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J J Body

Publications and source records attributed to J J Body.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Epinephrine is a hypophosphatemic hormone in man. Physiological effects of circulating epinephrine on plasma calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin.

The physiologic effects of epinephrine on mineral metabolism are not known. In six healthy men, insulin-induced hypoglycemia, a potent stimulus to endogenous epinephrine secretion, resulted in a decrement of 0.9+/-0.1 mg/dl (mean+/-SE, P < 0.001) in serum inorganic phosphorus and smaller increments in magnesium and total and ionized calcium. Plasma immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) decreased and plasma immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT) increased appropriately with the increments in calcium and magnesium. We wished to determine to what extent these changes in mineral metabolism might be attributable to epinephrine. Therefore, in the same protocol, we infused the hormone over 60 min in these six men, in doses that resulted in steady-state plasma epinephrine concentrations ranging from 52 to 945 pg/ml (levels that span the physiologic range), for a total of 25 studies. Serum ionized calcium, iPTH, and iCT concentrations were unaltered by these physiologic elevations of plasma epinephrine. However, epinephrine resulted in dose-dependent decrements in serum inorganic phosphorus of 0.6+/-0.1 mg/dl (P < 0.005) for the highest epinephrine infusion rate. The plasma epinephrine concentration threshold for this hypophosphatemic effect was approximately 50-100 pg/ml. Thus, the sensitivity of the hypophosphatemic response to epinephrine is comparable to that of the cardiac chronotropic, systolic pressor, and lipolytic responses to epinephrine, and considerably greater than that of the diastolic depressor, glycogenolytic, glycolytic, and ketogenic responses to the hormone in human beings. In view of its rapidity, the hypophosphatemic effect of epinephrine is probably the result of a net shift of phosphate from the extracellular compartment to intracellular compartments. We suggest that it is a direct effect of epinephrine, in that it is not mediated by changes in availability of the primary regulatory hormones PTH and CT, although indirect effects mediated by changes in other hormones, such as insulin, cannot be excluded. The hypophosphatemic response is also not attributable to increments in plasma calcium. These data indicate that epinephrine in physiologic concentrations is a hypophosphatemic hormone in man.

Adult↗

Estimates of circulating monomeric calcitonin: physiological studies in normal and thyroidectomized man.

To avoid the limitations of present human calcitonin (hCT) assays, we have developed a silica extraction and concentration method for plasma hCT that lowers the detection limit of the assay 40-fold (to 0.5-1.0 pg/ml), and markedly improves specificity of the assay for the CT monomer (hCT-M). Extraction recoveries of radioiodinated and unlabeled synthetic hCT-M added to 20 ml plasma were, respectively, 90 +/- 1% and 99 +/- 4% (mean +/- SE). Gel filtration chromatography of plasma from patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma demonstrated that the extract was markedly enriched in hCT-M. Basal plasma immunoreactive hCT was measured before (iCT) and after extraction (exCT) in 60 normal individuals; basal exCT levels were higher in young men than in young women [8.0 +/- 0.8 (+/- SE) vs. 4.6 +/- 0.5 pg/ml; P less than 0.001] and higher in elderly men than in elderly women (9.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 4.7 +/- 0.6 pg/ml; P less than 0.05), but not different with age. Calcium infusions (2 mg Ca/kg over 5 min) in 36 subjects showed a significantly greater secretory capacity for exCT in men than in women, but showed no decline of exCT response with age. There was no correlation between basal iCT and exCT concentrations, but there was a good correlation between peak Ca-stimulated iCT and peak Ca-stimulated exCT levels (r = 0.94; P less than 0.001), suggesting that hCT-M was the main form released by acute stimulation. The mean extractable CT level in 6 totally thyroidectomized individuals was 2.7 +/- 0.3 pg/ml and did not increase after Ca challenge. We found no significant differences in basal or Ca-stimulated exCT levels measured in 5 women on 3 different occasions over the span of 1 menstrual cycle. After a meal, exCT levels did not change in women, but there was a consistent increase in the men (28 +/- 7% over baseline at 3 h; P less than 0.01). In summary, plasma concentrations of exCT and, most likely, hCT-M were very low (less than 10 pg/ml in most healthy adults) and always increased after calcium infusion. The measurement of plasma exCT is a useful technique that provides new sensitivity and specificity for the study of hCT physiology.

Adolescent↗

Total parenteral nutrition-induced cholestasis mimicking large bile duct obstruction.

The authors present a case of cholestatic jaundice which developed during total parenteral nutrition. The histology of the liver mimicked the picture of large bile duct obstruction. However, there was no duct obstruction and the symptoms regressed after the caloric input was reduced. At postmortem examination, the portal inflammatory infiltrate had cleared and was replaced by fibrosis. Alterations in bile chemistry could be responsible for the similarity between the lesions induced by parenteral feeding and those classically described in large bile duct obstruction.

Biopsy↗

Treatment with steroids of a giant cell granuloma of the maxilla.

This case report of giant cell granuloma involving the maxilla is of particular interest for two reasons: the locally aggressive clinical course contrasting with the diagnosis of a benign disease and the spectacular, although transient, response under steroid treatment. Corticotherapy should be further tested in cases of invasive or recurring giant cell granuloma.

Adult↗

The human chorionic gonadotropin-like substance in the plasma of normal nonpregnant subjects is not modulated by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

To determine whether the hCG-like substance found in the plasma of normal nonpregnant subjects is secreted and regulated like a pituitary gonadotropic hormone or prohormone, we measured its concentration before and 60 min after the acute iv injection of 500 microgram Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The study was performed in 12 normal young men. The hCG-like substance was purified from the other plasma proteins by 2 successive diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex A-50 chromatographies and by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. Its concentration was measured by a specific RIA, corrected for losses and for possible contamination with human LH (hLH). The median basal concentration in plasma was 19 pg/ml (mean, 41; range less than 5 to 169), and there was no correlation with corresponding hLH concentrations. After the injection of GnRH, the median, mean, and range of concentrations remained constant, whereas the mean hLH concentration increased over 8-fold. This indicates that no significant amounts of the hCG-like substance are acutely releasable from the pituitary gland and that its plasma concentrations are not modulated by GnRH in a fashion similar to hLH. It also constitutes an argument for an extrapituitary origin of the plasma hCG-like substances in normal men.

Adult↗

Usefulness of bone formation markers in breast cancer.

The skeleton is the main site affected by metastases and breast cancer is the most frequent tumor to invade bone. The assessment of bone metastases is difficult and biochemical markers of bone formation (BFMs) could be a promising alternative. Although the essential role of osteoblasts in the metastatic process of bone destruction is now well established, little attention has been paid to BFMs. We conducted a Medline search for studies about BFMs in breast cancer. Our review allows us to conclude that BFMs have high specificity but low sensitivity for the diagnosis of bone metastases. The available biochemical markers cannot replace imaging techniques for the diagnosis of bone metastases. Several studies indicate that BFM serum levels reflect total tumor burden in the skeleton. BFM levels are higher in patients with blastic lesions compared to those with lytic lesions. Serial measurements of BFMs could be useful for the clinical assessment of response to antineoplastic treatment or to bisphosphonate therapy. Besides markers of bone resorption, biochemical markers of bone formation are a promising alternative for the assessment of metastatic bone disease, but large prospective studies are needed to address this important issue.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Management of primary osteoporosis.

Although there is a great need for better therapeutic approaches to the patient who presents with a fracture, osteoporotic fractures will remain a condition that is more amenable to prevention than treatment. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is still considered by many the mainstay for the prevention and the treatment of posrmenopausal osteoporosis. However, there are several controversies regarding HRT, especially the duration of treatment and the risks/benefits ratio. Recent studies have challenged the assumption that HRT conveys real long-term beneficial effects. Raloxifene or other "selective estrogen receptor modulators" (SERMs) should progressively replace HRT in elderly women. Bisphosphonates have demonstrated a clearcut efficacy in the treatment of osteoporosis. Alendronate and risedronate have been the most extensively studied bisphosphonates under randomized controlled trials conditions. Both agents can reduce the risk of vertebral and hip fractures by one-fourth to one-half. However, oral bisphosphonates are not without gastro-intestinal toxicity and strict adherence to constraining therapeutic schemes is mandatory. Intermittent treatments are already in use. Weekly alendronate is as efficient as daily therapy and improves treatment compliance. Newer more potent bisphosphonates, such as oral ibandronate or intravenous zoledronic acid, will allow much less frequent administration. The anti-fracture efficacy of yearly zoledronic acid infusions is thus currently tested. On the other hand, bone-forming agents, such as daily subcutaneous injections of teriparatide (rhPTH 1-34) offer exciting perspectives for the treatment of severe osteoporosis despite the complexity of such therapy.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

The aspirin metabolite salicylate inhibits breast cancer cells growth and their synthesis of the osteolytic cytokines interleukins-6 and -11.

Some epidemiological studies have suggested that aspirin could be a chemopreventive agent against breast cancer. We tested the effects of the aspirin metabolite salicylate (SA) on four (Hs578T, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and T-47D) breast cancer cell (BCC) lines in vitro. Two features were studied: the proliferation of BCC and their production of the osteolytic cytokines interleukins-6 (IL-6) and -11 (IL-11) since BCC frequently metastasize to bone and induce tumor-induced osteolysis. SA, from 0.5 to 5 mM, caused BCC growth inhibition by up to 70% (IC50 range 2.54 to 4.28 mM). At high concentrations, the drug induced apoptosis only (MDA-MB-231), or both apoptosis and primary necrosis (MCF-7). SA, as well as indomethacin (INDO), reduced the synthesis of IL-6 and -11, at both the protein and mRNA levels, in the two cell lines producing these cytokines (MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T). This latter effect seemed to be mediated by PGE2 since SA and INDO reduced PGE2 levels in MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T cells, PGE2 was not detected in MCF-7 and T-47D cells and exogenous PGE2 increased IL-6 and -11 expression by MDA-MB-231 cells. Collectively, our results suggest that SA could reduce the growth of breast tumors and inhibit to some extent the ability of BCC to induce osteoclast recruitment and osteolysis. These data indicate the need for further epidemiological and experimental studies.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Growth factor-like activity of phenol red preparations in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.

Hormonal responsiveness of the estrogen-sensitive MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line is known to vary between laboratories although the causes and implications of these variations remain unclear. Our findings lead us to conclude that the pH indicator phenol red (PHR) has growth factor-like effects in addition to its well known estrogen-like effects. To demonstrate this hypothesis, we have assessed the importance of PHR either in the absence or in the presence of the estrogens contained in the serum added to the culture medium. The basal growth rate of MCF-7 cells was significantly reduced by short-term or long-term withdrawal of PHR. The stimulatory effects of estradiol and the inhibitory effects of the antiestrogen 2-CH3,4-OH-tamoxifen (MHT) were not significantly affected by long-term withdrawal of the dye. Moreover, long-term cell maintenance without PHR alone or in complete estrogen-depleted medium did not change their basal steroid receptor content. The molecular structure of the estrogen receptor which is usually modified under estrogenic stimulation remained identical whether or not the cells were maintained in the presence of the dye. Maintaining cells without the dye in the presence of serum estrogens led to the death of the cell line after 50 transfers. Lastly, addition of PHR had clearcut growth stimulatory effects on the hormono-independent cell line Evsa-T.

Breast Neoplasms↗

[Treatment of Paget's disease of bone with zoledronic acid].

Bone pain and bone deformities are the most common manifestations of Paget's disease of bone, even if the diagnosis is nowadays most often made by chance following a routine measurement of serum alkaline phosphatase. Woven bone is formed following a marked increase in bone resorption due to a stimulation of osteoclast activity. Biphosphonates constitute the modern treatment of Paget's disease of bone. Tiludronate (Skelid), or better risedronate (Actonel), are administered orally every day during at least 2 months. Zoledronic acid (Aclasta), as a single 15-min 5 mg infusion, has been recently compared to risedronate, 30 mg/d orally for 2 months, in two randomized studies including 357 patients. Zoledronic acid had a superior therapeutic efficacy, as judged by its rapidity of action, the duration of the biochemical response and the percentage of responders. Thus, at 6 months, alkaline phosphatase levels were normalized in 89% of the patients in the zoledronic acid group as compared to 58% in the risedronate group. The most frequent side effect was a flu-like syndrome, observed in 10% of the patients. An adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D is recommended to avoid posttreatment hypocalcemia. The introduction of Aclasta should simplify and improve the therapeutic management of Paget's disease of bone.

Bone Density Conservation Agents↗