Serum somatomedin and somatomedin generation by the perfused liver in protein malnourished rats

The studies presented in this thesis represent an attempt to characterise some aspects of the abnormalities of somatomedin physiology in protein-energy malnutrition. A suitable bioassay to study somatomedin was found in that of Van den Brande and Du Caju (1974) which makes use of uniform discs of cartilage punched from slices of immature porcine costal cartilage. The handling of the cartilage discs was made easy by the specially designed incubation rack. Preincubation increased sensitivity of the cartilage, and post incubation with radioactive tracer reduced the potential interference of varying sulphate content of assay samples. Serum samples were subjected to formal multipoint parallel line bioassay and data analysed by a computer programme designed to examine such assays. The bioassay was found to be sensitive to a concentration of serum of 5% and to have an index precision of less than 0.30 (and usually less than 0.20)

Estudio mediante animales transgénicos del papel de la hormona de crecimiento y el IGF-I en el desarrollo de diabetes mellitus

Descripció del recurs: el 6 de setembre de 201

Prolactin

During an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose and insulin levels were measured in 26 patients with prolactin-producing pituitary tumours without growth hormone excess. Basal glucose and insulin levels did not differ from the values of an age-matched control group. After glucose load the hyperprolactinaemic patients showed a decrease in glucose tolerance and a hyperinsulinaemia. Bromocriptine (CB 154), which suppressed PRL, improved glucose tolerance and decreased insulin towards normal in a second OGTT. — Human PRL or CB 154 had no significant influence on insulin release due to glucose in the perfused rat pancreas. — These findings suggest a diabetogenic effect of PRL. CB 154 might be a useful drug in improving glucose utilization in hormone-active pituitary tumours

Studies on serum somatedin activity and cartilage responsiveness in the regulation of growth

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Science University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Johannesburg 1976This thesis describes the results of experimental investigation of aspects of the endocrine regulation of growth in the rabbit, rat and man. In particular the role of serum somatomedin and cartilage responsiveness to somatomedin have been examined. Throughout a relationship between the physiological control mechanisms, namely the stimulus and the degree of end- organ responsiveness, and the velocity of growth has been sought.IT201

D-Chiro-Inositol – Its Functional Role in Insulin Action and its Deficit in Insulin Resistance

In this review we discuss the biological significance of D-chiro-inositol, originally discovered as a component of a putative mediator of intracellular insulin action, where as a putative mediator, it accelerates the dephosphorylation of glycogen synthase and pyruvate dehydrogenase, rate limiting enzymes of non-oxidative and oxidative glucose disposal

Bilateral simultaneous spontaneous pneumothorax

Bilateral simultaneous spontaneous pneumothorax, although rare, constitutes a grave emergency when it occurs. One of the strongest arguments in favour of prompt closed catheter drainage in the treatment of massive pneumothorax is the possibility that another pneumothorax may occur on the opposite side. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of simultaneous bilateral pneumothorax which presented as an acute medical emergency requiring immediate intervention. This is a condition which requires prompt treatment. Immediate needle decompression of one or both sides is a life-saving procedure. This has to be followed however by tube thoracotomies which have to be carried out bilaterally. It was felt that open thoracotomy or talc poudrage should not be undertaken in the present case as the reactive effusion produced by the intercostal tube was such that a chemical pleurodesis was likely. The lungs have remained completely expanded.peer-reviewe

The Influence of Age and Body Mass on Male Sexual Function

This pilot cross sectional survey was designed to appraise the growing concern about the relationship between age, body weight, and sexual function. A total of 100 adult males between the ages of 18 to 40 years, and who are indigenes of Ekpoma, in Esan West Local Government of Edo State, Nigeria, participated in this study. Their weights (Kg), heights (M) and BMI were determined using standard procedures. Blood samples were also collected for the analysis of serum testosterone levels. Our findings, though subject to further investigation, suggests that there exists a relationship between age, abnormal weights and sexual function; as aging with an abnormal weight, impacts negatively on testosterone levels. It suggests also that men with abnormal weights, especially those above the age of 36 years, are likely to develop sexual dysfunction.Keywords: Aging, Body Mass Index, Testosterone, Sexual functio

Plasma somatomedin : studies on some of its characteristics and on its relationship with growth hormone

Growth is the most characteristic feature of childhood. It also represents the best index of a child's well-being since so many prerequisites must be fullfilled for its harmonious course and such a multitude of pathological factors can interfere with it. It is not surprizing that careful monitoring of growth is common practice for all who are responsible for the health of children. Registering abnormality of a growth pattern is relatively easy. Discovering the cause of the disturbance amongst the vast array of possibilities however, is frequently very difficult. Amongst the major prerequisites for normal growth we should first mention the intactness of the dividing capacity of all cells and the integrity of specific functions such as e.g. collagen production by the chondrocytes. Equally important is the supply of nutrients: the availability of enough food of good quality, normal absorption, adequate transformation into elementary molecules, and normal transport into the cells. Disturbances in these functions, which can best be characterized as potentially rate limiting, represent the most frequent causes of stunted growth. The role of hormones is quite different since they are rate setting, and thus exert the overall control of growth. Their own secretion is regulated in most instances by the central nervous system, which-integrates stimuli of a wide variety: 'substrate' signals (such as glucose with respect to GH-secretion), hormone signals (e.g. feedback-regulation), integrated stimuli from within the body (e.g. sleep) and from the outside world ranging from simple visual impressions to complex ones such as emotional deprivation. Certain nuclei of the hypothalamus translate these integrated impulses into the synthesis and secretion of specific releasing hormones which reach the anterior pituitary gland through the portal system and stimulate the secretion of selected pituitary hormones. All anterior pituitary hormones are involved in the regulation of growth rate. The most important amongst them is growth hormone (GH). It has long been thought that GH exerted a direct action on the growth rate of tissues. The discovery of sulfation factor (SF), later termed somatomedin (SM), and Daughaday's hypothesis on its role as the mediator of GH's growth promoting effect, places GH in line with the other anterior pituitary hormones which all have their major effect through secondary hormones. If this hypothesis proves to be correct, SM would represent the major regulator of growth rate. In this thesis our own work on SM is reported and related to the progress made by others. The investigations of Daughaday and of Salmon leading to the discovery of somatomedin and of its potential importance for human pathology are summarized in chapter one. The results of our own and collaborative work make up chapter two. Initially we have addressed ourselves to the characteristics of somatomedin in human plasma (section A). Intrigued by the question which organ or organs are producing SM, the early localization of growth hormone in the rat was studied (section B)