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Biomedical subjects

S R Bloom

Publications and source records attributed to S R Bloom.

At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources

Circulating somatostatin. Physiological regulator of pancreatic function?

The present study was designed to determine whether somatostatin is released into the circulation in sufficient amounts to regulate exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function and to evaluate the possible role of somatostatin as a hormonal regulator of the pancreas. Mean plasma somatostatin levels (SLI) increased from 11 +/- 2 pmol liter-1 to peak concentrations of 18 +/- 2 in six healthy male volunteers after a steak meal (P less than 0.05). Infusion of somatostatin inhibited hormone-induced exocrine pancreatic secretion and suppressed cerulein-stimulated pancreatic polypeptide (PP) secretion, but did not significantly change arginine-stimulated insulin and glucagon release at mean plasma somatostatin concentrations within the range seen after a meal. The amount of somatostatin released after a meal thus was of sufficient magnitude to inhibit exocrine pancreatic function and PP release. On the other hand, basal and arginine-stimulated glucagon and insulin secretions were not significantly affected by these plasma concentrations of intravenous somatostatin suggesting that the exocrine pancreas might be more sensitive to somatostatin than the islet cells. We conclude that somatostatin in concentrations within the range seen after a meal is a potent inhibitor of stimulated acinar cell function in man. The findings support the hypothesis that somatostatin acts as a true hormonal regulator.

Adult↗

Peptide histidine-methionine immunoreactivity in plasma and tissue from patients with vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors and watery diarrhea syndrome.

The presence of peptide histidine-methionine (PHM)-like peptides has been determined in plasma and tumor specimens from patients with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-secreting tumors and the watery diarrhea syndrome. All patients had strikingly elevated plasma concentrations of PHM immunoreactivity (median, 1800; range, 500-6800 pmol/liter; n = 12), which were higher than those of VIP (median, 235; range, 50-580 pmol/liter). In patients with other endocrine and nonendocrine pancreatic tumors, plasma PHM concentrations were not significantly different from normal (median, 20; range, 5-60 pmol/liter; n = 28). Plasma samples from patients with diarrhea due to other illnesses also had PHM concentrations that were not significantly different from normal (median, 40; range, 10-80 pmol/liter; n = 23). The gel chromatographic profiles of plasma and tumor extracts from patients with VIP-secreting tumors revealed the presence of at least two molecular forms that reacted with an antiserum directed to the N-terminus of PHM (SY1). The later peak (Kav, 0.50-0.53) corresponded in position to synthetic PHM and also reacted with the PHM-specific antiserum (SY2). The earlier peak (Kav, 0.30-0.37), not reactive with antiserum SY2, corresponded to a large molecular form of PHM-like immunoreactivity previously identified as the predominant form in normal human stomach and plasma, though not in the rest of the intestinal tract. The neuroendocrine nature of the tumors was confirmed by the demonstration of immunostaining with a battery of antisera to neuroendocrine markers. Immunocytochemistry revealed the presence of both VIP and PHM in tumor cells. The presence of high circulating concentrations of PHM-like immunoreactivity in patients with VIP-secreting tumors, as measured with a PHM N-terminus-directed antiserum, SY1, suggests that use of this type of antiserum may provide valuable information in the diagnosis of such tumors. The contribution of the PHM-like peptides to the features of this syndrome is not known.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Neuropeptide Y and its flanking peptide in human endocrine tumors and plasma.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and its flanking peptide (CPON) were measured in extracts of pheochromocytomas (n = 26), ganglioneuroblastomas (n = 8), and other tumors (n = 95) and plasma (n = 38). NPY was present in high concentrations in the majority of the pheochromocytomas, but was absent in 3 tumors. Similar concentrations of NPY were measured using N- and C-terminal-directed antisera, and there was a good correlation between the concentrations of NPY immunoreactivity and CPON immunoreactivity in the same extracts. Gel permeation chromatography revealed that the separate peptides NPY and CPON were the major products. No significant amounts of a large mol wt precursor containing both immunoreactivities was found. Among the other tumors, 6 of 22 carcinoid tumors, 2 of 2 somatostatinomas, and 3 of 18 insulinomas contained detectable amounts of NPY. Plasma NPY concentrations were very low in normal subjects, and extraction and a 10-fold concentration step were necessary to establish the normal range (0.35-1.25 pmol/L). Plasma NPY concentrations were detectable in unextracted plasma (10 pmol/L) in 50% of patients with pheochromocytomas, but no correlation was found between plasma NPY concentrations and either plasma norepinephrine or epinephrine concentrations. These results indicate that 1) NPY and CPON are present in most, but not all, pheochromocytomas and ganglioneuroblastomas; 2) secretion of NPY immunoreactivity may be independent of that of catecholamines; 3) CPON immunoreactivity is present in plasma of patients with pheochromocytoma; 4) the majority of NPY and CPON immunoreactivities appears to be in the form of the separate free peptide, and there is very little precursor containing both immunoreactivities expressed in these tumors; and 5) NPY immunoreactivity is present in a variety of other endocrine tumors.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Growth hormone (GH) release in response to GH-releasing hormone in man is 3-fold enhanced by galanin.

The effect of GHRH in a dose (120 micrograms) thought to produce a maximal GH response was compared with the GH response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, iv infusion of the hypothalamic neuropeptide galanin (40 pmol/kg.min for 40 min), and a combination of GHRH and galanin in normal men. The median peak serum GH level was 29 mU/L in response to GHRH, 28.9 mU/L in response to insulin hypoglycemia, 17.3 mU/L in response to galanin, and 115.0 mU/L in response to the combination of galanin and GHRH. GH release induced by galanin was completely inhibited by a concomitant somatostatin infusion (50 pmol/kg.min). Thus, galanin increased the peak GH response to GHRH, previously thought to be one of the most powerful stimulants to GH release, more than 3-fold. Since the dose of GHRH used was thought to be maximal and since galanin is reported not to have direct effects on the pituitary, one possible mode of action of galanin would be inhibition of tonic endogenous hypothalamic somatostatin release.

Adult↗

Distribution and postprandial release of porcine peptide YY.

Peptide YY (PYY), a thirty-six amino acid intestinal hormonal peptide with a tyrosine residue at each end (hence YY as Y represents tyrosine in the new peptide nomenclature), was found throughout the gastrointestinal tract of the pig. Concentrations were very low in the foregut (antrum, 3.4 +/- 0.3 pmol/g; duodenum, 1.1 +/- 1.5 pmol/g), higher in the distal small intestine (ileum, 100 +/- 13 pmol/g) and very high in the large bowel (descending colon, 270 +/- 45 pmol/g). Peptide YY was found to circulate in plasma and concentrations rose substantially in response to eating (fasting, 138 +/- 15 pmol/l; postprandial, 263 +/- 21 pmol/l; P less than 0.001). There was a small but significant portal/arterial gradient in postprandial PYY levels. More than 90% of the immunoreactive PYY in gut extracts eluted, on gel permeation chromatography, in an identical position to pure PYY standard, but small amounts of higher molecular weight material, possibly precursors, were detected. In contrast, plasma from fasting pigs contained a large proportion (60-70%) of these large molecular forms. These findings suggest that the putative pro-PYY may be cleared more slowly from the circulation than the 36 amino acid hormonal peptide. The high concentrations of immunoreactive PYY in the circulation of the young pig may reflect a species difference between pig and man or may indicate an important role for PYY in the developing animal.

Animals↗

Developmental changes in immunoreactive content of novel pituitary protein 7B2 in human pancreas and its identification in pancreatic tumors.

Developmental changes in concentration of a novel pituitary protein (7B2) were studied immunochemically in the human pancreas from 20 wk of gestation to 4 mo after birth. The concentrations of 7B2 in pancreatic islet tumors and in nesidioblastosis were investigated also. Significant quantities of 7B2-like immunoreactivity (IR-7B2) were found in all developmental stages studied. The highest concentrations of IR-7B2 were found at term [215.4 +/- 40.0 vs. 28.3 +/- 4.4 pmol/g (adult levels), P less than .001]. A high incidence of elevated IR-7B2 concentration in pancreatic islet tumors and nesidioblastosis was found (10 of 12 insulinomas, 5 of 8 glucagonomas, and in all 3 pancreases with nesidioblastosis). Gel-permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-100 showed two immunoreactive peaks in all extracts studied. The main peak (Kav 0.30) of IR-7B2 corresponded to that found in the porcine pituitary gland. The high incidence of elevated IR-7B2 concentrations in pancreatic islet tumors and the increase in IR-7B2 concentrations in the term pancreas and particularly in nesidioblastosis suggest that the novel protein 7B2 may serve as an islet marker.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Atrial natriuretic peptide and the natriuresis due to acute beta-blockade in conscious hypertensive rats.

Acute beta-adrenoceptor blockade in rats is known to produce a natriuresis of hitherto uncertain cause. To investigate this phenomenon plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations were measured in groups of conscious metoprolol-treated and control rats. In the active treatment group the blood pressure decreased slowly, as expected, settling at a lower level after 2 hours, and the mean sodium excretion doubled 1 hour after metoprolol administration. This natriuretic effect was maximal after 40-60 minutes and thereafter slowly declined towards basal values. The period of enhanced sodium excretion was associated with a significant rise (68%) of the mean ANP plasma concentration. It suggested that this increase in plasma ANP concentration can mediate the acute natriuretic effect beta-adrenoceptor blockade.

Animals↗

Clinical evaluation of SMS 201-995. Long-term treatment in gut neuroendocrine tumours, efficacy of oral administration, and possible use in non-tumoural inappropriate TSH hypersecretion.

Long-acting somatostatin analogues such as SMS 201-995 (Sandoz) are being evaluated in a wide range of clinical indications, including gut neuroendocrine tumours and acrogemaly. Long-term continuous SMS 201-995 treatment has achieved useful symptomatic improvement in diarrhoea in 4 patients with metastatic VIPomas who had relapsed following previous treatment. Clinical improvement has outlasted suppression of VIP secretion (suggesting an additional direct antisecretory action of SMS 201-995) and has occurred despite expansion of hepatic metastases. In 6 patients with tumours secreting gastrin and/or glucagon, secretion of these peptides was acutely inhibited by SMS 201-995. However, endocrine and clinical responses to chronic treatment have been less consistent. SMS 201-995 is active orally at doses of 4-8 mg and when given thrice-daily to 6 patients with active acromegaly, suppressed mean 24-h growth hormone levels by 51-88%. Despite significantly reduced plasma insulin concentrations, glucose tolerance did not deteriorate. SMS 201-995 was also effective in suppressing thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormone secretion in a patient with mild thyrotoxicosis due to non-tumoural inappropriate TSH hypersecretion. In all cases SMS 201-995 treatment has been well tolerated and has few side-effects.

Acromegaly↗

Impaired pancreatic polypeptide response to hCRF in type 2 diabetics: restoration to normal by an opioid antagonist.

Administration of synthetic human corticotropin-releasing factor (hCRF, 2 micrograms/kg body weight) to 6 normal men produced a significant rise in plasma pancreatic polypeptide (PP) levels. This PP-stimulating effect of hCRF could not be observed in 6 male Type 2 diabetic patients. Simultaneous application of the opioid antagonist naloxone (1.6 mg i.v. bolus, followed by an infusion at a rate of 1.2 mg/h) led to a restoration of the normal PP response to hCRF in the diabetic patients, while in normal subjects, during this combined treatment, the hCRF-induced PP peak occurred somewhat delayed. Our results provide further evidence for a role of hCRF as a stimulatory factor of PP release in normal men. Moreover, it is suggested that endogenous opioids may be part of a modulatory principle co-regulating the secretion of PP. An elevated tone of such an opioidergic PP control system could be responsible for the impaired PP response to hCRF in Type 2 diabetics.

Adult↗

Effect of modifying the rate of digestion of a food on the blood glucose, amino acid, and endocrine responses in patients with cirrhosis.

To see whether foods with slower rates of digestion may benefit the metabolic abnormalities seen in cirrhosis, the same food, processed in two different ways, was fed to seven patients with cirrhosis. The breakfast of lentils processed by prolonged heating, to produce more rapid in vitro digestion, resulted in a significantly higher incremental rise in large neutral amino acid levels at 60 min (p less than 0.02) and a tendency for a more rapid rise in total amino acid concentrations by comparison with conventionally cooked lentils with slower in vitro digestion rates. After more rapidly digested lentils, incremental levels of branched-chain amino acids were also higher at 60 min (67 +/- 9, p less than 0.001) despite a greater overall insulin response. Comparable incremental amino acid areas after both meals suggested that the total amount of amino acids absorbed was not influenced by processing. Greater blood glucose, insulin, and gastric inhibitory polypeptide responses were seen after the more processed meal with no significant differences in pancreatic glucagon, entroglucagon, or neurotensin levels. Processing a food to alter the rate of digestion may therefore be used to manipulate amino acid, glucose, and endocrine responses in cirrhosis.

Aged↗

Release of peptide YY (PYY) after resection of small bowel, colon, or pancreas in man.

To investigate the possible role of peptide YY (PYY) in the adaptive changes that accompany enterectomy, plasma levels of this peptide were measured during breakfast in patients with resected small or large intestines and in controls. In 18 patients who had undergone partial ileal resection, basal PYY concentrations were greatly elevated when compared with controls (51.4 +/- 8.7 pmol/L versus 10.3 +/- 1.0; p less than 0.001) and the postprandial response was similarly increased. In contrast, PYY concentrations were low in 16 patients who had undergone colonic resection and ileostomy (fasting 7.1 +/- 0.7 pmol/L, p less than 0.01). In eight patients who had undergone pancreatectomies, basal and postprandial PYY levels were moderately increased (23.4 +/- 3.5 pmol/L; fasting p less than 0.001). PYY does not appear to have a role in the adaptive trophic response after small intestinal resection, but it may contribute to reduction of gastric secretion and gastrointestinal transit in these patients.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Intramural distribution of regulatory peptides in the human stomach and duodenum.

The distribution of regulatory peptides was studied by radioimmunoassay in the separated mucosa, submucosa and muscularis externa of the human oxyntic stomach, antrum and duodenum. Immunoreactive gastrin, secretin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide and motilin were virtually confined to the mucosa and duodenal submucosa, where endocrine cells are present. Only minor amounts of motilin and gastrin (3.2 +/- 0.5% and 4.3 +/- 0.8% of their total content, means + SEM, respectively) were found in the separated duodenal muscle. Somatostatin-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-, substance P-, and mammalian bombesin-like peptides showed distinct differential distributions in all layers. Substance P was low in the stomach and markedly increased in the duodenum, especially in the mucosa (fundus 0.8 +/- 0.2 pmol/g, duodenum 66 +/- 12). Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and somatostatin, although well represented in the stomach, also increased in the duodenum in all layers of the wall (whole fundus 281 +/- 33 and 334 +/- 46 pmol/g, antrum 124 +/- 18 and 426 +/- 59, duodenum 507 +/- 99 and 1816 +/- 149, respectively). Mammalian bombesin immunoreactivity was comparatively abundant in the oxyntic stomach (mucosa 34 +/- 4.5 pmol/g, muscularis externa 29 +/- 4.8), less so in the antrum (6.3 +/- 1.5 and 11 +/- 3.2 pmol/g, respectively). Low concentrations of this peptide were measured in the duodenum, practically confined to the muscle (this layer 5.1 +/- 1.5 pmol/g, or 83 +/- 5.6% of the total content).

Aged↗

Epidermal growth factor in blood.

The presence of receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF) in a wide variety of human tissues and also some tumours indicates an as yet undefined role for EGF and it is therefore necessary to know precise concentrations in blood and other fluids. We have investigated the occurrence of EGF in the circulation and found that in platelet rich plasma, EGF levels were 51 +/- 5 pmol/l (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 6) while in platelet poor plasma levels were 2.9 +/- 0.9 pmol/1. In contrast, serum EGF was 37 +/- 7 pmol/l if separated at 30 min and rose to 117 +/- 5 pmol/l if separated at 270 min. Gel chromatography showed that all residual EGF immunoreactivity in platelet poor plasma resided in the high molecular weight form thought to be non biologically active. In serum, delay in separation resulted in an increase in the proportion of EGF immunoreactivity co-eluting with EGF standard. These results suggest that EGF in the circulation is associated with platelets and that the process of blood coagulation leads to release of free EGF.

Blood Platelets↗

Effects of VIP and related peptides and Gila monster venom on genitourinary smooth muscle.

The pharmacological effects of peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), glucagon and secretin were compared with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on rabbit urethra and anococcygeus muscle. VIP and PHI dose-dependently inhibited induced contractions of both smooth muscle preparations. Cross-tachyphylaxis between VIP and PHI was demonstrated in the urethra preparation, suggesting that their activity is mediated via a common receptor or second messenger. Glucagon and secretin were without effect on either preparation. Radioimmunoassays demonstrated substantial concentrations of VIP and PHI in both urethra and anococcygeus tissue extracts. These observations suggest that PHI is an additional candidate together with VIP to mediate relaxation of rabbit urethra and anococcygeus muscle. When compared with VIP, Gila monster venom was found to inhibit both smooth muscle preparations, producing concentration-response curves parallel to those produced by VIP.

Animals↗

Octadecaneuropeptide, benzodiazepine ligand, -like immunoreactivity in rat central nervous system, plasma and peripheral tissues.

Using a specific radioimmunoassay we have investigated the distribution of octadecaneuropeptide (a putative endogenous ligand at the benzodiazepine receptor)-like immunoreactivity (ODN-IR) in rat brain and peripheral tissues. Highest concentrations in brain were found in the hypothalamus, cerebellum and substantia nigra. Significant concentrations of ODN-IR were found in all peripheral tissues studied and in plasma. Chromatographic analysis revealed several molecular forms; one major form, indistinguishable from the synthetic peptide, was found predominantly in peripheral tissues and in plasma, while another major form, of higher molecular weight, was found in brain, peripheral tissues and plasma. Although ODN-IR was present in the synaptosomal fraction, concentrations in the microsomal fraction were higher than for other neuropeptides studied.

Animals↗

Characterization of neuromedin U like immunoreactivity in rat, porcine, guinea-pig and human tissue extracts using a specific radioimmunoassay.

Two novel bioactive peptides termed neuromedin U-8 and neuromedin U-25 have recently been isolated from porcine spinal cord but nothing is known of their occurrence and molecular forms in other species. Following gel permeation chromatography, a specific radioimmunoassay detected only a single molecular form of neuromedin U-like immunoreactivity (NmU-LI) in rat, porcine and human central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Only guinea pig tissue extracts revealed two molecular forms of NmU-Li. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis demonstrated that porcine NmU-LI co-eluted with synthetic neuromedin U-25 standard. Human and rat NmU-LI however, was more hydrophobic on HPLC thus indicating species differences.

Animals↗

Depletion of neuropeptides during wound healing in rat skin.

The peptides substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide and somatostatin are present in nerve fibres in mammalian, including human, skin. There is evidence that in addition to having a putative neurotransmitter role, they may be trophic agents: a study was therefore undertaken of peptide changes during wound healing in rat skin. A significant depletion of the neuropeptides was found in the region of the wound within two days, and this persisted for two weeks. A smaller and delayed depletion also occurred in intact skin of the same dermatome, but not in an adjacent dermatome.

Animals↗