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Biomedical subjects

A Fahim

Publications and source records attributed to A Fahim.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

The role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the control of growth hormone and prolactin release.

In order to evaluate the actions of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide which is found within the hypothalamus, male and ovariectomized (OVX) female rats were injected intraventricularly (third ventricle, 3V) with varying doses of CGRP or antiserum directed against the peptide and the effect on plasma growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (Prl) concentrations studied. Intraventricular injection of the peptide (0.5 or 5.0 micrograms; 0.125 or 1.25 nmol) induced a suppression of GH release in conscious, OVX female and intact male rats. Conversely, intraventricular injection of diluted (1:10) highly specific antiserum against the peptide produced the reverse effect and a transient elevation in plasma GH occurring 2 h after the injection in males. A longer-lasting elevation occurred in OVX females which persisted for the 24-hour duration of the experiment. The elevation was delayed as has been the case with other antisera suggesting that the site of action was at some distance from the site of injection into the 3V. Since the peptide had an action to inhibit GH release from dispersed, overnight cultured anterior pituitary cells in vitro at doses of 10(-11) M, it is not certain from these results whether or not the effects of the peptide are exerted directly on the hypothalamus or the pituitary, but the results indicate a physiologically significant action of this peptide to suppress GH release. Similarly, intraventricular injection of the peptide produced a dose-related suppression of Prl release in OVX animals; however, antiserum directed against the peptide failed to alter Prl release. In males, only the lower 0.5-microgram dose effectively inhibited Prl release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Trocar introduction performed during laparoscopy of the obese patient.

Obesity, especially morbid obesity, is reported to be a relative contraindication to laparoscopy. A technique for trocar introduction and laparoscopy of the obese patient to eliminate this contraindication is described. The technique presented herein differs from the traditional method by: 1, primary trocar entry at a 90 degree angle to the horizontal plane, and 2, confirmation for intraperitoneal position of the instruments before creating the pneumoperitoneum. A retrospective study was done to compare demographic, medical and surgical data of obese and non-obese patients. No important differences were found and it was also found that obesity was not a relative contraindication to laparoscopy. Obesity was defined by a ponderal index of less than 11.7. No operative complications were found for the 344 obese patients studied and all laparoscopy procedures were completed as intended. These differences in technique can avoid the pitfalls commonly reported concerning laparoscopy of the obese patient.

Adult↗