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Biomedical subjects

K T Stokke

Publications and source records attributed to K T Stokke.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effects of betamethasone on plasma levels of estriol, cortisol and HCS in late pregnancy.

The effect of a single dose of betamethasone on the maternal plasma concentration of estriol and cortisol was studied. The concentration of estriol decreased rapidly. A maximal suppression of about 70 per cent was seen after 6-24 hours. A similar influence on the maternal plasma concentration of cortisol was observed. HCS (human chorionic somatomammotropin) was not influenced by betamethasone. These facts have to be taken into consideration after treatment with synthetic corticosteroids in high risk pregnancies.

Adult↗

Plasma HDL cholesterol and the in vitro esterification of cholesterol.

In vitro esterification of plasma cholesterol was measured in twelve healthy subjects, six of whom had high plasma concentrations of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, whereas the other six had low concentrations. Irrespective of the method used no difference between the groups with the respect to cholesterol esterification could be demonstrated. This may indicate that the beneficial effect of HDL on the development of atherosclerotic disease works thorugh other mechanisms than by facilitating the transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver.

Adult↗

The effect of generalized hypoxia upon flow and composition of cardiac lymph in the dog.

Generalized hypoxia lasting 60 seconds more than doubled the cardiac lymph flow in dogs. The number of erythrocytes per mm3 of cardiac lymph increased by about 300%. However, there was no change in total protein or in the concentrations of different lipids following hypoxia. Thus, the transfer of erythrocytes across the myocardial interstitium increased by a factor of ten, and proteins and lipids by 150%. An increase of the capillary surface area probably explained the increased lymph flow. Permeability for macromolecules through the endothelial cells was not increased, since the selectivity for different lipids did not change. The increased transfer of erythrocytes may be explained by an increased permeability through intercellular junctions. The triglyceride content of thoracic duct lymph decreased by about 60% in the corresponding period, but no changes in flow or permeability were observed.

Animals↗

Changes in the concentration of lipoprotein-X during incubation of postheparin plasma from patients with familial lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency.

The concentration of lipoprotein-X (LP-X) has been studied in six patients with familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency before and after the administration of heparin. In preheparin plasma, LP-X was present in all the patients, the concentrations ranging from 40 to 251 mg/100 ml. When postheparin plasma samples were incubated at 37 degrees C for 4 hours, LP-X could not be detected, whereas it was still present before incubation. LCAT activity was absent in the preheparin as well as in the postheparin samples. Accordingly, the changes in the concentration of LP-X could not be attributed to alterations in plasma LCAT activity. An increase in lysolecithin and a decrease in lecithin was observed during incubation of postheparin plasma samples.

Acyltransferases↗

Nephrotic syndrome in ulcerative colitis.

Complicating disorders in various organs outside the intestinal tract are common in ulcerative colitis. This report deals with the occurrence of nephrotic syndrome in two patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis. In the patient studied in most detail, 2 episodes have taken place, the first developing into uremia. After colectomy had been performed, rapid improvement of renal function took place. The morphological changes in kidney biopsies were compatible with the presence of focal glomerular sclerosis. Activity in the complement system and a favorable response to steroid treatment indicate that humoral immune mechanisms are of pathogenetic importance with regard to the renal disease in these two patients. To our knowledge nephrotic syndrome has not previously been described as a complication to ulcerative colitis.

Adult↗

Association between regularly occurring complex partial seizures and thyroid function parameters.

A 28-year-old man with regularly occurring clusters of complex partial seizures was studied over a total of 224 days. His seizure periods lasted 2-4 days and occurred at intervals of 5-6 weeks. Several parameters were studied. The most striking finding was an increase in the serum concentration of thyroxine prior to and during the seizure periods. The concentrations of urine catecholamines and serum cortisol also varied with the seizure periods, but these hormones increased after the seizure periods had begun. To determine if there is a general 4-6-week rhythm in thyroid hormone concentrations, 12 weekly blood samples from 10 healthy male students were analyzed. No rhythmicity was found.

Adult↗

Triiodothyronine and brain excitability.

We investigated mechanisms involved in thyroid hormone action on brain excitability. The effect of acute exposure of triiodothyronine (T3) to rat hippocampal slices in vitro was studied. No significant changes could be detected in prevolley, field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) and population spike amplitude, while there was a minor, nonsignificant trend toward shortening of the population spike latency time. T3 had no effect on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity. There was, however, an active accumulation of radioactively labeled T3 in the slices. A rat cervaux-isolé preparation was used to determine focal seizure thresholds in the visual cortex, and no acute (2-4 h) effects were demonstrated. No significant acute effects of T3 on brain excitability in the hippocampus and visual cortex was observed, despite an active accumulation of T3. Thus, the effect of T3 on brain excitability most likely is due to delayed effects.

Animals↗