Immunohistochemical demonstration of the mineralocorticoid receptor, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 and -2, and hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in rat ovary.

An IHC survey using several monoclonal antibodies against different portions of the rat mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) molecule demonstrated significant specific MR immunoreactivity in the ovary, prompting further study of the localization of MR and of determinants of extrinsic MR ligand specificity, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) types 1 and 2, and hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH). MR expression (real-time RT-PCR and Western blot) did not differ significantly in whole rat ovaries at early diestrus, late diestrus, estrus, and a few hours after ovulation. MR immunostaining was most intense in corporal lutea cells, light to moderate in oocytes and granulosa cells, and least intense in theca cells.

The influence of physical activity on alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers participating in an alcohol treatment intervention.

Researchers have hypothesized that physical activity may be beneficial for individuals attempting to reduce their alcohol consumption, although few studies have actually tested this relationship. The purpose of the present study was to describe the physical activity of 620 male veterans enrolled in a treatment intervention study for heavy drinkers, and to determine whether greater involvement in physical activity was associated with greater reductions in alcohol consumption. Participants endorsed moderate physical activity at the baseline visit (median=1.

Counseling for home-based walking and strength exercise in older primary care patients.

Background: We evaluated the effects of counseling linked with primary care visits on walking and "strength exercise" (the combination of strength-building and flexibility exercise) in aging veterans.

Methods: Male veterans aged 60 to 85 years (N = 224) with physical function limitations were randomized to either counseling for home-based walking and strength exercise (EXC) or discussion of their choice of health education topics (EDUC) with a nurse at baseline, 1 month, and 5 months. The EXC participants recorded exercise on monthly calendars and received brief follow-up calls from the nurse; all participants received bimonthly newsletters throughout the 10-month trial.

Microribonucleic acid-21 increases aldosterone secretion and proliferation in H295R human adrenocortical cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small noncoding RNAs that decrease the expression levels of specific genes by translational repression, sequestration, and degradation of their mRNAs. Angiotensin II is an important modulator of adrenal zona glomerulosa cell physiology, including steroidogenesis and proliferation among many other physiological processes. Because each miRNA may regulate the expression levels of multiple genes, thereby resembling the transcription regulatory networks triggered by transcription factors, we hypothesize that specific miRNAs may be involved in angiotensin II-mediated adrenocortical cell physiology.

Considerations for the diagnosis and treatment of testosterone deficiency in elderly men.

Increased longevity and population aging will increase the number of men with relative testosterone deficiency, as systemic levels of testosterone decrease by about 1% each year. Androgen deficiency should only be diagnosed in men with definite signs and symptoms, accompanied by low total testosterone levels measured in the morning by a reliable assay. Although clinical trials data are limited, current practice guidelines recommend testosterone replacement therapy for symptomatic men with low testosterone levels to improve bone mineral density, muscle mass and strength, sexual function, and quality of life.

Is the frequency of carisoprodol withdrawal syndrome increasing?

Carisoprodol is a commonly used centrally acting muscle relaxant. A number of case reports have suggested that the drug may have abuse potential, presumably because it is metabolized to the anxiolytic drug, meprobamate, which is a controlled substance at the federal level. Two recent case reports described symptoms of withdrawal after the cessation of carisoprodol.

Gene expression profile in rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cells stimulated with aldosterone secretagogues.

The mineralocorticoid aldosterone, mainly produced by the adrenal gland, is essential for life, but an abnormally excessive secretion causes severe pathological effects including hypertension and target organ injury in the heart and kidney. The aim of this study was to determine the gene regulatory network triggered by aldosterone secretagogues in a nontransformed cell system. Freshly isolated rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cells were stimulated with the two main aldosterone secretagogues, angiotensin II and potassium, for 2 h and subjected to whole genome expression studies using multiple biological and bioinformatics tools.

Adrenal transcription regulatory genes modulated by angiotensin II and their role in steroidogenesis.

Transcription regulatory genes are crucial modulators of cell physiology and metabolism whose intracellular levels are tightly controlled to respond to extracellular stimuli. We studied transcription regulatory genes modulated by angiotensin II, one of the most important regulators of adrenal cortical cell function, and their role in adrenal steroidogenesis in H295R human adrenocortical cells. Angiotensin II-modulated transcription regulatory genes were identified with high-density oligonucleotide microarrays and the results validated by real-time RT-PCR.

FEM1A is a candidate gene for polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age, and is characterized by infertility, hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. There is evidence for a PCOS gene localized to chromosome 19p13.3.

A placebo controlled randomized trial of the effects of phenylpropanolamine and nicotine gum on cessation rates and postcessation weight gain in women.

With smoking prevalence rates beginning to decline, studies designed to promote cessation in more challenging populations, like weight-concerned smokers, warrant attention. This study assessed the efficacy of two forms of pharmacotherapy [nicotine and phenylpropanolamine (PPA) gums] in addition to a 13-week cognitive behavioral smoking cessation program targeted for women. Participants were 439 females who met rigorous screening criteria and were randomized to one of the three treatment intervention groups (PPA gum, nicotine gum, or placebo gum).

Effect of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibition by trilostane on blood pressure in the Dahl salt-sensitive rat.

The brains of rats and humans express the enzymes required for the synthesis of aldosterone from cholesterol, including the 3beta-steroid dehydrogenase that catalyzes the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone in the pathway of adrenal steroid synthesis. Salt-induced hypertension in the Dahl inbred salt-sensitive (SS/jr) rat is associated with normal to low levels of circulating aldosterone, yet it is abrogated by the central infusion of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. To test the hypothesis that de novo synthesis of aldosterone in the brain has a pathophysiological role in the salt-induced hypertension of the SS rat, the 3beta-steroid dehydrogenase antagonist trilostane was infused continuously intracerebroventricularly or subcutaneously in two different cohorts of Dahl SS/jr rats, one female, the other male, during and after the development of salt-induced hypertension.

Angiotensin II early regulated genes in H295R human adrenocortical cells.

Evidence for the dysregulation of aldosterone synthesis in cardiovascular pathophysiology has renewed interest in the control of its production. Cellular mechanisms by which angiotensin II (ANG II) stimulates aldosterone synthesis in the adrenal zona glomerulosa are incompletely understood. To elucidate the mechanism of intracellular signaling by ANG II stimulation in the adrenal, we have studied immediate-early regulated genes in human adrenal H295R cells using cDNA microarrays.

Evaluation of the 7-day physical activity recall in urban and rural men.

Purpose: To assess reliability and validity of the 7-d physical activity recall (PAR) in 60- to 80-yr-old men from urban and rural homes in the southeastern United States.

Methods: Two hundred twenty 60- to 80-yr-old men (29% minority ethnicity) from Veterans Affairs primary care clinics completed two PAR interviews at 2- to 4-wk intervals. The PAR included modifications to elicit and score light-moderate (2-3 METs) as well as moderate (3-6 METs) and hard (>/=7 METs) physical activity.

Origin of aldosterone in the rat heart.

Aldosterone has been demonstrated in the perfusate of the ex situ rat heart and heart homogenates; however, the origin of aldosterone in the heart is controversial, with some reporting a primary role for extraadrenal synthesis within the heart, and others finding that all of the aldosterone in the heart is sequestered from the circulation. In an attempt to resolve this controversy, we measured the aldosterone and corticosterone contents of plasma and hearts of rats on a normal salt (NS), low salt (LS), or high salt (HS) diet, adrenalectomized (ADX+HS), and ADX with aldosterone replacement or deoxycorticosterone excess (ADX+HS+DOC) before tissue harvest. The sodium content of the diet had no significant effect on corticosterone levels in the plasma or heart.

Potential role of increased iron stores in diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Extensive clinical, epidemiologic, and basic studies suggest that excessive tissue iron stores may contribute to the occurrence and complications of DM. Secondary diabetes occurs in inherited pathologic iron overload syndromes of European- and African-derived populations and is an established complication of transfusional iron overload.

Regulation of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes in the rat kidney by estradiol.

The 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11betaHSD) type 1 (11betaHSD1) enzyme is an NADP+-dependent oxidoreductase, usually reductase, of major glucocorticoids. The NAD+-dependent type 2 (11betaHSD2) enzyme is an oxidase that inactivates cortisol and corticosterone, conferring extrinsic specificity of the mineralocorticoid receptor for aldosterone. We reported that addition of a reducing agent to renal homogenates results in the monomerization of 11betaHSD2 dimers and a significant increase in NAD+-dependent corticosterone conversion.

Effects of nurse counseling on walking for exercise in elderly primary care patients.

Background. Counseling sedentary primary care patients can increase physical activity, but whether this approach will increase exercise and fitness in elderly adults with chronic diseases remains to be determined. Methods.

A brief telephone intervention targeting treatment engagement from a substance abuse program wait list.

This study compares three brief participant-initiated telephone interventions aimed at enhancing treatment engagement of individuals on a substance abuse treatment wait list. Policies requiring that wait list members call at least every other week in order to remain eligible for treatment remained in place for the standard and enhanced conditions but not for the voluntary condition. The standard condition was a minimal intervention, providing information on the program.

Physical activity and exercise: recent advances and current challenges.

This article presents an overview of major developments in physical activity and exercise for health promotion and disease prevention during the past 10 years. The importance of physical activity to physical and mental health was increasingly recognized. Assessment methods appropriate for diverse population groups were developed, and understanding of correlates of regular physical activity improved.

Exercise and hypertension.

Epidemiologic studies have consistently revealed inverse associations between physical activity (or fitness) and hypertension. There are hypotensive benefits to exercise training found across a number of aerobic and progressive resistance training modalities. Optimal exercise prescriptions remain unclear, but hypotensive benefits have been noted for mild to vigorous ranges of exercise intensity, for as few as three exercise sessions per week and durations as short as 20 minutes.

Should aminoglycoside antibiotics be abandoned?

Background: Aminoglycosides can cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Alternatives are available.

Methods: Surgical service antibiotic use, aminoglycoside toxicity, and perioperative culture/sensitivity results from July 1998 to June 1999 were reviewed.

A prospective study of the serum prostate specific antigen concentrations and Gleason histologic scores of black and white men with prostate carcinoma.

Background: The stage specific survival rates of black American men with prostate carcinoma are less favorable than those of white American men. The authors conducted a prospective study of the serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentrations and Gleason histologic scores of black and white men with newly diagnosed prostate carcinoma to determine whether there were racial differences in these prognostic variables.

Methods: At a Veterans Affairs Medical Center between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 1997, clinical stage, Gleason histologic score, serum PSA concentration, prostate volume, and PSA density were determined for 796 consecutive men (465 black and 331 white) who had biopsy-detected prostate carcinoma.