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Biomedical subjects

H Zimmermann

Publications and source records attributed to H Zimmermann.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Functional and morphologic characterization of human insulinomas.

Circulating levels of insulin, proinsulin-like component, glucagon, growth hormone, and pancreatic polypeptide were measured in 12 patients with functioning insulinomas, and the suppressibility of serum insulin by somatostatin and diazoxide was assessed before surgical removal of the tumors. The hormone content of the tumors was evaluated by radioimmunoassay and by immunofluorescence and the structure of the tumor cells by electron microscopy. Based on these findings, we propose a new classification of insulinomas in two groups: group A is characterized morphologically by abundant well-granulated typical B-cells, trabecular arrangement of tumor cells, and uniform insulin immunofluorescence; functionally, these tumors are associated with a moderate elevation of proinsulin-like component and with an almost complete suppressibility of serum insulin by somatostatin and diazoxide. In contrast, tumors of group B are characterized by scarce well-granulated typical B-cells, a medullary-type histologic structure, and irregular insulin immunofluorescence; functionally these tumors show elevated circulating levels of proinsulin-like component and a marked resistance of insulin secretion to somatostatin and diazoxide inhibition. This way of separating human insulinomas in groups A and B represents a simplification of existing classifications and emphasizes the quantitative ultrastructure in relationship to suppressibility of insulin secretion. The proposed classification of human insulinomas in groups A and B, however, does not allow the assessment of the clinical or histopathologic malignancy of the tumors.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
PubMed1982

[Raised plasma glucagon levels in obesity (author's transl)].

Plasma glucagon levels were measured in 129 grossly obese patients with 77 +/- 29% excess weight according to Broca. A significantly raised basal glucagon level (179 +/- 7 pg/ml) was found when compared with normal weight controls (109 +/- 7 pg/ml). Weight reduction of 9.1 +/- 3.8 kg with reduction of glucose-stimulated hyperinsulinaemia from 97 +/- 12 microU/ml to 62 +/- 6 microU/ml had no influence on hyperglucagonaemia. A subgroup of obese patients with hypertriglyceridaemia (270 +/- 24 mg/dl) and glucose intolerance had particularly high plasma glucagon levels (198 +/- 12 pg/ml). It seems that these patients have a resistance to glucagon in addition to a marked insulin resistance.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Progressive interstitial pulmonary lobar emphysema.

Progressive pulmonary interstitial lobar emphysema is a complication of artificial ventilation in premature infants with RDS. Three cases are presented who developed a progressive form of PIPE. It is demonstrated that PIPE is caused by air escaping through alveolar leaks into the pulmonary lymphatic capillary system causing dilation of lymphatic channels. Because of its increasing compressive effect on adjacent lung areas PIPE requires rapid and effective therapy. Although several types of conservative approach are suggested, lobectomy is not indicated when prolonged ventilation with high pressures and high concentrations of oxygen have caused severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Humans↗
PubMed1982

Evidence that the effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on the secretion of ACTH and growth hormone in dogs are not mediated by central release of serotonin.

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) was found to lower plasma 11-oxycorticoids and increase plasma growth hormone in anesthetized dogs. To determine whether these effects were mediated by release of serotonin, 5-HTP and L-tryptophan were injected intravenously alone and after treatment with various drugs. The decrease in corticoids produced by 5-HTP was unaffected by intravenous carbidopa and metergoline, but was abolished by intravenous benserazide in a dose that inhibits central 5-HTP and dopa decarboxylase, and by a small dose of phenoxybenzamine in the third ventricle. Adrenal sensitivity to ACTH was unaffected by 5-HTP. L-Tryptophan did not decrease plasma corticoids; instead it produced a small increase. The increase in plasma growth hormone produced by 5-HTP was potentiated by carbidopa and abolished by benserazide. L-Tryptophan did not increase plasma growth hormone; instead it produced no change or in some instances a decrease. Plasma growth hormone declined after administration of phenoxybenzamine in the third ventricle, and the decline continued after administration of 5-HTP. The data indicate that the effects of 5-HTP on ACTH and growth hormone secretion are not due to central release of serotonin and suggest that they are due instead to serotonin-induced release of catecholamines from catecholamine-secreting neurons.

11-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMed1981

Effects of calcium and calcitonin on circulating levels of glucagon and glucose in diabetes mellitus.

The effects of Ca2+ and calcitonin infusions on circulating glucagon, glucose, C-peptide, Ca2+, and calcitonin were investigated in hyper-glucagonaemic insulin-dependent diabetics. In 14 insulin-deprived diabetics and 12 healthy volunteers 2h infusions of saline (0.154 mol/1), Ca2+ (0.375 mmol/kg body weight), and calcitonin (4.5 IU/kg body weight) were performed. There were no significant changes during saline infusion. In the diabetics, Ca2+ infusions induced a rise of plasma Ca2+ up to 3.2 +/- 0.1 mmol/1 and a fall of circulating glucagon (-26.4 +/- 5.7%; p less than 0.001) and glucose (-23.3 +/- 3.6%; p less than 0.05). Plasma calcitonin rose to twice basal values (p less than 0.025). During calcitonin infusions plasma Ca2+ decreased slightly to 2.1 +/- 0.2 mmol/1; a fall was found in both glucose (-24.4 +/- 4.0%; p less than 0.05) and circulating glucagon (-22.5 +/- 4.3%; p less than 0.001). Two groups of 6 healthy volunteers were subjected to saline and Ca2+, or to Ca2+ and calcitonin infusions. Both Ca2+ and calcitonin infusions induced a fall of serum insulin (-30.1 +/- 6.6%; p less than 0.05). Calcitonin depressed circulating glucagon by -18.6 +/- 4.4% (p less than 0.025), whereas during Ca2+ infusions glucagon decreased only by -6.5 +/- 1.9% (p greater than 0.1). We conclude from our results that an increase of circulating calcitonin induced by Ca2+ infusions or by exogenous calcitonin administration appears to depress elevated circulating glucagon and glucose in insulin-dependent diabetics.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Juvenile polyp in the small bowel (author's transl)].

A single case of a solitary juvenile polyp of the small bowel is presented in a 10 month old infant which produced a jejuno-jejunal intussusception. A review of the literature failed to show a similar case. The pathology of the polyp is discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed1981

Cardiovascular risk factors and HDL-cholesterol levels in obesity.

In 1332 patients with different degrees of obesity (344 men, mean age 36 +/- 13 years, Broca Index 1.46 +/- 0.23; 988 women, mean age 37 +/- 13 years, Broca Index 1.67 +/- 0.30), cardiovascular risk factors (RF), serum HDL-cholesterol, and insulin levels were investigated. The most frequent RF was diastolic hypertension (68 per cent), followed by systolic hypertension (56 per cent), glucose intolerance (55 per cent), hypertriglyceridemia (31 per cent), hyperuricemia (19 per cent) and hypercholesterolemia (18 per cent). Only 9.4 per cent of the patients were without RF, and these patients were younger and less obese than patients with RF. Compared with controls, HDL-cholesterol levels were decreased in obese patients, however, the negative linear correlation between relative body weight and HDL-cholesterol levels was only significant in women, not in men. HDL-cholesterol levels were higher in women than in men. Serum insulin levels were correlated positively with relative body weight and negatively with age. Partial correlation analysis revealed a stronger influence of age than body weight on blood pressure, serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose levels. Uric acid levels correlated positively, and HDL-cholesterol levels negatively with relative body weight alone and not with age. On the basis of prevalence of RF, low serum HDL-cholesterol and high insulin levels, obese patients must be considered at high risk with respect to the development of cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Therapy of large postpneumonic tension cavities (pneumatoceles) (author's transl)].

A postpneumonic tension cavity (pneumatocele) is defined as subpleurally trapped air originating from interstitial emphysema following necrobiotic changes of lung tissue. We recommend for the treatment of large pneumatoceles intercostal drainage and continuous suctioning for several days to avoid tension pneumothorax and development of persistent fibrous pseudocysts.

Cysts↗
PubMed1980

[Obesity: state of research and therapy].

The classification of obesity into a hypertrophic and a hyperplastic type is apparently becoming less accepted since preadipocytes are not covered by investigation of adipose tissue cellularity. Obesity-associated insulin resistance is probably due to a decrease in number of insulin receptors, induced by hyperinsulinemia. Metabolic factors may contribute to insulin resistance. Long-standing hypersecretion of insulin may exhaust the B-cell, resulting in glucose intolerance and diabetes. There is increasing interest in the (possibly) disturbed energy metabolism in obesity, though clearcut conclusions are not yet possible. For the management of obesity an integrated treatment schedule is recommended including a 1000 calorie mixed diet, intensive nutritional education, motivation, group and individual psychotherapy, physical exercise and physiotherapy. Drastic methods for the treatment of obesity are critically reviewed.

Diet, Reducing↗