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Biomedical subjects

J Girard

Publications and source records attributed to J Girard.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Comparative effects of synthetic and natural secretin on pancreatic secretion and on secretin, insulin, and glucagon levels in man.

The effect of synthetic secretin (Roche) on exocrine pancreatic secretion and on secretin, insulin, and glucagon levels was determined and compared with that of pure natural porcine secretin (GIH, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm) in 10 healthy volunteers. The two secretin preparations were found to be equipotent. Equipotency applies to pancreatic secretion and to secretin and insulin plasma levels, whereas the plasma levels of glucagon were not affected by either drug. It is concluded that this synthetic secretin preparation is suitable for clinical and research purposes.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

DSIP-induced changes of the daily concentrations of brain neurotransmitters and plasma proteins in rats.

The influence of delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) on the brain neurotransmitters 5-HT, dopamine and norepinephrine and plasma proteins/corticosterone concentrations for four time points within the 24 hr following IV injection of 30 nmol/kg was investigated in rats. DSIP administered in the morning or in the evening respectively induced changes in nearly all measured parameters. Different effects were observed for different times of administration. The most marked changes were found in the level of serotonin during daytime. In view of the multivariate results obtained by measuring several parameters at multiple time points, a method was developed to describe the time-dependent changes. By means of "circadian rhythm statistics" based on a statistical likelihood analysis we found that multiple and different changes within the factor's daily variation are induced by one injection of DSIP. A multidimensional scaling of the results provides further insights into the correlations of the DSIP-induced effects on plasma and brain factors which are therefore tentatively termed "programming functions." These apparently involve not just sleep induction but also act on multiple parameters within the 24 hr rest-activity period.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Development of gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes from fasting or suckling newborn pigs.

The rates of glucose production from various substrates were investigated in isolated hepatocytes from fasting and suckling newborn pigs from birth to 48 hours of life. They were quantitatively compared to the rate of glucose production measured in 15-day-old suckling and fasting piglets. The data indicate that the rates of gluconeogenesis from each gluconeogenic precursor (lactate, pyruvate, alanine, glycerol, dihydroxyacetone and galactose) were two- to threefold higher in suckling than in fasting newborn pigs. The rates of glucose production from various gluconeogenic precursors were similar in suckling newborn pigs and in 15-day-old fasting piglets. The difference in the capacity for gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes from fasting and suckling newborn pigs could explain why hypoglycemia develops during fasting in newborn pigs whereas suckling neonates remain normoglycemic.

Animal Population Groups↗
PubMed1982

Hormonal treatment of cryptorchidism.

60 cryptorchid boys (39 unilateral and 21 bilateral) aged between 10 months and 14 years were treated by conservative methods. All boys received an initial therapy of 200 micrograms GnRH nasal spray (decapeptide) in each nostril three times daily for 4 weeks. Those who did not respond favorably to the GnRH treatment immediately received a follow-up therapy with 1,500 IU or boys over 7 years 2,000 IU of HCG per week for a total of 3 weeks. Immediately after completion of this therapy, the success rate was 80% (65/81 testes descended). 6 months afterwards 6 of the 48 testes suffered a relapse. Thus, 73% of the testicles were still descended 6 months after completion of therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Glucose turnover rate during pregnancy in the conscious guinea pig.

The glucose turnover rate (GTR) has been determined in conscious pregnant guinea pigs from 33-63 days of gestation. Eighteen animals were studied, using a constant infusion technique of trace amounts of 6-[3H]-glucose and U-[14C]-glucose. The GTR 6-[3H] (mg X min-1) increased progressively with gestation. At term the value is approximately 2-fold higher than in the nonpregnant females. The weight specific GTR 6-[3H] (min X min-1 X kg-1) did not change significantly with gestation. The % of [14C] recycling increased from 0% at 40 days gestation to 20% at term. As with GTR, the metabolic clearance of glucose (ml X min-1) increased with gestational age and exceeded the clearance of nonpregnant animals after 50 days of pregnancy. Expressed per kg of body weight, the metabolic clearance of glucose was not significantly different in pregnant and nonpregnant animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Uteroplacental blood flow during pregnancy in chronically catheterized guinea pigs.

Uterine blood flow and its distribution to uterus, placenta and subplacental structures was measured in 18 pregnant guinea pigs studied under chronic steady-state conditions. Maternal cardiac output averaged 266 +/- 14 ml/min. Placental blood flow (PBF) remained less than 4 ml/min until 50 days gestation, after which it increased rapidly, attaining flows of 16 ml/min at term. PBF also increased linearly with placental weight (r = 0.76, P less than 0.001); however, the increase in PBF with gestational age is evident even in narrow weight ranges, indicating hyperperfusion of term placentas relative to those earlier in gestation. Fetal weight correlated with measured placental blood flow supplying the corresponding placenta after 50 days gestation (r = 0.72, P less than 0.001).

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Thyroid hormones and thyroid reserve in preclinical hypothyroidism].

Preclinical hypothyroidism (i.e. basal thyroxine within the normal laboratory range, basal TSH normal or elevated and exaggerated TSH response to TRH) is a biochemical constellation of uncertain clinical relevance. The oral TRH test with simultaneous measurements of TSH and thyroid hormones before and 3 h after 40 mg TRH provides information about both pituitary and thyroid reserve. In a group of female patients with preclinical hypothyroidism, basal thyroxine but not triiodothyronine was found to be clearly diminished compared with a group of healthy female controls, indicating a slight thyroid hormone deficiency. Furthermore, a progressively reduced thyroid reserve of T4 and especially of T3 was seen to be closely related to elevation of basal TSH as an expression of thyroid cell insufficiency. These data emphasize the clinical importance of TSH elevation despite normal thyroxine levels as a better individual sign of impending primary hypothyroidism.

Female↗
PubMed1981

[Demonstration of renal arteries by tomography during intravenous urography (author's transl)].

A new method to demonstrate the renal arteries is presented. It consists of taking with a Synchroplan apparatus simultaneous tomographic sections during the aortic and arterial stage of intravenous urography (IVU). Direct visualization of the vessels avoids the false negative results of IVU alone in investigations of renovascular lesions, such as bilateral stenosis of the renal artery, stenoses with few functional disorders, aneurysms and associated arterial and urinary lesions. Lesions of the infra-renal portion of the aorta and of the splanchnic arteries are also visualized. In a series of 37 patients investigated for renovascular hypertension, the new method proved more sensitive, more specific and of higher predictive value than conventional IVU. In another series of 19 patients who had undergone revascularization of the kidneys, the authors were able to obtain good visualization of the new vascular system and to establish correlations between morphological features and the effects of hypertension. The method therefore appears to be valuable in detecting renovascular lesions in arterial hypertension, monitoring renal artery lesions and following up patients with surgical revascularization.

Humans↗
PubMed1981

Relationship between ketogenesis and gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes from newborn rats.

In hepatocytes from 1-day-old rats, active gluconeogenesis occurs in parallel with active ketogenesis, although the carbon atoms of non-esterified fatty acids do not participate in glucose synthesis. Once a significant ketogenesis is established, a further increase does not enhance gluconeogenesis. Indeed, octanoate is more ketogenic than oleate, but stimulates gluconeogenesis to a similar extent.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Preclinical hyperthyroidism in thyroid invasion by tumors of other organs].

Inclusion of that degree of supranormal autonomous thyroid function which induces TRH-refractoriness without clinical hyperthyroidism (i.e. preclinical hyperthyroidism), and a high prevalence of autonomously functioning multinodular goiter results in a high incidence of hyperthyroidism in thyroid malignancy. In a series of 56 consecutive patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma 17 (30%) had a coincidental multinodular goiter with preclinical (21%) or overt (9%) hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, preclinical hyperthyroidism was found in 2 out of 5 patients with secondary carcinoma and malignant lymphoma of the thyroid respectively. These patients' cases are presented in detail; they had no concomitant nodular goiter or signs of immunogenic autonomous thyroid function. The observation confirms the facultative occurrence of supranormal thyroid hormone release induced by tumor invasion and morphologic destruction of follicles.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1981

Stimulation of the pituitary-adrenocortical axis and induction of tyrosine hydroxylase by nerve growth factor are not dependent on mouse submaxillary gland isorenin.

A biologically active 2.5S NGF preparation free of renin-activity was prepared. Stimulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis as well as induction of tyrosine hydroxylase in sympathetic ganglia are characteristic NGF effects and are not mediated by renin. These findings are confirmed by observations showing that captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, failed to block these responses.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1981

Glucose turnover during pregnancy in anaesthetized post-absorptive rats.

During pregnancy the decline in blood [glucose] does not result from the increased distribution space of glucose. The absolute rate of glucose turnover increases in late pregnancy in parallel with the rise in the mass of the conceptus. Nevertheless, glucose turnover per kg body wt. is not increased in late pregnancy, since the lower blood [glucose] decreases glucose utilization by maternal tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Metabolic evaluation and etiology of "preclinical hypothyroidism": a preliminary report].

The TRH test, using synthetic TRH (TSH-releasing hormone) is the most sensitive test for the assessment of thyroid function. It may show elevated basal TSH and/or an exaggerated TSH response to TRH, despite normal thyroid hormone levels (T4, FT4I, T3). This condition is termed "preclinical hypothyroidism" (pc hypo). Thyroid hormone levels, the clinical index of Billewicz and metabolic impact on target tissues were studied prospectively in 38 pc hypo women and compared with 20 controls matched for age, weight and sex and 9 patients with overt hypothyroidism. For metabolic evaluation at the tissue site two new metabolic tests were developed and standardized, the systolic time intervals (STI) and sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which were used in conjunction with the ankle reflex time (ART) and lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides). The thyroid hormones T4, FT4I and T3 in pc hypo (77.8 +/- 2.0 nmol/l; 71.8 +/- 2.3; 1.92 +/- 0.07 nmol/l respectively; mean +/- SEM) were within the normal range (by definition), but significantly lower in comparison with the normal controls (105.5 +/- 3.3 nmol/l; 97.8 +/- 3.1; 2.91 +/- 0.12 nmol/l respectively; p less than 0.001). The clinical index and metabolic parameters SHBG and ART showed significant hypothyroid changes. STI (measured as preejection period) and lipids were not yet significantly different from the controls despite a hypothyroid tendency in many single individuals. The etiology in 144 patients with pc hypo (out of 2969 TRH tests) was analysed and the following causes identified: a) treated hyperthyroidism (38 after radioiodine, 5 after partial thyroidectomy, 5 after antithyroid drugs, 5 after radioiodine and partial thyroidectomy); b) simple goiter (7 without and 21 after partial thyroidectomy); c) autoimmune thyroiditis (27); d) other causes such as subacute thyroiditis (10); Riedel's thyroiditis (2), dyshormogenesis (2), drugs (6), treated toxic adenomas (2); e) etiology unknown or not identified (14).

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Glucose homeostasis in the perinatal period: the critical role of pancreatic hormones and exogenous substrates in the rat.

Birth in most mammalian species is characterized by an abrupt change from a high carbohydrate and low fat diet to a high fat and low carbohydrate diet. As the supply of glucose from the milk is not sufficient to cover the glucose needs of several tissues (such as the brain and the red blood cells) and as liver glycogen stores are exhausted within 12 hours of delivery, the newborn rapidly becomes dependent on its capacity for efficient gluconeogenesis. Among the factors that control the appearance of gluconeogenesis in the liver of the neonate, the pancreatic hormones play a crucial role. Studies in the rat have shown that the rise in plasma glucagon and the fall in plasma insulin which occur immediately after birth are the main determinants of the appearance of liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP), the rate-limiting enzyme of glyconeogenesis in this species. However, when this enzyme has reached its adult values in the liver 12 to 24 hours after birth, other factors involved in the regulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis. In order for it to maintain a high rate of gluconeogenesis the liver of the neonate must be supplied with sufficient amounts of gluconeogenic precursors and of non-esterified fatty acids. Studies in the rat have shown that active fatty acid oxidation is necessary to support gluconeogenesis by providing essential cofactors such as acetyl-CoA and NADH. The relevance of these studies for the understanding of neonatal glucose homeostasis in man is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Massive ovarian oedema with production of testosterone.

Clinical, biochemical, light- and electron microscopic, and immunocytochemical findings of a 13 1/2 year old girl with delayed menarche and signs of virilization due to massive oedema of the left ovary with activation of stromal cells (hyperthecosis) are presented. Testosterone and oestradiol production by large cells in the voluminous ovary was demonstrated by immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. Massive ovarian oedema may result from partial or intermittent torsion of the mesovary interfering with venous and lymphatic drainage, but not with arterial blood flow.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Fasting hypoglycemia resulting from hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase deficiency.

Two sisters developed severe hypoglycemia at 8 months of age, resulting in death in one of them. Metabolic studies of the second revealed decline of blood glucose concentration and low plasma ketone body values during a 20-hour fast, both reversed by administration of medium-chain triglycerides. Carnitine palmitoyl transferase activity was absent in the liver extract of the patient; lack of this enzyme impairs long-chain fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis. Failure of gluconeogenesis could result from decreased production of acetyl-CoA and NADH.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed1981

Body composition, energy expenditure, and plasma metabolites in long-term fasting geese.

Starvation in 15 geese (mean initial body mass, m = 6.3 kg) fasting for about 40 days (mean decrease in m = 2.5 kg) was characterized by three periods. Period I (3-8 days), an adaptation period, was marked by a considerable decrease in the daily rate of change in m (dm) as well as in resting metabolic rate (RMR), and by high fat mobilization. In period II (a period of economy) the decreases in dm, RMR, and daily rate of nitrogen excretion (dne) were reduced: when expressed per unit of body mass these rates were either constant or decreased slightly. Period III, a critical period, was characterized by a rapid increase in both dm and dne that appeared when body mass had dropped to 4.7-3.2 kg. In parallel there was a greater decrease in intracellular fluid volume below 5 kg. Throughout the fast, in contrast to fasting mammals, plasma glucose and alanine concentrations were maintained at high levels (8-10 and 0.4 mM, respectively), and there was no increase in acetoacetate. However, after 20 days of fasting, plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration (beta-OHB) increased to about 20 mM, while blood pH remained constant and blood PCO2 decreased. Thus, compensation for metabolic acidosis was partly attributed to respiratory alkalosis. Throughout the fast, the variations in beta-OHB were a mirror image of those for daily changes in body mass and in nitrogen excretion. This presumably reflects a hormonal change, but might also suggest a key role of beta-OHB in the control of energy expenditure and/or in regulation of body mass as well as in protein sparing.

Adipose Tissue↗