Biomedical subjects

A Broocks

Publications and source records attributed to A Broocks.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Everyday eating behavior and menstrual function in young women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of different types of everyday eating behavior with disturbances of menstrual function. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with two groups, low dietary restraint (n = 13) and high dietary restraint (n = 9), identified with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire by Stunkard and Messick. SETTING: Research clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Normal volunteers (students and young professionals). INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequent serum and urine samples for determination of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), and metabolites. Food and behavioral diaries. RESULTS: Eleven of the 13 women with low dietary restraint had menstrual cycles that fulfilled the following standard criteria: Serum E2 maximum of 440 pmol/L or more, P maximum of 19 nmol/L or more, and luteal phase length of 9 days or more. Only 2 of the 9 women with high dietary restraint had cycles that satisfied these criteria. Of the remaining 7, 1 had an anovulatory cycle and 6 had decreased P concentrations (P less than 0.05) and/or a shortened luteal phase (P less than 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: High cognitive restraint in everyday eating behavior may be a risk factor for the development of menstrual disturbance in young women.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Ondansetron--the first highly selective 5-HT3 antagonist in therapy of psychiatric diseases].

Ondansetron is a highly selective 5-HT3 antagonist, which has recently become available for the control of chemotherapy-induced emesis. Since 5-HT3 receptors not only have a high density in the area postrema but also in the hippocampal and amygdala region of the limbic system, it has been suspected that 5-HT3 selective agents have psychotropic effects. In animal models of anxiety ondansetron showed a benzodiazepine-like anxiolytic effect without any sedation or withdrawal effects. Other states of withdrawal have been prevented with ondansetron. This agent might also exert neuroleptic effects since dopaminergic hyperactivity in the mesolimbic system was antagonised by ondansetron. In different models of memory and learning a positive effect on basal learning behaviour and on scopolamine-induced memory impairment was noted. This manuscript reviews essential pharmacological and behavioural effects of ondansetron as well as preliminary data from clinical studies. The role of highly-selective ligands for a more differentiated view of serotonergic subsystems are discussed.

Brain↗

PubMed1991

The influence of semistarvation-induced hyperactivity on hypothalamic serotonin metabolism.

Male rats kept in a running wheel developed hyperactivity when food was restricted. Highest activity occurred around noon when food was given. Semistarved sedentary and ad lib fed sedentary and running rats served as controls. Five-hydroxyindole-acetic acid (5-HIAA) in the medial basal hypothalamus was lowest in the sedentary ad lib fed group. Running significantly increased 5-HIAA. Starvation likewise increased 5-HIAA. This effect was further enhanced by hyperactivity. When the circadian rhythm of serotonin (5-HT) and 5-HIAA was studied in the hypothalamus, a minimum of 5-HT as seen in semistarved sedentary and running rats around feeding time (noon). At this time 5-HIAA reached a maximum in the semistarved running rats while semistarved sedentary and ad lib fed rats showed no circadian pattern of 5-HIAA. These data indicate that serotonin turnover in the medial basal hypothalamus is increased as a consequence of semistarvation and hyperactivity.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Semistarvation-induced hyperactivity compensates for decreased norepinephrine and dopamine turnover in the mediobasal hypothalamus of the rat.

Male Wistar rats were housed in running wheel cages and were restricted in their food intake, in order to reduce the initial body weight by 30% within 10 days. Rats increased their daily running up to distances between 7 and 11 km compared to the maximum 2.5 km in controls fed ad libitum. The hypothalamic noradrenaline (NE) turnover, as estimated by the concentration of the major metabolite MHPG, was significantly decreased in semistarved sedentary rats compared to controls. Hyperactivity resulted in marked elevation of NE turnover at all time points examined. Semistarvation-induced decreases of dopamine (DA) turnover as estimated by the concentrations of its major metabolite DOPAC, could also be compensated by hyperactivity. The circadian pattern of NE turnover parallels the pattern of running activity. MHPG levels at times of high activity were even higher than in controls fed ad libitum (p less than 0.01). The availability of the precursor tyrosine, as indicated by the ratio of plasma tyrosine to the large neutral amino acids, was significantly decreased in semistarvation (p less than 0.0001); hyperactivity caused a further decrease (p less than 0.001), indicating that tyrosine availability is not, under these conditions, a limiting factor for noradrenaline turnover. The combined influence of semistarvation and hyperactivity on central catecholamine turnover in the rat is discussed as an animal model for the effects of malnutrition and heavy exercise often observed in anorexia nervosa.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Endocrine findings in restrained eaters.

Restrained (n = 9) and unrestrained eaters (n = 13) were selected from a group of healthy young women. Blood samples were collected overnight at half-hour intervals. Levels of cortisol, growth hormone, and glucose in both groups did not differ, while restrained eaters had significantly lower insulin values. After a standardized test meal of 500 kcal, restrained eaters had significantly lower norepinephrine values while insulin and glucose values did not differ from those of the unrestrained group. These findings indicate that restrained eating may have a biological basis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Hyperactivity aggravates semistarvation-induced changes in corticosterone and triiodothyronine concentrations in plasma but not luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels.

Semistarvation over a ten-day period resulted in a weight loss of 30% in male Wistar rats, which had continuous access to a running wheel. The animals increased their activity up to 20 km per day. Controls fed ad lib increased activity only slightly (up to 2.3 km on day ten). Groups of semistarved and ad lib-fed sedentary rats were studied as controls. The circadian pattern of corticosterone (B), triiodothyronine (T3), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) was studied. Corticosterone was synergistically increased by semistarvation and exercise. The reduction of triiodothyronine by semistarvation was significantly greater in the running wheel group. Both luteinizing hormone and testosterone were significantly decreased by semistarvation. Hyperactivity did not result in additional suppression of LH and testosterone.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone secretion patterns in female athletes with and without menstrual disturbances.

Thirty-one young female athletes and 13 age-matched sedentary controls were studied throughout one menstrual cycle or over a 6 week period. Blood was sampled on 5 days per week. Episodic gonadotrophin secretion was measured in the early follicular phase and in the late luteal phase by blood sampling over a 12-h period at 15-min intervals. Eight athletes had anovulatory cycles, nine had impaired progesterone (P4) secretion during the luteal phase and 14 had normal cycles as judged from oestradiol (E2) and P4 plasma levels. Athletes with normal cycles had shorter cycles, lower E2 maxima at midcycle, and lower E2 and P4 concentrations during the luteal phase than had sedentary controls. Episodic luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in the early follicular phase was significantly impaired in the anovulatory athletes: the average LH values over 12 h and the number of secretion episodes were significantly reduced. No significant changes were seen in follicle stimulating hormone secretion.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Gonadotrophin secretion in the second half of the menstrual cycle: a comparison of women with normal cycles, luteal phase defects and disturbed follicular development.

In order to study the relationship between episodic gonadotrophin secretion and alterations of ovarian hormone secretion, we examined women with normal menstrual cycles (n = 26), luteal phase defects (n = 10) or disturbed follicular oestradiol secretion (n = 8) as established by daily (except weekends) determinations of oestradiol and progesterone. Pulsatile gonadotrophin secretion was studied during the luteal phase or the second half of the menstrual cycle sampling at 15 min intervals for 12 h. LH and FSH mean concentrations and LH pulse frequency were significantly (P less than 0.01) increased in the group with disturbed follicular development in the presence of decreased oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels. In women with luteal phase defects mean LH and FSH concentrations and pulsatile LH secretion showed a nonsignificant trend to lower values in the presence of significantly decreased P4 concentrations during the luteal phase.

Estradiol↗

PubMed1990

Cyclic ovarian function in recreational athletes.

In 17 female recreational athletes, ovarian function was monitored using daily hormone measurements and serial ultrasound determinations. Whereas 11 out of 13 women of a control group showed estradiol (E2) maxima beyond 470 pmol/l, progesterone (P4) maxima of 19 nmol/l or more, and a luteal phase length of 9 days or more, only 10 out of 17 athletes satisfied these criteria. Six athletes showed disturbed follicular development, and one athlete showed luteal phase disturbance. Both athletes with disturbed menstrual function (n = 7) and athletes fulfilling the above-mentioned minimal criteria (n = 10) had lower E2 concentrations in all phases of the menstrual cycle (P less than 0.05). P4 concentrations were significantly decreased in the group with disturbed menstrual function (P less than 0.05). Maximal aerobic capacity in the two athlete groups was similar. Neither athlete group showed the expected increase in caloric intake compared with the sedentary controls. It is concluded that recreational running is associated with altered ovarian function. Inadequate nutritional adaptation may be a contributing factor.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Serotonin turnover in rat brain during semistarvation with high-protein and high-carbohydrate diets.

Serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) were determined in seven brain regions of semistarved and control male rats. After semistarvation on a high carbohydrate diet serotonin turnover, as indicated by 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio, was increased in the total brain and several regions both three and 24 hours after the last meal. In contrast, after semistarvation on a high-protein diet serotonin turnover was decreased three hours after ingestion of the final meal, but increased 24 hours thereafter. Compulsary running wheel activity for one hour did not influence diet induce changes in serotonin turnover. Alterations in plasma corticosterone during semistarvation were not related to changes in central serotonin turnover. Data suggest that the interaction of caloric restriction and diet composition determines serotonin turnover during semi-starvation.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Dieting causes menstrual irregularities in normal weight young women through impairment of episodic luteinizing hormone secretion.

Thirteen healthy, normal weight young women were studied throughout a control cycle and a diet cycle, during which they lost 1 kg per week on a vegetarian 800 kcal diet. Blood was sampled daily in the morning, and at weekly intervals, collected at 10-minute intervals for 6 hours. Follicle growth was monitored by ultrasonic measurement. All subjects showed normal cyclic gonadal function during the control cycle. Cyclic gonadal function remained unaltered in two subjects during the diet cycle. No dominant follicle developed in seven others, while another four showed apparently normal follicular development but impaired progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum. Comparison of both cycles revealed that episodic luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion during the follicular phase was altered by dieting. Average LH concentrations and the frequency of episodic secretions were significantly reduced during the follicular phase but not during the luteal phase. Follicle-stimulating hormone was unaltered.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Decreased follicular phase gonadotropin secretion is associated with impaired estradiol and progesterone secretion during the follicular and luteal phases in normally menstruating women.

We tested the hypothesis that disturbed follicular development and disturbed luteal progesterone (P4) secretion are associated with reduced gonadotropin secretion in the early follicular phase by measuring pulsatile LH and FSH secretion at that time in 53 normally menstruating women. Three groups of women were identified on the basis of serum sex steroid concentrations (measured daily throughout the cycle) and luteal phase length. Group A (n = 27) had normal ovarian hormone secretion with peak serum estradiol (E2) concentrations of 440 pmol/L or more, peak serum P4 concentrations of 19 nmol/L or more, and luteal phase length of 9 days or more. Group B (n = 16) had normal peak serum E2 values, but peak serum P4 values less than 19 nmol/L and/or luteal phase length less than 9 days. Group C (n = 10) had peak serum E2 values below 440 pmol/L. Risk factors for the disturbances found in groups B and C were exercise and/or intermittent dieting. Compared to group A, both groups B and C had reduced mean serum LH concentrations (3.1 +/- 1.5 vs. 2.3 +/- 1.4 and 2.0 +/- 1.0 IU/L; P less than 0.05) and reduced LH pulse frequencies (5.2 +/- 2.1 vs. 3.5 +/- 1.8 and 3.3 +/- 2.3 pulses/12 h; P less than 0.02). LH amplitude was similar in all 3 groups. Mean serum FSH concentrations were slightly but not significantly lower in group C. We conclude that reduced gonadotropin secretion during the follicular phase may indeed affect E2 and P4 secretion at later stages of the menstrual cycle. The patterns of alteration associated with disturbed E2 and P4 secretion in normally menstruating women are similar to those that occur in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comorbid anxiety and affective disorder in alcohol-dependent patients seeking treatment: the first Multicentre Study in Germany.

The goals of this study were to describe demographic variables, drinking history, and the 6-month prevalence of Axis I comorbidity among alcohol-dependent subjects in GERMANY: The variables: amount of alcohol consumption, age at onset of the first alcohol consumed, age at onset of daily alcohol consumption, age at onset of withdrawal symptoms and number of detoxifications were related to the different comorbid disorders and gender. In this study, 556 patients from 25 alcohol treatment centres were enrolled between 1 January 1999 and 30 April 1999. After a minimum of 10 days of sobriety patients who fulfilled ICD-10 and DSM-IV criteria of alcohol dependence were interviewed for data collection using the Mini-DIPS (German version of the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule) and a standardized psychosocial interview. The 6-month prevalence of comorbid Axis I disorders was 53.1%. Among the patients with comorbidity, affective and anxiety disorders were most frequent. Comorbid stress disorder was associated with an early start of drinking, an early beginning of withdrawal symptoms, highest number of detoxifications, and the highest amount of alcohol consumed. Female patients with anxiety disorder consumed more alcohol and started earlier than females without this comorbid disorder. The data do not answer the question of the pathogenesis of comorbid disorders and alcoholism, but indicate that stress disorders in alcoholic patients and anxiety disorders in female alcoholics influence the course and severity of alcoholism.

Adult↗