LONG-TERM USE OF GLUCOCORTICOID MODULATED PARATHYROID HORMONE LEVELS IN OSTEOPOROSIS PATIENTS.

Glucocorticoids are drugs that are often used in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Their anti-inflammatory action is often utilized to treat a variety of diseases. A range of undesirable outcomes might occur with long-term glucocorticoid use, particularly long-term high-dose applications.

Homocysteine uptake by human umbilical vein endothelial cells in culture.

The characteristics of the uptake of L-homocysteine by cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells have been examined. Uptake occurred by Na(+)-dependent and Na(+)-independent systems, but was essentially independent of the pH of the uptake medium. The Na(+)-independent system corresponded to system L, being totally inhibited by the presence of beta-2-aminobicyclo(2,2,1)heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH) a system L analogue.

Transport of L-cystine in human umbilical vein endothelial cells in culture.

The uptake of L-cystine into cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells has been shown to occur by a Na+-independent system which is inhibited by L-glutamate and L-homocysteine, but not by other amino acids. It is likely that the system transporting L-cystine is shared by L-glutamate. Thiol groups associated with membrane bound components appear to be essential for L-cystine uptake but it is not yet evident whether these constitute an integral part of the transporter per se.