Provocative Tests of the Hypothalamic-Anterior Pituitary-Target Organ Axis

Anterior pituitary peptide hormones which circulate at nanogram or picogram levels are readily measurable under basal conditions by radioligand assay. In addition, functional reserve may be further assessed by the use of specific provocative tests 'aimed' at either hypothalamus, anterior pituitary or the target organ. Some of these are briefly outlined.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 353 (1974)

Nutritional osteomalacia: A case report

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Micro assays for glucose and insulin

Micro assay techniques for the estimation of blood glucose and plasma insulin in rats and humans are fully described. Only 50 p.L of rat blood is needed (5 μL of hole blood for the glucose assay and 10- 15 μL of plasma for the insulin assay which can be done in duplicate or triplicate). This method has allowed the measurement of glucose and insulin in small animals without the need to sacrifice them. Both assays are sensitive and reproducible. The sensitivity of the rat insulin assay (0,5 ng/ml) was adequate for the measurement of rat plasma insulin, and the interassay coefficient of variation of 10,5% compared favourably with 8,60/0 found in the conventional assay. In order to increase the sensitivity of the assay for human plasma insulin, the sample volume is increased to 10 μL and more dilute first antibody is used. Values of plasma insulin from 0,15 to 2 ng/ml (4 - 50 μU/ml) can be determined using heparinised capillary blood from a heel tab, and thus avoiding repeated venepunctures in infants and neonates.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 365 (1974)

Intravenous Fructose Disappearance In Protein Calorie Malnutrition

The disappearance of intravenously administered fructose and glucose became more rapid after treatment in children with protein calorie malnutrition (PCM). Since fructose disposal is largely hepatic and is insulin-independent, the finding suggests a reversible disturbance of the appropriate hepatic enzymes in PCM. The impaired glucose disposal is unlikely to be caused solely by lack of insulin