Search PubMedSearch

Biomedical subjects

P Caron

Publications and source records attributed to P Caron.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Prevalence of thyroid abnormalities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The prevalence of thyroid abnormalities was determined in 131 patients: group I = rheumatoid arthritis, 68 patients, group II = systemic immunological diseases (IIa Sjögren's syndrome, n = 6; IIb other rheumatic autoimmune disease, n = 17), group III = other rheumatic diseases n = 13 and control group (n = 27). Thyroid abnormalities (hypo, hyperthyroidism, nodular goiter) were frequent: 33.8% in group I, 100% in group IIa, 11.7% in group IIb. Hypothyroidism was present in 19.1% (group I), 50% (group IIa). 6% (group IIb). Autoimmune thyroiditis was found in 16.2% in group I, 100% in group IIa, 11.7% in group III. Thyroid diseases are frequent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore thyroid tests might be performed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Aged

[Acromegaly and bronchial carcinoid tumor. Apropos of a case].

Acromegaly due to ectopic secretion of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) is rare. A 29-year-old woman with acromegaly secondary to ectopic GHRH secretion by a bronchial carcinoid tumor is presented. Normalization of GHRH levels, reversal of pituitary hyperplasia and regression of acromegaly followed resection of the bronchial tumor. The authors stressed the interest of GHRH dosage in patients with acromegaly and pituitary hyperplasia.

Acromegaly

Luteinizing hormone pulse frequency and in vitro bioactivity in male idiopathic infertility.

We investigated 51 patients with idiopathic oligospermia and 10 control subjects. Blood samples were collected every 20 minutes from 10 P.M. to 10 A.M. and luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatility was analyzed. A pool of all samples obtained from each subject was used to measure bioactive LH in an in vitro mouse Leydig cell bioassay and immunoactive LH in an immunoradiometric assay. Mean immunoactive LH pulse frequency was higher and mean bioactive to immunoactive LH ratio was lower in infertile men than in controls. There was a significant negative correlation between bioactive LH to immunoreactive LH ratio and LH pulse frequency. These data indicate that the defect in the gonadal axis in oligospermic men resides not in the hypothalamic-pituitary function but rather in the testis itself.

Adult

Correlations between mean LH levels and LH pulse characteristics: differences between normal and anovulatory women.

OBJECTIVE: Since LH secretion occurs as a series of pulses, relationships between mean LH levels and LH pulse characteristics are to be expected. The aim of this study was to determine whether such relationships are similar in normal women and anovulatory patients. DESIGN: We studied the correlations between mean LH levels and the products amplitude x frequency and area x frequency of LH pulses in normal women and in patients with disorders of ovulation. Blood samples were taken from each subject every 10 minutes during 6 hours on the 8th day after the last menses. PATIENTS: The patients were divided into three groups: patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (n = 11), patients with idiopathic anovulation (n = 14) and patients with short luteal phase (n = 13). Their results were compared to those of 12 normal women. MEASUREMENTS: LH was evaluated with an immunoradiometric assay. LH data were analysed with a 3 standard deviation threshold criterion for significant peaks, and with cluster analysis algorithm using 1, 2.5 and 5% false positive error rates and 'optimal parameters' (which give less than 5% false positive and false negative error rates in LH male data). RESULTS: Highly significant correlations between amplitude x frequency, area x frequency and mean LH were found in normals and patients with short luteal phase; no significant correlation was found in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, while significant correlations were found in patients with idiopathic anovulation only with some of our criteria for peak detection. CONCLUSION: The differences that we found between the groups suggest that when commonly used methods are employed to determine LH pulse characteristics, most of the significant LH pulses are taken into account in normals and patients with short luteal phase, but not in anovulatory patients, especially in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. This method using two correlations appears to be a simple and useful way to show the differences in the mechanisms by which mean LH levels are achieved in normal subjects and patients.

Adult

LH pulsatility and in vitro bioactivity in women with anorexia nervosa-related hypothalamic amenorrhea.

LH nocturnal pulsatility and bioactivity to immunoreactivity (B/I) ratio were determined in 16 patients with anorexia nervosa-related hypothalamic amenorrhea and low sex steroid levels, and in 12 normal women in the midfollicular phase. The patients were subdivided into 2 groups: IA (N = 7) without, and IB (N = 9) with documented recent weight gain. Blood samples were taken from each subject at 10-min intervals from 00.00 to 06.00 h. Immunoreactive LH data were analysed with cluster analysis algorithm. A pool of aliquots from all the samples was used to evaluate bioactive LH, immunoreactive LH and LH B/I ratio in each subject. LH pulse frequency was lower in Group IA than in controls, whereas it did not differ significantly between Group IB and controls. LH pulse amplitude was lower in Group IA, and higher in Group IB than in controls. LH B/I ratio was below the control range in 3/16 patients. In conclusion, persistent hypothalamic amenorrhea does not require a permanent inhibition of the GnRH pulse generator; transient inhibition of pulsatility and qualitative abnormalities of gonadotropins could be involved in the mechanism, at least in some patients.

Adolescent

Mammary ovarian metastases with stroma cell hyperplasia and postmenopausal virilization.

The case of a 57-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer is reported. She presented 10 years later with virilization. Stroma cell hyperplasia was present in the metastatic ovaries. The authors describe hormonal data and discuss the pathogenesis of the stromal activity. Mammary ovarian metastases associated with stroma cell hyperplasia, in the absence of pregnancy, that cause virilization are rare.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone

A comparative study of the spaces between the metacarpal and metatarsal heads.

The study of the spaces between the metacarpal heads on 23 cadavers, raises the question of the existence of bursae at this level. This is in line with recent studies suggesting that such bursae are present at this level in the foot. Careful dissection and histological studies revealed characteristics compatible with both of the following hypotheses: either the existence of bursae not described until now in anatomy text-books, or spaces limited by a cul-de-sac of the aponeuroses of the hand in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th digits. Tissue analyses that could determine more specifically the nature of the limiting membrane of these spaces, as well as pathological studies demonstrating the occurrence of common anomalies of bursae in these spaces, are required in order to conclude definitively the nature of the spaces between the metacarpal heads. The gross anatomical and histological characteristics of the spaces between the metacarpal and metatarsal heads and of their limiting membranes were compared and found to be analogous in our series.

Humans

Decreased HDL cholesterol in subclinical hypothyroidism: the effect of L-thyroxine therapy.

Thyroid function and lipid tests were measured in 29 premenopausal women with subclinical hypothyroidism. This group was compared with 41 euthyroid women matched for age and metabolic parameters. In basal condition there was no difference in thyroid hormone levels between the two groups except for TSH concentration (P less than 0.01). Total cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein (apo A1, A2, B) of women with subclinical hypothyroidism were not different from controls. HDL cholesterol was significantly decreased in subclinical hypothyroidism compared to the controls (P less than 0.01). With thyroxine therapy, normalization of serum TSH was associated with (1) no significant change in total cholesterol and triglycerides, (2) an increase of HDL cholesterol (P less than 0.01) and apoprotein A1 (P less than 0.05) levels. Total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio was increased in subclinical hypothyroidism (P less than 0.01). During L-thyroxine therapy this ratio returned to normal value. Decreased HDL cholesterol concentration might cause coronary heart disease reported in women with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Adult

[Peripheral thyroid insufficiency. Criteria of equilibrium in treatment with L-thyroxine].

During treatment of primary hypothyroidism, the respective values of hormonal assays (total and free T4 and T3, ultrasensitive TSH assay, TRH test) and of the serum markers from peripheral tissue response to thyroid hormones used to detect overdosage are matter to debate. Thirty-four female patients with hypothyroidism, aged 38 +/- 7 years (mean +/- SD) were studied. the mean dose of L-thyroxine required to obtain clinical euthyroidism was 100 +/- 35 micrograms/day. Thyroid hormone and TSH concentrations were measured 20 to 24 hours after the last dose of L-thyroxine and after fasting overnight and were compared with the concentrations obtained in 45 euthyroid controls aged 32 +/- 10 years.

Adult

Plasminogen activator inhibitor in plasma is related to testosterone in men.

Low plasma testosterone and high levels of the rapid inhibitor of plasminogen activator (PA-I) have been proposed as risk factors for myocardial infarction. In this study, the relationship between testosterone and PA-I activity levels in middle-aged men without thrombotic antecedent was investigated. In 54 normogonadic men (testosterone, 7.3 to 29.1 nmol/L), PA-I was related positively to body mass index (BMI) and triglycerides and negatively to testosterone. When these variables were controlled, the relation between PA-I and testosterone remained significant (P less than .01). In the 41 normogonadic men with BMI less than 25, testosterone was the only variable to influence PA-I. Fibrinolytic activity was evaluated by the euglobulin lysis plate method and the specific measurement of functional tissue plasminogen activator. The basal fibrinolytic activity and the response to venous occlusion were essentially controlled by PA-I but were not significantly related to testosterone. In 17 men with severe hypogonadotrophinic hypogonadism (testosterone less than 3 nmol/L), PA-I was significantly increased (18.5 +/- 1.8 AU/mL, mean +/- SE) compared with 9.5 +/- 0.8 AU/mL in 41 normogonadic men of normal weight (P less than .001). However, 14 hypogonadic men had a hypertriglyceridemia or a BMI greater than 25, which could explain high PA-I levels. This study shows that the level of the inhibitor of plasminogen activator is partly dependent on hormonal status in men and provides a link between independently established epidemiologic data.

Adult

Effects of hyperthyroidism on binding proteins for steroid hormones.

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) binding capacities were examined weekly in eight normally cycling women and three women taking birth control pills during a 5-week baseline period and after daily ingestion of 75 micrograms of L-triiodothyronine (T3) for 30 days. The SHBG binding capacity increased whereas the CBG binding capacity decreased after T3 therapy. The binding capacities of proteins for steroid hormones were measured in 18 hyperthyroid subjects (Graves' disease) prior to and after 3 months of antithyroid drug therapy. SHBG binding capacity in hyperthyroid men or women was higher, and CBG binding capacity lower than those in euthyroid subjects. Thus, during hyperthyroidism, binding capacities of sex hormone binding globulin and corticosteroid binding globulin vary in opposite directions. A statistically significant correlation between the ratio of the sex hormone binding globulin to the corticosteroid binding globulin and triiodothyronine levels was found (P less than 0.01). Therefore the ratio of the sex hormone binding globulin to the corticosteroid binding globulin might be potentially useful as a biochemical index of thyroid hormone action in peripheral tissues.

Adult

Thyroid plasmacytoma with dermatomyositis and palmar fasciitis.

A 74-year-old woman with a primary thyroid plasmacytoma was studied. Clinical signs included a mass in the neck, as well as muscle and skin involvement due to dermatomyositis. In her serum a monoclonal IgG lambda was present. Immunohistochemistry showed an intracellular monoclonal IgG lambda component. After thyroid surgery and radiation, clinical improvement and fall of M protein were noted. On longterm followup, only palmar fasciitis persisted.

Aged

Ovarian cystadenoma with stromal cell hyperplasia and postmenopausal virilization: a case report.

A 73-yr-old woman had noted progressive virilization. The plasma testosterone levels were elevated (340 ng/dl) and the pelvic ultrasound examination revealed an enlarged left ovary. At laparotomy, a large cystic tumor replaced the left ovary. The plasma testosterone became normal after the removal of the tumor. On anatomical analysis, the tumor was an ovarian cystadenoma with hyperplasia of stromal cells in the periphery of the tumor.

Aged

Plasma fibrinolytic activity in a group of hypogonadic men.

Fibrinolytic activity in response to venous occlusion (fibrin plate assay and tissue plasmogen activator antigen) was measured in 19 hypogonadic men (group 1), 23 non-hypogonadic men with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) antecedents and 20 healthy men (control group). Four hypogonadic men had DVT antecedents. Two of 20 controls were low responders against 6/19 and 6/23 in groups 1 and 2, respectively, (non-significant difference). The four hypogonadic men with DVT antecedent had abnormal response to venous occlusion. Whether defective fibrinolysis is causally related to hypogonadism cannot be established from these results but this study indicates that the combination of defective fibrinolysis, hypogonadism and DVT in man is relatively common.

Fibrin