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Hepatocytes of Zones 1 and 3 conjugate sulfobromophthalein with glutathione.

The capacity of hepatocytes of Zones 1 and 3 of the liver acinus to conjugate sulfobromophthalein (BSP) with glutathione and to secrete the conjugate into bile was studied. BSP was infused into the in situ perfused rat liver in concentrations of 0.01 and 0.05 mM. Perfusions were performed either in the portal to hepatic vein direction (forward perfusion) or in the hepatic vein to portal vein direction (retrograde perfusion). Hepatocytes contributing to the uptake, metabolism and biliary secretion of BSP were directly assessed qualitatively by light microscopy, and also semiquantitatively by microspectrophotometry. BSP was taken up predominantly by hepatocytes of Zone 1 during forward perfusion and by those of Zone 3 during the retrograde perfusion of BSP. The biliary products of BSP metabolism by each acinar zone were subsequently assessed. Hepatocytes of both Zones 1 and 3 of the acinus secreted BSP into bile in the form of BSP-glutathione, and BSP-glutathione conjugate represented about 78% of the total BSP secreted into bile by each zone. The rate of BSP biliary secretion by both zones was similar at a concentration of 0.01 mM BSP, while a slight decrease (15%) in BSP secretory rate by hepatocytes of zone 3 was observed at concentrations of BSP near biliary Tm. Liver perfusion with exogenous BSP-glutathione provided results similar to those obtained with BSP. In contrast, the perfusion of 3,6- dibromosulphthalein , a compound which is not conjugated by hepatocytes, resulted in similar biliary secretory rates regardless of the direction of perfusion. These results indicate that: (a) the capacity for glutathione conjugation of BSP is distributed among hepatocytes of all acinar zones; (b) near biliary Tm, the biliary secretory rate of BSP by hepatocytes of Zone 3 is slower than that of hepatocytes of zone 1, and (c) in vivo, all hepatocytes likely contribute to the uptake, metabolism and biliary secretion of BSP.

Animals↗

Dynamics of prolactin secretion from diethylstilbestrol-induced rat prolactinoma tissue in vitro.

Experiments were performed to determine whether PRL secretion in the rat diethylstilbestrol (DES)-induced prolactinoma model is affected by the addition of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and/or immunoneutralization of intrapituitary vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in vitro. Male Fischer 344 rats were implanted with either a 10 mg DES or placebo pellet 30 days prior to obtaining the anterior pituitary glands for perifusion. The anterior pituitaries were quartered and used in three different perifusion experiments. In Experiment I, placebo-treated tissue channels were perifused for 2 baseline hr followed consecutively by a 30-min exposure to 1:100 nonimmune rabbit serum (NRS), a 30-min wash, and a final 30-min exposure to 10(-5) M TRH. Additional placebo channels were run as above except 1:100 VIP antiserum (AVIP) was substituted for NRS and AVIP was added to the TRH. In Experiment II, the same perifusion protocol was used as in Experiment I, except DES-induced tumor tissue was used instead of placebo tissue. Results from Experiment I and II reveal that AVIP significantly decreased PRL secretory rate in both DES and placebo groups. In the tumor group, both TRH alone and in the presence of AVIP significantly increased the PRL secretory rate. In Experiment III DES-induced tumor tissue channels were perifused with a similar protocol, except the concentrations of NRS and AVIP were increased to 1:10. Both NRS and AVIP significantly decreased PRL secretory rate; however, AVIP had a significantly greater effect than NRS. In this experiment, 1:10 AVIP overcame the stimulatory effect of TRH. In conclusion, AVIP decreases and TRH increases, even in the presence of AVIP, PRL release in DES-induced prolactinoma tissue in vitro. Increasing the AVIP concentration 10-fold diminished the PRL-releasing action of TRH in the tumor tissue. These data suggested that PRL secretion is not autonomous in these prolactinomas and can be affected by exogenous TRH and partial immunoneutralization of endogenous VIP.

Animals↗

Calcium-dependent inhibition of renin secretion: TMB-8 is a non-specific antagonist.

Intracellular Ca (Cai) is an inhibitory second messenger in renin secretion, and it has been hypothesized that some first messengers--especially angiotensin II [A-II] and antidiuretic hormone [ADH], and possibly A1-adenosine receptor antagonists as well--increase Cai and thereby inhibit renin secretion by causing the release or mobilization of Ca from intracellular sites of sequestration. The present experiments were designed to test this hypothesis, by using 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino)-octyl ester (TMB-8), a putative antagonist of Ca release from intracellular sequestration sites. The rat renal cortical slices preparation was used. Basal renin secretory rate was unaffected by 1 and 10 microM TMB-8, but more than doubled in response to 100 microM TMB-8. Basal renin secretory rate was inhibited by A-II (1 microM), by ADH (200 units/1), by an A1-adenosine receptor agonist (N6-cyclohexyladenosine, or CHA; 0.5 microM), and by an alpha-adrenergic agonist (methoxamine; 10 microM). Only the inhibitory effect of methoxamine was blocked by 1 and 10 microM TMB-8, but these concentrations had no effect on basal secretory rate. At 100 microM, TMB-8 blocked the inhibitory effects of ADH as well as of methoxamine, but failed to block the inhibitory effects of CHA and A-II. However, these observations cannot be taken as evidence that methoxamine and ADH, but not CHA and A-II, inhibit renin secretion by a mechanism involving release of Ca from intracellular sequestration sites, because 100 microM TMB-8 clearly had non-specific effects. Among them, it completely blocked the inhibitory effect of K-depolarization on renin secretion. Collectively, at least three separate actions of TMB-8 must be invoked to explain the present results. Likely candidates are an Na-channel blocking effect and a Ca channel blocking effect in addition to antagonism of the release of Cai.

Adenosine↗

Fade and tachyphylaxis of gastric acid secretory response to pentagastrin in rat isolated gastric mucosa.

1. Gastric acid secretory responses to pentagastrin were characterized in the rat isolated gastric mucosa. In particular, the mechanisms underlying fade, declining response upon continued stimulation, and tachyphylaxis, progressively reduced responses upon repeated stimulation, were investigated. 2. Pentagastrin, 10(-9)-10(-7) M, resulted in concentration-related increases in acid secretion, with a mean maximum of 2.65 mumol cm-2 h-1 in response to pentagastrin, 10(-7) M. Higher concentrations of pentagastrin produced sub-maximal secretory rates; we define this as auto-inhibition. The responses to all concentrations of pentagastrin demonstrated fade. The rate of fade was correlated with the maximum acid secretory rate, declining at about 36% of the peak over the first 16 min. 3. The PO2, PCO2, [HCO3-], pH, [glucose], [lactate], [Na+] and [K+] did not decline during the fade of the acid secretory response to pentagastrin, 10(-7) M. Addition of a second aliquot of pentagastrin was not able to reverse fade, but these tissues were responsive to histamine. Replacement of the serosal solution, before addition of a second aliquot of pentagastrin, increased the acid response from 3% to 24% of the first response. 4. Serosal solution from donor tissues, allowed to respond to pentagastrin and then the acid secretion to fade, was able to stimulate secretion in fresh recipient tissues, although at lower rates. 5. Acid secretory responses to a second dose of pentagastrin were not significantly different, whether the tissues were previously unstimulated, or stimulated with pentagastrin washed out after attaining its peak secretory response (after 10-20 min). The second response was significantly reduced if the first response was allowed to fade with the pentagastrin in contact for 100 min; i.e. fade significantly influenced the extent of tachyphylaxis. 6. Proglumide, 10(-2) M, a gastrin receptor antagonist, and omeprazole, 10(-5) M, an inhibitor of the gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase, both inhibited pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion to similar extents. The second response to pentagastrin after pentagastrin alone, or pentagastrin plus omeprazole were both reduced compared to responses after no stimulation or omeprazole alone, respectively. After pentagastrin plus proglumide, the second response to pentagastrin was not lower than after proglumide alone. Proglumide, but not omeprazole, therefore, prevented pentagastrin tachyphylaxis. 7. It is concluded that gastrin fade and tachyphylaxis are related phenomena. Part of the fade may be due to release of an inhibitor(s). The major proportion of tachyphylaxis is a result of specific interaction of gastrin with its receptors.

Animals↗

The turnover and distribution of labelled corticosterone during post-natal development of the duckling (Anas platyrhynchos).

During 6 months of post-natal development in the laboratory, the weight of the adrenal gland relative to body weight decreases exponentially. In the 3 day-old duckling a single intravenous dose of labelled corticosterone becomes distributed in a very large apparent volume and an "extracellular" pool that is greater than the extracellular fluid volume and the pattern of disappearance of labelled hormone from plasma is biphasic. Later during development the volumes of distribution decrease and the biphasic pattern of disappearance becomes less distinct until at 6 months only one phase of disappearance can be detected with confidence. No significant change in plasma corticosterone concentration occurs during this period of development in the laboratory. Estimations of the corticosterone secretory rates, however, indicate that whereas the adrenal weight-specific rate os secretion increases during the first 3 weeks and declines therafter, the bodyf weight-specific secretory rate continues to decline throughtout the period of increasing body weight.

Adrenal Glands↗

Ethinylestradiol stimulates a biliary cholesterol-phospholipid cosecretion mechanism in the hamster.

The mechanism of ethinylestradiol-induced biliary secretion of excess cholesterol, a potential causative factor of cholesterol gallstones, is not yet known. It might be related to altered bile acid metabolism, since the rate of cholesterol and phospholipid secreted into bile is thought to be influenced by the hydrophobicity of the bile acid species secreted. We therefore studied the effect of ethinylestradiol on bile acid metabolism and on secretory relationships between taurocholate and cholesterol/phospholipids in bile. Litter-matched Syrian female hamsters (80 to 100 gm body weight) were injected subcutaneously with either 0.2 ml per day corn oil (controls) or a pharmacologic dose of 5 mg per kg per day ethinylestradiol in corn oil (EE-hamsters; n = 6) for 5 days. On Day 6, bile was collected for 60 min (basal secretory rate) via a bile duct fistula after exclusion of the gallbladder. Then, a graded infusion of taurocholate was given for 110 to 130 min. Secretory rates (nmoles.min-1.-1 liver) for bile acids, cholesterol and phospholipids were determined and their mutual "linkage coefficients" (nmoles of secretory increment per 1 nmole of bile acid secreted) calculated by linear regression analysis. EE-hamsters had higher (p less than 0.02) basal secretory rates of cholesterol (0.71 +/- 0.21 vs. 0.45 +/- 0.10) and phospholipids (5.74 +/- 1.04 vs. 4.21 +/- 0.73) than controls at comparable bile flow and bile salt secretion rates. Cholic acid pool size and the fractional composition of bile acid species in bile were similar.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Cardiac hypertrophy and brain natriuretic peptide in experimental hypertension.

The blood pressure was decreased after chronic treatment with enalapril, MK-954, and hydralazine in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-induced malignant hypertension of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR); however, ventricular weight and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration were decreased after enalapril and MK-954 but not after hydralazine. The BNP secretory rates from the ventricle in enalapril- and MK-954-treated DOCA-salt SHR were decreased to approximately 50% of those in untreated DOCA-salt SHR. The BNP secretory rate from the ventricle was positively correlated with ventricular weight in untreated and treated DOCA-salt SHR. In contrast, acute administration of captopril or MK-954 did not decrease the BNP secretory rate from the heart. Results suggest that the decrease in plasma BNP after enalapril and MK-954 is attributed to a decline in the secretion from the ventricle but not from the atrium. The reduction in ventricular mass appeared to be related to this decline.

Animals↗

Relationship between resting glucose consumption and insulin secretion in the ovine fetus.

In the chronically catheterized fetal sheep, umbilical glucose uptake has previously been found to be related to maternal glucose concentration over a wide range of values. The relative contribution of fetal insulin secretion to resting umbilical glucose uptake has not previously been assessed. Simultaneous measurements of umbilical glucose uptake and an estimate of fetal insulin secretory rate were performed in 21 fetal lambs in late gestation over 1-hour sampling periods. Because of the relatively narrow range of maternal blood glucose concentrations, no relationship was apparent between maternal glucose concentration and umbilical glucose uptake. However, a significant relationship was present between the area beneath the insulin concentration curve, a rough estimate of insulin secretory rate, and umbilical glucose uptake. The data suggest that fetal insulin secretory rate may be an important regulator of fetal glucose uptake under physiologic circumstances.

Animals↗

Basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric secretion in young horses.

Equine gastric secretion was studied using a gastric cannula model after fasting (basal) and pentagastrin infusion. Gastric secretory rate, pH, osmolality, and electrolyte concentrations and outputs were determined over a 5-h period. Dose-response tests estimated that the maximally effective intravenous dose of pentagastrin was between 3 and 6 micrograms.kg-1.h-1. Basal secretory rate was 278 +/- 29 (SE) ml/15 min, and the pH was 2.00 +/- 0.31. Pentagastrin infusion at 6 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 increased secretory rate to 533 +/- 60 ml/15 min and decreased pH to 1.41 +/- 0.11. Basal gastric acid concentration and output were 38 +/- 5 meq/l and 211 +/- 36 mu eg.kg-1.h-1, respectively. Pentagastrin increased acid concentration to 60 +/- 5 meq/l and acid output to 474 +/- 61 mu eq.kg-1.h-1. Gastric fluid osmolality remained hypotonic during both basal and pentagastrin conditions. Sodium concentration remained high in comparison with hydrogen ion concentration, and sodium output increased during pentagastrin infusion. Equine gastric secretion did not attain maximal acid concentrations nor the marked drop in pH, which has been reported for other monogastric species. These data suggest that in the horse a large nonparietal component exists that modifies parietal secretions and is increased by pentagastrin stimulation.

Animals↗

Effect of the terpenic compound epomediol on biliary secretion and bile composition in the rat.

The aim of the present investigation was to define the role of the synthetic terpenoid epomediol on biliary secretion in rats recovered from anaesthesia, in stabilized conditions and receiving an intravenous infusion of Na+ taurocholate (120 or 240 nmol.min-1 per 100 g body wt.) or physiologic saline (NaCl 0.16 M). Epomediol was administered at the rate of 20 and 50 mg.kg-1 per h, through a second syringe connected to the same vein catheter. Bile flow was increased up to 67% according to the model. The effect of epomediol is dose-dependent, associated with enhanced Na+ transport into bile and with an increased anionic gap. The extent of epomediol action also changes according to the different rates of bile acid secretion. At low secretory rates a greater choleretic action was observed with epomediol. The effect was negligible for a secretion of bile acids above 350 nmol.min-1 per 100 g body wt. Excretion into bile of the epomediol glucuronide was not hampered by high Na+ taurocholate output. This suggests that there is no competition of the two anions for a common excretory pathway at the studied rates. The effect of epomediol seems due to a mechanism of action both independent and additive to the mechanism for bile acids. The presence of additivity of the two choleretic mechanisms at low flow and bile acid secretion and the loss of action at high secretory rates, suggests that the maximal capacity of passage for water into bile was reached.

Animals↗

Alterations in the kinetics of C-peptide and insulin secretion in hyperthyroidism.

Previous studies investigating the mechanisms underlying the hyperinsulinemia observed in hyperthyroid subjects have demonstrated increased, normal, or reduced insulin secretory rates when peripheral concentrations of C-peptide were used as a marker of beta-cell function. In this study, using individually derived C-peptide kinetic parameters, insulin secretion rates were calculated directly from plasma C-peptide concentrations in 13 hyperthyroid and 13 euthyroid control subjects matched for age, weight, and sex. Eight subjects in each group were studied during a 24-h period in which they ate three mixed meals, whereas the remaining five were studied during a 3-h hyperglycemic clamp. Although insulin secretory rates under basal conditions in both groups were similar, the hyperthyroid group had an enhanced insulin secretory response to meals and, accordingly, the total amount of insulin secreted over 24 h was significantly greater (P < 0.02) in this group. Insulin secretory rates were also 50% higher in the hyperthyroid subjects during the hyperglycemic clamp at a time when glucose levels in both groups were comparable. Despite these differences in secretion, the C-peptide concentrations were not significantly different. Analysis of C-peptide clearance kinetics using multivariate analysis demonstrated that the mean clearance rate of C-peptide was significantly increased (P < 0.02) in the hyperthyroid group. Thus, stimulated insulin secretion rates are significantly increased in thyrotoxicosis possibly reflecting an increased sensitivity of the beta-cell to glucose in subjects who are hyperthyroid. However, due to the rapid clearance of C-peptide from the circulation in the setting of hyperthyroidism, differences in beta-cell secretory responses between hyperthyroid and euthyroid subjects may not be evident by measurement of C-peptide levels alone.

Adult↗

Guanylin strongly stimulates rat duodenal HCO3- secretion: proposed mechanism and comparison with other secretagogues.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Guanylin and heat-stable enterotoxin (STa) stimulate intestinal Cl- secretion via activation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR)-encoded Cl- channel. It was speculated that CFTR activation also regulates electrogenic duodenal HCO3- secretion. Therefore, the effect of guanylin/STa and other secretagogues on rat duodenal HCO3- secretion was studied. METHODS: The HCO3- secretory rate of in vitro rat proximal duodenum was determined by pH stat titration and paracellular permeability by 3H-mannitol fluxes, bidirectional 36Cl- fluxes were measured, and the short-circuit current (Isc) was recorded. RESULTS: Luminal guanylin and STa concentration dependently stimulated the HCO3- secretory rate and Isc. Guanylin-stimulated HCO3- secretion was independent of luminal Cl-, inhibited by the Cl- channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate, and additive to the HCO3- secretory rate stimulated by glucagon and carbachol but not by the tested adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent agonists. The ratio of the HCO3- secretory rate/Isc stimulated by the tested guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent agonists was markedly higher than the cAMP-dependent agonists. Prostaglandin E2 and 8-bromo-cAMP but not STa/guanylin also transiently increased paracellular permeability. CONCLUSIONS: Guanylin and STa stimulate electrogenic HCO3- secretion in rat duodenum, most likely via CFTR Cl- channel activation, but the different relationship for HCO3- to Isc in cGMP-than in cAMP-stimulated anion secretion suggests a different cellular source and/or signaling pathways.

Animals↗

Carcinoembryonic antigen production, secretion, and kinetics in BALB/c mice and a nude mouse-human tumor model.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is currently being used as a target antigen in the radioimmunodetection of cancer. Circulating CEA may adversely affect the outcome of such studies by formation of intravascular immune complexes. The following studies were undertaken to expand our knowledge of the production, secretion, and pharmacokinetics of CEA, since these factors should have a direct bearing on the serum levels of CEA encountered in radioimmunodetection. The production of CEA was assessed in nude mice given implants of the T-380 CEA secreting human colon tumor. Serum CEA rose linearly as the tumors enlarged; however, the concentration of CEA per g of extracted tumor remained constant throughout the weight range studied. The secretory rate of the T-380 tumor was determined by surgically removing all blood flow to the liver and gastrointestinal tract of the nude mouse model. This procedure removes the known sites of CEA degradation. Serum CEA levels rose progressively following surgery, the values being directly related to the tumor size. The secretory rate was also proportional to tumor size but was a constant 13.8 +/- 3.6 (S.D.) ng/g tumor/hr when expressed on a per g tumor basis. To determine if the serum levels of CEA observed in patients could be due to unique differences in the clearance rates of each patient's CEA, serum from three patients with CEA levels of 2150, 709, and 58 ng/ml was administered i.v. to groups of mice at the original and diluted concentrations. The kinetics of all samples followed a single exponential clearance pattern with a half-time of about 2.5 hr. This was dramatically different from the kinetics of tumor-extracted CEA which exhibited a multiexponential pattern, the first component having a half-time of 3 min. These data suggest that CEA secreted by a tumor is in some way different from that adhering to the tumor. If the secreted CEA truly has a monoexponential clearance with a fixed rate as the experiments suggest, the absolute values of serum CEA are either entirely a function of the tumor secretory rate, or else the product having the short half-time is not measured in serum samples obtained from patients.

Animals↗

Alterations in the secretion of atrial natriuretic factor in atria from aged rats.

We measured plasma atrial natriuretic factor levels and atrial natriuretic factor secretion by isolated left atria from aging rats to determine the secretory response to stretch and adrenergic stimulation. Systolic arterial pressure and right atrial pressure were measured in vivo. Twenty-four hours later, atria were removed and studied in vitro in a perifusion system. After removal, stabilization at 0.7 g tension, and equilibration for 65 minutes, atria were stretched by increasing external tension for 20 minutes. After reequilibration atria were perifused with phenylephrine, 10(-5) M, for an additional 30 minutes. Right atrial pressure was not different between young (3 months) and aged (16-24 months) rats. Aged rats had higher plasma atrial natriuretic factor levels (52 +/- 8 versus 21 +/- 6 pmol/l; p less than 0.05) than young rats. Basal atrial natriuretic factor secretory rate in vitro was greater in atria from aged rats than young rats (875 +/- 35 versus 402 +/- 22 pg/min; p less than 0.05). Atria from aged rats had an increased response to phenylephrine compared with young rats (1,687 +/- 143 versus 788 +/- 113 pg/min; p less than 0.05) when means were adjusted for basal secretory rate. The secretory response to stretch was less than that of young rats (673 +/- 37 versus 773 +/- 27 pg/min), although this difference was not significant (p = 0.07). Atrial natriuretic factor secretion in response to adrenergic stimulation is increased with aging, and these secretory responses may contribute to increased plasma levels that occur during aging. In contrast to increased adrenergic responses, atrial natriuretic factor secretion after external stretch is not increased in aging rats.

Aging↗

Vanadate-induced inhibition of renin secretion is unrelated to inhibition Na,K-ATPase activity.

There is evidence that three inhibitors of Na,K-ATPase activity--ouabain, K-free extracellular fluid, and vanadate--inhibit renin secretion by increasing Ca2+ concentration in juxtaglomerular cells, but in the case of vanadate, it is uncertain whether the increase in Ca2+ is due to a decrease in Ca2+ efflux (inhibition of Ca-ATPase activity, or inhibition of Na,K-ATPase activity, followed by an increase in intracellular Na+ and a decrease in Na-Ca exchange) or to an increase in Ca2+ influx through potential operated Ca channels (inhibition of electrogenic Na,K transport, followed by membrane depolarization and activation of Ca channels). In the present experiments, the rat renal cortical slice preparation was used to compare and contrast the effects of ouabain, of K-free fluid, and of vanadate on renin secretion, in the absence and presence of methoxyverapamil, a Ca channel blocker. Basal renin secretory rate averaged 7.7 +/- 0.3 GU/g/60 min, and secretory rate was reduced to nearly zero by 1 mM ouabain, by K-free fluid, by 0.5 mM vanadate, and by K-depolarization (increasing extracellular K+ to 60 mM). Although 0.5 microM methoxyverapamil completely blocked the inhibitory effect of K-depolarization, it failed to antagonize the inhibitory effects of ouabain, of K-free fluid, and of vanadate. A concentration of methoxyverapamil two hundred times higher (100 microM) completely blocked the inhibitory effects of vanadate, but still failed to antagonize the effects of ouabain and of K-free fluid. Collectively, these observations demonstrate that vanadate-induced inhibition of renin secretion cannot be attributed entirely to Na,K-ATPase inhibition, since in the presence of methoxyverapamil, the effect of vanadate differed from the effects of either ouabain (a specific Na,K-ATPase inhibitor) or K-free fluid. Moreover, it cannot be attributed entirely to a depolarization-induced influx of Ca2+ through potential-operated Ca channels, since methoxyverapamil antagonized K-depolarization-induced inhibition of renin secretion much more effectively than it antagonized vanadate-induced inhibition.

Animals↗

Integral as well as proportional adrenal responses to ACTH.

To characterize adrenal responses to ACTH, conscious dogs were infused for 40 min with normal saline or 20-1,500 ng/min alpha-ACTH. Plasma ACTH and corticosteroid levels were measured during the infusion and for 80 min after the end of the infusion. Half-maximal plateau corticosteroid responses were achieved with ACTH levels of 105 pg/ml (23 pM); a maximal plateau corticosteroid response (10.2 micrograms/100 ml) resulted from ACTH levels greater than 335 pg/ml (74 pM). When levels of ACTH between 335 and 3,000 pg/ml were achieved during the 40-min infusion, the duration of maximal corticosteroid levels was prolonged beyond the duration of the ACTH infusion. Plasma ACTH concentration decreased after the end of the infusion with a half-disappearance time of 3.6 +/- 0.2 min, but plasma corticosteroid concentrations and cortisol and corticosteroid secretory rates remained at or above the plateau secretory rates during the infusion and for about 80 min after the end of an infusion of 1,000 ng ACTH/min. When the total corticosteroid responses to the ACTH infusions were estimated, the relationship between the total corticosteroid response and the logarithm of the ACTH concentration was linear for 80-3,000 pg ACTH/ml.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Prolactin secretion and sleep.

To clarify the relationship between prolactin (PRL) secretion and sleep, three experimental procedures were employed and secretory rates were estimated from plasma levels using a deconvolution procedure. Eight healthy young men participated in two 24-hour studies, one using normal night sleep and one using delayed sleep, to determine the influence of sleep as a whole on the PRL rhythm. Another group of 24 subjects underwent a 1-night study to investigate the relationship between PRL secretion and the internal sleep structure. The influence of sleep quality was studied in two more groups of eight subjects. Secretory rates were calculated by deconvolution from plasma PRL measured at 10-minute intervals. Sleep was recorded polygraphically in all experiments. PRL secretory pulses occurred throughout the 24-hour cycle without significant variation in frequency, but with enhanced pulse amplitude for both night and day sleep periods. Sleep onset was rapidly followed by an increase in secretion, and awakenings coincided with an immediate offset of active secretion. Analyzing the association between secretory pulses and sleep stages demonstrated that PRL secretory rate is low at the time of rapid eye movement sleep onset. Sleep quality appeared not to affect the PRL secretory profile. These results confirmed that PRL secretion is enhanced during the whole sleep period, as inferred from plasma levels. Considering secretory pulses provides a precise determination of the temporal relations between PRL and sleep structure and demonstrates that occasionally poor sleep does not influence PRL secretion in normal humans.

Adult↗

Effects of Aloe preparation on the histamine-induced gastric secretion in rats.

The effects of Aloe preparation containing 80% Aloe gel on the gastric acid, pepsin and mucus secretion were evaluated in histamine-induced gastric fistula model in rats by comparison to the effects of placebo and fresh Aloe gel. Aloe preparation and placebo at a dose of 8 ml/kg inhibited gastric acid but stimulated pepsin secretory rates. On the other hand, fresh Aloe gel at a dose of 6.4 ml/kg prolonged histamine stimulatory effects on the gastric acid secretion while it inhibited gastric pepsin secretion. Both Aloe preparation and placebo increased soluble mucus secretory rate in a dose-dependent manner whereas fresh Aloe gel had no effect. The Aloe preparation and placebo at a dose of 8 ml/kg increased the gastric visible mucus content while fresh Aloe gel slightly increased the visible mucus content. This study reveals that fresh Aloe gel prolonged the effects of histamine-stimulated acid secretion and inhibits pepsin secretion in histamine-treated rats. The Aloe preparation inhibited gastric acid, stimulated pepsin and mucus secretion. However, there were no difference in the secretory rates of Aloe preparation and placebo-treated rats at the same doses. This result indicates that the observed effects of Aloe preparation was mostly due to other compositions of the preparation rather than Aloe gel itself. Since the highest dose of Aloe gel preparation used in the present study was limited by the volume of the instilled solution in gastric fistula model, the effects of Aloe vera gel were not able to be observed in the present study might be due to the inadequate dose of the preparation.

Aloe↗