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N Loveridge

Publications and source records attributed to N Loveridge.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Myosin heavy-chain mRNA is present in both myofibrillar and subsarcolemmal regions of muscle fibres.

Hybridization in situ with riboprobes to the myosin heavy-chain slow isoform showed that, in the rat soleus muscle, the myosin heavy-chain mRNA was distributed throughout the myofibres. There was greater density of autoradiographic grains in the subsarcolemmal regions of the fibres, but there was also a considerable number of grains in the core myofibrillar region of the fibres. Microdensitometry showed that the grain density in the myofibrillar region was approximately half that in the subsarcolemmal rim; this would correspond to some 70% of the mRNA being present in the myofibrillar region. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that myosin is synthesized on polyribosomes present in the intermyofibrillar cytoplasm.

Animals↗

The effects of feeding diets containing either NaHCO3 or NH4Cl on indices of bone formation and resorption and on mineral balance in the lamb.

The effects of diet-induced changes in blood acid-base status on mineral retention has been studied in lambs fed diets containing either 1% NH4Cl or 2% NaHCO3. Balance measurements using 45Ca and 32P showed no difference between them in the amounts of dietary Ca and P absorbed from the gut. Retention of both minerals, however, was lower and their excretion in urine higher in those fed the acid diet. Plasma Ca and P levels were unaffected but parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels were higher in lambs on this diet while measurements of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase levels in rib samples indicated an increase in osteoclast and a reduction in osteoblast activity in these lambs. Cell-mediated changes in bone turnover together with changes in urinary mineral loss would thus appear to be the major factors contributing to the lower rates of mineral retention seen in lambs fed acid diets.

Ammonium Chloride↗

Bioactivity of parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-like peptide: agonist and antagonist activities of amino-terminal fragments as assessed by the cytochemical bioassay and in situ biochemistry.

Parathyroid hormone-like peptide (PLP) is elaborated from certain tumors and is thought to play a role in the etiology of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. The amino-terminal portion of this peptide has a sequence homology with parathyroid hormone PTH. We have compared the agonist potency of the synthetic human amino-terminal 1-34 peptide [human (h)PLP-(1-34)] with that of intact PTH and its amino terminal fragment [hPTH-(1-34)] in the renal and metatarsal cytochemical bioassays (CBA). Furthermore, the antagonist activity of the truncated amino terminal molecule [hPLP-(3-34)] has been compared to that of [Norleu8.18,Tyr34]bovine PTH-(3-34)NH2, and we have also tested their ability to stimulate enzyme activities thought to be associated with bone formation and resorption. In the renal CBA, both PLP-(1-34) and hPTH-(1-34) were equipotent with intact hPTH. In the metatarsal CBA, although the two amino-terminal peptides were equipotent, they elicited an earlier response than the intact PTH molecule. In both assay systems the truncated PLP analog [hPLP-(3-34)] was a more potent antagonist of both PTH and PLP activity than was [Norleu8.18,Tyr34]bovine PTH-(1-34)NH2. In acute studies, hPLP-(1-34) and hPTH-(1-34) stimulated alkaline phosphatase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in osteoblasts to a similar extent, and both peptides stimulated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase activity in osteoclasts. Longer exposure to the peptides resulted in stimulation of enzyme activity in osteoclasts but not osteoblasts, although there was no difference in potency between the two molecules.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Biological properties of synthetic human parathyroid hormone: effect of deamidation at position 76 on agonist and antagonist activity.

Recent studies have suggested a role for the carboxyl-terminus of PTH in the binding of the molecule to renal and skeletal receptors, but the functional significance of this binding remains uncertain. We have investigated the possible role of this region by examining the effect of substituting the asparagine residue at position 76 of the native human molecule [Asn76]hPTH-(1-84) with an aspartate residue, [Asp76] hPTH-(1-84) on activity in both renal and skeletal cytochemical (CBA) and adenylate cyclase (AC) bioassays. In the renal CBA, [Asp76]hPTH-(1-84) was considerably less potent than [Asn76]hPTH-(1-84) and produced dose-dependent inhibition of the bioactivity of intact bovine (b) PTH-(1-84), bPTH-(1-34), and [Asn76]hPTH-(1-84). [Asp76]hPTH-(39-84) inhibited the response to intact PTH to a lesser extent, whereas [Asp76]hPTH-(53-84) had no antagonistic activity. In the metatarsal CBA, [Asp76]hPTH-(1-84) inhibited the response to intact PTH, but was less potent than in the renal CBA. In both renal (OK) and skeletal (UMR) cell AC assays [Asp76]hPTH-(1-84) and [Asn76]hPTH-(1-84) were equipotent agonists. Therefore, the CBAs are much more sensitive to modification of the carboxyl end of the molecule than AC assays. The antagonist properties of [Asp76]hPTH-(1-84) appeared to be mediated by phosphodiesterase activation as theophylline abolished the antagonism of this analog. These studies indicate that generation of PTH analogs, modified at the carboxyl-terminal region as well as at the amino-terminus, may be useful for developing potent PTH antagonists.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Altered renal calcium handling in hypercalcemia of malignancy.

It has been controversial whether increased renal tubular calcium reabsorption contributes to hypercalcemia in patients with malignancies. Moreover, whether this abnormality is associated with volume depletion, a parathyroid hormone-like effect, or other mechanisms has not been clarified. Eight consecutive patients with hypercalcemia due to a variety of tumor types were studied in detail. The glomerular filtration rate (iothalamate clearance) was reduced in all patients (0.98 +/- 0.10 (mean +/- SE) mL/s.1.73 m2; P less than 0.001) compared with normal controls (N = 9) (1.93 +/- 0.08 mL/s.1.73 m2), but it was similar to that in controls matched for renal insufficiency (N = 6) (1.15 +/- 0.05 mL/s.1.73 m2). During hypercalcemia produced by calcium infusion, urinary calcium excretion (millimoles of calcium per liter of glomerular filtrate) was increased in controls with renal insufficiency compared to those with normal renal function (P = 0.028). In all patients with hypercalcemia of malignancy, urinary calcium excretion was decreased compared with controls with renal insufficiency, but it was low in only five of eight patients compared with normal controls. Extracellular fluid volume (iothalamate volume of distribution) was not decreased in any patient, and urinary cAMP and/or plasma parathyroid hormone-like bioactivity were increased in six of eight patients. After treatment with an inhibitor of bone resorption, aminopropylidene 1,1 diphosphonate, abnormal renal calcium handling was not detected if the serum calcium normalized. It was concluded that increased renal tubular calcium reabsorption was consistently present in patients with hypercalcemia of malignancy compared with controls matched for renal insufficiency, but the proportion with the abnormality was underestimated if normal controls were used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Cell proliferation within the growth plate of long bones assessed by bromodeoxyuridine uptake and its relationship to glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity.

Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) was incorporated into the DNA of proliferating chondrocytes of the tibiae and metatarsal growth plate of rats of differing ages. Immunodetection of the incorporated BrdUrd was achieved using a monoclonal antibody to BrdUrd and indirect immunofluorescence procedures. The labelling index within the growth plate was found to decrease with advancing age in the tibia and metatarsal. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity appeared to be related to chondrocyte proliferation as a significant correlation was observed between G6PD activity and the labelling index of the tibial chondrocytes. The results of this study indicate that G6PD activity is a possible marker for cartilage growth and also that the BrdUrd technique has several advantages over the conventional autoradiographic methods for the assessment of cell replication.

Aging↗

Fluoride therapy and parathyroid hormone activity in osteoporosis.

1. To determine the relationships between parathyroid hormone activity and long-term sodium fluoride therapy in osteoporosis, cytochemical bioassays (for biologically active parathyroid hormone) were performed in 22 osteoporotic control patients and in 18 patients after 15 +/- 10 months of treatment (60 mg of sodium fluoride daily). Ten patients were studied longitudinally by repeated metabolic balances and were therefore common to both groups. All patients were receiving mineral supplements. 2. Cross-sectional data showed a fourfold mean increase in biologically active parathyroid hormone on fluoride treatment (P less than 0.005) together with a 51% increase in serum alkaline phosphatase (P less than 0.005). Longitudinal data showed, in addition, a significant increase in the calcium balance of 2.4 +/- 1.2 (SEM) mmol daily (P less than 0.05) and the development of a positive phosphorus balance (P less than 0.02). 3. Fluoride-treated patients were then analysed in two groups according to the level of biologically active parathyroid hormone. Thirty-two per cent of values were above the upper limit of normal (18 pg/ml). The mean serum alkaline phosphatase level in this group showed no elevation above that of the control patients, the overall rise being accounted for entirely by patients with normal levels of biologically active parathyroid hormone. High levels of biologically active parathyroid hormone were also associated with relative hypophosphataemia (P less than 0.01), relative hypercalciuria (P less than 0.05) and an increased urine/faecal calcium ratio (P less than 0.025). 4. Results show that long-term fluoride and calcium therapy increase biologically active parathyroid hormone in osteoporosis and that excessive parathyroid hormone activity may account for certain features of the refractory state.

Adult↗

Endogenous mediators of growth.

In the present review it is not possible to discuss the effects of the numerous endogenous mediators of growth. What we have attempted to do is to indicate the areas of controversy and the need for further research. In our view, four main questions arise. First, what are the relative contributions of the direct and indirect effects of GH? Indeed, if GH can produce all its effects by local production of IGF, is the original somatomedin hypothesis still tenable? Second, how is the biological activity of the IGF modified by the presence of binding proteins? Because of the role of binding proteins in modulating IGF bioactivity, care must be taken when interpreting results from immunoassays for IGF because this will only represent the concentration of IGF not the level of biological activity, a situation which is analogous to that which pertains with certain polypeptide hormones (for review, see Robertson et al. 1987). Third, how are the activities of the osteoblast and osteoclast coupled so that in the mature adult, bone formation and bone resorption are roughly equivalent? Understanding of this process will undoubtedly involve the elucidation of the roles and interactions between a number of locally acting growth factors and systemic hormones and will lead to the understanding of certain metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Last, how is the response to local stimuli such as mechanical stress transduced? This is again probably dependent on the activity of local growth factors but may also involve changes in the interactions between bone cells and their underlying matrix components (Skerry et al. 1988).

Bone Development↗

Bone resorption and circulating PTH-like bioactivity in an animal model of hypercalcaemia of malignancy.

An in vivo model of humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy has been used to examine the role of circulating PTH-like bioactivity in the development of bone resorption and hypercalcaemia. After inoculation of cells from a renal carcinoma cell line into nude mice, circulating PTH-like bioactivity as measured by the sensitive renal and metatarsal cytochemical bioassays for PTH was elevated in only 18% and 53% of the mice respectively. Bone resorption was elevated in all the mice investigated irrespective of the level of PTH-like bioactivity. Thus, in this model, while the circulating PTH-like moiety is more potent when acting on bone, it did not correlate with the degree of bone resorption suggesting that it may not be the sole cause of the hypercalcaemia.

Animals↗

Acute in vitro thyrotropin regulation of lysosomal enzyme activity in the thyroid follicular cell.

The acute effect of a physiological concentration (1 mU/l) of thyrotropin (TSH) on the activity of four lysosomal enzymes in the thyroid follicular lining cell has been studied by quantitative cytochemical techniques. N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity was increased by 14% after 10 min TSH stimulation and NAG and beta-galactosidase activities were increased by 24% and 25% respectively (P less than 0.05) after 20 min stimulation and by 40% and 45% (P less than 0.05) respectively after 30 min stimulation with TSH, indicating an early processing of these carbohydrate residues in thyroglobulin. Acid phosphatase activity, an acid hydrolase unrelated to the hydrolysis of thyroglobulin, was unchanged 30 min after TSH stimulation. Leucyl-beta-naphthylaminidase (LNA) activity changed biphasically with peak activities of 7 and 25 min possibly representing an early fusion of endocytotic vesicles and lysosomes and later the release process of the thyroid hormones. The changes in LNA activity and thus membrane permeability were not reflected in the other enzyme activities studied. This may indicate that the TSH regulation of lysosomal enzyme activities could be independent to the endocytotic process, which is known to involve fusion of lysosomes and endocytotic vesicles. In conclusion we have demonstrated for the first time with physiological concentrations of TSH a specific acute regulation of some lysosomal enzyme activities which may be involved in thyroglobulin processing. Further, these effects may be independent of the changes in lysosomal membrane permeability due to formation of secondary lysosomes.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Characteristics of secondary hyperparathyroidism in vitamin D-deficient dogs.

Characteristics of secondary hyperparathyroidism were evaluated in dogs with mild vitamin D deficiency. The animals were normocalcemic with reduced concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] and elevations in parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations, parathyroid mass, and prepro PTH mRNA levels. Dynamic testing revealed a sigmoidal relationship between plasma calcium and PTH, although PTH concentrations were increased relative to values in vitamin D-sufficient dogs. Infusions of chelator elicited lower plasma calcium levels and greater augmentations in biologically active PTH in vitamin D-deficient than in D-sufficient animals. Induced hypercalcemia lowered both immunoreactive and bioactive hormone to stable but detectable levels. The results demonstrate the decreased capacity of vitamin D-deficient animals to defend against acute hypocalcemia, despite the presence of abundant PTH, and indicate that increased circulating PTH levels in early vitamin D deficiency is due predominantly to an augmentation in the quantity of releasable hormone. The latter appears secondary to an increase in parathyroid mass and synthetic activity regulated by 1,25(OH)2D3 per se.

Animals↗

Certain vitamin D metabolites potentiate the expression of parathyroid hormone bioactivity.

With the development of a sensitive bioassay for the skeletal effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH), it has become possible to investigate the possible interaction between PTH and vitamin D3 metabolites. This assay is based on the stimulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity in either the hypertrophic chondrocytes of the growth plate or the osteoblasts lining the metaphyseal trabeculae of rat metatarsals. The response to PTH is paralleled by the activity of dibutyryl cAMP. None of the vitamin D3 metabolites tested had any effect on enzyme activity when tested by themselves. However, both 1,25(OH)2D3 and 25(OH)D3 caused a dose-related potentiation of the response to PTH. Neither 1,24,25(OH)3D3 nor 1,25(OH)2D3 26,23-lactone potentiated the response to PTH. Because this potentiation of the response to PTH occurs after only 8 minutes, it is suggested that it represents a nongenomic response to the vitamin D3 metabolites.

Animals↗

Fluoride therapy in osteoporosis: acute effects on parathyroid and mineral homoeostasis.

1. Acute metabolic effects of sodium fluoride therapy were analysed among 41 osteoporotic patients already receiving large calcium supplements, 33 of whom underwent simultaneous metabolic balance studies. 2. Mean serum calcium fell transiently within 24-48 h by 0.03 +/- 0.07 (SD) mmol/l (P less than 0.01) and phosphorus by 0.06 +/- 0.08 (SD) mmol/l (P less than 0.001). In a subgroup, ionized calcium fell and biologically active parathyroid hormone (bio-PTH) rose more than fivefold (P less than 0.01). Urine calcium rose after an insignificant fall. 3. Pretreatment calcium and phosphorus balances were significantly positive and did not change overall during the first 8 days of treatment. However, on analysing balances in two groups relative to serum changes, in patients whose serum levels changed least sodium fluoride increased faecal calcium (P less than 0.025) and phosphorus (P less than 0.01) and reduced calcium balance (P less than 0.01), giving a mean balance difference between the two groups of 2.1 mmol daily (P less than 0.001). 4. Very small changes in serum levels therefore indicate well-marked metabolic responses: sodium fluoride acutely stimulates bio-PTH activity and must also enhance mineral uptake from circulation into tissue(s). By separate and opposing action(s) it inhibits intestinal calcium and phosphorus absorption, predominantly in those whose serum levels remain stable. All these effects may be relevant to long-term therapeutic results.

Aged↗

Anomalies in the assay of parathyroid hormone in normocalcaemic patients with renal stone disease.

A group of 22 normocalcaemic patients with renal stone disease were retrospectively studied using seven different immunoassays for parathyroid hormone (PTH). N-terminal immunoradiometric assays and an intact hormone immunochemiluminometric assay sometimes gave results which fell above the normal range. These results were at variance with values obtained in three region-specific radioimmunoassays and an immunoradiometric assay for the intact hormone. Since these atypical samples contained normal levels of biologically active PTH the elevated immunoassay results were not thought to relate to the normal circulating hormone but rather to interference in the immunometric assays. The interfering substance was thought to be a large molecule which could not be removed by charcoal and did not dilute out in parallel to the PTH standard curve.

Adolescent↗

Further evidence for a parathyroid hormone-related protein in fetal parathyroid glands of sheep.

Extracts of ovine fetal parathyroid glands contained a substance in addition to parathyroid hormone (PTH) which could not be neutralized by antiserum against PTH in a cytochemical bioassay. This substance reacted similarly to human parathyroid hormone-related protein, the humoral hypercalcaemic factor associated with malignancy in man. The ovine fetal PTHrP may be responsible for maintaining the fetus hypercalcaemic relative to the mother.

Animals↗

Inhibition of parathyroid hormone bioactivity by human parathyroid hormone (PTH)-(3-84) and PTH-(8-84) synthesized in Escherichia coli.

Human PTH (hPTH)-(3-84) and hPTH-(8-84) were synthesized in Escherichia (E.) coli when the cells were transformed with a multicopy plasmid in which the transcription of human preproPTH cDNA is directed by the E. coli lac promoter. PTH fragments were extracted from cells and purified by reverse phase HPLC. PTH bioactivity and PTH antagonist activity were estimated in a renal cytochemical bioassay. hPTH-(3-84) and hPTH-(8-84) exhibited less than 1% and less than 0.1%, respectively, of the biological activity of synthetic hPTH-(1-84). hPTH-(8-84) had 1% of the PTH inhibitory activity of synthetic [Nle8,18,Tyr34]bovine PTH-(3-34)amide, whereas hPTH-(3-84) was 100 times more active as a PTH inhibitor than the synthetic bovine PTH-(3-34) analog. The latter has so far been recognized as the most potent PTH antagonist in vitro. A 5-fold molar excess of hPTH-(3-84) over hPTH-(1-84) completely blocked the biological action of intact hPTH-(1-84) in the renal cytochemical bioassay. These findings suggest that the carboxyl-terminal portion of the intact hPTH-(1-84) molecule contributes importantly to inhibitor potency.

Animals↗

Acute stimulation of thyroidal NAD+ kinase, NADPH reoxidation, and peroxidase activities by physiological concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone acting in vitro: a quantitative cytochemical study.

Quantitative cytochemical techniques have been employed in a study of some of the acute effects of low doses (0.01----1 mU/liter) of TSH on the metabolism of guinea pig thyroid segments maintained in nonproliferative organ culture. The enzymes involved in the synthesis of NADP+ (NAD+ kinase), its reduction by the pentose-shunt (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase), and its reoxidation both by the microsomal electron chain (diaphorase activity) and by participation in other cellular processes, have been examined. The effect of TSH on peroxidase activity has also been studied. After 10 min stimulation with TSH (1 mU/liter) there was a 60% increase in NAD+ kinase activity which preceded changes in the microsomal reoxidation of NADPH (up 33% by 30 min). There were no changes in the activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase. There was a sustained rise in peroxidase activity which reached 129% over control after 30 min. This is the first in vitro demonstration of an acute stimulation of peroxidase and kinase activities by physiological concentrations of TSH. NADPH reoxidation after stimulation with TSH was such that the ratio of NADPH reoxidized via the microsomal respiratory pathway (diaphorase, hydrogen pathway 1) relative to that available for cytosolic utilization (hydrogen pathway 2) increased compared to the unstimulated controls. We suggest that increased NADP+ production (via NAD+ kinase activity) and the preferential shuttling of the NADPH for reoxidation via the microsomal respiratory pathway, coupled with greatly stimulated peroxidase activity, may be important regulators of the control of thyroglobulin iodination and hence thyroid hormone production.

Animals↗