Evidence for opiate and estrogen interaction on neurohormonal secretion

[No abstract available

Determination of the Kinetics of Na+/H+ Exchange in Platelets Using the Coulter S-Plus Cell Counter

Peer Reviewe

The effects of low dose norethisterone on biochemical variables in postmenopausal women

Norethisterone 2.5 mg/day was administered to 26 postmenopausal women (aged 54–79 years) with varying degrees of osteoporosis and with a forearm bone mineral density value more than 2 SD below the young normal mean. Fasting blood and urine samples were collected and radiocalcium absorption measured at baseline and after treatment for a median period of 4 months. There were significant falls in serum calcium and its fractions, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase and cholesterol (HDL and LDL), and significant rises in serum chloride and parathyroid hormone. In the urine, there were significant falls in calcium, sodium and hydroxyproline. These changes were in close agreement with our previously reported responses to norethisterone 5 mg/day. We conclude that norethisterone in a dose of 2.5 mg/day is probably as effective as 5 mg/day in reducing bone resorption in postmenopausal women with low bone density.F. Scopacasa, M. Horowitz, A. G. Need, H. A. Morris, B. E. C. Nordi

Relationships between age, dehydro-epiandrosterone sulphate and plasma glucose in healthy men

Backgrounddehydro-epiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) has been reported to ameliorate diabetes mellitus in rats.Aimwe investigated the relationships between plasma glucose, age, serum DHEAS and weight in healthy men.Methodswe measured the serum DHEAS, fasting plasma glucose, plasma cortisol and body mass index in 169 subjects (mean age 46.5 years).Resultsthere was a significant decline in serum DHEAS with age (P Conclusionsa lowered serum DHEAS is paralleled by an elevated plasma glucose within the normal reference interval, and this may contribute to the rise in fasting plasma glucose which occurs with ageing

Intestinal calcium absorption in men with spinal osteoporosis

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D) in the decreased calcium absorption found in men with osteoporosis.DesignProspective study of patients referred to a university teaching hospital clinic for investigation of possible osteoporosis.PatientsMale patients referred for investigation for osteoporosis, from 1981 to 1995, because of specific risk factors or radiological suspicion of osteoporosis. Men with vertebral compression fractures were compared with those without.MeasurementsHeight and weight, radiocalcium absorption, serum 1,25D and fasting urinary calcium and hydroxyproline excretion.ResultsThe men with vertebral fractures had higher fasting urinary hydroxyproline excretion (P = 0.003) and lower calcium absorption (P = 0.002) than the men without. Calcium absorption was positively related to 1,25D in both groups but the estimated calcium absorption at zero 1,25D was lower in the osteoporotic than the normal group. 1,25D was lower in the osteoporotic group than in the normal group. However this difference could only explain about half of the difference in calcium absorption between the groups.ConclusionsCalcium absorption is low in men with osteoporosis. About half of the deficit is due to low serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D levels but there appears, in addition, to be some intestinal resistance to its effect on calcium absorption