Biomedical subjects

A D Genazzani

Publications and source records attributed to A D Genazzani.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Modulatory effects of a synthetic steroid (tibolone) and estradiol on spontaneous and GH-RH-induced GH secretion in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Since hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) affects plasma GH levels, the present study aimed to verify the effect of tibolone, a synthetic steroid, on modulating spontaneous and growth hormone releasing hormone (GH-RH) induced GH secretion. METHODS: Postmenopausal women (n = 30) were enrolled and randomly subdivided in three groups (n = 10 each group): (1) treated with transdermal estradiol (50 micrograms) (Dermestrill, Rottapharm, Monza, Italy) biweekly; (2) treated with transdermal estradiol (100 micrograms) (Dermestrill, Rottapharm, Monza, Italy) biweekly; (3) treated with tibolone 2.5 mg/day (Livial, Organon Italia, Rome, Italy). Patients underwent a GH-RH test (1 microgram/kg) and 15 of them underwent to a pulsatility study before and 5 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: Mean (+ S.E.M.) GH plasma levels increased in all patients after any type of HRT. GH response to GH-RH stimulation (expressed as maximal response to GH-RH or as delta value) was similar in the three groups while significant changes occurred in spontaneous pulsatile GH release. Tibolone and both dosages of transdermal estradiol significantly reduced GH pulse frequency and increased pulse amplitude. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced plasma GH levels observed during postmenopause are probably related to a reduced endogenous GH-RH and not to a reduced pituitary ability to respond to GH-RH. In addition tibolone, as well as transdermal estradiol, are effective in restoring the spontaneous GH episodic release.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed1997

Effects of sex steroid hormones on the neuroendocrine system.

Estrogen and progesterone are the most important ovarian steroid hormones regulating female fertility. They have a profound effect on the central nervous system. Target functions of sex steroids in the brain are: pituitary and hypothalamic hormone release, thermoregulatory and cardiocirculatory activities and behavior and mood changes. Furthermore, several studies have shown a correlation between brain neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and sex steroid hormones: they influence synthesis and release of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, gonadotropin releasing hormone, beta-endorphin, corticotropin releasing factor and prolactin. Thus, oral hormone contraceptives inhibit the ovulatory process by blocking the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. This inhibitory effect seems to be due to the action of both estrogens and progestins.

Contraceptives, Oral↗

PubMed1997

Color Doppler analysis in oligo- and amenorrheic women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The objective of this study was to determine whether amenorrheic women have more severe blood flow variations and clinical-endocrinological patterns in comparison with oligomenorrheic polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. Twenty oligomenorrheic women (cycle length > 35 days; Group I), and 20 amenorrheic women (no vaginal bleeding for at least 6 months; Group II) were submitted to ultrasonographic evaluation of ovarian volume, follicle distribution, number and diameter, color Doppler analysis of uterine and intraovarian blood flow, hormonal assay of different compartments, and plasma evaluation of lipid profile. The number of subcapsular small-sized follicles, and the ovarian volume, androstenedione and luteinizing hormone (LH) plasma levels, and the LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio were significantly higher in the amenorrheic group compared with the oligomenorrheic patients. Furthermore, significantly lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and HDL/total cholesterol ratio were observed in Group II compared with Group I. In addition, in Group II, higher resistance in the uterine arteries and lower impedance to blood flow in the intraovarian arteries have been shown. The assessment of ovarian morphology by transvaginal ultrasound and Doppler flow analysis of both intraovarian and uterine arteries in patients with PCOS may provide an insight into the pathological state and the degree of progression of the disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Bicuculline enhances the corticosterone secretion induced by lipopolysaccharide and interleukin-1 alpha in male rats.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory stress activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function. Interleukin-I (IL-1) is one of the key factors during this event; however, the mechanisms mediating IL-1 stimulation of HPA axis are still unclear. The present study evaluated the possible involvement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in LPS-induced activation of HPA axis in adult male rats. In addition, the possible existence of diurnal changes of LPS-induced HPA axis activity was also investigated. Bicuculline (0.8 mg/kg BW), a GABA-A receptor antagonist and GABA (1 g/kg BW) were intraperitoneally (ip) injected 15 min before LPS (2 mg/kg BW, ip) or recombinant human IL-1 alpha (microgram/rat) administration in intact rats. Control animals received an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline. Rats were sacrificed at 60 min or 90 min after LPS, or IL-1 alpha or saline injection. Plasma corticosterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results showed that pretreatment with bicuculline enhanced both LPS- and IL-1-induced corticosterone secretion; while pretreatment with GABA significantly reduced the LPS-stimulated corticosterone release (p < 0.05, vs LPS alone). The effect is dependent on the time of sampling and such effect of bicuculline or GABA was not observed when rats were stimulated in the evening. In addition, the maximal changes of plasma corticosterone following LPS administration in the evening were significantly lower than in the morning (p < 0.01). The present study provides evidence that GABA is involved, at least in part, in the neuroendocrine regulation of LPS/interleukin-1a-induced corticosterone secretion via GABA-A receptor in rats. In addition, the response of plasma corticosterone to LPS has a diurnal variation, which corresponds to a diurnal change of GABAergic modulation of the immunoneuroendocrine response.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Color Doppler hysterosalpingography in the diagnosis of tubal patency.

OBJECTIVE: To assess tubal patency by color Doppler hysterosalpingography (HSG). DESIGN: Comparative study of color Doppler HSG with roentgenogram HSG and chromolaparoscopy in infertile women of childbearing age. SETTING: Clinical environment. PATIENTS: Sixty female patients (22 to 39 years) with long-lasting infertility problems. INTERVENTION: Sterile saline was transcervically injected into the uterine cavity through a catheter and color Doppler HSG was performed. All the patients were submitted to roentgenogram HSG and chromolaparoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The diagnostic efficacy of color Doppler HSG and its concordance with "gold standard" chromolaparoscopy were analyzed. RESULTS: Correlation between color Doppler HSG and roentgenogram HSG with chromolaparoscopy occurred in 86% versus 93% of all women studied. CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler HSG with its accuracy and safety results a promising alternative technique to roentgenogram HSG in diagnosing tubal status in infertile patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Color Doppler analysis in lean and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The objective of this study was to determine whether obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) show different ovarian and uterine blood flow patterns in comparison with lean patients. Sixteen obese (body mass index: BMI = 31.4 +/- 3.6 kg/m2) and 22 lean (BMI = 21.1 +/- 1.3 kg/m2) PCOS patients underwent, in the early follicular phase if oligomenorrheic or randomly if amenorrheic, ultrasonographic evaluation of ovarian volume, echodensity and follicle number; transvaginal color Doppler evaluation of uterine and intraovarian blood flow; and radioimmunological assay of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, growth hormone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, and other hormonal parameters. Hematocrit, plasma glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein and triglycerides were also evaluated. Insulin levels were significantly higher in the obese group, whereas levels of growth hormone were significantly lower. Moreover, a more adverse lipid profile was observed in overweight patients. This was associated with higher hematocrit values. At Doppler analysis, a significantly higher mean uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) was observed in the obese group. Furthermore, the PI was inversely correlated with high density lipoprotein values (r = -0.4820; p < 0.05). In both groups, androstenedione was correlated with the uterine PI. The above findings may, in part, explain the increased risk in women with PCOS of developing cardiovascular diseases, and emphasize that obesity may further increase the risk.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Corticotropin-releasing factor-binding protein: origins and possible functions.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone-binding protein (CRFBP) is a 37-kD protein of 322 amino acids, containing one putative N-glycosylation site and 11 cysteines, 10 of which remain in the mature molecule (298 amino acids) and result essential for the action. CRFBP protein gene has been cloned and mapped to the distal region of chromosome 13 and loci5q in the mouse and human genomes. CRFBP is the only example of a neuropeptide-binding protein. It is produced in human and rat brain, and in human liver and placenta. In brain, the central distribution of CRFBP shares some regional overlap with CRF receptor-bindings sites. Additionally, in hypothalamic and limbic structures, CRFBP has been identified in association with CRF-expressing cell groups. CRFBP has been also demonstrated in the human placenta and related membranes. Indeed, amniotic epithelium, chorionic cytotrophoblast, and maternal decidua also show intense positive CRFBP mRNA signals. Circulating CRFBP levels in healthy nonpregnant individuals show the same range values as in maternal plasma collected during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. A rise in CRFBP levels at 30-35 weeks of pregnancy with a dramatic decrease at 38-40 weeks have been shown. At postpartum, CRFBP levels in maternal plasma reach the nonpregnant concentrations. Recombinant and native CRFBP neutralize the ACTH-releasing activity of human CRF in cultured pituitary or placental cells and, additionally, may block the activity of CRF on human pregnant endometrium prostaglandin release and on human myometrium contractility in vitro. These findings suggest that CRFBP may play a role in modulating the functions of CRF in human pregnancy.

Body Fluids↗

PubMed1996

Long-term GnRH-agonist administration revealed a GnRH-independent mechanism stimulating FSH discharge in humans.

The present study evaluated the FSH and LH episodic discharge in different physiopathological conditions undergoing chronic GnRH-agonist administration. Four girls with true precocious puberty and five postmenopausal women were administered GnRH-agonist (3.73 leuprolide acetate every 4 weeks; Takeda Italia, Rome, Italy) for at least 4 months. Plasma LH and FSH secretory profiles were assessed before and under GnRH-agonist administration (after 21 and 120 days). Pulsatility studies were conducted for 4 h in the girls and for 6 h in postmenopausal women, with blood sampling intervals of 10 min. Pubertal and postmenopausal patients showed the distinct episodic co-secretion of LH and FSH before GnRH-agonist administration; this co-secretion disappeared in both groups after 21 and 120 days of treatment. Moreover, while LH concentrations decreased to almost undetectable levels and LH episodic release disappeared, FSH plasma levels were only partially reduced and FSH episodic secretion was detectable in both groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that long-term GnRH-agonist administration blocked LH but not FSH episodic release. These data enforce the hypothesis that FSH episodic discharge might be dependent not only on hypothalamic GnRH, but also on a GnRH-independent stimulatory pathway.

Child↗

PubMed1996

Episodic secretion of activin A in pregnant women.

The aim of the present study was to determine the characteristics of activin A secretion in women with normal and abnormal pregnancy. With this purpose, a prospective study was done to evaluate the putative pulsatile pattern of serum activin A in serial specimens of blood collected during a certain amount of time (every 15 min for 3 h). A group of pregnant women (N = 24) participated in a cross-sectional study. They were subdivided into three groups: healthy pregnant women (N = 8), patients with preterm labor (N = 8) and patients with gestational diabetes (N = 8) before and after insulin therapy. Secretory pulses of serum activin A were determined in all patients with a specific frequency and amplitude by using two different computerized analyses, i.e. DETECT and CLUSTER. Mean +/- SEM values of serum activin A were significantly higher in patients with preterm labor and gestational diabetes than in controls (p < 0.01), showing a significant decrease following insulin therapy in diabetic patients (p < 0.01). Specific pulses of serum activin A levels were observed in all women. The mean pulse frequency did not change significantly between healthy controls and the different pathological groups. Patients with gestational diabetes after insulin therapy showed a pulse frequency that was significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.05). When the mean peak amplitude of activin A pulses was evaluated, patients with preterm labor or gestational diabetes showed values that were significantly higher than in healthy pregnant women (p < 0.01) A significant, inverse correlation between pulse frequency and amplitude was found both in healthy pregnant women (p < 0.05) and in patients with gestational diabetes (p < 0.001). The present study showed that circulating activin A levels in pregnant women change in a pulsatile pattern whose pulse amplitude is modified in the presence of gestational diseases, such as preterm labor or gestational diabetes.

Activins↗

PubMed1996

Growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone-induced GH response in hypothalamic amenorrhea: evidence of altered central neuromodulation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the GH-releasing hormone (GH-RH)-induced response of GH in patients affected by hypothalamic amenorrhea. DESIGN: Patients affected by weight-loss-related hypothalamic amenorrhea (n = 28) were studied and compared with 20 healthy controls. Among patients with weight-loss amenorrhea, both hypogonadotropic and normogonadotropic conditions were present. All subjects underwent a GH-RH test (GEREF, Sereno, Rome, Italy) (1 microgram/kg body weight IV). Plasma GH concentrations were determined using commercially available RIAs. Also, in selected samples insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels were measured. RESULTS: Basal plasma IGF-I levels as well as body mass index (BMI) were lower in amenorrheic patients than in healthy controls. No significant correlation was found between BMI and IGF-I or E2 plasma levels or between LH and IGF-I plasma levels. The basal GH plasma levels were comparable in all groups of subjects. The GH-RH--induced GH response evaluated as maximal release and as area under the curve (AUC) was higher in amenorrheic patients than in control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The amenorrheic condition associated with reduced BMI changes the GH-RH--induced GH response in hypothalamic amenorrhea, supporting a GH and a IGF-I disregulation in weight-loss--related amenorrhea.

Amenorrhea↗

PubMed1995

Allopregnanolone concentration in hippocampus of prepubertal rats and female rats throughout estrous cycle.

Hippocampus plays an important role in cognition, neuroendocrine function and sexual behaviour. Changes of hippocampal neuropeptide and neurotransmitter concentrations are associated to behavioural changes occurring throughout reproductive life. The present study focused the attention on the presence of a neurosteroid, 5 alpha-pregnan-3 alpha-ol-20-one (termed allopregnanolone) in hippocampus. In particular, hippocampal allopregnanolone concentration in male and female prepubertal rats and in female rats throughout estrous cycle were evaluated. Hippocampal extracts were eluted on high pressure liquid chromatography and allopregnanolone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. Prepubertal male and female rats (15 days old) showed highest values which significantly decreased with advancing age (25 and 60 days) (p < 0.01); the lowest hippocampal concentration of allopregnanolone was found in adult rats. Female rats on proestrus morning and afternoon showed an hippocampal allopregnanolone concentration significantly higher than on diestrus or on estrus (p < 0.01), while rats on estrus showed hippocampal allopregnanolone concentration significantly lower than during other days of estrus cycle (p < 0.01). These data indicate differences in hippocampal concentration of allopregnanolone between prepubertal and adult rats and throughout estrous cycle in female rats. This finding suggest a putative role of neurosteroids in the modulation of behavioral changes occurring throughout reproductive life.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

The role of color Doppler imaging in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate whether intraovarian and uterine blood flow variations are associated with clinical, ultrasonographic, and endocrine polycystic ovary syndrome findings. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-two hirsute, oligomenorrheic patients and 18 volunteer women underwent in the early follicular phase ultrasonographic evaluation of ovarian volume, echodensity, and follicle number; transvaginal color Doppler measurement of the uterine and intraovarian vessel variations; and radioimmunologic dosage of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, and other hormonal compartments. RESULTS: In the patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (increased luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio, elevated androstenedione levels, high number of subcapsular follicles by ultrasonography-augmented ovarian volume and echodensity) (n = 22) we observed, at Doppler analysis, significantly elevated uterine artery pulsatility index values associated with a typical low resistance index of stromal ovary vascularization. The pulsatility index was positively correlated with the luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio, and the resistance index was negatively correlated. The elevated uterine artery resistance was correlated with androstenedione levels. CONCLUSION: Doppler analysis can be a valuable additional tool for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Maternal plasma and placental immunoreactive corticotrophin-releasing factor concentrations in infection-associated term and pre-term delivery.

The present study aimed to investigate whether microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity affects maternal plasma or placental immunoreactive corticotrophin releasing factor (ir-CRF) concentrations in pregnant women with pre-term or term labour. A cross-sectional study was conducted collecting blood samples in: (1) women with pre-term labour and intact membranes (25-36 weeks), with or without microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (subdivided into three groups: 1A, no microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, delivery at term, n = 54; group 1B, delivery < 48 h, no microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, n = 10; group 1C, delivery < 48 h, microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, n = 8); (2) women at term, not in labour and without microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (n = 15); (3) women in spontaneous active labour at term without (A) (n = 55) or with (B) (n = 16) microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity; and (4) healthy women not in labour at 25-36 weeks of gestation (n = 25). Specimens of trophoblast tissue were collected from pregnant women with pre-term labour (no microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, n = 6; microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, n = 4) or delivering at term (no microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, n = 8; microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, n = 4). A specific radioimmunoassay on acidic extracts of plasma or placental specimens was used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amnion↗

PubMed1995

Naltrexone treatment restores menstrual cycles in patients with weight loss-related amenorrhea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the efficacy of naltrexone administration in patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea correlates to the response to an acute naloxone test. DESIGN: Thirty patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea associated with weight loss were studied. After naloxone test (4 mg in bolus IV) patients were divided into two groups: group A, nonresponsive (n = 15) and group B, responsive (n = 15). Group A underwent two cycles of hormonal replacement therapy with E2 patches and medroxyprogesterone acetate. Then all patients were administered naltrexone at the dosage 50 mg/d orally for 6 months. A third group of 10 amenorrheic patients were treated with oral placebo with the same schedule. RESULTS: Plasma gonadal steroid levels increased in all patients and in 24 of 30 patients the menstrual bleeding occurred within 90 days from the beginning of treatment. After 6 months from naltrexone discontinuation, 18 of 24 patients still showed the occurrence of menstrual cycles. Luteinizing hormone plasma levels and LH pulse amplitude increased after 3 months of treatment and remained unchanged 6 months after naltrexone suspension. Plasma FSH levels did not show any change in any patient. The body mass index increased after 3 months in all patients who menstruated. Patients treated with placebo did not show any significant change in gonadotropins and gonadal steroid plasma levels. CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports the efficacy of naltrexone therapy for patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea either responsive or nonresponsive to naloxone test.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1995

Naltrexone administration modulates the neuroendocrine control of luteinizing hormone secretion in hypothalamic amenorrhoea.

Because endogenous opioids have been considered to be deeply involved as a causal factor of hypothalamic amenorrhoea, this study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the administration of naltrexone, an antagonist of opioid receptors, on luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in patients with hypothalamic amenorrhoea. A total of 30 patients with hypothalamic amenorrhoea were studied. Patients were divided into two groups: group A, hypogonadotrophic (n = 15), and group B, normogonadotrophic (n = 15). All patients were administered naltrexone at a dose of 50 mg/ day per os for 6 months. A third group of 10 amenorrhoeic patients was treated with placebo per os with the same schedule. All patients were evaluated for LH spontaneous pulsatile release in baseline conditions and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Plasma gonadal steroid concentrations increased significantly in all patients after 3 months of naltrexone therapy, but only hypogonadotrophic patients showed a sharp increase in both LH plasma concentrations and LH pulse amplitude within the first 3 months of treatment which remained unchanged until the sixth month of treatment. Plasma follicle stimulating hormone concentrations did not change significantly in any patient. Menstrual bleeding occurred within 90 days of the beginning of treatment in 24 out of the 30 patients. Patients treated with placebo did not show a significant change in gonadotrophin and gonadal steroid plasma concentrations. The results of our study support the efficacy of naltrexone administration on neuroendocrine pathways controlling LH secretion in patients with hypothalamic amenorrhoea.

Amenorrhea↗

PubMed1995

Changes in dopaminergic control of circulating melanocyte-stimulating hormone-related peptides at puberty.

Desacetyl alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) (ACTH 1-13) is the main form of immunoreactive alpha-MSH circulating in human plasma. This study evaluates the possibility that a dopaminergic inhibitory mechanism could be operative during human development. Thus, alpha-MSH and ACTH 1-13 plasma levels were measured after dopaminergic blockade (domperidone (0.3 mg/kg body weight, maximum 10 mg, p.o.) in 13 prepubertal (aged 4.5-12.3 y) and 12 pubertal (aged 10.2-16.9 y) children. Both peptides were measured by RIA after plasma extraction on Sep-pak C-18 cartridges and reverse phase HPLC. The chromatographic profile of alpha-MSH immunoreactivity falls into two main peaks, corresponding to the retention time of alpha-MSH and ACTH 1-13. Moreover, in prepubertal children domperidone induced a significant increase of alpha-MSH from 1.7 (median) to 5.0 pmol/L, whereas no changes in alpha-MSH plasma levels were found in pubertal subjects (from 5.0 to 4.1 pmol/L). Similarly, ACTH 1-13 plasma levels significantly increased from 3.0 to 19.8 pmol/L in prepubertal children remaining stable in pubertal ones (from 7.8 to 4.6 pmol/L). Moreover, a significant negative correlation was found between basal DHEA-S levels and the plasma alpha-MSH increase after domperidone. These data demonstrate that: 1) ACTH 1-13 is the main form of immunoreactive alpha-MSH in prepubertal life and 2) the dopaminergic inhibition of both ACTH 1-13 and alpha-MSH plasma levels is apparent only in prepubertal subjects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Effect of corticotropin-releasing factor-binding protein on prostaglandin release from cultured maternal decidua and on contractile activity of human myometrium in vitro.

Human placenta and uterine tissues are sites of production and local action of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). The recent evidence that CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP), a protein that blocks CRF-induced pituitary ACTH release, is produced by placental tissues suggested the present study to investigate the effects of CRF-BP on prostaglandin release and contractile activity of myometrial strips. Primary cultures of decidual cells were prepared using tissue collected from healthy women undergoing cesarean delivery at term. Mechanical and enzymatic cell dispersions were carried out, and experiments were performed 24-28 h after cell plating. The prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration in cultured medium was measured by RIA. Myometrial strips were obtained from the upper edge of the uterine incision during elective cesarean section at term. Dissected free of connective tissue, strips were mounted in a 30-mL two-chamber organ bath containing oxygenated Tyrode's buffer (37 C) and connected to a two-channel isometric smooth muscle transducer. Cultured decidual cells collected at term significantly increased the release of PGE2 in the presence of CRF (P < 0.01). The addition of CRF-BP did not significantly modify PGE2 release, but completely reversed the effect of CRF. When human myometrial strips were incubated in the presence of CRF and PGF2 alpha, a significant increase in contractile activity was observed (P < 0.01); preincubation with CRF-BP prevented the increased contractile activity induced by CRF. The present data show that CRF-BP is able to counteract the biological effect of CRF on human pregnancy endometrium and myometrium and suggest that CRF-BP may be a regulatory protein that plays a role in the local function of uterine tissues during pregnancy.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Prolonged treatment of hirsutism with flutamide alone in patients affected by polycystic ovary syndrome.

Hirsutism is a common symptom of women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The effectiveness of the antiandrogen flutamide alone was studied in 25 patients affected by PCOS with severe hirsutism for a period of 24 months. Seventeen of these patients had not been treated before and eight had had previous but unsatisfactory therapy. Nineteen patients showed a normal body weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2) whereas six were obese (BMI > 35 kg/m2). A chemical and endocrinological evaluation and an assessment of the degree of hirsutism, assigned by Ferriman-Gallwey score (mean 22 +/- 3.038), was performed under baseline conditions. Patients started treatment with flutamide (Eulexin, Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, USA) at the dose of 500 mg daily. A chronobiological assessment of gonadotropin episodic secretion and of gonadotropin response to GnRH challenge (10 micrograms in bolus) was done before and on day 7 of flutamide administration. During treatment, our patients showed a marked and significant reduction of hirsutism starting from a score of 6 and reaching the maximum (9.6 + 2.1) at 24 months of therapy. No relevant hormonal changes or side-effects were observed during therapy. Our data demonstrate that hirsutism in PCOS can rapidly and markedly respond to treatment with flutamide alone without important side-effects even if administered for a long period.

Adult↗