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Biomedical subjects

A Belfiore

Publications and source records attributed to A Belfiore.

89 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Thyroid autoregulation: effect of iodine on glucose transport in cultured thyroid cells.

The nonmetabolizable glucose analogs, [3H]2-deoxy-D-glucose and [3H]O-methyl-D-glucose, were used to determine whether iodide influences glucose transport in porcine cells in primary culture. Incubation with iodide (3 h) decreased basal glucose transport with a half-maximum at NaI 3 X 10(-5) M and maximum at 10(-4) M. Iodide (10(-6) M to 10(-4) M) also abolished the stimulatory effect of TSH (1 mU/ml) on glucose transport. The iodide effect on [3H]2-deoxy-D-glucose transport had the following characteristics: 1) it was abolished 24 h after incubation in iodide-free medium; 2) it was prevented by methimazole (3 mM), and correlated with newly formed organic iodine, 3) and it affected the maximum velocity (Vmax) of glucose transport, reducing it from 25.1 to 14.4 and 12.0 nmol/(min mg protein) at 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M NaI, without affecting the Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) (6mM). Iodide-treated cells had a reduced specific binding of [3H]cytochalasin B (38% and 47% with respect to control cells at 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M NaI). These data suggest that iodide treatment reduces the functional carriers mediating glucose transport in the thyroid.

3-O-Methylglucose↗
PubMed1986

Serum thyroglobulin levels are elevated in newborns from iodine-deficient areas.

Newborn infants have elevated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels and reduced iodination of Tg. To determine whether a relationship exists between serum Tg levels and the degree of Tg iodination, 699 newborn infants were studied in 3 areas of Sicily: a normal iodine-sufficient (control) area and 2 iodine-deficient areas. In the iodine-sufficient area, the mean cord serum Tg level was 25.8 ng/ml (median, 18.0; n = 183). In the iodine-deficient areas, the serum Tg levels in newborns were significantly higher, with mean levels of 43.4 ng/ml (median, 29.7; n = 304; P less than 0.01) and 60.1 ng/ml (median, 48.0; n = 212; P less than 0.005), respectively. The higher serum Tg level at birth was not entirely due to increased cord serum TSH levels, since newborns from the iodine-deficient areas with serum TSH levels at birth similar to those in infants from the control area had higher serum Tg levels. Serum Tg levels correlated with the serum T3 to T4 ratio, but not with serum TSH, T4, or T3 levels. These data suggest that iodine availability, which affects the degree of thyroid Tg iodination, partially determines serum Tg levels at birth.

Fetal Blood↗
PubMed1985

[Thymus-hypophysis-thyroid interrelation in rats after administration of a heterologous extract of thymus gland].

The Authors have investigated the effects of a thymus chromatographic fraction on TSH, T3, T4 serum values in thyroidectomized and normal controls rats before and after thymus treatment. The decrease in TSH values of thyroidectomized rats points out a possible inhibitory effect which the thymus extract may have at either the level of the adenohypophysis or hypothalamus. Moreover the TSH values in the euthyroid rats after thymus treatment showed a slight decrease, this changes are much more evident in the thyroidectomized rats after thymus treatment. In fact the plasma TSH of thyroidectomized rats drops from 97.5 +/- 4 microU/ml before thymus treatment, to 76.25 +/- 10 microU/ml after thymus treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Transient impairment of thyroid function in newborn from an area of endemic goiter.

Thyroid function was studied in newborn from 3 areas of Sicily in which iodine intake is normal (area A), moderately decreased (area B), and severely decreased (area C). In the latter 2 areas, there is a high incidence of goiter and in area C endemic cretinism is present. TSH and T4 were measured in the cord serum of 5673 newborn from area A, 2096 from area B, and 184 from area C. The mean TSH value was significantly higher in areas C (P less than 0.001) and B (P less than 0.005) when compared to area A; moreover, in both endemic goiter areas the mean cord serum T4 was significantly reduced (P less than 0.01). All infants with cord serum TSH levels above 50 microU/ml were recalled because of the suspicion of congenital hypothyroidism. Such values were found in 41 of the 7953 infants (0.52%) with an increasing frequency from area A (9:5673 = 0.16%) to area B (14:2096 = 0.67%) to area C (18:184 = 9.78%). At the time of the recall examination [mean age, 32 +/- 8 (SD) days], 3 of the 41 recalled infants had died. Of the remaining 38 infants, 3 patterns evolved: 1) 23 had normal serum TSH and T4 values and were not studied further (false positives). 2) Eleven had elevated serum TSH and normal T4 values. They were reevaluated again after 3-6 weeks: all had normal values (transient hyperthyropinemia ). 3) Four infants had both high serum TSH and low serum T4 values (2 from area A and 2 from area C). They were diagnosed as having congenital hypothyroidism and treated with T4. At 10-13 months of age, after treatment withdrawal, the 2 infants from area A had permanent congenital hypothyroidism due to thyroid agenesis whereas the 2 infants from area C were euthyroid (transient congenital hypothyroidism). The present studies indicate, therefore, that in newborn from areas of iodine deficiency there is a higher frequency of elevated TSH levels and low T4 values than is found in areas where iodine intake is normal. This frequency is correlated to the degree of the iodine deficiency. The data suggest that the impairment of thyroid function at birth may be a transient phenomenon. The duration and the severity of the transient neonatal hypothyroidism, however, is greatly variable and its evolution unpredictable.

Congenital Hypothyroidism↗
PubMed1984

Thyroglobulin release after graded endogenous thyrotropin stimulation in man: lack of correlation with thyroid hormone response.

The serum thyroglobulin (Tg), T3, and T4 responses to graded endogenous TSH stimulation were examined in 30 normal subjects for up to 96 h after TRH administration. Increasing TSH rises were elicited by TRH administration as follows: 1) 500 micrograms iv as a single bolus in 10 subjects [mean peak serum TSH, 14.3 +/- 1.8 (SE) microU/ml]; 2) 1000 micrograms infused iv in 2 h in 10 subjects (mean peak TSH, 25.5 +/- 2.6 microU/ml); 3) 40 mg orally in 10 subjects (mean peak TSH, 27.5 +/- 3.0 microU/ml, with a delayed and more prolonged rise). Nine subjects received saline and were used as controls. A significant serum T3 and T4 rise followed the TSH increase in all subjects, and the mean peak value was always reached 4 h after TRH. In contrast, a significant serum Tg increase occurred only in 3, 6, and 9 subjects after 500 micrograms, 1000 micrograms, and 40 mg TRH, respectively. In addition, the time of the Tg peak and its duration was extremely variable but it was always delayed in respect to serum T3 and T4 peaks, occurring 6 to 72 h after TRH administration. No correlation was found between serum Tg and T3 or T4 increases after TRH in any of the three groups. These studies indicate that a significant Tg release in man usually occurs only after intense and prolonged TSH stimulation of the thyroid. In addition, the Tg increase is delayed in respect to the thyroid hormone increase and it is not correlated with them.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1983

Solitary autonomously functioning thyroid nodules and iodine deficiency.

The prevalence, characteristics, and evolution of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) were studied in two population groups from northeastern Sicily. One group was living in an iodine-deficient area and another was living in an iodine-sufficient area. The prevalence of AFTN was significantly higher in the iodine-deficient area (4.4% of total patients vs. 2.7%). No significant difference between the two areas was observed in sex and age distribution and size of the nodules. In addition, a higher percentage of patients with toxic nodules (1.3%) was found in the group from the iodine-deficient area. Furthermore, in a selected group of patients followed for 1-6 yr, a higher percentage of patients from the iodine-deficient area had either an increase in the size of the lesion or an increase in thyroid hormone production leading to toxicity. These data suggest that iodine deficiency is one possible factor in the development of AFTN and that iodine deficiency may also be involved in the increased frequency of toxic evolution of these lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

The role of the thyroid hormones on the decrease of cholesterolemia produced by a thymus fraction.

The purpose of this paper is to establish whether the hypocholesterolemic effect of thymus fraction administered to rats fed on a fat diet is correlated to an activation of thyroid. By determining the plasma levels of T3,T4 by kit set/RIA and TSH by the method of Jaquet et al., modified for rats, the authors may exclude this hypothesis confirming the results of Comsa et al, of an inhibitory effect of thymus in TSH secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Role of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone in the development of pituitary-thyroid axis in four anencephalic infants.

Anencephaly provides a unique model for studying endocrine functions in absence of hypothalamic influence. We previously reported that in anencephalic newborns both pituitary TSH-secreting cells and the thyroid were normal and were able to function if adequately stimulated. In order to verify if the normal development of the pituitary-thyroid axis in these infants depends on TRH of extrahypothalamic origin, we measured endogenous TRH levels in the clear fluid of a cyst of the cerebro-vasculosa in 4 anencephalic newborns. In these cysts were also injected 200 micrograms of synthetic TRH and evaluated TSH response in peripheral blood samples. Endogenous TRH was detectable in the cysts of the cerebro-vasculosa in 3 of the 4 infants. In all 4 cases serum TSH sharply increased after TRH administration. Our data suggest that the normal development of the pituitary-thyroid axis in anencephalic infants either requires no TRH or depends on extrahypothalamic TRH. In this latter case TRH produced by other areas of the central nervous system might be secreted into the cysts of the cerebro-vasculosa, actively transported to the hypophyseal vessels, and might thus reach the pituitary to stimulate TSH-cells growth and function.

Anencephaly↗
PubMed1981

[Effects of 2 thymus extracts on blood levels of cholesterol and glucose in the rat].

The effects of two calf thymus extracts (fraction III and Tp1) on the haematic levels of cholesterol and glucose in the rat on a fat diet have been compared. The fraction III carries out a very marked decrease of cholesterolemia without changes in the levels of glycemia. On the contrary the Tp1 determines only a moderate decrease of cholesterolemia but a very marked decrease of glycemia. Thherefore these results seem both to confirm the differences between the two thymus extracts and the metabolic actions of thymus.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Serum thyroglobulin levels in the newborn.

To study the pattern of thyroglobulin (Tg) serum concentrations in the first days of life, Tg, TSH, T3, and T4, were measured in both maternal and cord blood at delivery and 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after birth in 16 newborns. Tg levels at birth wee higher in cord blood than in maternal blood. After birth, a prolonged Tg rise occurred. The increased levels became significant at 6 h and were maintained throughout the study. Tg levels were not correlated with serum levels of T3, T4, and TSH. We conclude that either a reduced Tg MCR or an increased thyroidal secretion of Tg after endogenous TSH stimulation in the newborn is a possible explanation for the elevated Tg levels occurring during the first days of life.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High incidence of anti-GH antibodies in subjects treated with the GH clinical preparation available in Italy.

We have characterized the GH clinical preparation available in Italy (Grorm, Serono) by gel chromatography and immunoreactivity. Only 50-60% of this preparation can be identified with the active GH monomeric form. Both higher and lower molecular weight compounds are present as well. Then, using a radioimmunoassay technique, we looked for anti-GH antibodies in 21 subjects under Grorm treatment and found them in 6 paitents (28.6%). Two subjects having anti-GH antibodies with high affinity had a lower growth rate. These data suggest that anti-GH antibodies measurement is clinically useful in patients treated with this GH preparation. A more purified preparation should be used when a slowing down of the growth rate is observed in the presence of anti-GH antibodies.

Antibodies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute pneumonia caused by aspiration of hydrocarbons in a fire-eater].

Accidental aspiration of fuel in fire eaters can cause an acute chemical pneumonitis known as 'fire-eater's pneumonia". We report a case in a 29 year-old fire-eater. Six hours after aspiration of kerosene, he developed fever up to 39,5 degrees C, dyspnea, cough and chest pain. Chest radiograph showed infiltrates in the middle and lower parts of the lungs and left pleural effusion. He was treated with an antibiotic and antipiretic therapy and then with corticosteroids. The acute stage lasted four weeks and the patient recovered without sequelae within 3 months. Hazard related to main fuels used for fire eating is discussed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Receptor status and ovarian function in carcinoma of the breast].

The Authors have evaluated the relationship between the presence of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors and the ovarian function in 321 consecutive and unselected women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer. A significant relationship was found between the presence and the concentration of steroid receptors (ER and PgR) in the neoplastic tissue and the ovarian function. The Authors confirm the importance of considering the menopausal status in the evaluation of the results of steroid receptor assay.

Adult↗