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Biomedical subjects

S R Bloom

Publications and source records attributed to S R Bloom.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources

Review: the enterochromaffin-like cell, intragastric acidity and the trophic effect of plasma gastrin.

Although enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells form the major endocrine cell population of the non-antral stomach, they have been largely overlooked in the study of gastric disease. In the human, their product and functions are unknown, but they are associated with histamine secretion in rodents. The cells are controlled by neural and hormonal factors, the most significant of the latter being gastrin. Interest in ECL cells has been stimulated by the observation that hyperplasia of these cells, sometimes leading to formation of gastric carcinoid tumours, occurs in conditions of persistent hypergastrinaemia - for example, in response to the achlorhydria of individuals with pernicious anaemia. The advent of new highly potent inhibitors of gastric acid secretion is allowing more information to be obtained on the physiology and functions of the ECL cell. However, there is clearly a great deal more to be discovered about this enigmatic endocrine cell type.

Animals↗

Primary structure of neuromedin U from the rat.

The primary structure of neuromedin U from the rat ileum was established as: Tyr-Lys-Val-Asn-Glu5-Tyr-Gln-Gly-Pro-Val10-Ala-Pro-Ser-Gly-+ ++Gly15-Phe-Phe-Leu- Phe-Arg20-Pro-Arg-Asn.NH2. There was no evidence for microheterogeneity. This amino acid sequence contains two deletions and nine substitutions compared with the neuromedin U-25 from the pig. In particular, the replacement of the Arg16-Arg17 processing site in the porcine peptide by Gly14-Gly15 in the rat means that a peptide corresponding to neuromedin U-8 was not found in the rat intestine.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Localization of bombesin-like peptides in tumors.

The localization of bombesin gene products in neuroendocrine tumors was achieved by a number of techniques used in combination. These included immunocytochemistry, radioimmunoassay, and chromatographic procedures using a variety of region-specific antibodies recognizing separate portions of probombesin. In situ hybridization using cRNA probes was employed to analyze bombesin gene expression at a cellular level. A novel procedure using a divalent form of bombesin and gold-labeled monoclonal antibodies for the localization of bombesin binding sites at the ultrastructural level was employed in this study. Antibodies to neuron-specific enolase and electron microscopy were employed for the determination of neuroendocrine differentiation. Surgical samples of pulmonary (n = 250) and nonpulmonary (n = 28) small cell carcinomas, 49 carcinoids, and 62 atypical lung carcinoids were investigated and compared with 169 control tumors, including lymphomas, adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and non-small-cell undifferentiated tumors. Cell lines cultured from pulmonary small cell carcinoma and smear preparations of pleural effusions from patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung were also investigated. Strong immunostaining for neuron-specific enolase was noted in all neuroendocrine tumors investigated, and no immunoreactivity was noted in control cases. Electron-dense neurosecretory granules were abundant in carcinoid tumors, scattered in small cell carcinoids, and absent in control cases. Immunostaining for bombesin was particularly strong in benign carcinoids, whereas the more malignant neuroendocrine tumors (e.g., small cell carcinomas) stained best with antibodies to the carboxyl-terminal flanking portion of human probombesin (proGRP). These findings were further validated by radioimmunoassay and chromatography of tissue extracts. Specific binding sites for bombesin were demonstrated on the surface of small cell carcinoma cells maintained in culture. In situ hybridization demonstrated mRNA for preprobombesin in all small cell carcinomas investigated, including surgical samples, cytological preparations, and cell lines. Hybridization reactions varied in intensity, with some cells in autoradiograms almost masked by silver grains and others showing much lighter deposits.

Bombesin↗

Anatomical distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide binding sites in peripheral tissues investigated by in vitro autoradiography.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide has a widespread distribution in the body, occurring in both the central and peripheral nervous systems and considerable information is available on its distribution, physiology, and pharmacological actions. Receptors for VIP have been demonstrated previously in peripheral tissues by conventional binding techniques using isolated membrane preparations. However, information on their precise localization is limited. We therefore localized binding sites in a variety of guinea pig and rat tissues by in vitro autoradiography and made a parallel study of the distribution of VIP nerves in these tissues using immunocytochemistry. [125I]VIP was prepared by the chloramine T method and shown to be pharmacologically active. After a preincubation procedure to remove endogenously bound VIP, unfixed cryostat sections were incubated with 1 nM [125I]VIP. To determine specific binding, sections were incubated in the presence or absence of 1 microM unlabeled VIP. Autoradiograms were generated by exposing the sections to LKB-Ultrofilm or emulsion-coated coverslips. Dense binding occurred in discrete locations within the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genital tracts, correlating with known actions of VIP and, to various extents, with the distribution of VIP nerves. For example, there was precise localization to respiratory epithelium, smooth muscle of airways and blood vessels, and alveolar walls, in keeping with the effects of VIP on vascular and airway smooth muscle and mucus secretion.

Animals↗

The adrenal contribution to the neuroendocrine responses to splanchnic nerve stimulation in conscious calves.

1. The extent to which the adrenal gland contributes to neuroendocrine responses to electrical stimulation of the peripheral end of the splanchnic nerve has been investigated in conscious calves in which the right nerve was stimulated either at 4 Hz continuously for 10 min or at 40 Hz in 1 s bursts at 10 s intervals for the same period. 2. It was confirmed that the release of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is potentiated by stimulation in bursts at a relatively high frequency and shown that the adrenal gland made a negligible contribution to these responses. 3. There was no detectable change in the concentration of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the arterial plasma but the existence of a very small but highly significant rise in the output of VIP from the adrenal provided evidence that it was released within the gland in response to splanchnic nerve stimulation. 4. The concentration of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the arterial and adrenal venous effluent plasma was consistently below the level of detection of the assay. 5. Splanchnic nerve stimulation resulted in an abrupt rise in the output of both free and total met5-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity from the adrenal gland which was substantially potentiated by stimulating in bursts. This pattern of stimulation also increased the proportion released in a high-molecular-weight form. 6. Stimulation in bursts significantly enhanced the output of both adrenaline and noradrenaline from the adrenal and resulted in the release of proportionately more noradrenaline. Small amounts of dopamine and DOPAC were also released during splanchnic nerve stimulation and the output of dopamine was significantly increased by stimulating in bursts. 7. Both patterns of stimulation elicited an abrupt rise in mean plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) concentration, which was associated with an increase in mean adrenal cortisol output and the former effect was significantly enhanced by stimulating in bursts. 8. It is concluded that certain responses to splanchnic nerve stimulation are significantly potentiated by an intermittent high-frequency pattern of stimulation, including all those that are attributable to adrenal medullary activity, whereas others are apparently unaffected by changes in stimulus pattern.

Adrenal Glands↗

Experimental colonic carcinogenesis: changes in faecal bile acids after promotion of intestinal tumours by small bowel resection in the rat.

Small bowel resection promotes the development of colonic tumours in azoxymethane treated rats. As high faecal bile acid concentrations are associated with colonic cancer and may be altered by resection, we have studied changes in faecal bile acid concentrations during promotion of colonic carcinogenesis by increasing small bowel resection. Twenty rats in each group underwent either jejunal transection or 20%, 50%, or 80% proximal small bowel resection. Tumours were induced with azoxymethane 10 mg/kg by 12 weekly subcutaneous injections, and faecal bile acid concentrations were measured at six and 16 weeks. Colonic tumour number rose from 0.6 per rat in the transection group to 1.6 per rat in the 50% resection group (p less than 0.01) but were not significantly different to transection values at 0.8 per rat in the 80% resection group. Total daily faecal bile acid excretion and bile acid concentrations fell with increasing resection from 14.2 (1.6) mg/rat/day and 5.8 (0.7) mg/g dry faeces respectively in the transection group to 6.5 (0.5) mg/rat/day and 2.9 (0.2) mg/g respectively in the 80% resection group (p less than 0.001). The greatest reduction was seen in the concentration of deoxycholic acid which has been particularly associated with the aetiology of colonic cancer. The promotion of colonic tumours following small bowel resection in carcinogen treated rats is unlikely to be mediated by changes in faecal bile acid concentration or composition.

Animals↗

Intramural distribution of regulatory peptides in the sigmoid-recto-anal region of the human gut.

The distribution of regulatory peptides was studied in the separated mucosa, submucosa and muscularis externa taken at 10 sampling sites encompassing the whole human sigmoid colon (five sites), rectum (two sites), and anal canal (three sites). Consistently high concentrations of VIP were measured in the muscle layer at most sites (proximal sigmoid: 286 (16) pmol/g, upper rectum: 269 (17), a moderate decrease being found in the distal smooth sphincter (151 (30) pmol/g). Values are expressed as mean (SE). Conversely, substance P concentrations showed an obvious decline in the recto-anal muscle (mid sigmoid: 19 (2.0) pmol/g, distal rectum: 7.1 (1.3), upper anal canal: 1.6 (0.6)). Somatostatin was mainly present in the sigmoid mucosa and submucosa (37 (9.3) and 15 (3.5) pmol/g, respectively) and showed low, but consistent concentrations in the muscle (mid sigmoid: 2.2 (0.7) pmol/g, upper anal canal: 1.5 (0.8]. Starting in the distal sigmoid colon, a distinct peak of tissue NPY was revealed, which was most striking in the muscle (of mid sigmoid: 16 (3.9) pmol/g, upper rectum: 47 (7.8), anal sphincter: 58 (14)). Peptide YY was confined to the mucosa and showed an earlier peak (upper sigmoid: 709 (186) pmol/g, mid-distal sigmoid: 1965 (484)). A clear differential distribution of regulatory peptides was thus shown in the region studied. A possible role is suggested for NPY and VIP containing nerves in the effector control of the human internal anal sphincter.

Aged↗

Further characterisation of the 'ileal brake' reflex in man--effect of ileal infusion of partial digests of fat, protein, and starch on jejunal motility and release of neurotensin, enteroglucagon, and peptide YY.

Previous studies have shown that ileal infusion of partially digested triglyceride inhibits jejunal motility. The partial digest used in those studies contained a mixture of glycerol, free fatty acid, mono-, di-, and triglycerides. In Part I of the present study we have separately infused emulsions containing either glycerol 3.1 g (n = 6), oleic acid 9.6 g (n = 6), triolein 10 g (n = 12), or medium chain triglycerides 10 g (n = 6) into the ileum and have recorded the effect this has on jejunal motility. Five further subjects received infusions of partial hydrolysates of corn starch 10 g and lactalbumin 7 g. Marked inhibition of jejunal pressure wave activity was seen after all three lipid infusions, per cent activity falling from a control of 37.7 (7.7) to 6.2 (2.1) and 22.4 (8.2)% 30 min after completing the oleic acid and triolein infusions respectively, and from a control value of 39.5 (4.1) to 17.7 (4.7) after MCTs (all p less than 0.05). No significant fall occurred after infusion of glycerol, protein or carbohydrate. All three lipid infusions raised plasma concentrations of neurotensin, enteroglucagon and peptide YY equally effectively, although only the rise in peptide YY correlated significantly with the inhibition of jejunal pressure wave activity (r = 0.80, n = 6, p less than 0.05). In Part II of this study six subjects received a 3 ml/min jejunal infusion of an isotonic carbohydrate saline solution followed after three hours by a similar infusion of a partial digest of lipid. During each infusion flow and transit time was measured by marker and dye dilution. Jejunal infusion of the carbohydrate-saline solution was associated with low jejunal flow, 4.7 (1.0) ml/min and a mean transit time through the 50 cm study segment of 36.5 (7.1) min. By contrast jejunal infusion of partially digested triglyceride was associated with a markedly increased flow, 9.0 (1.2) ml/min, a fall in mean transit time to 20.3 (2.6) min and significant rises in pancreaticobiliary secretions. Jejunal triglyceride also increased the incidence of prolonged high amplitude jejunal pressure waves in four of six subjects. These studies suggest that there are important differences in the jejunal response to ileal versus jejunal lipid. While long and median chain free fatty acids infused into the ileum exert an inhibitory effect on jejunal motility, when infused directly into the jejunum partially digested triglyceride accelerates transit, increases jejunal flow and subtly alters the pattern of jejunal contractions.

Adult↗

The effect of treatment of congestive heart failure on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration: a longitudinal study.

Eleven patients with acute congestive heart failure were studied during treatment with a loop diuretic. Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide were considerably increased before treatment and with successful treatment returned progressively towards normal values. There was a statistically significant correlation between plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration and both jugular venous pressure and change of body weight. These results support the hypothesis that atrial distension is an important stimulus to atrial natriuretic peptide release. Furthermore, the close relation between plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide and clinical improvement in these patients suggests that measurement of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration could provide a clinically useful and non-invasive method of monitoring the response to treatment.

Adult↗

Increase in plasma concentrations of cardiodilatin (amino terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide) in cardiac failure and during recumbency.

Plasma concentrations of cardiodilatin, the peptide sequence at the amino terminal of the pro-atrial natriuretic peptide, in 17 normal subjects ranged from 59 to 202 (mean 118 (SEM) (9] pmol/l. Recumbency increased the mean (SEM) concentration to 160 (13) pmol/l. The plasma concentration of cardiodilatin in 24 patients with congestive cardiac failure was much higher (964 (175) pmol/l) than in the normal subjects. It was highest in those with heart failure in New York Heart Association functional classes III and IV and the concentration correlated both with atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations and left ventricular ejection fraction. Concentrations rose during induced tachycardia in three patients tested. Chromatography showed a single clean peak of plasma cardiodilatin immunoreactivity. It seems that cardiodilatin is a second circulating cardiac peptide that is jointly released with atrial natriuretic peptide by common stimuli. Other workers have reported that, like atrial natriuretic peptide, three partial cardiodilatin sequences can stimulate renal particulate guanylate cyclase and increase cyclic guanosine monophosphate. The simultaneous release of cardiodilatin in higher circulating concentrations than atrial natriuretic peptide may be relevant to the finding that appropriate concentrations of exogenous atrial natiuretic peptide alone do not produce the full renal effects associated with endogenous peptide release.

Adult↗

Marked depletion of dorsal spinal cord substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide with intact skin flare responses in multiple system atrophy.

In view of the presence of neuropeptides in spinal cord autonomic pathways, their regional concentration was studied in post mortem thoracic cord from four cases of multiple system atrophy with progressive autonomic failure (MSA). A marked depletion was observed of substance P, its related peptide substance K, and of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), particularly in dorsal regions where peptide-containing sensory fibres terminate. As substance P and CGRP in primary sensory fibres are considered mediators of skin flares in Lewis' triple response, histamine-induced skin flares were measured in 12 MSA patients and were found to be preserved. These results provide a new key to the classification and aetiology of autonomic and multiple system degenerations, as well as a model to study the role of sensory neuropeptides in man.

Aged↗

Expression of the atrial natriuretic peptide gene in the cardiac muscle of rat extrapulmonary and intrapulmonary veins.

Atrial natriuretic peptide is a peptide regulating salt and water balance, originally isolated from the cardiac atrium, where it is synthesised as part of a precursor molecule in specialised myocardial cells. The myocardium extends into the extrapulmonary part of the pulmonary veins in many species, including man. In some small mammals, however, such as the rat, mouse, and bat, it extends further to veins in the peripheral parts of the lung. Since this myocardial layer is continuous with that in the atrium, we have looked for the possible expression of the atrial natriuretic peptide gene in this tissue in rats. Strong immunoreactivity was seen for both the peptide and the N terminal sequence (cardiodilatin) of its precursor in extrapulmonary veins and in intrapulmonary veins extending into the lung as far as the second branching point, where it was localised in the dense cored granules by electron microscopy; in situ hybridisation showed atrial natriuretic peptide messenger RNA at identical sites. Chromatography and radioimmunoassay of extracts of extrapulmonary and intrapulmonary veins showed most of the atrial natriuretic peptide immunoreactivity to be in the uncleaved (precursor molecule) form. Thus the peptide is synthesised in veins both outside and inside the lung, and these extra-atrial sites may be an important additional source of circulating atrial natriuretic peptide.

Animals↗

Effect of peptide histidine valine on cardiovascular and respiratory function in normal subjects.

Non-adrenergic inhibitory nerves may have an important role in regulating airway calibre. A recently discovered peptide, peptide histidine valine, is a potent relaxer of airway smooth muscle in vitro and has been proposed as a possible neurotransmitter in this tissue. The cardiovascular and respiratory effects of graded infusions of this peptide (2.5-10 pmol kg-1 min-1) have been examined in six normal subjects in a placebo controlled, randomised double blind study. The mean (SEM) peak plasma concentration of peptide histidine valine during the highest infusion rate was 2392 (170) pmol/l, representing a 29 fold increase above the basal concentration. This was accompanied by flushing, a significant increase in heart rate of 28 (3.7) beats/min and skin temperature of 1.8 degrees (0.16 degrees) C, but no effect on systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Despite these high plasma concentrations of the peptide and the substantial tachycardia and increase in skin blood flow, there was no change in partial expiratory flow at 40% of vital capacity (Vp40) or in the airway response to inhaled histamine (geometric PD40 9.37 and 9.73 mumol during saline and peptide histidine valine infusion respectively). Although these findings provide no support for a physiological role of peptide histidine valine in controlling airway function in healthy subjects, important effects of locally released peptides in the vasoactive intestinal peptide family cannot be excluded.

Adult↗

Infusion of prepro-VIP derived peptides in man: effect on secretion of prolactin.

Infusion of the three human prepro-VIP derived peptides [vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), peptide histidine methionine (PHM) and the newly discovered peptide histidine valine (PHV-42)] at a constant nominal rate of 5 pmol/kg/min in 6 healthy volunteers for 60 min resulted in plateau plasma levels of 56,475 and 1,052 pmol/l, respectively. Although these values were above those found in the circulation under physiological conditions, only VIP caused a significant rise of prolactin (PRL) during, and postinfusion. Circulating luteinizing hormone and cortisol concentrations remained unchanged. As peptide histidine isoleucine, the porcine equivalent of PHM, has been postulated to be a potent hypophyseal portal pituitary PRL-releasing factor in the rat, we suggest that in man, VIP is more active than either PHM or PHV-42, and is likely to be a better candidate.

Adult↗

Localization of 7B2, neuromedin B, and neuromedin U in specific cell types of rat, mouse, and human pituitary, in rat hypothalamus, and in 30 human pituitary and extrapituitary tumors.

The distributions of three novel peptides, 7B2, neuromedin B, and neuromedin U, in rat, mouse, and human pituitaries, rat hypothalamus, and 30 human pituitary tumors were investigated with immunocytochemistry. Immunoreactivity for 7B2 was present in rat, mouse, and human gonadotropes, in intermediate lobe cells and posterior lobe nerve fibers in rats and mice, in rat hypothalamus (particularly in the median eminence), and in eight human pituitary gonadotropinomas. In gonadectomized rats, larger, more numerous LH beta- and 7B2-immunoreactive gonadotropes were seen than in controls. Extractable 7B2-like immunoreactivity was elevated but not significantly so in gonadectomized rat pituitaries [males: castrated, 37.4 +/- 4.3 (mean +/- SE); controls, 26.9 +/- 4.3; females: ovariectomized, 27.2 +/- 2.7; controls, 19.1 +/- 2.2 pmol/gland]. Neuromedin B immunoreactivity was found in normal rat and mouse thyrotropes and weakly in "thyroidectomy" cells in hypothyroid rats, in which extractable pituitary neuromedin B was significantly depleted (thyroidectomized, 87.0 +/- 14.0; methimazole-treated, 82.0 +/- 11.4; control, 230.7 +/- 25.6 fmol/gland). Hyperthyroid rat pituitaries showed increased TSH beta and neuromedin B immunoreactivities and neuromedin B content (TRH-treated, 385.2 +/- 30.2; T4-treated, 352.6 +/- 20.2; control, 230.7 +/- 25.6 fmol/gland). Neuromedin U immunoreactivity occurred in corticotropes of all species, in rat and mouse intermediate lobe, and throughout the rat hypothalamus, with immunoreactive cell bodies in the arcuate nucleus. Neuromedin U-immunoreactive cells were present in six of six human pituitary and five of six human extrapituitary corticotropinomas. In adrenalectomized rats, corticotropes were larger and more numerous than in controls, but extractable anterior pituitary neuromedin U-like immunoreactivity was not raised (adrenalectomized, 3.30 +/- 0.45; control, 3.32 +/- 0.27 pmol/gland). Our findings suggest that 7B2, neuromedin B, and neuromedin U may be involved in pituitary function.

Animals↗

Presence of high concentration of 7B2 in pleural effusion.

7B2 (a novel pituitary protein) is a secretory protein in the neuroendocrine tissues and an increase in the plasma 7B2 concentration was noted in some patients with various endocrine tumors, including small cell carcinoma of the lung and acromegaly, suggesting that 7B2 is a possible marker for these tumors. Using a radioimmunoassay, the 7B2 concentration was measured in pleural fluid samples obtained from 36 patients with lung cancer and benign pulmonary disease to assess its concentration as a marker for small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL) or malignant effusion. 7B2-immunoreactivity (IR) was present in pleural fluid and its concentration was much higher than in plasma. However, there was no significant difference between pleural fluid 7B2 in patients with SCCL and in other histological types of lung carcinoma or in malignant and nonmalignant patients. In the chromatographic analysis of pleural fluid on gel permeation chromatography and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, there was no molecular heterogeneity between malignant and nonmalignant effusion. These results suggest that pleural fluid 7B2-IR is not a useful marker for SCCL or malignant effusion.

Chromatography, Liquid↗