Phorbol ester, prolactin, and relaxin cause translocation of protein kinase C from cytosol to membranes in human endometrial cells.

Incubation of endometrial cells with 100 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) for 2, 5, 10 and 30 min decreased cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC) activity to 80%, 68%, 66%, and 72% of the control values, while membrane-associated PKC increased to 116%, 168%, 154% and 134% of the control values, respectively. Long-term incubation of cells with TPA resulted in a loss in total PKC activity. Treatment of secretory endometrial cells with prolactin (100 ng/ml) decreased cytosolic PKC to 64% (10 min) and 72% (20 min) while membrane PKC increased to 133% (10 min) and 158% (20 min) compared to control values.

Stimulation of pituitary hormone secretion by neurotransmitter amino acids in humans.

The effects of several neurotransmitter amino acids on pituitary hormone secretion were examined in normal humans. Oral administration of 10 g of glutamic acid stimulated the secretion of prolactin (PRL) and cortisol to approximately twice baseline values, with no effect on GH, TSH or LH. Aspartic acid (10 g), taurine (5 g), and cysteine (5 or 10 g) had no consistent effect on any hormone measured, although the lack of effect of aspartic acid may relate to the modest increments in serum concentration achieved.

Comparison of guanfacine versus clonidine for efficacy, safety and occurrence of withdrawal syndrome in step-2 treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension.

Guanfacine, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, was compared with clonidine as step-2 therapy of mild to moderate essential hypertension in a 24-week, double-blind, randomized, parallel evaluation to determine efficacy, safety and occurrence of withdrawal syndrome. During a 5-week period, patients were weaned from current antihypertensives, if any, and stabilized on step-1 therapy with 25 mg of chlorthalidone once a day. Those with a diastolic blood pressure (BP) from 95 to 114 mm Hg while taking chlorthalidone were randomized to treatment.

Identification of calmodulin-sensitive and calmodulin-insensitive adenylate cyclase in rat kidney.

Adenylate cyclase from rat kidney membranes solubilized with Lubrol-PX, was resolved into calmodulin-insensitive and calmodulin-sensitive forms using DEAE-Sephacel and calmodulin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The major fraction, 90% of the activity recovered, did not bind to the calmodulin-Sepharose in the presence of Ca2+, and was insensitive to activation by calmodulin. The calmodulin-sensitive enzyme, approximately 10% of the recovered activity, bound to the affinity column and was eluted with buffer containing 2 mM EGTA.

Involvement of calmodulin in the regulation of adenylate cyclase activity in guinea-pig enterocytes.

The involvement of calmodulin as an activator of adenylate cyclase activity was examined in isolated guinea-pig enterocytes and in a membrane preparation. In enterocytes, which responded to prostaglandin E1, vasoactive intestinal peptide and cholera toxin with a significant increase in the rate of cAMP formation trifluoperazine, a calmodulin antagonist, completely inhibited cAMP formation. In a membrane preparation adenylate cyclase activity was stimulated 10-20-fold by the GTP analog, guanosine 5'-[beta-imido]5'-triphosphate (Gpp[NH]p).

Double-blind comparison of ketazolam, diazepam and placebo in once-a-day vs t.i.d. dosing.

Comparison of ketazolam given once-a-day with diazepam given three times a day and placebo given either once or 3 times a day in 101 anxious outpatients showed ketazolam to be significantly better than placebo in alleviating the symptoms of anxiety and, on several measures of efficacy, better than diazepam as well. Significantly fewer patients on ketazolam dropped out of the study due to ineffective medication than on the other 3 treatments. The incidence of side effects was lowest in the ketazolam group.

Hepatic metabolism of vitamin D3 in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat.

The effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the in vitro conversion of vitamin D3 to 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25-OHD3) by isolated liver microsomes from rachitic rats was examined. Enzymic activity was significantly less than that observed in control animals (P less than 0.001).

Osteomalacia and celiac disease: response to 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

In this 54 year old woman with celiac disease, osteomalacia developed while she was on a gluten-free diet which had caused regression of her steatorrhea. She was not responsive to large doses of parenterally administered dihydrotachysterol and calcium, but she was responsive to the oral administration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3). The data suggest that 25-OHD3 is the treatment of choice for patients with vitamin D deficiency due to intestinal malabsorption.

Serum thyroid hormones changes in patients undergoing Caesarean section under general or regional anaesthesia.

The effects of anaesthesia on serum thyroid hormones were studied in 32 pregnant young women undergoing Caesarean section at term. Eighteen patients received general anaesthesia and 14 lumbar extradural blockade. Maternal serum concentrations of thyrotrophin (TSH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) were measured using radioimmunoassay at 0, delivery and 24 h.

Significance of serum level of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in gastrointestinal disease.

The serum 25-OHCC concentration was measured in 151 patients in order to evaluate the potential use of this determination in the management of gastrointestinal disorders. Patients with functional bowel disease had lower serum mean 25-OHCC levels than normals. The results were divided into normal (greater than 21 ng/ml), low normal (12-21 ng/ml), and low levels (less than 21 ng/ml).

Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin on adenylate cyclase activity and testosterone content in rat testicular mitochondria.

The adneylate cyclase activity and the concentration of testosterone in testicular mitochondria from immature rats were measured after administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) or dibutyryl cyclic AMP in vivo or in vitro. Intratesticular injection of HCG produced an increase in adenylate cyclase activity which preceded the rise in the level of testosterone, whereas addition of the trophic hormone in vitro resulted simultaneous increases. Administration of dibutyryl cyclic AMP in vivo enhanced the testosterone content of the mitochondria.

Amniotic fluid adenosine 3',5' - monophosphate in prostaglandin-induced midtrimester abortions.

Cyclic adenosine 3'5-monophosphate (cAMP) was serially measured in the amniotic fluid (AF) of 9 patients undergoing midtrimester abortions induced by intraamniotic prostaglandins. The results demonstrate an increase in AF cAMP ranging from 2- to 7-fold within the 6 hours of observation. The fetal heart tones were closely monitored by a Doppler instrument and the time from injection of abortifacient to fetal demise (IDT) and to fetal expulsion (IAT) was accurately recorded.

Effects of growth hormone in osteoporosis.

The effect of chronic administration of growth hormone (GH) to osteoporotic patients was studied using the techniques of total body neutron activation analysis, whole body counting, calcium tracer kinetics, photon absorptiometry, quantitative microradiography, and urinary hydroxyproline. Two dosage schedules were utilized for six months each: 2 units daily and 0.2 w3/4 units of GH daily (where W represents body weight expressed in kg).