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Biomedical subjects

M J Saad

Publications and source records attributed to M J Saad.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Modulation of insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate-1, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in liver and muscle of dexamethasone-treated rats.

Insulin rapidly stimulates tyrosine kinase activity of its receptor resulting in phosphorylation of its cytosolic substrate, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), which in turn associates with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), thus activating the enzyme. Glucocorticoid treatment is known to produce insulin resistance, but the exact molecular mechanism is unknown. In the present study we have examined the levels and phosphorylation state of the insulin receptor and IRS-1, as well as the association/activation between IRS-1 and PI 3-kinase in the liver and muscle of rats treated with dexamethasone. After dexamethasone treatment (1 mg/kg per d for 5 d), there was no change in insulin receptor concentration in liver of rats as determined by immunoblotting with antibody to the COOH-terminus of the receptor. However, insulin stimulation of receptor autophosphorylation determined by immunoblotting with antiphosphotyrosine antibody was reduced by 46.7 +/- 9.1%. IRS-1 and PI 3-kinase protein levels increased in liver of dexamethasone-treated animals by 73 and 25%, respectively (P < 0.05). By contrast, IRS-1 phosphorylation was decreased by 31.3 +/- 10.9% (P < 0.05), and insulin stimulated PI 3-kinase activity in anti-IRS-1 immunoprecipitates was decreased by 79.5 +/- 11.2% (P < 0.02). In muscle, the changes were less dramatic, and often in opposite direction of those observed in liver. Thus, there was no significant change in insulin receptor level or phosphorylation after dexamethasone treatment. IRS-1 and PI 3-kinase levels were decreased to 38.6 and 65.6%, respectively (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). IRS-1 phosphorylation showed no significant change in muscle, but insulin-stimulated IRS-1 associated PI 3-kinase was decreased by 41%. Thus, dexamethasone has differential effects on the proteins involved in the early steps in insulin action in liver and muscle. In both tissues, dexamethasone treatment results in a reduction in insulin-stimulated IRS-1-associated P I3-kinase, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance at the cellular level in these animals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Heterogenous insulin response to an oral glucose load by patients with the indeterminate clinical form of Chagas' disease.

This study was designed to investigate the behavior of serum glucose and insulin in response to an oral glucose load in chagasic patients with the indeterminate clinical form of the disease. Sixteen chagasic patients and 28 healthy control subjects were studied after an overnight fast and during 2 h after ingestion of 100 g glucose. There were no significant differences in serum glucose levels before and 2 h after the glucose load between chagasic and control subjects. However, in 8 chagasic patients, the total area under the insulin curve was significantly lower (2976 +/- 448 microU ml-1 120 min-1) than in the control (10123 +/- 995 microU ml-1 120 min-1) and in the remaining chagasic patients (9220 +/- 826 microU ml-1 120 min-1). These results suggest that the hypoinsulinemia of this subgroup of chagasic patients may be secondary to reduced insulin secretion and/or to increased peripheral insulin sensitivity probably related to autonomic dysfunction.

Adult↗

Insulin stimulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity and association with insulin receptor substrate 1 in liver and muscle of the intact rat.

Growth factors stimulate the enzyme phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase in cells in culture. Insulin rapidly stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of its endogenous substrate, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), and in vitro IRS-1 associates with PI 3-kinase, thus activating the enzyme. We have examined whether insulin is capable of stimulating the PI 3-kinase pathway in two physiological target tissues for the actions of insulin in vivo, liver and skeletal muscle. After intraportal injection of insulin into anesthetized rats, there was a 2-fold stimulation of total hepatic PI 3-kinase activity in liver and muscle extracts and a 10- to 20-fold increase in PI 3-kinase activity immunoprecipitated with anti-IRS-1 antibodies. Stimulation of PI 3-kinase was accompanied by an association between this enzyme and IRS-1 as detected by immunoprecipitation of liver and muscle extracts with anti-IRS-1 antibodies and Western blotting with antibodies to the 85-kDa subunit of PI 3-kinase. Immunoprecipitation with anti-p85 antibodies and phosphotyrosine immunoblotting revealed no tyrosine phosphorylation of PI 3-kinase, but demonstrated co-precipitation of tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS-1, as well as another phosphotyrosine protein of approximately 135-140 kDa. Thus, IRS-1 phosphorylation plays a significant role in the activation of PI 3-kinase in vivo by insulin.

Animals↗

Peripheral glucose metabolism in patients with insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans.

The present study was designed to determine forearm muscle glucose uptake and oxidation during the postabsorptive state and after an oral glucose challenge in patients with type A insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans. Nine normal subjects and six acanthotic patients were studied after an overnight fast (12-14 h) and during 3 hours after ingestion of 75 g of glucose. Peripheral glucose metabolism was analysed by the forearm technique to estimate muscle exchange of substrate combined with indirect calorimetry in forearm. Two patients (1 and 6) with insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans had impaired glucose tolerance. All other patients and normals revealed normal glucose tolerance during the tests. Decreased forearm muscle glucose uptake was observed in patients 1 and 6 compared to normal subjects (6.3 and 51.1 vs 127.7 +/- 10.1 mg/100 ml forearm.3 h, respectively). Decreased forearm muscle glucose oxidation was also observed in patient 1 as well as in patient 3 who showed normal glucose tolerance. Serum FFA levels were elevated in patient 1 but not in patient 3 and in the other acanthotic patients compared to the normal subjects. Serum insulin levels were significantly higher in acanthotic patients than in normals before and after glucose loading. The results of the present study revealed that two of six patients with type A insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans who exhibited glucose intolerance also showed a decrease in peripheral muscle glucose uptake and nonoxidative glucose metabolism. Another patient (3) with normal glucose tolerance showed impaired muscle glucose oxidation but unaltered muscle glucose uptake and nonoxidative metabolism during the 3 hours of study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acanthosis Nigricans↗

Regulation of insulin receptor substrate-1 in liver and muscle of animal models of insulin resistance.

Insulin rapidly stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of a protein of approximately 185 kD in most cell types. This protein, termed insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), has been implicated in insulin signal transmission based on studies with insulin receptor mutants. In the present study we have examined the levels of IRS-1 and the phosphorylation state of insulin receptor and IRS-1 in liver and muscle after insulin stimulation in vivo in two rat models of insulin resistance, i.e., insulinopenic diabetes and fasting, and a mouse model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (ob/ob) by immunoblotting with anti-peptide antibodies to IRS-1 and anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. As previously described, there was an increase in insulin binding and a parallel increase in insulin-stimulated receptor phosphorylation in muscle of fasting and streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic rats. There was also a modest increase in overall receptor phosphorylation in liver in these two models, but when normalized for the increase in binding, receptor phosphorylation was decreased, in liver and muscle of STZ diabetes and in liver of 72 h fasted rats. In the hyperinsulinemic ob/ob mouse there was a decrease in insulin binding and receptor phosphorylation in both liver and muscle. The tyrosyl phosphorylation of IRS-1 after insulin stimulation reflected an amplification of the receptor phosphorylation in liver and muscle of hypoinsulinemic animals (fasting and STZ diabetes) with a twofold increase, and showed a significant reduction (approximately 50%) in liver and muscle of ob/ob mouse. By contrast, the levels of IRS-1 protein showed a tissue specific regulation with a decreased level in muscle and an increased level in liver in hypoinsulinemic states of insulin resistance, and decreased levels in liver in the hyperinsulinemic ob/ob mouse. These data indicate that: (a) IRS-1 protein levels are differentially regulated in liver and muscle; (b) insulin levels may play a role in this differential regulation of IRS-1; (c) IRS-1 phosphorylation depends more on insulin receptor kinase activity than IRS-1 protein levels; and (d) reduced IRS-1 phosphorylation in liver and muscle may play a role in insulin-resistant states, especially of the ob/ob mice.

Animals↗

Alterations in insulin receptor and substrate phosphorylation in hypertensive rats.

Insulin stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and of an endogenous substrate of approximately 185 kd (insulin receptor substrate 1 or IRS-1) in most cell types. Tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor and of IRS-1 have been implicated in insulin signal transmission based on studies with insulin receptor mutants. In the study presented here, the levels and phosphorylation state of the insulin receptor and IRS-1 in liver and muscle after insulin stimulation in vivo have been examined in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) by immunoblotting with antipeptide antibodies to insulin receptor and IRS-1 and antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. It was found that the levels of insulin receptor and IRS-1 protein in liver and muscle are similar in controls (Wistar-Kyoto rats) and SHR. By contrast, there is a decrease in autophosphorylation in the liver and muscle of SHR and a parallel decrease in phosphorylation of IRS-1. These data indicate that reduced insulin receptor kinase activity and reduced substrate phosphorylation may play an important role in the impaired insulin action in the hypertensive rat.

Animals↗

Normal cortisol secretion in sickle cell anemia.

In the present work, 14 sickle cell anemia patients and 16 normal controls were submitted to rapid ACTH stimulation test for basal cortisol determination. No significant differences were observed between the two groups for the basal and stimulated cortisol levels or for the increment at 30, 50 and 120 min. after infusion. The results obtained for the basal cortisol were in disaccordance with a previous report; however, we used a sensitive test to detect precocious involvement of the adrenal glands. This suggests that in sickle cell anemia there is not hypocortisolism. The adrenal gland is vascularized by several arteries and so the sickling phenomenon may be unusual in the adrenal cortex.

Adolescent↗

Insulin secretion in patients deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Intravenous (IVGTT) and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were carried out in 12 men with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency and in 11 normal men. The race, the mean age and body mass index were similar in the G-6-PD deficient and in the normal men. No significant differences were demonstrated between mean plasma glucose levels in the G-6-PD deficient subjects and those in the normal men during IVGTT and OGTT. In contrast the insulin levels were significantly lower for the G-6-PD deficient subjects as compared to the controls at 30 minutes (P less than 0.04) in the OGTT and at 1 min (P less than 0.001), 3 min (P less than 0.001), 5 min (P less than 0.001) and 10 minutes (P less than 0.002) in the IVGTT. All indexes of first phase insulin release were also significantly (P less than 0.001) lower in G-6-PD deficient men. These results emphasize the metabolic importance of G-6-PD in the process of glucose induced insulin release.

Adult↗

Reduced cortisol secretion in patients with iron deficiency.

The iron-containing protein cytochrome P-450 is present in high concentration in the adrenal cortex and is involved in the synthesis of corticosterone. This study was designed to determine the cortisol response to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) in patients with severe iron deficiency. Eleven patients with iron deficiency and 15 normal controls were studied. Fasting blood samples were taken from all the subjects before and 30, 60 and 120 min after infusion of 25 units of ACTH for plasma cortisol determination. Six patients had blood samples collected at night, too. The same test was performed in 6 patients with iron deficiency, 7 days after therapy with 800 mg of ferrous sulfate. No significant differences were observed between patients and controls for the baseline cortisol values. The cortisol secretion and the increment at 30, 60 and 120 min after ACTH infusion were significantly lower in patients than in controls, either before or after ferrous sulfate therapy. There were no significant differences between baseline and stimulated cortisol values in patients before and after 7 days of ferrous sulfate therapy. There was no change in cortisol secretion rhythm in patients with iron deficiency (cortisol level at night = 5.1 +/- 4.3 micrograms/dl). In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that, in patients with severe iron deficiency, the cortisol secretion after ACTH stimulation was decreased.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Cortisol levels in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

The aim of the present study was to investigate cortisol levels under basal conditions and in response to ACTH stimulation in male patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency. The study included 14 male controls and 12 patients with G-6-PD deficiency matched for age and race. Fasting blood samples were taken from all the subjects at rest, and 30, 60 and 120 min after the infusion of 0.25 mg of corticotropin for cortisol determination. The mean cortisol levels observed in the first hour after ACTH stimulation in the G-6-PD-deficient patients were significantly (p = 0.03) lower than in the control group. No significant differences were observed between patients and controls at rest, and in the second hour after stimulation. These data suggest that, in the adrenals, G-6-PD plays a role in the initial phase of cortisol production. However, 1 h after ACTH stimulation, G-6-PD probably is no longer rate limiting in the production of cortisol.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Peripheral glucose metabolism in acromegaly.

The present study was designed to determine the effect of chronic GH excess on forearm muscle glucose uptake and oxidation during the postabsorptive state and after an oral glucose challenge. Nine normal subjects and 10 nondiabetic acromegalic patients (5 of them with normal glucose tolerance) were studied after an overnight fast (12-14 h) and for 3 h after the ingestion of 75 g glucose. Peripheral glucose metabolism was analyzed by the forearm technique to estimate muscle exchange of substrate combined with indirect calorimetry. Decreased forearm glucose uptake was observed in the acromegalic patients compared to that in the normal subjects (380 +/- 84 vs. 709 +/- 56 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h) with diminished nonoxidative glucose metabolism (262 +/- 81 vs. 572 +/- 53 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h). The acromegalics with normal glucose tolerance also showed decreased forearm glucose uptake and nonoxidative glucose metabolism compared to normal subjects (271 +/- 124 vs. 709 +/- 56 and 133 +/- 110 vs. 572 +/- 53 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h, respectively). Muscle glucose oxidation did not differ significantly in normal subjects, the entire group of acromegalic patients, and the acromegalics with normal glucose tolerance (137 +/- 18 vs. 118 +/- 22 vs. 138 +/- 34 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h, respectively). Serum FFA levels and lipid oxidation rates were similar in the normal subjects and the acromegalic patients, and declined in a similar fashion after glucose ingestion. Insulin levels were significantly higher in acromegalic patients than in normal subjects before and after glucose loading. In conclusion, this study showed that the insulin resistance occurring in the presence of chronic GH excess is accompanied by impaired muscle glucose uptake and nonoxidative glucose metabolism, which are early derangements because they are also observed in acromegalic patients with normal glucose tolerance.

Acromegaly↗

Peripheral glucose and potassium transport after glucose ingestion in normal subjects.

This study was designed to quantify forearm potassium uptake or release in the postabsorptive state and after an oral glucose challenge, and if there is association of potassium uptake with glucose and free fatty acids (FFA) metabolism in peripheral tissues of normal subjects. Nine healthy volunteers (4M and 5F) were studied after an overnight fast (12-14 h) and during 3 hours after ingestion of 75 g of glucose. The forearm glucose uptake rate reached the maximum at 60 minutes (0.985 mg/100 ml forearm.min), declining to the basal levels at the end of the 3 h of study. Although heterogeneously in the postabsorptive state, potassium moves out of the forearm muscle into the venous blood in normal individuals. After glucose ingestion, the potassium release diminished and there was also potassium uptake during the last hour of the study. The arterial FFA levels decreased significantly after the glucose load. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that in peripheral tissues: 1) during the first 2 h after the ingestion of 75 g of glucose there was a reduction in potassium release; 2) potassium uptake only occurred in the last hour when insulin levels were slightly higher, plasma glucose were similar and FFA were lower than in the postabsorptive period; 3) there was a clear dissociation between potassium and glucose uptake.

Adolescent↗

Peripheral glucose metabolism in human hyperthyroidism.

The present study was designed to determine the effect of spontaneous hyperthyroidism on the forearm muscle glucose uptake and oxidation during the postabsorptive state and after an oral glucose challenge. Ten normal subjects and 11 hyperthyroid patients were studied after an overnight fast (12-14 h) and for 3 h after ingestion of 75 g glucose. Peripheral glucose metabolism was analyzed by the forearm technique to estimate muscle exchange of substrate combined with indirect calorimetry. Increased forearm glucose uptake was observed in the hyperthyroid patients compared to that in the normal subjects (1286 +/- 212 vs. 677 +/- 88 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h) with enhanced glucose oxidation (443 +/- 40 vs. 147 +/- 29 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h). Nonoxidative glucose metabolism was also greater in hyperthyroid patients than in normal subjects (842 +/- 234 vs. 529 +/- 90 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h). Basal serum FFA levels were significantly higher in hyperthyroid than in normal subjects (0.252 +/- 0.025 vs. 0.182 +/- 0.022 g/L), as were the basal lipid oxidation rates in the forearm muscles of the thyrotoxic individuals (0.290 +/- 0.066 vs. 0.088 +/- 0.016 mg/100 mL forearm.min). After glucose ingestion, serum FFA levels and lipid oxidation rates declined significantly to equivalent values in both groups of subjects, and the similar basal insulin concentrations increased to significantly higher levels in the hyperthyroid patients. In conclusion, spontaneous human hyperthyroidism increases glucose uptake by the forearm muscles in the postabsorptive state and during an oral glucose challenge, with augmented fluxes of glucose through the oxidative and nonoxidative pathways.

Administration, Oral↗

Association of specific histocompatibility antigens and acanthosis nigricans with insulin resistance.

1. The association or interaction of histocompatibility antigens (HLA) and acanthosis nigricans with type A insulin resistance was studied in 13 patients (10 from family I, 2 from family II and an isolated case) for both sexes. 2. HLA typing for the A, B, C and D antigens was performed by a standard microcytotoxicity test for all patients and for 100 normal controls from the same geographic area. 3. The frequency of HLA B8 was 21% in the control group and 100% in patients with acanthosis nigricans. The frequency of HLA A1B8 was 15% in controls and 73% in acanthotic patients. 4. All the members of family I presenting the association of a possible insulin receptor defect (most likely provided by patient 2) with HLA B8 (provided by patient 1) showed a more pronounced clinical and laboratory expression of insulin resistance. 5. These data suggest that class I antigens of major histocompatibility complex (MHC), A1 and/or B8, may be involved in the pathogenesis of some forms of insulin resistance such as acanthosis nigricans (type A syndrome), possibly by a molecular interaction of the antigens with insulin receptors.

Acanthosis Nigricans↗

Differences in first-phase insulin release between normal blacks and whites.

This study was designed to compare insulin release during the intravenous glucose tolerance test (GTT) in normal blacks and whites. The study included 14 normal blacks (9 males and 5 females) and 15 normal whites (10 males and 5 females). The index of first phase insulin release (sum of 1 + 3 min insulin levels and total area under the curve for the first 10 min of the GTT) was significantly higher in blacks. The difference is discussed in terms of genetic and acquired traits.

Adult↗

Endogenous hyperinsulinemia and release of growth hormone following a glucose load as well as in response to thyrotropin releasing hormone in acromegaly.

This study was designed to determine the relationship between endogenous hyperinsulinemia or free fatty acid (FFA) levels and the abnormal release of growth hormone (GH) during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or in response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) in acromegalic patients. Seventeen patients with acromegaly and nine healthy control subjects were studied. The 12 acromegalic patients who did not show the paradoxical response of increased GH secretion to the OGTT and/or to TRH exhibited higher insulin levels (total area under the curve during the OGTT) than patients who did. However, the FFA levels of the groups of acromegalic patients were similar. These data suggest that the endogenous hyperinsulinemia exhibited by many patients with acromegaly is associated with the absence of the paradoxical increase in GH secretion during the OGTT and/or after TRH.

Acromegaly↗

Insulin resistance in essential hypertension.

To determine the possible existence of a relationship between insulin resistance and sympathetic nervous system activity in essential hypertension, we calculated the double cross index for 14 hypertensive subjects and 14 normotensive subjects submitted to the oral glucose test. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were similar in hypertensive and normotensive subjects. After glucose loading, however, both parameters were significantly higher in hypertensive subjects. Five out of 14 hypertensive patients were hyperinsulinemic. The increase in double cross index following a glucose load was significantly higher in normotensive volunteers than in hyperinsulinemic hypertensive subjects. No change in double cross index was observed in normoinsulinemic hypertensive subjects. Thus, insulin resistance, high blood glucose level, impairment of cardiac response and hyperinsulinemia are present in a significant portion of hypertensive patients. Hyperinsulinemia may contribute to hypertension by stimulating sympathetic nervous system activity, by influencing the calcium transport across the cell membrane and/or by some other mechanism.

Blood Glucose↗

Decreased C-peptide secretion in sickle cell anemia.

Intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) were performed on 9 adults with sickle cell anemia and 15 normal controls. Blood samples were collected before and 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min after intravenous glucose infusion and used for glucose and C-peptide assays. The mean C-peptide concentration after glucose infusion was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower for the SCA patients as compared to the controls. No significant differences were observed in the glucose concentration of IVGTT between the two groups. These results suggest an inadequate insulin secretion by the endocrine pancreas in sickle cell anemia or an independent genetic abnormality in linkage disequilibrium with the beta s gene.

Adolescent↗