ cells among CD4+ cells toward values seen in healthy subjects. In addition, we confirm previous reports that CD8+ cells toward values seen in healthy subjects. In addition, we confirm previous reports that CD8+ cells are significantly reduced in AH (23.9 +/- 4.9%) and untreated Graves' disease (23.2 +/- 6.6%) vs healthy subjects (32.2 +/- 5.9%, p < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Effect of endothelin-1 in man: impact on basal and adrenocorticotropin-stimulated concentrations of aldosterone.

The effect of exogenous endothelin-1 [2 pmol (5 ng)/kg.min for 15 min, followed by 1 pmol (2.5 ng)/kg.min for 105 min] on basal and ACTH (250 micrograms, i.v.)-stimulated plasma concentrations of aldosterone, cortisol, testosterone, corticosterone, and 18-hydroxycorticosterone was investigated in a group of healthy male volunteers (n = 6). Plasma concentrations of aldosterone remained unchanged during a placebo experiment (i.e. in the absence of both exogenous ACTH and of endothelin-1). In the absence of exogenous ACTH, the i.v. administration of endothelin-1 did not influence plasma concentrations of aldosterone. The i.v. administration of 0.25 mg ACTH induced a rise in plasma concentrations of aldosterone from a basal value of 152.6 +/- 38.8 to 362.6 +/- 77.7 pmol/L. This ACTH-induced rise was markedly augmented (P < 0.01) by the concomitant administration of endothelin-1, when peak plasma concentrations of aldosterone of 632.5 +/- 230.2 pmol/L were observed. Basal and ACTH-stimulated concentrations of cortisol, corticosterone, and 18-hydroxycorticosterone were unchanged by the concomitant infusion of endothelin-1. Thus, exogenous endothelin-1 influences adrenal function in healthy men by selectively augmenting the ACTH-induced secretion of aldosterone.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

[Diagnosis of endocrine-induced forms of hypertension].

High blood pressure is due to endocrine disorders in only a small fraction of hypertensive patients. However, the recognition of these conditions offers the potential chance to cure hypertension and hence to avoid secondary cardiovascular complications. It is therefore of pivotal importance for the group of patients in question.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Evidence for phosphoramidon-sensitive cleavage of big endothelin-1 involved in endothelin-stimulated hepatic glucose production.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is known to stimulate glycogenolysis in perfused rat livers and isolated rat hepatocytes. To determine the potential action of endothelin's precursor, big endothelin-1 (big ET-1), isolated rat livers were perfused with big ET-1 in a non-recirculating system. Thereby, big ET-1 (10 nM) induced a maximally three-fold increase (P < 0.01 vs. basal values) in hepatic glucose production at 60 min, which was almost completely abolished by concomitant infusion of 50 microM phosphoramidon, a sensitive inhibitor of the enzymatic cleavage of big ET-1 to ET-1. The corresponding incremental release of glucose by big ET-1 was 20.9-fold higher in the absence of phosphoramidon than in its presence (P < 0.01). In contrast, phosphoramidon did not inhibit hepatic glucose production induced by ET-1 (1 nM), glucagon (1 nM), and phenylephrine (5 microM). Glycogenolytic responses to 1 nM ET-1 (P < 0.01), but not to 1 nM glucagon (n.s.) were blocked by indomethacin (100 microM), indicating that prostaglandin release by non-parenchymal cells is at least in part involved in the hepatic ET-1 action. In conclusion, big ET-1 induces hepatic glucose release, which is suggested to depend on intrahepatic conversion of big ET-1 to ET-1 by a phosphoramidon-sensitive pathway.

Animals↗

Low-dose dietary L-arginine increases plasma interleukin 1 alpha but not interleukin 1 beta in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Oral high-dose arginine supplementation is used for the experimental immunotherapy of tissue trauma and sepsis. Yet the adequate dosage required for immunomodulation has to be established and the toxicity of high-dose arginine has not been fully elucidated. Following a protocol for the treatment of diabetic long-term complications (oral daily doses of 30 mg/kg BW; blind, placebo-controlled prospective study with crossing-over design) we studied plasma levels of interleukins 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and 1 beta reflecting immunostimulation. Arginine supplementation in 29 patients with diabetes mellitus prompted a 2-fold increase of IL-1 alpha from baseline levels (P < 0.001) while IL-1 beta was unaffected. Implications for the treated panel of diabetic patients could be a reduction of collagen accumulation by enhanced collagenolysis and clearance of advanced-stage non-enzymatic glycosylation products. Based upon our data, low-dose arginine protocols for further immunotherapeutical studies should be discussed.

Aged↗

Growth hormone-prolactin-thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma in atypical McCune-Albright syndrome with functionally normal Gs alpha protein.

The McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) comprises a triad of physical signs: localized bone lesions termed polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, café-au-lait pigmentation of the skin, and autonomous hyperfunction of multiple endocrine systems, including overproduction of GH and T4. A somatic activating point mutation in the gene for the alpha-subunit of the G-protein (Gs alpha) in the affected tissue has been claimed to be the underlying defect. A 29-yr-old patient with MAS, showing polyostotic fibrous dysplasia associated with acromegalic features, underwent endocrinological studies, including oral glucose tolerance test and pituitary stimulation test, and magnetic resonance imaging, revealing elevated plasma concentrations of GH, PRL, and secondary hyperthyroidism due to pituitary macroadenoma infiltrating the sphenoid cavity and extending to the suprasellar space. Subsequently, reduction of tumor mass by a transsphenoidal and a subsequent subfrontal operation led to only marginal amelioration of the excessive hormone production. Postsurgery octreotide and bromocriptine therapy induced near-normalization of hormone concentrations. Immunohistochemistry of tumor tissue confirmed the plurihormonal character, but DNA sequence analysis did not detect any of the two known activating mutations in the Gs alpha gene. Furthermore, biochemical tests revealed normal Gs alpha function, ruling out other mutations that lead to constitutive Gs alpha activation. Our study documents that MAS is a heterogeneous disease. Some, but clearly not all, patients have oncogenic mutations of the gene coding for Gs alpha. Any gene acting down-stream of Gs can theoretically be predicted to result in the same phenotype. In addition, hyperthyroidism of MAS may be secondary to a TSH-producing pituitary macroadenoma.

Adenoma↗

Stimulation of endothelin-1 production by thrombin, but lack of interference by high ambient glucose in vitro.

Diabetic vascular disease is associated with a state of hypercoagulability and altered endothelial properties, leading to elevated plasma levels of endothelium-derived peptides and proteins, e.g. endothelin-1, von Willebrand factor or fibronectin. This study determined dynamic immunoreactive endothelin-1 secretion by human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to thrombin (5 x 10(6) mU/l) in the presence (40 mmol/l) and absence (5.5 mmol/l) of excessive glucose in the cell culture medium. Exposure to high glucose and thrombin concentrations was initiated after cell confluency and applied for 24 h for measurements of endothelin-1 and for 2 and 5 h for the determination of preproendothelin-1, von Willebrand factor and fibronectin messenger ribonucleic acid. Comparisons were made versus cells incubated with normal glucose concentrations or with high mannose or NaCl concentrations as osmotic control. Neither preproendothelin-1, fibronectin and von Willebrand factor messenger ribonucleic acid expression nor endothelin-1 release was affected by high concentrations of glucose, mannose or sodium chloride.

Cells, Cultured↗

Both acute and chronic near-normoglycaemia are required to improve insulin resistance in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

To determine the impact of both short- and long-term "near-normoglycaemia" on insulin resistance in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes hepatic glucose production (mg.kg-1.min-1) and peripheral glucose utilisation ("M-value", mg.kg-1.min-1) were estimated during an euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp (10 mU.kg.min) in patients with either good (HbA1c < 5.8%, groups A and B) or poor (HbA1c > 7.5%, groups C and D) long-term metabolic control (time > 12 months) and in healthy subjects (HbA1c: 5.08 +/- 0.20%; n = 8). To this end blood glucose was stabilized at 6.7 mmol/l by overnight (t = 12 h) i.v. regular insulin in groups (n = 8 each) A (HbA1c: 5.49 +/- 0.46%) and C (HbA1c: 8.83 +/- 1.20%), while groups B (HbA1c: 5.55 +/- 0.19%) and D (HbA1c: 8.51 +/- 1.09%) were kept overnight on long-acting insulin without feed-back control of blood glucose before euglycaemic clamping. Thereby, pre-equilibration of blood glucose at 6.7 mmol/l was shown to normalize basal hepatic glucose production (A: 2.27 +/- 0.48; C 2.50 +/- 0.57 mg.kg-1.min-1) despite different HbA1c values, whereas basal hepatic glucose production stayed elevated in groups B (3.09 +/- 0.38 mg.kg-1.min-1) and D (3.21 +/- 0.58 mg.kg-1.min-1) with poor actual glycaemia (B: 10.9 +/- 4.6; D: 12.1 +/- 4.6 mmol/l).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Non-insulin-like action of sodium orthovanadate in the isolated perfused liver of fed, non-diabetic rats.

Vanadium compounds exert insulin-like effects on isolated rat adipocytes and skeletal muscle and improve glucose homeostasis in diabetic rats and mice. However, reports on metabolic actions of vanadium in the liver are still contradictory. Thus, the acute effect of sodium orthovanadate infusion on net glucose production was measured in isolated perfused livers of non-fasting, non-diabetic rats. Continuous infusion (0.2 ml/min; 90 min) of vanadate (10-500 mumol/l) rapidly increased hepatic glucose (p < 0.001), but not cyclic AMP output, reaching peak values after 20 min. The cumulative glucose release displayed concentration dependence with a maximal net effect of 394.3 mumol/100 g body weight and an apparent half-maximal effective vanadate concentration of 19.6 mumol/l. The glycogenolytic response to vanadate was almost completely blocked by 100 mU/l insulin (p < 0.005), by 0.1 mmol/l indomethacin (p < 0.05) and in the absence of Ca2+ (p < 0.001). These results indicate that sodium orthovanadate stimulates glycogenolysis in livers of fed, non-diabetic rats by a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism, which may involve the release of prostaglandins.

Animals↗

Effect of endothelin-1 in man--impact on basal and stimulated concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, thyrotropin, growth hormone, corticotropin, and prolactin.

The effect of endothelin-1 on basal and stimulated serum (plasma) concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thyrotropin (TSH), prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), and corticotropin was investigated in healthy male volunteers (n = 5). Intravenous (IV) administration of endothelin-1 (5 ng/kg/min for 15 minutes, followed by 2.5 ng/kg/min for 105 minutes) induced an increase in basal plasma concentrations of corticotropin. Serum concentrations of PRL, TSH, LH, FSH, and GH remained unchanged. The increase in serum concentrations of these pituitary hormones induced by IV administration of LH-releasing hormone ([LH-RH] 100 micrograms), thyrotropin RH ([TRH] 400 micrograms), GH-RH (100 micrograms), and corticotropin-releasing factor ([CRF] 100 micrograms) was suppressed in regard to PRL (P < .01) and GH (P < .01) and enhanced in regard to corticotropin (P < .01). Stimulated serum concentrations of LH and FSH also tended to be higher following administration of endothelin-1 (P < .05), whereas the increase in serum concentrations of TSH remained unchanged. Thus, when administered in pharmacological doses, endothelin-1 influences pituitary hormone secretion in man.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Dissociation of hemodynamic and renal effects of i.v. alpha-hANF (99-126) in conscious calves.

The effects of i.v. human atrial natriuretic factor (alpha-hANF [99-126]) was investigated in 5 conscious calves (age 4 months, weight 94 +/- 14kg) with constant fluid (300 ml/h) and sodium intake over a period of 24 hours before and during the 3 hours of experimentation. We administered 200 micrograms, 400 micrograms and 800 micrograms ANF at hourly intervals. Immediately (+2 min) after the i.v. injection the peptide's serum-concentration rose from, basal 13 +/- 3 to 802 +/- 191 (200 micrograms), 1707 +/- 419 (400 micrograms) and 3483 +/- 878 pmol/l (800 micrograms) (p < 0.0001), respectively. Mean arterial pressure decreased from, basal, 108 +/- 18 to 85 +/- 17, 76 +/- 16 and 69 +/- 18 mmHg (p < 0.0001), and central venous pressure decreased from, basal, 5.1 +/- 3 to 1.2 +/- 1, 0.4 +/- 1 and 0.8 +/- 2 mmHg (p < 0.001). Heart rate increased from, basal, 66 +/- 5 to 84 +/- 23, 111 +/- 29 and 114 +/- 13 b/min (p < 0.001). Following the administration of ANF the urine volume decreased from, basal, 261 +/- 145 to 195 +/- 72, 121 +/- 41 and 102 +/- 33 ml/h (p < 0.0041). The urinary sodium excretion rates decreased from, basal, 50 +/- 17 to 30 +/- 13, 22 +/- 10 and 19 +/- 10 mmol/h (p < 0.007), and the potassium excretion rates decreased from, basal, 43 +/- 19 to 39 +/- 16, 26 +/- 11 and 23 +/- 10 mmol/h (p < 0.0047). Endogenous clearance of creatinine (basal: 182 +/- 30 ml/min) did not change (260 +/- 84, 218 +/- 66 and 224 +/- 76 ml/h) following i.v. ANF. Inspite of this marked fluid retention, the hematocrit, expressed as relative change, was increased by 7.5%, 11.8% and 10.4%. In 2 calves we additionally measured an increased whole blood and plasma density possibly indicating increased liquid permeation to an extravascular compartment. Thus, in calves the hemodynamic effects of ANF are comparable to those seen in man. However, the failure of ANF to stimulate diuresis and natriuresis indicates a dissociation of hemodynamic and renal effects of ANF in calves.

Animals↗

Increase in skeletal muscle blood flow but not in renal blood flow during euglycemic hyperinsulinemia in man.

In order to investigate the effect of euglycemic hyperinsulinemia on skeletal muscle blood flow and renal blood flow, catheters were inserted into both femoral arteries, one femoral vein and one renal vein of 7 healthy men. Constant infusions of indocyanine-green dye (intraarterial) and of p-aminohippuric acid (intra-venous) were used to estimate leg plasma flow (ELPF) and renal blood flow (ERPF), respectively, prior to and during a euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp (1.0 mU/kg.min of human insulin, serum concentrations of insulin before and during the clamp: 4.6 +/- 0.9 microU/ml and 65.5 +/- 20.6 microU/ml, respectively, t = 120 min). ERPF (basal: 1220 +/- 320 ml/min) remained unchanged throughout the period of induced hyperinsulinemia in each volunteer (mean: 1135 +/- 490 ml/min), whereas mean leg plasma flow (ELPF) rose from basal 206 +/- 99 ml/min up to 275 ml/min 90 minutes after the beginning of the euglycemic clamp study (p < 0.01). This was due to the marked rise in ELPF from 149 +/- 24 ml/min up to 243 +/- 25 ml/min (p < 0.01) seen in 5 subjects. In two men, who presented a markedly higher basal ELPF (332 and 365 ml/min, respectively), no further rise in ELPF was seen during induced hyperinsulinemia. Fractional renal extraction of insulin was unchanged during induced hyperinsulinemia (28 +/- 5%; basal: 22 +/- 18%), as was fractional extraction of insulin by the leg (10 +/- 5%; basal: 13 +/- 11%). The observed dissociation of ERPF and ELPF suggests a differential response to insulin in renal vs. leg vasculature which possibly is due to increased peripheral glucose metabolism.

Adult↗

The circadian melatonin and cortisol secretion pattern in permanent night shift workers.

In permanent night shift workers the impact of environmental time cues on the circadian system is conflicting. Rhythm adjustments to the nocturnal work schedule have been described, and their significance for tolerance to shift work is under discussion. Reports concerning the effect of this work situation on the setting of the endogenous clock are, however, inconsistent. We examined nine healthy young male permanent shift workers with high work satisfaction at the end of a week on night work and seven male controls with normal diurnal working hours. All subjects were admitted to a research facility for 28 h, and blood was collected with a continuous-withdrawal pump in portions taken hourly for the estimation of the circadian melatonin (MT) and cortisol secretion pattern. One control did not exhibit a circadian secretion pattern. When compared with the other controls (n = 6), all except one of the shift workers showed no difference in the phase or phase relationship of their hormonal profiles. In the shift workers, a minor trend toward elevation of the MT amplitude and an increase in two indicators for the amount of MT secreted were noticed. One individual displayed inverse hormone rhythms with an undisturbed phase relationship of MT and cortisol and inconspicuous hormone amplitudes. He showed, however, an inverse day-night rhythm in his private life, too. The data collected suggest that even permanent night workers with a high degree of work satisfaction do not usually lose the diurnal orientation of their endogenous clock. Factors other than reorientation of the circadian system may be more important for high tolerance to shift work.

Adult↗

Suramin affects human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro: inhibition of T cell growth and modulation of cytokine secretion.

Suramin, a polyanionic compound, which has been in clinical use for the treatment of African trypanosomiasis for several decades, has recently been introduced in clinical oncology. Its effects on the immune system seemed therefore of interest. In the present study we tried to elucidate in vitro how suramin affected different functions of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Suramin suppressed the proliferation of PBMC in response to various stimuli, including OKT3, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), phorbolmyristate-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, purified protein derivate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (PPD) and antibodies against CD2. It also inhibited the binding of monoclonal antibodies to T cell surface antigens. This effect was not dependent on the isotype of the antibody, but seemed to be highly epitope-specific. Among a panel of antibodies against one antigen, only a few were affected by the compound. Whereas the binding of Leu3a and OKT3 was for instance fully suppressed by suramin, OKT4 and Leu4 binding was only slightly affected. Suramin also decreased the expression of T cell surface molecules such as CD2, CD25 and CD4 in preactivated PBMC and had pronounced effects on cytokine production. Interestingly the compound had adverse regulatory effects on different cytokines. Whereas the secretion of interferon-gamma was completely suppressed by suramin, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4 production was stimulated. These results demonstrate that suramin affects T cell function in multiple different ways. This will have to be considered, when suramin is used in the treatment of cancer patients.

Adult↗